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| Southeast Asia |
| Embassies warn of terror threat to Bangkok |
| 2007-02-24 |
| At least three Western embassies in Thailand updated their warnings Friday about possible terrorism in Thailand after the country's defense minister said Muslim insurgents in the south could extend their attacks to the capital, Bangkok. The Australian, Canadian and British embassies both revised their advisories cautioning travelers to exercise caution in Bangkok as well as the south — the scene of a bloody three-year insurgency. The U.S. Embassy, however, did not change its standing advice to exercise care in both areas. Thai Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya said that although Bangkok should be on the alert for terrorism, he did not anticipate any imminent attacks, the state Thai News Agency reported. The travel advisory from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the overall level of advice for Thailand — suggesting a "high degree of caution" — remained the same, but that it continued to receive reports "that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners." "Reports indicate possible bombing attacks at crowded places such as department stores, and sky-train and subway stations in Bangkok on Friday 23 February 2007," said the advisory, which did not specify the origin of the information. A spokeswoman for the Australian Embassy did not return call asking for more details. Canada's Foreign Affairs Ministry "advised against non-essential travel to the capital, Bangkok," citing what it said was a Thai Interior Ministry security alert based on "reports of possible attacks targeting public places such as shopping centers and public transportation." Police Lt. Gen. Thiradet Rodphothong, chief of the Thailand's Special Branch police division, said there was no intelligence information specifying that an attack could take place Friday, though rumors to that effect had circulated in the Thai media. He added, however, that the authorities would take special precautions on a major Buddhist holiday, Makha Bucha, on March 3, when there is the possibility of an attack "because there will be a large number of people gathering for religious events." Ian Proud, deputy spokesman for the British Embassy, said it had no information specifically suggesting an attack was likely on Friday. He said the embassy's increased concern was based on announcements by Thai government agencies that security was being increased. "We are not referring to today as a specific risk but there remains a possibility of attacks happening at any time in the future," he said. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #3 'Sorry Phil - There is indeed an extensive subway system here in Bangkok - called the MRT. I take it every work day. The warnings are pretty much overstated. The PULO separatists in the disputed southern provinces habve no interest in Bangkok. Theire only interest is in driving th Buddhist populations of Pattani, Yala, and Narithiwat provinces out of those locales. And - they have devised and carried out a very effective "ethnic cleaning" campaign - focused on the Thai educational system. Devout muslim students attend madrassas - their Buddhist neighbors attend either public or private schools. In the three disputed provinces, the Muslim separatists have pursued a consistent policy of trying to drive the Buddhist polpulation away by attacking the non-Muslim schools - killing teachers, school administrators, and students. The reasoning is: Buddhists without school-aged children will simply die off - those with children will refuse to let them face the risks of attending school - or their teachers will refuse to continue teaching - because the risks are too high. The separatists believe (correctly) that Buddhist parents will not allow their children to grow up without education - so they will be forced to relocate their families to safer provinces. Regretably - this is a very effective strategy - and the Thai government has done a very ppor job of countering this strategy. Bottom line: As a daily commuter in Bangkok, I dismiss these warnings as not meaningful. |
| Posted by: Lone Ranger 2007-02-24 11:28 |
| #2 Bangkok doesn't have subway stations. All railways are above ground. The IHT/NYT strikes again. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2007-02-24 07:28 |
| #1 The Australian, Canadian and British embassies both revised their advisories cautioning travelers now that's just good professional writing... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-02-24 07:17 |