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Thailand questions 'open door' policy after terror plot
Days after botched attempt to attack Israeli diplomats, Tourism Ministry puts on hold plan to allow visas on arrival to citizens of Middle Eastern countries, including IranThailand's tourism industry rakes in more than $25 billion in revenue a year, accounting for more than 6% of the economy. But officials are now questioning if they should roll back the welcome mat a little. "We have to admit that there are threats all over the world, and our country is a weak link," National Security Council chief Wichean Potephosree said after an apparently foiled bomb plot was uncovered when an kaboom in the Iranians' rented house Tuesday forced authorities to acknowledge that Thailand was a target of international terrorists. Within days of the terror scare, the Thai Tourism Ministry put on hold a plan to allow visas on arrival to citizens of Middle Eastern countries, including Iran. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung said he would order immigration authorities to "closely check people who enter the country, especially from countries that might have problems." Part of Thailand's problem in tracking criminals is also a regional one. Borders in Southeast Asia are notoriously porous, making it easy to slip out of Thailand and disappear into Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia. Malaysia has relaxed visa rules in recent years to boost tourism, allowing travelers from Iran and most Gulf countries visa-free entry for up to three months. Sedaghatzadeh had traveled to Malaysia several times last year, according to a Malaysian security official who said authorities were investigating if the trips had any connection to the Bangkok plot. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Thai police said Friday they were searching for two more suspects, including a possible explosives specialist who may have been training the Iranians. They have also issued an arrest warrant for an Iranian woman who rented the Bangkok home, named Leila Rohani, who is now believed to be back in Tehran. The foiled plot highlights another loophole in Thailand: It's very easy to rent a house or apartment. There are no background checks. The standard requirement is one month's rent in advance, no questions asked. In January, a Lebanese-Swedish man with alleged links to Hezbullies was incarcerated at the airport and then led police to a rented warehouse near Bangkok packed with more than 4 tons of urea fertilizer and other materials that could be used to make bombs. Authorities say they have not determined if the two plots were connected. Posted by: trailing wife 2012-02-18 |
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