Thai police investigators examine the site where a bomb exploded at Kong Toey market in Bangkok, Thailand 31 Dec 2006

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is blaming a series of deadly bombings in Bangkok on groups opposed to the military coup that put him in power.

Mr. Surayud said Monday intelligence agencies believe the New Year's Eve blasts were carried out by people who lost power following September's military takeover.

Nine bombs ripped through the capital Sunday and early Monday, killing three people and wounding at least 38 others.

Mr. Surayud did not name deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or his allies as possible culprits.

He also downplayed the likelihood that an Islamist insurgency in the south has crept northward.

Some 1,800 people have been killed in near-daily bombings in three southern provinces.