The genie is out of the bottle

[Nam Kao]

Thai authorities hunt six surface-to-air missiles smuggled in ahead of Asia-Pacific Economic summit in Bangkok at end of month. Twenty-one world leaders attending include US president Bush. Missiles like shoulder-launched type fired by al Qaeda last year at Israeli airliner in Mombasa

Go read at Debka.com

[Nam Kao]

todays BKK post

Hand-held missile fear sparks hunt

SAMs said to have been smuggled in

Wassayos Ngamkham and Yuwadee Tunyasiri

Fears are growing that six portable missiles may have been smuggled into Thailand for use in terror attacks during the Apec summit.

The missiles are reported to be similar to one fired at a chartered Israeli commercial jet loaded with holiday makers as it left Mombasa airport in Africa last year. It missed and the plane continued on to Tel Aviv.

A highly-placed Crime Suppression Division police source said urgent orders had been issued to trace the missiles.

The detectives' report on the missing missiles is sketchy, giving no details on their origin, when they were smuggled into Thailand, by whom or how. But authorities were taking the issue seriously, the source said.

Officers from the Special Branch police had been called in to help.

Adding to the fears about the missiles is a recent report that Don Muang international airport is considered one of the most vulnerable in Asia.

The Singapore report, quoting aviation security experts, said aircraft flying in and out of Bangkok might be vulnerable to missile attacks, given the airport's proximity to highways, residences and commercial complexes.

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, in charge of national security, has rejected the Singapore report, saying all necessary precautions had been taken and no detail overlooked.

Airport security had been tight for years, he said.

The elevated Don Muang Tollway, which runs parallel to Bangkok International Airport, would be subject to tight security, and all vehicles would be searched for weapons, especially missiles, at entry tollgates.

Air force chief ACM Kongsak Wantana, in charge of security at the airport and adjacent areas, said the inconvenience to motorists would be a small price to pay for security.

Gen Chavalit said the government would ensure security during the Oct 17-21 Asia-Pacific Cooperation (Apec) forum meetings. ``We're not standing with our hands in our pockets,'' he said.

Every-day crime was bound to occur, but should not be met with over-reaction.

The country had always advocated peaceful conflict resolution.

He said the government had spent a large amount on improving security _ not only for Apec, but for Thailand in general.

Security was not being left to shop-floor personnel but involved direct, hands-on supervision by high-ranking officials.

Gen Chavalit also said the government had not received requests from Apec leaders for personal security teams to carry firearms in Thailand.

Australia is reported to have sought permission for staff to carry firearms to protect Prime Minister John Howard and his delegation while at Apec.

[Butterfly]

Thai authorities hunt six surface-to-air missiles smuggled in ahead of Asia-Pacific Economic summit in Bangkok at end of month. Twenty-one world leaders attending include US president Bush. Missiles like shoulder-launched type fired by al Qaeda last year at Israeli airliner in Mombasa

Go read at Debka.com

Debka is trash news. Run by a completely paranoi guy.

If only they could hit GW Bush plane with his NeoCons crooks inside, those terrorists will do a favor to the world.

[MaiChai]

What did I say about the golf course in the middle of the airport, and how easy it would be to hide a shoulder launchable missile in a golf bag?

I am just a westerner with a brain, I don't know anything about military hardware.

[SeaVisionBurma]

What did I say about the golf course in the middle of the airport, and how easy it would be to hide a shoulder launchable missile in a golf bag?

MaiChai is right - that golf course sitting in the middle of the airport is the place it's going to happen from - but they won't be using Surface-to-Air missiles given the increased security, car checks, et al.

My guess is that all the fanatical terrorists have been in their desert camps for several months now, undergoing intense training with a number 3 wood and a crapload of golf balls.

When the planes with VIP's start arriving - they'll start belting golf balls at the runway at high speed & with great vigour, such as only a fundamentalist weirdos can muster.

Granted, they wont do too much damage.....  

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hmmmmmmm .....well if Chavalit says that all is well it'd have to be.......wouldn't it ?          ???

[paul_bkk]

i heard the golf course will be closed over the apec summit. i cant play golf anyway

[GlenTuk]

I think you may find that the golf course is already closed, I posted a link a week or two ago.   ???  I can see the headlines now "747 grounded by Maxfli XS long distance Golf ball"    

[KenUdon]

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, in charge of national security, has rejected the Singapore report, saying all necessary precautions had been taken and no detail overlooked.

VERY Reassuring!!.... ???

[Bud Zumwalt]

???

Someone actually thinks security has no weapons? Foreign leaders coming without armed security? Got to be the Brits!

I personally know GW coming from Washington, who lives in Texas, is packing.

Anyone in America who does not? Come on all you American bashers! Give us a break, we are already all unemployed, so far in national debt we'll never see the green again, getting our boys banged off at least one a day in Sadden land, have Michael Jackson as our national freak and now you guys bashing us with every post. Give us a break, see you all in Bangkok soon, just a short side trip to Nam first.

Bud