Security Boost In Bangkok

[george]

Security boost for embassies,

Sukhumvit, Nana and Khao San Road.

BANGKOK: -- Security at Australia's embassy in Bangkok, along with other foreign missions, has been boosted following terrorist threats in Thailand.

Bangkok police have set up checkpoints in 256 spots in the Thai capital and have posted undercover and uniformed officers to guard buildings such as foreign embassies and government offices.

Vehicles entering the grounds of the buildings will also be searched for items such as arms and explosives.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Major General Wiroj Jantharangsi said all the areas on heightened alert had been identified as being "at risk" since November 1.

City police were also working closely with the Thai Crime Suppression Division, National Intelligence Agency and other related bodies, Wiroj said.

Undercover and uniformed police were patrolling tourist areas popular with Australian and New Zealand visitors including Sukhumvit, Nana and Khao San Road.

Police had asked the owners of guesthouses, rental houses, condominiums and apartments to be on the lookout for suspicious people, Wiroj said.

Earlier this week, Thai military intelligence sources revealed that Khao San Road, a Bangkok backpackers' haven, had long been identified as a hot target for potential terrorist attack.

The unidentified sources said allied intelligence services, believed to include ASIO, MI6 and the CIA, had recently warned that Khao San Road could be targeted "at any time".

--seven.com.au 2005-12-01

[astral]

Sad they need to do this.

It will tie up police who should be doing other jobs like chasing criminals

or closing porn web sites.

[Jai Dee]

INTERIOR MINISTER ORDERS INCREASE IN SECURITY DURING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S FESTIVAL

Interior Minister KONGSAK WANTHANA (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) said that none of 131 Thai people has travelled back to Thailand yet. Meanwhile, he has assigned state officials to strictly watch areas prone to violence during the Christmas and New Year’s Festival.

The Interior Minister said that he has checked with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and confirmed that the 131 Thai-Muslims who fled to Malaysia have not reportedly been repatriated back to Thailand. Mr Kongsak said he has instructed authorities of why the Malaysian government has released reports of the return.

Following a report from Australia that threats may occur in some busy streets in Thailand, the Interior Minister said officials will definitely emphasize surveillance in those areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 December 2005

[Scott]

I am worried that they (the police) won't be able to stop those nasty places that sell alcohol in the afternoons!.

[george]

Security measures beefed up during year-end festivities

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's security officers are on alert and beef up forces to ensure public safety during the ongoing year-end festivities, according to Interior Minister Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana.

ACM. Kongsak told journalists here on Thursday that he had instructed security agencies concerned to step up their vigilance during the year-end festivities, with special precaution emphasized on government and public places and buildings.

"This is to prevent any undesirable incidents and ensure public safety during the year-end celebrations," he noted.

The interior minister said he had also ordered reinforced security measures at immigration check points and major tourist destinations, including Khao Sarn Road in Bangkok, following a recent warning by the Australian government that the city's major tourist attraction might be a target of insurgency.

The security agencies units had been instructed as well to closely coordinate and work out joint strategic plans to prevent and deal with any possible incidents, including accidents, traffic problems, crime, turbulence and insurgency, he added.

The Ministry of Interior are also improving intelligence units to better respond and signal alarming threats in an integrated aspect, as suggested by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to the interior minister.

--TNA 2005-12-02

[juggler]

Earlier this week, Thai military intelligence sources revealed that Khao San Road, a Bangkok backpackers' haven, had long been identified as a hot target for potential terrorist attack.

I remeber a couple of years ago it must be now. A big star of david sign which used to hang above the end of kao sarn road nearly opposite gullivers was taken down- for obvious reasons. Truth is that kao sarn road could have been targeted from a long time back. Hardly breaking news

Is it really more likely to happen now than then? I wonder mmm would be bad...especially as australia told thailand there would be, along with ASIO M16 and CIA........all the terror.......when will it end?