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| Southeast Asia |
| JI poses little threat to Thailand post-Hambali |
| 2005-12-01 |
| Al-Qaeda's network in Southeast Asia poses little threat as it was weakened with the capture of its key leader in Thailand three years ago, an army intelligence source said yesterday. The source was commenting on a website posting claimed by a militant group calling itself al-Qaeda's Southeast Asian Division, warning Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines to expect attacks on government, military and economic targets. The source said al-Qaeda's network in the region had been all but destroyed after the capture in Ayutthaya of Hambali, an Indonesian believed to be Osama bin Laden's key link man in Southeast Asia, in 2003. The remaining members were unable to set up an effective network, he said. Intelligence units thought the group was probably an offshoot of the insurgency movement in southern Thailand which wanted to fabricate news that al-Qaeda groups were operating in the region. However, the website posting served as a warning to step up security measures at important locations. Intelligence passed from friendly countries had earlier warned Thailand there could be a terrorist attack on Khao San road in Bangkok. "In fact, Khao San road is already an important target as there are plenty of foreign tourists there. Authorities have already paid close attention to it," said the source. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Wannasathit said the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) was studying the possibility of seizing the assets of people for whom arrest warrants had been issued on terrorism charges. Amlo secretary-general Pol Maj-Gen Peeraphan Prempooti said seizing the assets of terror suspects became government policy after some organisations were found to have been involved in the drug trade, avoided paying customs duties or provided financial support for insurgents operating in the deep South. Violence continued in the deep South yesterday. An elderly man was shot dead by suspected militants in Muang district of Yala, police said. Manoon Sangkul, 71, was gunned down by the pillion rider of another motorcycle when he left his house in tambon Tha Sap to go a tea shop along Phetkasem highway. About three months ago Manoon's nephew, Puang Sangkul, 51, was shot dead near near the same location. No arrests have been made in that case. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |