A Myanmar national has been arrested on suspicion of throwing a hand grenade into a crowd of people enjoying a “Ramwong” Thai folk dance at a Red Cross fair in Umphang district of Tak province at 11.30pm on Friday night, killing three and injuring 48, five seriously.
Police said today that the suspect is an 18-year-old Myanmar national and that the grenade attack is believed to have been an act of revenge, stemming from a fight between rival groups during the Loy Krathong festival in November.
The explosion killed two people at the scene. A third person was pronounced dead at Umphang District Hospital. Police say a 14-year-old boy was among those seriously injured.
Witnesses claim to have seen three men, apparently drunk, who might have been involved in the attack.
Umphang Hospital reports that one injured victim required surgery and another was transferred to the Mae Sot District Hospital, which is better equipped to deal with their injuries.
Most of the injured were given first-aid treatment and discharged.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was in Hua Hin last night for a Pheu Thai party seminar, offered her condolences to the families of the victims.
In her “X” post, she said she has ordered the Royal Thai Police and security agencies to investigate the attack, track down the perpetrators and take care of the injured and families of those killed.
The prime minister has also instructed the police to increase security at all festive event venues during the holiday season.
