Aussies Warned Of Thailand Terror Threat

[george]

DFAT warns of Thailand terror threat

"Australians in Thailand should exercise extreme caution"

AUSTRALIA: -- Australians travelling to Thailand are being warned that bombings and other attacks by extremists in the Muslim south could spread to the capital Bangkok.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its travel advice for one of the favourite playgrounds for Australian tourists.

The department urges Australians to defer non-essential travel to the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, including overland travel through the region to Malaysia.

DFAT says Australians in Thailand should exercise extreme caution as there is a continuing risk of terrorist attacks in South East Asia generally.

But the latest advice also focuses on the separatist insurgency in southern Thailand.

"There have been numerous security incidents in these provinces since early 2004, including bombings of public areas and facilities," the advice says.

"Further incidents are possible at any time.

"While so far this violence has been limited to southern Thailand, the escalation of violence in the south may result in attacks elsewhere in Thailand including Bangkok and other tourist areas."

More than 700 people have died in almost daily attacks or clashes with security forces since January 2004, when a bloody raid on a weapons depot triggered an uprising in the three southernmost provinces bordering Malaysia.

The Thai government this week announced plans to fly spy drones over the Muslim-majority south and increase its security budget to cope with the insurgency.

--AAP 2005-06-29

[Kerryd]

The Thai government this week announced plans to fly spy drones over the Muslim-majority south and increase its security budget to cope with the insurgency.

--AAP 2005-06-29

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It wasn't that long ago that the Prime Minister said they would take a "softer approach" to dealing with this problem.

Since then, the level and frequency of the violence has increased if anything. Obviously, these people don't want anything less than a seperate, fundamentalist Islamic state. Once (or, if) they achieve that, they would then have the freedom to export their terrorism into the neighbouring areas, similar to what is happening in other parts of the world.

There are many fundamentalists who envision the green flag of Islam flying over every country from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans. Some have even stated that they hoped North America would become an Islamic country by the end of the 21st century.

There is a joke floating around European political circles, Which European country will be the first to enact Islamic Sharia law ? (The inside money is on France right now supposedly).

[dr_Pat_Pong]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion

[Kerryd]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, might take them a few more years than origianlly planned. Remember back in the 60's/70's, large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam (notably Cat Stevens and Cassius Clay, otherwise known as Muhhamed Ali).

It won't happen for a few years, but the next civil war in the states will probably be racial/religious in nature.

[chuchok]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, might take them a few more years than origianlly planned. Remember back in the 60's/70's, large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam (notably Cat Stevens and Cassius Clay, otherwise known as Muhhamed Ali).

It won't happen for a few years, but the next civil war in the states will probably be racial/religious in nature.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Always thought that cat was white and came from England.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, might take them a few more years than origianlly planned. Remember back in the 60's/70's, large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam (notably Cat Stevens and Cassius Clay, otherwise known as Muhhamed Ali).

It won't happen for a few years, but the next civil war in the states will probably be racial/religious in nature.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Always thought that cat was white and came from England.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well he certainly was white.

[Jai Dee]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion  

Yeah, might take them a few more years than origianlly planned. Remember back in the 60's/70's, large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam (notably Cat Stevens and Cassius Clay, otherwise known as Muhhamed Ali).

It won't happen for a few years, but the next civil war in the states will probably be racial/religious in nature.

Always thought that cat was white and came from England.

From this site:

Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, the son of a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) grew up above the family shop in London’s theatre district, situated at the northernmost junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and New Oxford Street, near the heart of London’s West End.

[mnoorsapl]

"one of the favourite playgrounds for Australian tourists."

welcome to Thailand.

Do enjoy yourself.

[Kerryd]

Born Steven Demetre Georgiou, the son of a Greek Cypriot father and Swedish mother, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) grew up above the family shop in London’s theatre district, situated at the northernmost junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and New Oxford Street, near the heart of London’s West End.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, learn something new everyday ! Not sure why I thought he was an American.

Still, I don't think the Aussies have too much to worry about as far as Thailand is concerned, probably still safer than Bali.

[samran]

The Thai government this week announced plans to fly spy drones over the Muslim-majority south and increase its security budget to cope with the insurgency.

--AAP 2005-06-29

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It wasn't that long ago that the Prime Minister said they would take a "softer approach" to dealing with this problem.

Since then, the level and frequency of the violence has increased if anything. Obviously, these people don't want anything less than a seperate, fundamentalist Islamic state. Once (or, if) they achieve that, they would then have the freedom to export their terrorism into the neighbouring areas, similar to what is happening in other parts of the world.

There are many fundamentalists who envision the green flag of Islam flying over every country from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans. Some have even stated that they hoped North America would become an Islamic country by the end of the 21st century.

There is a joke floating around European political circles, Which European country will be the first to enact Islamic Sharia law ? (The inside money is on France right now supposedly).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Things were working fairly well until we had a hot head prime minister come along trying to emulate George W. down there.

There were fairly robust institutions which liased between the government and local communities which were disbanded by the PM against all advice.

When things started going wrong, it was convineient to associate the troubles down there with the 'war on terror' when in fact it was not related at all, and had more to do with the traditional lack of attention lack of empathy that Bangkok has with how things work down there.

As for Islamic Flags? Flipping Heck....Indonesia is now the largest democracy in SE Asia. Recent local government elections were almost non religous. Christians voted for Muslim Cantidates, Musims voted for Christian Cantidates. It all worked out and there wasn't anyone assasinated.

[khall64au]

"one of the favourite playgrounds for Australian tourists."

welcome to Thailand.

Do enjoy yourself.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just as Qantas starts up direct charter flights from Sydney to Phuket in attempt to help the ailing tourist economy, the Aussie govt. issues a travel warning to southern Thailand and other tourist areas.

Same thing happened this time last year when my parents were coming to Phuket to visit me. They almost didn't come. Is there a conspiracy going on here?

[kat]

They are kinda optimistic about the US conversion  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, might take them a few more years than origianlly planned. Remember back in the 60's/70's, large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam (notably Cat Stevens and Cassius Clay, otherwise known as Muhhamed Ali).

It won't happen for a few years, but the next civil war in the states will probably be racial/religious in nature.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The term Negro is a pre-civil rights term. Also "large portions" is a bit of an overstatement; the last I read a couple of years ago, the percentage of conversions to Islam in the black community was about 7%.

...As for Islamic Flags? Flipping Heck....Indonesia is now the largest democracy in SE Asia. Recent local government elections were almost non religous. Christians voted for Muslim Cantidates, Musims voted for Christian Cantidates. It all worked out and there wasn't anyone assasinated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, after the election and the great siphoning of tsunmai aid, flying bullets are about to commence any day over the water-logged villages of Aceh.

[Khutan]

<snip> large portions of the Negro population in the US converted to Islam

<snip>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And all Australians would know about Anthony Mundene

[samran]

...As for Islamic Flags? Flipping Heck....Indonesia is now the largest democracy in SE Asia. Recent local government elections were almost non religous. Christians voted for Muslim Cantidates, Musims voted for Christian Cantidates. It all worked out and there wasn't anyone assasinated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, after the election and the great siphoning of tsunmai aid, flying bullets are about to commence any day over the water-logged villages of Aceh.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely, better to have a democratically government in place, than not, wouldn’t you think Kat? Hopefully the Tsnami has acted as a circuit breaker for what had been happening in Aceh. No one who has lived and worked in Asia would be naïve to think that there wasn’t going to be a rorting of at least some of the aid money, but at least the bullets haven’t started flying yet…….

[kat]

"Surely, better to have a democratically government in place, than not, wouldn’t you think Kat?"

Yes, I do, Samran. I was in Jakarta days after the election, so if it didn't work out, I would of been right in the middle of it

[thaibebop]

Unless America becomes really poor fundmentalism of any kind will in small numbers. Money makes people soft.