Police said most of the bombs were hidden in garbage bins and a tree pot. They were detonated nearly at the same time. Only one bomb was hurled into JB Hat Yai Hotel.

Police were still checking whether there were attempts to launch a few more bomb attacks in the town.

One of the nine victims, who is a woman, was severely injured.

The bomb attacks happened nearly at the same time at 9 pm.

The seven locations of the explosions were:

1) A drug store near Kochon Restaurant

2) Nai Nung Pub on Thammanoonwithi Road

3) Hat Yai Garden Home Hotel's carpark

4) A shrine in front of Big C Hat Yai

5) An intersection near Thong Sia Siang Tueng Foundation

6) JB Hat Yai Hotel

7) A tree pot in from of Lotus Hat Yai.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, army chief and chairman of the Council for National Security, came out to downplay the attacks immediately.

He said he had ordered security agencies concerned, including the Internal Security Operations Command, to control the situation.

He said the bombs were only small ones and did not cause much damage.

"They were only small bombs in milk cans and were aimed to cause little damages," Sonthi said.

"Nothing to worry. Officials are in control now. They are analysing information."

The Nation