January 01, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 10, 1427

BANGKOK, Dec 31: Six or more bomb blasts rocked Bangkok on new year’s eve, killing at least two people, injuring more than 20 and prompting the city to cancel major public celebrations.

The culprits and motive were not immediately known.

The bombings in several parts of city capped a year of unrest in Thailand, including a military coup three months ago and a mounting Muslim militancy in the south.

National police chief General Ajirawit Suphanaphesat said the militants were probably not behind Sunday’s attacks.

Police and army troops fanned out across Bangkok on Sunday night to guard entertainment venues and important sites. Roadblocks were thrown up at some points.

Ajirawit said on television that at least six blasts occurred, and that authorities were inspecting several more locations where there were suspicious packages.

Bangkok’s Mayor Apirak Kosayothin, who expressed shock at the extent of the attacks, ordered the cancellation of the two major public new year’s eve countdown celebrations and other smaller ones.—AP