Attacks in Thailand Kill 1 and Injure 14

Two bombs exploded Saturday in southern Thailand, killing a man and injuring at least 13 people, and a gunman wounded a police officer in the latest attacks, which were blamed on Islamic insurgents.

The violence occurred in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat -- the only Muslim-majority provinces in this largely Buddhist country. More than 500 people have been killed in attacks in the area since January.

The first bomb exploded at 7 a.m. at a market in Yala province, police Capt. Peerasil Ritapipat said. A man was killed and seven people were hurt, including a 1-year-old boy. The victims were Buddhists, he said.

Hours later, a bomb blew up at a riverside pavilion in Narathiwat, wounding at least six people -- two police officers, two soldiers and two villagers, police Lt. Pichet Watdaung said.

Separately, a gunman on a motorcycle shot and seriously wounded police Sgt. Poyrudin Maloh as he drove to work in Pattani province, police Col. Somjit Nasomyon said.

Southern Thai Muslims have long complained of discrimination, particularly in jobs and education. Last month, nearly 80 Muslim protesters died, many by suffocation, in police custody. Since then there have been a number of revenge killings.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Saturday that he had ordered southern provincial governors to meet with senators, members of parliament, religious leaders and villagers to “find out how to solve this problem.”

“We have to pursue two ways or paths: negotiate and maintain the peace, and protect the innocent from harm because there are innocent people being killed every day,” he said in a radio address. The government “is trying in every way to talk this out, but it’s not that easy to stop.”