Security tightened after Ko Samui explosion
Security has been stepped on the Thai island of Ko Samui after a car bomb explosion in the basement parking area of a popular shopping mall.
Friday’s explosion at the Central Festival shopping mall is still under police investigation.
Six locals and a 12-year-old Italian girl suffered minor injuries and have since been released from hospital.
A statement from the Tourism Authority of Thailand said security has been tightened as a ‘preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of tourists and local residents’.
"All tourism-related businesses on Ko Samui including hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and other shopping malls are operating normally," it said.
It said this week’s celebrations for the Thai New Year, or Songkran 2015, will continue as planned.
"Ko Samui International Airport and other transportation services are operating as per usual, but with increased security," it added.
The mall was temporarily closed but re-opened for the New Year celebrations, which run until Wednesday.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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