At least three people have been killed and 48 others injured, six critically, following a bomb attack at a festival in Thailand’s northern Tak province.
The explosion occurred late Friday night at the Red Cross Doi Loyfa Fair in Umphang district, a popular annual event attended by thousands. Authorities say the device was thrown into a crowd near an outdoor stage where festival goers were dancing.
Two suspects are in custody, though no charges have been filed yet, according to Thai police and local media reports. Early investigations suggest the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and vowed a full investigation.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, she directed police and security agencies to identify the perpetrators, assist those affected, and increase security measures at festival events across the country.
Emergency responders and bystanders scrambled to assist the injured in the immediate aftermath. Footage shared on social media shows chaotic scenes, with some individuals receiving CPR while others were treated for severe wounds.
In one video, a man’s trousers are cut to expose a bleeding leg wound, while panicked crowds can be seen rushing around in confusion.
Photos released by the Umphang Rescue Group show a cordoned-off area strewn with debris, illuminated by string lights. The group confirmed that the explosion occurred at 11:30 pm local time (16:30 GMT), and some victims were transported to a nearby hospital.
The Red Cross Doi Loyfa Fair is a major event in the region, drawing between 8,000 and 9,000 attendees this year. The attack occurred on the second-to-last night of the week-long festival.
Umphang, the southernmost district of Tak province, borders Myanmar and is known for its natural beauty and cultural festivities.
