Three dead and dozens injured in a bomb explosion at a Thai festival

At least three people were killed and dozens injured after an explosive device was thrown into a crowd of people during a festival in Thailand.

The attack occurred shortly before midnight, local time, on Friday, at the Doi Loifa Red Cross Fair, which is held annually in the Umfang district of North Tak Province.

The Associated Press and local media, citing Thai police, reported that two suspects had been detained, but no charges had been brought against them.

Police said at least 48 people were injured, six of them in serious condition.

Police were alerted to the incident at 23:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Friday.

The Umfang rescue team said in a statement that the explosive device was thrown and landed at the foot of an outdoor stage where people were dancing.

She added that some of the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.

Several reports indicate that the explosion was caused by an explosive device.

Footage said to be from the scene, which was shared on social media, shows scenes of panic as emergency workers and festival-goers tend to the injured.

One video appears to show at least two people lying close together and being given CPR, while crowds rush around them in confusion.

The camera then pans to someone cutting off a man’s trousers to reveal a wound on his leg, from which blood is pouring.

Pictures taken in the aftermath of the accident, shared by the rescue team, show a cordon around an area filled with rubbish and strung up with lights.

Prime Minister Baitungtarn Shinawatra shared her condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the bombing in a post on X.

She said she ordered the police and security services to investigate the cause of the explosion and assist those affected. She also directed to increase the number of police officers to supervise all festival activities.

According to the Bangkok Post, between 8,000 and 9,000 people attended the week-long festival this year, and the attack occurred on the penultimate night of the event.

Umphang is the southernmost district of Tak Province in northern Thailand, which shares a border with Myanmar to the west.