In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

Image: A member of a Thai bomb squad checks a car in Narathiwat province, south of Bangkok
Photographs: Reuters

Ever seen a car bomb going off?

This unfortunate Thailand bomb squad officer approached a bomb-rigged car in Narathiwat province after a second car, three yards away had detonated, wounding a soldier.

But just before the officer could reach the vehicle it erupted.

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In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

Image: A car bomb explodes as a member of a Thai bomb squad checks it in Narathiwat province

The powerful blast that wounded him and six other cops, authorities said.

The extent of the injuries was not known.

In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

The explosion made a crater outside the fence of the district office and damaged two cars and two motorcycles parked at the scene.

The attack was about 15 metres away from the district chief's house.

In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

The incident was one of several blamed on southern Thai separatists trying to send a violent message before voters get to the polls on Sunday.

Police said two irrigation workers were killed and five others were wounded when the first bomb exploded in Narathiwat province, while another bomb about 1 kilometer (one-half mile) away wounded a soldier.

In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

Officials said insurgents often plant bombs in two cars so that when police respond to an explosion in the first, they become casualties as a result of a delayed detonation of the second.

In PHOTOS: Dramatic shots of a car bomb blast

Investigators believe Malaysian Muslim militants who want independence from predominantly Buddhist Thailand were responsible for the attacks.

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