Chalerm Denies Threat Of Terror: Thailand

[JulesMad]

Terrorists need vacation time as well! It is a stressful job... What better place to chill than Thailand

That is also why they stepped up surveillance in Kao San road and Pattaya... It is easy in these places to spot a farang

[soylentgreen]

Thai police have released a picture of the "suspect" in the warnings issued by the US Embassy on "possible terrorist threat in Bangkok." He is identified in a Swedish passport as Atris Hussein, a Lebanese. He was detained at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on Jan 12.

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa told reporters that he had received intelligence "one or two days" earlier about a possible plot of terrorism against Israeli facilities in Bangkok "because they were said to have killed a number of Iranians."

Chalerm said intelligence to that effect had in fact been received by Thai authorities even before the New Year.

http://suthichaiyoon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591212159#!/profile.php?id=591212159&sk=wall

[toenail]

...In your dreams will I trust the Thai government's comments on anything after their "expert" advice on the floods.

[Mosha]

Thailand has increased it's security watch level from No problem to Don't worry about it.

[sandhurstmolonski]

Well ....this warning looks pretty serious , these situations are rarely just taken care of by one individual . But really , I think one always has to be cautious in Bangkok on any number of fronts . Nows probably not the time to be drawing accessive attention to yourself as a Farang .......... This could be particularly difficult for " Some " USA tourists in particular .

[xthAi76s]

Thai officials predictably downplay anything that may impact tourism revenues.

Right on. Another nail in the tourism coffin.

Which is so strange since Thai officials are often quoted as downplaying the role tourism plays in the Thai economy -- at (a gov't reported ~7% of GDP) ... They do anything to protect it. You'd think it's larger than 7% for sure ...

EDIT: replying to Jinthing

Edited January 14, 2012 by ThailandMan

[pacovl46]

<deleted> do they want in Thailand???

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Actually, I just posted in yesterday's thread some info from a fascinating column by author Richard Ehrlich on a couple of things.... 1. on the 1972 Arab attack on the Israeli Embassy in BKK on the day the prince was being crowned, and 2. the author's account of how Middle Eastern terrorists supposedly like to use Thailand as their R&R spot....but don't typically do attacks here, as in, not wanting to sh** in their own nest...

[smedly]

you know I would love someone to go through all the official news since the US made that announcement and log all the statements the authorities made in a step by step one liner post here just to get a picture of how these baffoons present themselves to the puplic, it's a circus

[pimay11]

Thai police have released a picture of the "suspect" in the warnings issued by the US Embassy on "possible terrorist threat in Bangkok." He is identified in a Swedish passport as Atris Hussein, a Lebanese. He was detained at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on Jan 12.

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa told reporters that he had received intelligence "one or two days" earlier about a possible plot of terrorism against Israeli facilities in Bangkok "because they were said to have killed a number of Iranians."

Chalerm said intelligence to that effect had in fact been received by Thai authorities even before the New Year.

http://suthichaiyoon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook...1212159&sk=wall

Maybe Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak was over at Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop's house having a well prepared lion steak from the Chiang Mai Zoo Safari restaurant when the intelligence report came in and he simply missed it.

Edited January 14, 2012 by pimay11

[rheinwiese]

PM Yingluck brushes aside worries over terror attack plan in Thailand

. The PM has also instructed Deputy Prime Minister, Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung, and National Police Chief, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, to follow up on the issue and report back within 24 hours.

tbh this whole thing sounds like intergovernemental warnings where being ignored and the US decided to step things up by making the public aware, the above statement looks to me like the PM's response is more like a knee jerk attempt on action that was up to now being ignored by this incompetent administration.

In my opinion there is a lot more going on here behind the scenes and I would not take any of this lightly

exactly my thoughts!

[otherstuff1957]

Police say security tightened at Khaosan, Rambutri and Sukhumvit Soi 23 via @js100radio /TANN

Why don't they just check the disco in the basement of the Grace Hotel?

[webfact]

Army chief urges public not to panic over terror threat alert

BANGKOK, Jan 14 - Army chief Gen Prayuth Chanocha on Saturday urged the public not to panic over recent terror threat alerts issued by foreign embassies in Bangkok, while assuring the army and related agencies are well prepared with security measures and personnel for public safety.

He said undue panic can affect all business sectors in the country particularly during this high season of the tourism industry.

According to the army chief, information on the terror warning has been issued for a while and security agencies have been working on the matter continuously to ensure public safety.

Police will be the main force keeping a close eye on possible terrorist movements, he stated, while the army will be supporting police.

The website of the US embassy in Bangkok on Friday published a warning, urging all Americans living or visiting in the Thai capital to be on high alert when "visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok."

Atris Hussein, a 48 year-old Lebanese man, with suspected links to a militant group in Lebanon was detained and questioned under immigration law while leaving Thailand on the same day as the US embassy in Bangkok had issued a terrorist threat warning in the capital.

The threat's details cannot be disclosed, but information about the terrorist movements have targeted Thailand since before the New Year, authorities said.

Meanwhile, another man from the Middle East, allegedly suspected of the same terrorist threat, is still at large. His sketch was published on Friday night of a man 180cm tall and around 30-40 years old.

The suspect was believed to have entered Thailand before the New Year and appeared in Bangkok's Khao San Rd, Rambutri Rd, and Sukhumvit 22.

Both men are allegedly from Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim militant group in Lebanon backed mainly by Iran and Syria and staunchly anti-Israel.

National police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong said more police from the Central Investigation Bureau, Metropolitan Police Bureau and Tourist Police Division are deployed at terror watch zones in tourist areas around Khao San Rd, Sukhumvit 22, and foreign embassies.

Other watch zones include tourist attractions in the capital and upcountry, along with foreigners' residential areas and places where they gather. Any sightings of the suspect or other suspicious incidents are advised to be reported to the police at 191 round the clock.

Pol Gen Priewpan asked not to disclose the number and details of suspected terrorists hidden in the country. He added that Atris, the suspect, has given good cooperation with the police and that he is being treated well.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Towijakchaikul on Saturday said in an interview that he was disappointed by the embassies of the United States, Canada and Australia to have issued a terrorist threat warning in Thailand without consulting the ministry, for such alerts affect the country.

He said he will discuss the matter with the Foreign Affairs' permanent secretary in order to open a dialogue with each of the three embassies.

Mr Surapong noted Thailand is a friendly country and expresses itself in the world's arena in an appropriate manner. He asked potential terrorists not to pose any threat to the country, for the world needs peace and Thailand is a Buddhist country that maintains peace as well. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

[Time Traveller]

Just like the government reaction to the floods...."nothing to worry about", "be vigilant", "there is no threat", "yes we have captured one terrorist and one has escaped"

Now that they've gotten FIDF debt off their back, perhaps the government will need to allocate tax money for Terrorism prevention. Let's say 1 trillion baht.

[wave]

Mr Surapong noted Thailand is a friendly country and expresses itself in the world's arena in an appropriate manner. He asked potential terrorists not to pose any threat to the country, for the world needs peace and Thailand is a Buddhist country that maintains peace as well. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

Well that's ok then, you tell'em Khun Surapong.....no need to worry now

[diehard60]

the Thai government knew about this before New Years. And it takes this long to locate them. And one gets away? WOW!

[diehard60]

Mr Surapong noted Thailand is a friendly country and expresses itself in the world's arena in an appropriate manner. He asked potential terrorists not to pose any threat to the country, for the world needs peace and Thailand is a Buddhist country that maintains peace as well. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

Well that's ok then, you tell'em Khun Surapong.....no need to worry now

this is cute, real cute. thay will really listen now.

[frodo]

Mr Surapong noted Thailand is a friendly country and expresses itself in the world's arena in an appropriate manner. He asked potential terrorists not to pose any threat to the country, for the world needs peace and Thailand is a Buddhist country that maintains peace as well. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-14

Well that's ok then, you tell'em Khun Surapong.....no need to worry now

Between Surapong and Chalerm, it's hard to tell which one get's the laugh for the day.

"...no terrorist attacks will be allowed to take place....If they have disagreement, (they should) go fight somewhere else."

[AllanB]

If you guys are really scared of a terrorist attack, don't go to Farang bars and strip joints, where they would expect you to be. If you think this a load of Hezbollocks go enjoy yourselves, you can catch HIV, or become an alcoholic and die that way instead. Your chances are much better.

Or you can go to somewhere peaceful and remember, you can, the people in Gaza don't have these choices

The reason the US, UK, etc authorities issue these so called warnings, is to cover their ars*s, the Thais don't need to do that, 'cause they don't have suing culture here. That's why I love it, if you trip on the pavement (sidewalk) here you weren't watching where you were going.

[Buchholz]

Thai police have released a picture of the "suspect" in the warnings issued by the US Embassy on "possible terrorist threat in Bangkok." He is identified in a Swedish passport as Atris Hussein, a Lebanese. He was detained at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on Jan 12.

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa told reporters that he had received intelligence "one or two days" earlier about a possible plot of terrorism against Israeli facilities in Bangkok "because they were said to have killed a number of Iranians."

Chalerm said intelligence to that effect had in fact been received by Thai authorities even before the New Year.

http://suthichaiyoon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591212159#!/profile.php?id=591212159&sk=wall

Swedish???

What did the USA ever do against Sweden?

.

[bigbamboo]

ASTV: Hezbollah says none of its members have been arrested abroad, counter to Thai authorities' claim that arrested Lebanese is Hezbollah /TANN

They probably charged into the Grace Hotel, and arrested the 1st Lebanese they found in the register.

Sounds like the Thai authorities arrested the wrong man so as Chalerm says, everything is back to normal.

[WAERTH]

Thai police have released a picture of the "suspect" in the warnings issued by the US Embassy on "possible terrorist threat in Bangkok." He is identified in a Swedish passport as Atris Hussein, a Lebanese. He was detained at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on Jan 12.

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa told reporters that he had received intelligence "one or two days" earlier about a possible plot of terrorism against Israeli facilities in Bangkok "because they were said to have killed a number of Iranians."

Chalerm said intelligence to that effect had in fact been received by Thai authorities even before the New Year.

http://suthichaiyoon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook...1212159&sk=wall

Swedish???

What did the USA ever do against Sweden?

.

The US is trying to close down the Pirate Bay! And tried to interfere in Swedish politics to accomplish that. Pissed of some Swedes I am sure.

W

[elcent]

Thai police have released a picture of the "suspect" in the warnings issued by the US Embassy on "possible terrorist threat in Bangkok." He is identified in a Swedish passport as Atris Hussein, a Lebanese. He was detained at Suvarnnabhumi Airport on Jan 12.

Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa told reporters that he had received intelligence "one or two days" earlier about a possible plot of terrorism against Israeli facilities in Bangkok "because they were said to have killed a number of Iranians."

Chalerm said intelligence to that effect had in fact been received by Thai authorities even before the New Year.

http://suthichaiyoon.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook...1212159&sk=wall

Swedish???

What did the USA ever do against Sweden?

.

The US is trying to close down the Pirate Bay! And tried to interfere in Swedish politics to accomplish that. Pissed of some Swedes I am sure.

W

The passport is probably fake or or runs on a stolen ID. From the ticket they can find out from where it was bought. If it's the Iranian smuggler circle the buyer/payer of the ticket is most likely rooted in the US. They most likely arrived in first class too. Hope they will shed light on to that, once and for all. It's relatively easy to trace back to the roots. The credit card details can be found.

I still think it's fear mongering though.

[guyshown]

I am so amazed that so many members of TV have nothing ever positive to say. Instant response to anything is ... well in a complete negative manner.

For as much complaining and negativity over Thai Government, BIB, Army, Imigration Officers, Politicians I am surprized you could still live or even think of vacation in the Land of Smiles! - Hey nothing is perfect gotcha but I can also think of issues we have in our own countries that are far from perfect.

[chrisinth]

the Thai government knew about this before New Years. And it takes this long to locate them. And one gets away? WOW!

There is no indication that these two were involved in the intel they had before New Year, Lot of bad people out there.

[thailandshasse]

Yes .

Really time to WORRY, and be afraid for more bombing, and attacs !

Yingluck, try only to save her only skin, with all her promises, as we all know about to well.

Live in South and know all to well, the danger of terrorism, and bombs.

At,s really time to be afraid, and aware, where to going in The Kingdom.

[chrisinth]

If you guys are really scared of a terrorist attack, don't go to Farang bars and strip joints, where they would expect you to be. If you think this a load of Hezbollocks go enjoy yourselves, you can catch HIV, or become an alcoholic and die that way instead. Your chances are much better.

Or you can go to somewhere peaceful and remember, you can, the people in Gaza don't have these choices

The reason the US, UK, etc authorities issue these so called warnings, is to cover their ars*s, the Thais don't need to do that, 'cause they don't have suing culture here. That's why I love it, if you trip on the pavement (sidewalk) here you weren't watching where you were going.

Have to love your interpretation of a terrorist attack only going to happen in "Farang bars and strip joints". You would be advised to be careful of 4/5 star hotels, airports, sky train stations, shopping malls, etc.

Just because they don't drink, doesn't mean it will be a bar thats targeted.

Terrorist's second largest weapon is the media (including forums!) for spreading the fear that a few are feeling. Lock yourselves in your homes (as long as they aren't near tourist areas) and stay quiet til its all over!

[bigbamboo]

I am so amazed that so many members of TV have nothing ever positive to say. Instant response to anything is ... well in a complete negative manner.

For as much complaining and negativity over Thai Government, BIB, Army, Imigration Officers, Politicians I am surprized you could still live or even think of vacation in the Land of Smiles! - Hey nothing is perfect gotcha but I can also think of issues we have in our own countries that are far from perfect.

You are, as is normal in debate, about half right. There are posters on TV who are hypercritical of the LOS and others who think the sun shines out of a Thai klong but most fall somewhere in between tempering their critique with well intentioned advice and if we're lucky some satirical humour. We are also here because we prefer Thailand to the place we were before.

Edited January 14, 2012 by bigbamboo

[shadiadi]

Mm egg on the face coming soon I think

[FriedMyLittleBrain]

OMFG is this stupidity just to show how quick & brave mr Policeman ''come on a white horse'' & no looking for 10000 danger around catch bad guys))))

Hey where the ages of beautiful ,thin ,clever ,ways for politics to lie & fool people everywhere now it is looking so primitive & stupid that i start to feel anger why they not try to make perfect lies ,is they think that I'm imbecilic so lets give bullshit they will eat it