Two monks, and the two paramilitary rangers escorting them, narrowly escaped serious injury and death this morning (Saturday) when an explosive device, hidden in a roadside waste bin, was detonated about a minute after they walked past it in Ruesoh district of the southern border province of Narathiwat.

Police said that four shop houses and a car, parked near the site of the blast, were damaged. Debris was scattered on the road.

Officers from the explosive ordnance disposal unit said that about 20kgs of explosives were placed inside a 5kg liquefied petroleum gas canister and the device was detonated by a remote control transmitter.

Security officials said that the perpetrators, believed to be southern insurgents, planted the explosive device with the intention to kill the monks and their security escorts as they were receiving alms from the public.

The two monks were given first aid treatment at the district hospital and discharged, while the rangers were admitted.