A bomb blast marked the new mayor’s first day in office at the Rueso Tambon Administrative Organisation in Narathiwat province.
The explosive device was hidden in a garbage truck parked inside the TAO office compound. The blast caused a brief fire in the truck, which was extinguished by firefighters at the office.
Amir Zarikan, a former deputy mayor, became the new TAO mayor after his predecessor, Wichet Thaithongnoom, was murdered on November 7 last year, while waiting for workers to arrive at a factory for a meeting.
A gunman opened fire on him with an assault rifle, killing him on the spot.
