A Malaysian was among the three injured when a home made bomb went off at a eatery in Lorong Satu, Jalan Masjid Besar, Sungai Golok in Southern Thailand.

According to a Bernama report, the incident occurred at about 8 am Malaysian time and the bomb is believed to have been triggered using a remote device.

A spokesperson for the South Thailand Border Coordinating Agency, Colonel Somkuan Sangpappratenet said the injured Malaysian was identified as Tan Soo Hock, 58, who suffered cuts and was allowed to return to Malaysia after receiving treatment at the Sungai Golok Hospital.

Tan's companion, believed to be a local woman, was also slightly injured on her hands and received treatment at the same hospital.

"We have beefed up security at the area to ensure the public's safety," he said.

Dissident groups

Dissident groups had been targeting the area and the last explosion happened in November, where seven, including a Malaysian, were injured.

A local resident, Saudean Cheahase, 34, said the bomb went off during the peak period while people were on their way to work and many having breakfast in the eateries.

Since January 2003 more than 1,100 died in the bloodshed in South Thailand including 85 killed following a protest in Thakbai on Oktober 2004 and the Keresik Mosque tragedy in the same year.

A check conducted by Bernama at the place of the incident found that the bom squad of the Thai Marine Force was conducting investigations on the scene.