Lebanese Terror Suspect Had Many Accomplices: Thai Police

webfact · January 18, 2012

TERROR PLOT

Suspect had many accomplices: police

KWANHAHAI MALAKARN,

KESINEE TANGKHIEO

THE NATION

Three Arabs seen frequenting house with stock of bomb-making material

Ongoing police investigation into a high-profile terrorism case suggests that Lebanese suspect Atris Hussein may have had many accomplices, including some Thais, Deputy National Police Commissioner General Pansiri Prapawat disclosed yesterday.

"We will question people who have been in contact with Atris," he said, refusing to elaborate.

Police said that Hussein, 47, had confessed to storing large amounts of ammonia nitrate and urea fertiliser at a shop house in Samut Sakhon and was planning to export it to a third country. He currently faces the charge of possessing prohibited substances.

"The items in his possession could be used to make bombs," Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Winai Thongsong said, adding that three Arabs had been seen going in and out of the shop house.

"They were last seen six months ago, but we believe they have already left Thailand," Winai said.

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

Assistant National Police Commissioner Lt-General Jaramporn Suramanee said the Scientific Crime Detection Division was examining fingerprints to determine who else might have been involved.

Winai said Hussein had told police that he had never exported bomb-making materials out of Thailand before.

"He was going to do it for the first time," he said.

Pansiri said Hussein was cooperating with the police and that investigation was making good progress. To date, he said, the suspect has not been charged with terrorism.

It is widely believed that Hussein has links with Hezbollah, a militant political party in Lebanon that is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States, Britain, Canada and several other countries.

Israeli police had reportedly warned Thai police in December that a Hezbollah member of Lebanese descent had entered Thailand and was plotting to stage terror attacks in key foreign tourist sites on Sukhumvit and Khao San roads. The targets were allegedly people from countries considered hostile to the Arab world.

Police had since been pursuing all leads and finally nabbed Hussein at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week. An informed source said Hussein had travelled in and out of Thailand several times over the past two years and usually stayed at Bangkok's All Seasons Hotel.

According to the source, Hussein had revealed in jail that bomb-making materials were being kept in a shophouse in Samut Sakhon and that he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites.

Yet, when the charge was filed against him officially, he denied any wrongdoing.

"We will question more witnesses and gather more evidence before deciding whether to file terrorism charges," Pansiri said yesterday.

The Criminal Court yesterday approved an initial 12-day detention for Hussein pending further investigation. He is now being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

-- The Nation 2012-01-18

gopnarak · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

londonthai · January 18, 2012

"confessed ... planning to export it to a third country. ... he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites."

who would "export" materials, which are available anywhere in the world? If he wanted to export something, it would be rather armaments hidden in between of some goods.

pimay11 · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

Who looks like the fool now? You tell us.

According to the source, Hussein had revealed in jail that bomb-making materials were being kept in a shophouse in Samut Sakhon and that he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites.

kerryk · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

The Thai people who did not investigate it on Dec 22 when it was first reported to them causing the US and Israel to issue travel alerts after a month of Thai inaction.

gopnarak · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

Who looks like the fool now? You tell us.

According to the source, Hussein had revealed in jail that bomb-making materials were being kept in a shophouse in Samut Sakhon and that he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites.

Yeah i read that. "An informed source" said it ... how laughable. Probably some insider information the Jerusalem Post got first.

laurentbkk · January 18, 2012

so after all the warning from US Embassy was REAL ... why the Thai government said it was not true then ..... another great example of Dont see Dont tell Dont talk ....

whybother · January 18, 2012

How many times are the government going to change their minds about what's going on here?

Two people detained. One person left the country. One person deported because their was no crime. They were just planning here and not targeting Thailand. Then they found bomb making materials "for export". Photos were being taken of key sites. Then there's "many accomplices".

Maybe someone can come up with a better summary of the flip-flopping, because I just can't keep up.

whybother · January 18, 2012

Yeah i read that. "An informed source" said it ... how laughable. Probably some insider information the Jerusalem Post got first.

"Denial is not just a river in Egypt".

geriatrickid · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

You.

Your posts are intended to provoke and wind people up.

Grow up.

pimay11 · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

You.

Your posts are intended to provoke and wind people up.

Grow up.

You do have a way with words GK. Couldn't have said it better myself .

maidu · January 18, 2012

Thai investigators do their jobs like children. They let suspects go too easily (one was allowed to slip out the country a week ago). And investigators tend to believe what suspect terrorists claim. It sounds like they'd like to let this guy go also, and chalk it up to a big 'mai pen rai', except there is US (and Israel) pressure to pursue all leads. Thai authorities sound trepidatious in digging out the truth and nefarious connections. They'd rather say, "go away, and don't come back and be bad again." They're afraid of repercussions, but nobody said the war against terror would be a walk in the park.

Edited January 18, 2012 by Scott
formatting

Bakseedaa · January 18, 2012

Thai investigators do their jobs like children. They let suspects go too easily (one was allowed to slip out the country a week ago). And investigators tend to believe what suspect terrorists claim. It sounds like they'd like to let this guy go also, and chalk it up to a big 'mai pen rai', except there is US (and Israili) pressure to pursue all leads. Thai authorities sound trepidatious in digging out the truth and nefarious connections. They'd rather say, "go away, and don't come back and be bad again." They're afraid of repercussions, but nobody said the war against terror would be a walk in the park.

Yes....Lets not forget Bali....... 202 innocents murdered... same ingredients...

noitom · January 18, 2012

*Deleted quote edited out*

Here is one source - http://www.ynetnews....4175267,00.html

There a few others around referring to Dec 22 Israeli Intelligence first informing "Thai officals" and a reference or two to dec 8 even in some Thai news.

Happy now, everything is sourced up?

Edited January 18, 2012 by Scott
Deleted quote edited out

TheWalkingMan · January 18, 2012

According to the source, Hussein had revealed in jail that bomb-making materials were being kept in a shophouse in Samut Sakhon and that he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites.

Photos of key sites? Was the guy making postcards?

Pib · January 18, 2012

Govt terrorism policy: See no terrorism, Hear no terrrorism, Speak no terrorism until I'm forced to.

noitom · January 18, 2012

*Deleted quote edited out*

Here is another source -

http://www.7days.ae/...-thailand-32206

Edited January 18, 2012 by Scott
Deleted quote edited out

Joeb · January 18, 2012

IF he was intending to make legal export of this stuff for agricultural or medical purposes, as he supposedly claims, why would he pack it as kitty litter and inside electric fan boxes? Whether this was to be used in Thailand or some other country this guy was obviously up to no good.

Gers1873 · January 18, 2012

Some members of this forum act as if Thai, US and Israeli authorities should have been holding a running commentary as this case progressed. Oh there is nothing in the Bangkok Post / Nation it cant be true. Do you expect the police to provide details of any ongoing investigation???

Looks as if the Thai authorities got a result - perhaps a "well done" rather than constant negativity would suffice.

The conspiracy theorists and anti US / Israel posters are starting to bore the tits off me.

Edited January 18, 2012 by Scott
formatting

ttthailand · January 18, 2012

He added that police had found evidence that Hussein had contacted shipping firms in order to export the bomb-making materials. "We have already alerted the authorities of the intended destination," he said, adding that Hussein was just a man assigned to handle the bomb-making materials in Thailand and not key to any terror plots.

Urea fertiliser is freely available in Thailand and possessing it is not a legal offence. However, ammonia nitrate is a controlled substance and unauthorised possession constitutes the violation of law.

My words. I didn't expect to hear any other outcome.

That wasn't the terror plot. Who looks like a fool now?

You

Scott · January 18, 2012

Off-topic posts have been deleted as well as replies. Some posts were edited.

SomTumTiger · January 18, 2012

Glad they caught it before it happened - Thanks to the US Embassy, Isreali Intelligence, and the Thai Police for catching them. Lets hope they catch them next time too.

It was worth a few back and forth nonsensical Thai politician utterances responding to the US Alert, to motivate the Thai police to actually do their jobs.

pisico · January 18, 2012

Thai investigators do their jobs like children. They let suspects go too easily (one was allowed to slip out the country a week ago). And investigators tend to believe what suspect terrorists claim. It sounds like they'd like to let this guy go also, and chalk it up to a big 'mai pen rai', except there is US (and Israili) pressure to pursue all leads. Thai authorities sound trepidatious in digging out the truth and nefarious connections. They'd rather say, "go away, and don't come back and be bad again." They're afraid of repercussions, but nobody said the war against terror would be a walk in the park.

Yes....Lets not forget Bali....... 202 innocents murdered... same ingredients...

"Go away bad guys and don't come back!"

Now, where are those three girls dancing topless on top of a truck? We have to make an example of them not to spoil our image abroad.

Terrorists? What terrorists?

...and so it goes the saving face saga and hypocrisy.

Next!!!

geriatrickid · January 18, 2012

There is one country that is missing from the intelligence services mentioned. Our friendly men in flip flops. This region is under the watchful eye of Australia (and New Zealand). The 5 Eyes see all, and I would expect that the Echelon structure was busy intercepting all manner of communications from phone calls, to faxes, to data transmissions.

Basically, if a known terrorist sends an email from Bangkok to a buddy in Islamabad indicating that he's had a good bowel movement, chances are the Signals group will pick it up and the info will be shared between the 5 Eyes (USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).

SomTumTiger · January 18, 2012

There is one country that is missing from the intelligence services mentioned. Our friendly men in flip flops. This region is under the watchful eye of Australia (and New Zealand). The 5 Eyes see all, and I would expect that the Echelon structure was busy intercepting all manner of communications from phone calls, to faxes, to data transmissions.

Basically, if a known terrorist sends an email from Bangkok to a buddy in Islamabad indicating that he's had a good bowel movement, chances are the Signals group will pick it up and the info will be shared between the 5 Eyes (USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).

Im glad they do! Wish they could do more in the deep south, to keep teachers from being blown up - Thai military can't do anything apparently.

MaiChai · January 18, 2012

Thailand the hub of bomb building materials for terrorists?

Edited January 18, 2012 by MaiChai

kennalder · January 18, 2012

According to the source, Hussein had revealed in jail that bomb-making materials were being kept in a shophouse in Samut Sakhon and that he used to drive around the capital taking photos of key sites.

Photos of key sites? Was the guy making postcards?

No, he was looking for reputable export companies. He can't read Thai, so he takes pictures and has someone translate the signs. Export fertilizer in fan boxes. There are so many advantages. Large quantities per box. About the same weight. Same distribution of weight...makes sense to me. Case closed-no danger to Thai tourists.

Tatsujin · January 18, 2012

Govt terrorism policy: See no terrorism, Hear no terrrorism, Speak no terrorism until I'm forced to.

As I posted in another thread, the only thing that govt and business is interested in here is making money and anything that (potentially) negatively affects that will be denied til they are blue in the face. Problem is, people are wising up to it now and know that they lie constantly, but until those same 'people' choose to do something about it, it's gonna go on and on and on.

belg · January 18, 2012

i guess if you had a good training in the camps, you can build bombs with everything you can find in let's say : any 7/11, tesco, tops, big c ?

kerryk · January 18, 2012

Govt terrorism policy: See no terrorism, Hear no terrrorism, Speak no terrorism until I'm forced to.

As I posted in another thread, the only thing that govt and business is interested in here is making money and anything that (potentially) negatively affects that will be denied til they are blue in the face. Problem is, people are wising up to it now and know that they lie constantly, but until those same 'people' choose to do something about it, it's gonna go on and on and on.

Perhaps I am cynical but I am always interested in learning new things. Perhaps you could tell me what governments and businesses are not interested in making money? Thais may not be as good at covering up their motives as other countries, I'll admit that. The only people I know that don't want to make money are those who already bunches of it.

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