Two innocent bystanders were killed and several others, including four paramilitary rangers, were injured on Monday evening when an improvised explosive device, hidden in a motorcycle, exploded at a busy market in Nong Chik district of Thailand’s southernmost province of Pattani.

Security officials said that suspected insurgents drove the motorcycle into the Bo Thong market and left it between several other parked vehicles before leaving the scene.

The market was very busy with many shoppers buying food after having fasted for the whole day.

Without warning, the bomb exploded killing one 14-year old Muslim boy and fatally wounding a 35-year old Muslim women, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at the district hospital.

Four rangers and five civilians in the vicinity of the explosion were also injured by flying shrapnel, but their conditions are not reported to be serious.  Nine cars and six motorcycles were damaged.

The motorcycle carrying the explosive device had been reported stolen about two years ago in the Jana district of Songkhla province.

Pattani provincial police commander, Pol Maj-Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, condemned the bomb attack as brutal with no regard to the safety of innocent people, despite the fact that this is the Ramadan fasting month.