The New Year celebrations in Thailand were shattered by violence, when 9 bombs exploded across Bangkok around midnight. Three Thai citizens were killed and more than 30 injured. No terrorist group claimed responsibility for the bombings by Tuesday. Some believe the explosions were the work of Muslim separatists. Bombings and shootings occur almost daily in Thailand' s three southernmost provinces: Yala, Narathiwat and Purtonia have a dominant Muslim population and have long complained of neglect and discrimination in the largely Buddhist nation. They have asked for an independence and separate Islamic state. Since 2004, the insurgences have carried out numerous attacks in the south, and more than 1,900 people have been killed. The Thai government has been unable to curb the violence, though thousands of troops have been sent to the south.