BANGKOK - Thai police said they have been instructed to step up security measures following an intelligence report of possible bomb attacks in Bangkok and its outskirts late October.

There was some information that pointed to a possibility that a group may try to stage car-bomb attacks in three spots around Bangkok and its suburbs between Oct 25 and 30, said deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul to reporters after after chairing an urgent meeting with police officers, adding that tourist attractions and parking lots of department stores may be their targets.

According to him, the group is from the three southernmost provinces of Thailand, namely Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

Srivara said it was not unusual for this kind of report to occur, saying it could happen in many places in the world.

"I have already instructed police in all areas to be more strict and check suspicious vehicles, which is in line with the anti-terrorism plans," he said.

The increased security will focus on tourist attractions, embassies, symbolic venues and vulnerable places, according to local newspaper the Nation.

He added that security authorities had been ordered to keep a close watch on many groups of people in the three southernmost provinces, including foreigners.