Thai Tourism Agencies Eye March On US Embassy Over Terror Warning

[webfact]

Tourism agencies eye march on embassy over US terror warning

The Nation

Tourism operators yesterday threatened to march on the US Embassy to meet with the ambassador if the United States refuses to withdraw its terrorism warning for Thailand within two days.

"Those concerned operators will join forces to submit their demand to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney to learn more about the impacts of maintaining the warning," said Watchara Kannikar, spokesman of the Tourism Ministry.

"They will also present information that they got in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the National Police Office and other security agencies, which shows that Thailand is not a terrorist target," he said after a meeting of the National Tourism Policy Committee.

With the raising of a terrorism-threat warning by the US, those operators are facing business losses as tourists mainly from China and India have changed their plans to skip Bangkok.

Reluctance to visit

The committee to monitor the situation after the posting of the terrorism warning in Bangkok by the US is also concerned about the impacts on tourists, especially those from China and India who are sensitive to news about terrorism, flooding and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

"Those news reports have made tourists reluctant to enter Thailand," Watchara said.

However, cancellations of hotel-room and air-ticket bookings are not that high now, as the problem is still limited to the three areas in Bangkok mentioned in the US warning. Tourists have avoided Bangkok and proceeded directly to their destinations after taking off from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai and Phuket.

The ministry will inform tourists of the facts. It projects visitor arrivals will reach 19.55 million, up slightly from 19 million last year. They are expected to generate at least Bt760 billion of income for Thailand.

Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa went down to Khao San Road, where crowds of Israeli and American tourists gather, to convince them of Thailand's security measures.

Waranchai Chokchana, an activist, called on the US Embassy to cancel the travel alert.

"Thailand is not a target of terror attacks at all. But the US has issued the warning, which has now hurt Thailand's economy and tourism," he said.

US Embassy officials took a letter of protest from Waranchai, who then left.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said the ministry's permanent secretary had explained the recent high-profile terrorism case to the United States.

"We believe the warning will be revoked," he said. "It will just take some time."

Surapong also expressed confidence that foreign terrorists would not stage any attack in Thailand because the country had been friendly to all.

This month, Atris Hussein was arrested at Suvarnabhumi for his alleged link to a terrorism network.

A police investigation suggested that Hussein was planning to export bomb-making materials such as urea fertiliser and ammonium nitrate to a third country. Ammonium nitrate is a prohibited chemical in Thailand and Hussein is now facing charges of unauthorised possession of the controlled substance.

Hussein has two passports, Lebanese and Swedish. He had rented a shophouse in Samut Sakhon for about two years to keep the large stash of ammonium nitrate and urea fertiliser, which have now been seized.

National Police chief Priewphan Damapong said police were seeking an arrest warrant for a second suspect in the case.

"We have drawn up a sketch based on the description given by Hussein and the shophouse owner," the general said.

This suspect had lived in the shophouses with Hussein for months, he said.

Maj-General Anuchai Lekbam-rung, deputy Metropoli-tan Police commissioner. identified this new suspect as James Sammy Paolo, a 40-year-old Lebanese.

"We believe there's solid evidence against him," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-01-20

[Buchholz]

Surapong also expressed confidence that foreign terrorists would not stage any attack in Thailand because the country had been friendly to all.

Yingluck's clownish cousin, Surapong, dribbles out another memorable line.

.

[janverbeem]

"We believe the warning will be revoked," he said. "It will just take some time."

There is some thruth in that.

Same as,this government will grow a brain but it will take some time........................probably a loooong time.

[nong38]

I was under the impression that the authorities had recovered a substantial amount of bomb making equipment in the last few days, so what is the point of having a rally at the US Embassy? Seems like their warning was right. Tourism parties should be going to the airport and asking why did you not detect it?

[Ricardo]

They should be saying 'Thank-You', for the US (and others) having blown the whistle, after their own government failed to give proper warning to its own citizens & foreign-visitors.

Not that the possibility of bombs in Bangkok would come as any surprise, to those of us who live here, why are they all still in-denial ?

[TomTao]

I was under the impression that the authorities had recovered a substantial amount of bomb making equipment in the last few days, so what is the point of having a rally at the US Embassy? Seems like their warning was right. Tourism parties should be going to the airport and asking why did you not detect it?

The problem is that the bomb ingredients that the terrorists prefer can be sourced locally from the shops that stock fertilisers used by farmers. Until there are restrictions on who can buy the ingredients in bulk there will be little to stop the terrorists from sourcing the ingredients they need.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[wxyz]

Surapong also expressed confidence that foreign terrorists would not stage any attack in Thailand because the country had been friendly to all.

Yingluck's clownish cousin, Surapong, dribbles out another memorable line.

.

cuz Bali was not "friendly to all" good one,

bragging about being friendly to terrorists, this is good for tourism how?

come to thailand, thailand is terrorist friendly, rub elbows with mass murderers, criminals against humanity

that should bring in the tourists, had a bomb went off like it did in Bali, who would they be blaming then?

after a bomb goes off in Bangkok, your tourism will be in the toilet for years

you are fortunate that the warning finally prompted the thai authorities to act

[wxyz]

they have not removed it yet

Emergency Message to U.S. Citizens: Possible Terrorist Threat

This message alerts U.S. citizens in Thailand that foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future.

http://bangkok.usemb...ncymessage.html

Thailand Country Specific Information

http://travel.state....s/cis_1040.html

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: The State Department is concerned that there is a continued risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including in Thailand. While traveling in Thailand you should exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate, such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation venues, tourist areas, beach resorts, and other places frequented by foreigners. You should remain vigilant with regard to your personal security and avoid crowds and demonstrations.

[softgeorge]

So it is just the U.S that These people are putting demands on. No mention of the other 13 Embassies who issued the same warnings. When you combine all fourteen countries together the amount of Americans would make up a small portion of tourists. This all sounds like money takes priority over lives and tourists are just fodder to line the pockets of certain Thais.

Help us put the "SMILE" back into Thailand. Stop warning your citizens about the dangers of Thailand.

[DocN]

How about marching for the rights of that poor fellow that got slapped on the ear by his superior at the airport security check?

...oh no...can not...that was a Thai...no one to point fingers at!

[chooka]

This is bit like the guy next door inviting your kids over for a swim in his pool and you being the responsible parent say, "I don't think that is a good idea kids as he keeps his pet piranha in there." The next thing you know, the guy is banging on your door complaining about the piranha having nothing to eat.

[Orac]

So it is just the U.S that These people are putting demands on. No mention of the other 13 Embassies who issued the same warnings. When you combine all fourteen countries together the amount of Americans would make up a small portion of tourists. This all sounds like money takes priority over lives and tourists are just fodder to line the pockets of certain Thais.

Help us put the "SMILE" back into Thailand. Stop warning your citizens about the dangers of Thailand.

According to reports earlier in the week pressure was being put on the other embassies as well. There was a report that Canada was going to drop its warning at one point but that doesn't seem to have come about. I guess the problem is that because the US put the warning up first and the others followed it then they are waiting for the US to take the warning down - if another embassy put up a warning because the US did it would follow that they wouldn't cancel it until the US did.

It does make one wonder how far this is going to go as there have been a number of events now detrimental to relations between US and Thailand - first the terrorism, then the appointment of a US blacklisted cabinet member and now alleged recognition of Palestine, though I can see no conformation of that anywhere yet other than from Palestine. Protests at the US Embassy will only add to the diplomatic problems especially coupled with Bangkoks long history of poorly handling public demonstrations.

[draftvader]

No terrorism here in Bangkok? Except the home-grown stuff, eh? What happened in that apartment block in Nonthaburi during the red shirt occupation of Ratchaprasong EXACTLY?

What I need to know is WHEN will we get the line of there having NEVER been ANY water in Bangkok EVER!

Rant over, I'm off to my warm thread to bask in the nice people I live amongst, not the monkey politicians that "run" this country.

[wxyz]

"US Embassy Maintains Terror Threat Warning On Its Website TERROR PLOT"

they are complaining to the wrong embassy,

complain to the Lebanese embassy

blame the perps, not the victims

[slapout]

I had to chuckle at post #6. A foreigner has problems opening a bank account in this country, moving residense, getting phone line, electric service installed, etc, but yet this foreigner can stockpile 4000 kilo of product which can have a couple of uses, (enhance plant/farm production or make an explosive deivice)., sorry it can be used to melt ice/snow and there may be other noncoventional uses but they are unknown to me.

You can set an example, make suggestions, but no safe guard method is 100%. You build a better trap and the vermin find a different method to circumvent the obsticle. Thailand and other countries have had 10 or 11 years to review other countries additional safeguards and in this case has chosen to ignore or just not address the potential problem. To many, this is probably not a surprising non action.

[mrtoad]

Surapong also expressed confidence that foreign terrorists would not stage any attack in Thailand because the country had been friendly to all.

Yingluck's clownish cousin, Surapong, dribbles out another memorable line.

.

Surapong is a first class idiot, and comparing him with a clown does clown's disservice. I'd much rather trust a clown than the cousin of The DL.

[yougivemebaby]

These people are freaking the biggest morons. Do your stupid march and look even more pathetic. MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY. Don't care about LIVING LIVING LIVING.

[Rogermoore]

They should be saying 'Thank-You', for the US (and others) having blown the whistle, after their own government failed to give proper warning to its own citizens & foreign-visitors.

Not that the possibility of bombs in Bangkok would come as any surprise, to those of us who live here, why are they all still in-denial ?

Well one could make it easier for expat to stay there long term instead of screwing us so hard that would bring in plenty of money you xenophobic fools

[yougivemebaby]

So it is just the U.S that These people are putting demands on. No mention of the other 13 Embassies who issued the same warnings. When you combine all fourteen countries together the amount of Americans would make up a small portion of tourists. This all sounds like money takes priority over lives and tourists are just fodder to line the pockets of certain Thais.

Help us put the "SMILE" back into Thailand. Stop warning your citizens about the dangers of Thailand.

For some reason Thai's think keeping the plot a secret.. I am disgusted with the thought that potentially thousands of people could have died and they only care about a few people who may have cancelled their reservations at a hotel. I wouldn't pee on any of them if they were on fire

[Soutpeel]

I find this highly amusing.....Travel agents trying to dictate to the embassies/consulates of sovereign nations what they can and cant warn their own citizens about....what their next move start to sue the countries concerned in the world court ?....

Edited January 20, 2012 by Soutpeel

[laurentbkk]

Well ,what happen in the south for the last few years ( or more) show that the country is not capable to get rid of bombing .... no exception. and not only that government but also the few others before ....

[FrankieDimes]

There protest at the embassy may do more damage than the warning on the US Embassy's website. Idiots!!

[Soutpeel]

Well ,what happen in the south for the last few years ( or more) show that the country is not capable to get rid of bombing .... no exception. and not only that government but also the few others before ....

The BiB cant manage traffic offenses properly, and the net result of their intensive investigations as regards suspisious deaths is typically death by sucide....so what do you expect ?......not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer, except when it comes to extorting money from people, then the service the BiB provides is world class...

Edited January 20, 2012 by Soutpeel

[Mitker]

I find this highly amusing.....Travel agents trying to dictate to the embassies/consulates of sovereign nations what they can and cant warn their own citizens about....what their next move start to sue the countries concerned in the world court ?....

Exactly.

But here, everyone wants to have his say in (international) politics with a vision that doesn't reach next week.

What about a protest against weathermen if they predict some showers when not desired?

[noitom]

Thais are going way off the deep end. First of all, regardless of justification if any, blackmailing a major trading partner and ally is a big error in judgement. Secondly, all news and evidence points to the fact that there is a still a current threat. One need only to see just today, it was announced that the "second" suspect has been identified and arrested. What is wrong with the Thais? They just don't get it about security. They are shooting themselves in the foot.

Lastly, what is the problem with the embassy alert on their web site, especially under the circumstances, when in fact the Thais themselves have been quoted in the news as saying "tourist arrivals remain the same as before the posting? Yet you also read that they are suffering the loss of Indian and Chinese tourists. What is the truth?

Maybe protest groups should be organized in the United States to picket in front of the Thai embassies in Washington DC and New York as well as the Thai consulates in Chicago and Los Angeles protesting the attempted threat and blackmail of the proposed protest in Bangkok at the US embassy. if the Thais proceed with this preposterous threat to the US, it wouldn't be a surprise to see something like this.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

They should be saying 'Thank-You', for the US (and others) having blown the whistle, after their own government failed to give proper warning to its own citizens & foreign-visitors.

Not that the possibility of bombs in Bangkok would come as any surprise, to those of us who live here, why are they all still in-denial ?

No the whole point is that the power that be and especially the tourism industry don't want there to be any public warnings even if the danger is real.

IMO trying to prevent damage from terrorism has proven to cause more damage than the terrorists themselves, government efforts to fight terrorism through fear-mongering and restricting freedoms only further their cause.

Remember, life is cheap, too many humans on the planet anyway, bottom-line profits are more important.

Not least to the US. . .

[moe666]

They should be saying 'Thank-You', for the US (and others) having blown the whistle, after their own government failed to give proper warning to its own citizens & foreign-visitors.

Not that the possibility of bombs in Bangkok would come as any surprise, to those of us who live here, why are they all still in-denial ?

Well one could make it easier for expat to stay there long term instead of screwing us so hard that would bring in plenty of money you xenophobic fools

What does your inability to qualify for a long term visa have to do with a bomb threat, or short term tourist not coming.

[Buchholz]

Their protest at the embassy may do more damage than the warning on the US Embassy's website. Idiots!!

good point.... nothing like overseas news coverage eg. of effigy's burning at an American Embassy, to instill confidence in being a tourist to that country.

.

[Soutpeel]

Thais are going way off the deep end. First of all, regardless of justification if any, blackmailing a major trading partner and ally is a big error in judgement. Secondly, all news and evidence points to the fact that there is a still a current threat. One need only to see just today, it was announced that the "second" suspect has been identified and arrested. What is wrong with the Thais? They just don't get it about security. They are shooting themselves in the foot.

Lastly, what is the problem with the embassy alert on their web site, especially under the circumstances, when in fact the Thais themselves have been quoted in the news as saying "tourist arrivals remain the same as before the posting? Yet you also read that they are suffering the loss of Indian and Chinese tourists. What is the truth?

Maybe protest groups should be organized in the United States to picket in front of the Thai embassies in Washington DC and New York as well as the Thai consulates in Chicago and Los Angeles protesting the attempted threat and blackmail of the proposed protest in Bangkok at the US embassy. if the Thais proceed with this preposterous threat to the US, it wouldn't be a surprise to see something like this.

As was suggested by another poster in a thread which was closed.....If Travel agents march and protest at Embassies about being hard done by, Why dont a group of Farangs march / protest at goverment offices about the jet ski-scams, general extortion etc etc...wonder what the reaction from the Thai authorites would be then ?

[Soutpeel]

They should be saying 'Thank-You', for the US (and others) having blown the whistle, after their own government failed to give proper warning to its own citizens & foreign-visitors.

Not that the possibility of bombs in Bangkok would come as any surprise, to those of us who live here, why are they all still in-denial ?

Well one could make it easier for expat to stay there long term instead of screwing us so hard that would bring in plenty of money you xenophobic fools

What does your inability to qualify for a long term visa have to do with a bomb threat, or short term tourist not coming.

I am surprised the person concerned making this comment didnt also equate a farangs inability to own land to terrorists threats as well ...!!!!!