Bangkok At Risk Of Terrorist Attacks By Southern Insurgents

[webfact]

Bangkok at risk of attacks by southern insurgents: governor

Bangkok is at risk of terrorist attacks by insurgents travelling from the South during the New Year holiday period, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Tuesday.

Citing an urgent report by the National Intelligence Agency, he said the insurgents were now based mainly in Bang Kapi district and would carry out "non-lethal" attacks at celebratory events to just "cause disturbance".

"The directors of all 50 district offices have been instructed to be on a standby, especially to watch out for incidents at local celebratory events in their jurisdiction," he added.

-- The Nation 2009/12/29

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[TAWP]

So they are going to stand around and throw water-balloons at my taxi when I am going home (pass that area every day).

Actually, they have to make up their mind here, either it is terrorist-attacks (aim to cause terror) or people causing trouble and 'disturbance'.

You cannot both warn for the scary part and then try to tone it down so people don't go elsewhere or embassies don't put up travel-warnings...

Edited December 29, 2009 by TAWP

[CelticBhoy]

To think, that area where they are is called 'Happyland' as well!

[filingaccount]

"he said the insurgents were now based mainly in Bang Kapi district"

Ok.... how about arresting them since you know their locations at pin-point accuracy? They are apparently identified as insurgents already, so it follows they must already have done something against the sovereignty of Thailand.

But let us assume they have done nothing ... yet ... but there is evidence or suspicion they might do something or other. How about deploying a large amount of police and/or military personnel and have them tracked during the critical days? It was so easy to deploy police/military several times throughout the year, so this should be a breeze.

[londonthai]

they are not exactly southerners, they are bangkokians and they are not going to travel here over new year but are here already.

[TonyBkk]

The media is the right hand of anarchy, by issuing a statement, or letting their attacks be known they are reaching their objective of causing terror in the general public.

[londonthai]

it's the bangkok's governor basing on National Intelligence Agency warning and not just media

[ppmacready]

So they are going to stand around and throw water-balloons at my taxi when I am going home (pass that area every day).

Actually, they have to make up their mind here, either it is terrorist-attacks (aim to cause terror) or people causing trouble and 'disturbance'.

You cannot both warn for the scary part and then try to tone it down so people don't go elsewhere or embassies don't put up travel-warnings...

Will they be wearing Yellow shirts or red?

[webfact]

UPDATED STORY

NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

Insurgents could target Bangkok : Sukhumbhand

By The Nation

Published on December 30, 2009

Bangkok is at risk of terrorist attacks by insurgents travelling from the South during the New Year holiday period, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.

Citing an urgent report by the National Intelligence Agency, he said the insurgents were now based mainly in Bang Kapi district and would carry out non-lethal attacks at celebratory events just to cause a disturbance.

"The directors of all 50 district offices have been instructed to be on standby, especially to watch out for incidents at local celebratory events in their jurisdiction," he added.

In a recent meeting among authorities and volunteer agencies to discuss security measures during the four-day holiday break, concern has been raised over motorcycles without licence plates, either parked or in use, in that they could be used in bomb attacks or by attackers as getaway vehicles.

Employees with private security companies also expressed concern over an insufficient number of surveillance cameras and streetlights in many areas of Bangkok, as well as inefficient urgent public warning systems in case of incidents.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanon said at least two checkpoints would be set up in each of 21 police precincts that covered 39 major events in addition to 10 major checkpoints at key spots in and out of Bangkok.

At the countdown event at CentralWorld alone, 4,400 policemen will be mobilised to provide security to about 100,000 revellers expected there and other nearby areas.

A team of 150 military policemen from the Armed Forces will be made available as a back-up force.

Police patrols will be carried out at all major bus and train terminals starting from today, to provide extra security to travellers heading from Bangkok.

Emergency medical services and rescue teams will be ready at all 50 Bangkok districts to provide both routine and emergency services around the clock.

Shops that sell fireworks without permission will face drastic action or closure, while parents of young street racers will be prosecuted if their children are arrested or found to have held or participated in street racing, the officer warned.

-- The Nation 2009/12/30

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[bubba]

Maybe related to this, maybe not, but yesterday I observed a convoy of at least 20 armoured personnel carriers heading into the city down Phaholyothin Road and turning in to the army base at Sanam Pao. Could be just some sort of routine exercise, or could be bringing in some armour to deal with potential problems. But I haven't seen this since the Songkran protests of last year, and the only other time was the Thaksin coup in 2006. Who knows....

[Publicus]

it's the bangkok's governor basing on National Intelligence Agency warning and not just media

He wants to return to the olden days of 2,000 years ago - kill the messenger.

Same as you and so many others, I want to know if the National Intelligence Agency has credible info about possible or probable southern militant terrorist attacks during a major event, the New Year celebrations.

The guy above would leave us uninformed, without advice and thus unprepared, exosed, and probably would advocate censoring media, which itself is a militant and terrorist position (Dr. Thaksin himself would be proud of). 

[Dustybin]

no worries, bangkok has a plan for terrorist attacks.

The same one when the last terrorists attacked, 12 months ago.

[JR Texas]

no worries, bangkok has a plan for terrorist attacks.

The same one when the last terrorists attacked, 12 months ago.

I am surprised this has not already happened on a large scale.