Multiple news sources are now reporting that Abdul Khan the Pakistani government scientist that ran one of the largest nuclear black market smuggling rings had a connection in Bangkok. Articles are in the NY Times and ThaiIndian News, but nothing in the Bangkok Post

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/world/as....html?ref=world

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncate...t_10060569.html

Other left of center news sources have reported that international investigators (not American) have been quoted as describing the bomb design as more advanced and powerful than the blueprints discovered in Libya in 2003, subsequent to Col. Gaddafi's renounciation of his country's nuclear weapons programme (after he was caught red handed and threatened with anhilation by the EU and USA.).

"The latest design found on Khan network computers in Switzerland, Bangkok and some other cities is half the size and twice the power of the Chinese weapon. The e-design is easy to copy, making investigators wonder how many of its copies are already in circulation, the Times said. Investigators have been alarmed because the trafficking by the Khan network in a tested, compact and efficient bomb design means that anybody with access to this technological information could build a weapon in much shorter time. The existence of the advanced bomb design began to become public after Switzerland announced a few weeks ago that it had destroyed a huge stockpile of documents, including a weapons design, found in the computers of the family of one Urs Tinner, who played a critical role in Khan's operation for many years.

The Swiss financing and connection was established long ago with UK authorities expressing their concern about the actions of Urs Tinner to Swiss authorities. The Swiss didn't do anything. (Not that anyone should be surprised.)

What concerns me is the Bangkok connection. Why did the Khan network extend into Thailand? Why hasn't there been a peep form the Thai press? Were the people involved from the Khan organization foreigners (Swiss, Pakistani and Dubai expats etc.) or were they Thai nationals? This is heavy duty sh*t and has serious implications. Although I am not expecting a Thai to launch a nuclear missle in the south, it is no big secret that there are foreign agitators active in the south. While a Thai may not be looking for martyrdom, I do question the potential for catastrophe if these plans are in the hands of such foreigners. Of all countries, Thailand a secular Buddist nation, would hardly be seen as a place to further the apostolic desires of Pakistan and Iran.

By now they will be selling these e-prints in KSR

Simon

I do question the potential for catastrophe if these plans are in the hands of such foreigners. Of all countries, Thailand a secular Buddist nation, would hardly be seen as a place to further the apostolic desires of Pakistan and Iran.

It looks more every day like " when " rather than " if "

Thailand remains relatively safe from a lot of the terrorism because it stays relatively neutral. These people and their products can get in and out of Thailand so long as they don't actively involve Thailand. It's only when they cause the Thai gov't to lose face that there is a problem.