Tightened security for tourists, embassies

[Lite Beer]

Tightened security for tourists, embassies
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police keeping close watch on elements who might be sympathetic to the Islamic State

Police are tightening security at embassies and certain tourist destinations across the Kingdom to ensure safety for tourists, particularly those from countries involved in the current air strikes against the Islamic State (IS).

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Pumpunmuang, who is also acting as the national police chief, said yesterday that he had ordered increased security for foreign missions as well as hotels and restaurants among the places frequented by foreign tourists.

Somyot said the Special Branch Police have also been assigned to gather intelligence from hotels, restaurants and possible symbolic venues that could be targeted by extremists who support the ideology of the IS.

A US-led coalition began a campaign of air strikes against the IS from Iraq to Syria last week, after the group seized control of parts of both countries and killed two US journalists and a British aid worker.

Besides the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain have joined the US-led forces in trying to crush the IS jihadists.

Somyot's order to beef up security covers airlines, consuls, churches and important religious sites as well. Police will work closely with staff and employees as well as officials of these establishments, Somyot said.

Important diplomatic venues, said Somyot, will be closely guarded and police will work with security officers at all these embassies in order to prevent or thwart any possible attack.

Checkpoints will also be set up at various spots in order to screen suspicious vehicles, particularly at night.

"There will be [police] patrol at various spots as well as foot patrol to ensure safety at important tourist spots where there're many foreign tourists, in order to increase confidence in safety measures among foreign tourists. Investigators will be sent to seek intelligence at hotels, residences, restaurants and venues about people who exhibit behaviour that shows a tendency for violence, related to or support the ideology of the IS," said Somyot.

Somyot said the police commander in each province will be responsible for coordinating the security measures by inviting related agencies, which includes immigration police, railway police and tourist police to work together.

The acting police chief added that proactive measures will be introduced and this includes ensuring the readiness and operational ability of bomb-defusing squads to ensure the quickest response to any such situation.

The US-led strikes also targeted oil-refining facilities in Syria controlled by IS extremists to hit the radical Sunni group's revenue source. The latest round of air strikes follows an opening offensive in Syria last week that struck an IS finance centre, as part of a bid to undermine the extremist group's funding.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Tightened-security-for-tourists-embassies-30244296.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-28

[sjjmmi]

God help us then

[lostinisaan]

Somyot said the police commander in each province will be responsible for coordinating the security measures by inviting related agencies, which includes immigration police, railway police and tourist police to work together.

It's like a shark, a duck and a hamster working together. Lol.

[JOC]

Somyot said the police commander in each province will be responsible for coordinating the security measures by inviting related agencies, which includes immigration police, railway police and tourist police to work together.

It's like a shark, a duck and a hamster working together. Lol.

Ever heard of the animal kingdom ??

[ToddinChonburi]

I am afraid to go outside !!!!

[hawker9000]

Strange that the drinking/smoking/womanizing (term used loosely...) prodigals in & around Soi 3 (= "Soi Arab" for those who don't know...), and Covent Garden in Pattaya, don't seem to need any extra security from their insane zealot brothers.

[krabimike]

Yea I will feel much better now that I know the thai police have are making a greater effort to watch over me! Haha now that thar is funny! I wonder if the US Embassy is handing out 500 bht protection vouchers!

[SOTIRIOS]

....the 'enemy' is always someone else......

[Jingthing]

So let's see.

These Muslims are bombing other Muslims (the head choppy ones, innit).

Because the other Muslims (not these ones, PAY ATTENTION!) have lost the plot and gone all dark ages on us.

We're protecting these Muslims in Thailand, you see?

So we're on the look out for ... Muslims who seem pissed off?

Edited September 28, 2014 by Jingthing

[metisdead]

A post containing overly derogatory comments toward the Thai law enforcement system has been removed as well as the replies.

A post containing foreign language has been removed, this is an English language forum, English is the only acceptable language, except for the Thai language forum where Thai is allowed.

Edited September 28, 2014 by metisdead

[Suradit69]

Strange that the drinking/smoking/womanizing (term used loosely...) prodigals in & around Soi 3 (= "Soi Arab" for those who don't know...), and Covent Garden in Pattaya, don't seem to need any extra security from their insane zealot brothers.

All Arabs and Muslims can hardly be called brothers of the terrorists who claim to be motivated by Islam anymore than all Christians and Jews can be blamed for violent acts by other Christians or Jews or that they should feel safe from the lunatic Jewish and Christian nut cases who commit violent acts supposedly based on their beliefs.

In any event, Muslims who are "drinking/smoking/womanizing" are often the targets of those who claim to be motivated by religion.

Strange that you seem so eager to connect a group of people in Thailand who are doing what so many other tourists in Thailand do with radical terrorists.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Suradit69

[Brian Corrigan]

Well what do you know! The Royal Thai Police have found a reason to improve security for tourist visiting Thailand, while at the same time ignoring the real threat,Thai rapist. I would like to see all Embassies in Thailand issuing travel warnings to visitors.These warnings should cover corrupt police, Thai Mafia,Scams carried out by Thai's,Double pricing, A Non-existent justice system,Dangerous bus/train travel.......I could go on. The only way Thai's are going to,maybe,do something about their atrocious record is to deter tourist from coming to "The land of smiles" and there by cut the money they so love.

[ChiangraiTony]

Dear Mr. PM,

Despite what so many of the foreigners say and continue to complain about, I want to say "thank you" for making an attempt to protect foreigner's in your country. Being proactive cannot be a bad thing.

[davidmann]

Isis would be overcome very quick ,send in thai ladies ,half would be looking high building to jump of ,the rest would run away in fear of loss of there little private parts

[putsinker]

Well what do you know! The Royal Thai Police have found a reason to improve security for tourist visiting Thailand, while at the same time ignoring the real threat,Thai rapist. I would like to see all Embassies in Thailand issuing travel warnings to visitors.These warnings should cover corrupt police, Thai Mafia,Scams carried out by Thai's,Double pricing, A Non-existent justice system,Dangerous bus/train travel.......I could go on. The only way Thai's are going to,maybe,do something about their atrocious record is to deter tourist from coming to "The land of smiles" and there by cut the money they so love.

I have to laugh when I see Farangs extracting the wee wee out of the Thai system. Please explain, what the hell are you doing here.

[outsider]

The 'Police'??? Safer to stay home then

[h90]

Somyot said the police commander in each province will be responsible for coordinating the security measures by inviting related agencies, which includes immigration police, railway police and tourist police to work together.

It's like a shark, a duck and a hamster working together. Lol.

minus the work and minus the together.....

[Banzai99]

Well what do you know! The Royal Thai Police have found a reason to improve security for tourist visiting Thailand, while at the same time ignoring the real threat,Thai rapist. I would like to see all Embassies in Thailand issuing travel warnings to visitors.These warnings should cover corrupt police, Thai Mafia,Scams carried out by Thai's,Double pricing, A Non-existent justice system,Dangerous bus/train travel.......I could go on. The only way Thai's are going to,maybe,do something about their atrocious record is to deter tourist from coming to "The land of smiles" and there by cut the money they so love.

Are you going to stop coming to Thailand, and if you are already here, are you leaving ?

[rickirs]

Most of the country is in lockdown with martial law. The military controls all government and educational institutions, and national media. What more security is needed?

But the regime might consider the potential for ISIS influence in Southern Thailand with the PREDOMINANT muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces should it follow an arrogant and imperialistic approach to their grievances. Thailand's immediate failure to reach an early and equitable peace agreement with Malay-Thai insurgents may provide ISIS an opportunity to offer to Malay-Thais something more than sympathy such as indirect and direct military support to create a min-ISIS. Considering Saudi Arabia has been in the past an ISIS financial supporter and currently does not have a good diplomatic relationship with Thailand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia might find placing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand a bit of payback.

[Strangebrew]

Look If push comes to shove no matter where your at if it is your time then it is your time your choice is to either die on your knees or on your feet. I accept I can't trust anyone to protect me but myself. Just be aware of your surrounding and adjust accordingly. So you see an old farang walking down the street using a cane beware it may be me and it maybe you whose head gets separated from ones shoulders.

[KOZMO]

God help us then

If anything happens to a western tourist and is either a beheading or somehow connected to ISIS you can forget any High Season tourism for Thailand

[Jingthing]

God help us then

If anything happens to a western tourist and is either a beheading or somehow connected to ISIS you can forget any High Season tourism for Thailand

Well parts of the Philippines has been dealing with similar issues (threats to westerners from radical Islamists) for decades now.

[ratcatcher]

Most of the country is in lockdown with martial law. The military controls all government and educational institutions, and national media. What more security is needed?

But the regime might consider the potential for ISIS influence in Southern Thailand with the PREDOMINANT muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces should it follow an arrogant and imperialistic approach to their grievances. Thailand's immediate failure to reach an early and equitable peace agreement with Malay-Thai insurgents may provide ISIS an opportunity to offer to Malay-Thais something more than sympathy such as indirect and direct military support to create a min-ISIS. Considering Saudi Arabia has been in the past an ISIS financial supporter and currently does not have a good diplomatic relationship with Thailand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia might find placing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand a bit of payback.

I don't think Saudi Arabia is going to start financing IS terrorists in southern Thailand anytime soon.

Based on what is happening now in the middle east.

Report

Saudi Arabia has offered a royal seal of approval to the US-led fight against the Islamic State group, sending its top pilot prince on bombing runs over Syria.

On Wednesday, the Saudi government released photos of Prince Khaled bin Salman smiling shyly from the cockpit of his F15 fighter jet.

^{Prince Khaled bin Salman sits in the cockpit of a fighter jet after taking part in a mission to strike Islamic State targets in Syria (AFP/Getty)}

The prince was said to have piloted one of four planes as jets from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined American aircraft on bombing runs over Syria.

Saudi Arabia's decision to publicise Prince Khaled's role is likely two-fold, reassuring the west of the Kingdom's firm stance against extremist groups and warning Saudi citizens that the Islamic State, also known as Isil or Isis, is an enemy of the Crown

The Telegraph.

[Jingthing]

...

All Arabs and Muslims can hardly be called brothers of the terrorists who claim to be motivated by Islam anymore than all Christians and Jews can be blamed for violent acts by other Christians or Jews or that they should feel safe from the lunatic Jewish and Christian nut cases who commit violent acts supposedly based on their beliefs.

...

Well, it isn't quite that black and white.

From Bill Maher's Real Time. He's a comedic political commentator. The JOKE items are put in ITALICS.

President Obama keeps insisting that ISIS is not Islamic.

Well maybe they don't practice the Muslim faith the same way he does ...

but IF vast numbers of Muslims accross the world believe and they do that humans deserve to die for merely holding a different idea or drawing a cartoon or writing a book or eloping with the wrong person not only does the Muslim world have something in common with ISIS it has TOO MUCH in common with ISIS.

There is so much talk about wiping out ISIS. You can't. Not with bombs. You can only expose that something is a bad idea. Like extended warranties. Cultures are different. Its OK to judge that rule of law isn't just different then theocracy. It's better. If you don't see that you're either a religious fanatic or a masochist but one thing you are certainly not is a liberal.

To count yourself as a liberal you have to stand up for liberal principles. Free speech. Separation of church and state. Freedom to practice any religion or no religion without the threat of violence.

Respect for minorities including homosexuals. Equality for women.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Jingthing

[Alwyn]

So let's see.

These Muslims are bombing other Muslims (the head choppy ones, innit).

Because the other Muslims (not these ones, PAY ATTENTION!) have lost the plot and gone all dark ages on us.

We're protecting these Muslims in Thailand, you see?

So we're on the look out for ... Muslims who seem pissed off?

Every Muslim in the World is pissed off and so would you be if you couldn't have a bacon sandwich

[slipperylobster]

Somyot said the police commander in each province will be responsible for coordinating the security measures by inviting related agencies, which includes immigration police, railway police and tourist police to work together.

It's like a shark, a duck and a hamster working together. Lol.

Whoa........

What happened to the Gerbil?

[Brian Corrigan]

Most of the country is in lockdown with martial law. The military controls all government and educational institutions, and national media. What more security is needed?

But the regime might consider the potential for ISIS influence in Southern Thailand with the PREDOMINANT muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces should it follow an arrogant and imperialistic approach to their grievances. Thailand's immediate failure to reach an early and equitable peace agreement with Malay-Thai insurgents may provide ISIS an opportunity to offer to Malay-Thais something more than sympathy such as indirect and direct military support to create a min-ISIS. Considering Saudi Arabia has been in the past an ISIS financial supporter and currently does not have a good diplomatic relationship with Thailand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia might find placing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand a bit of payback.

I don't think Saudi Arabia is going to start financing IS terrorists in southern Thailand anytime soon.

Based on what is happening now in the middle east.

Report

Saudi Arabia has offered a royal seal of approval to the US-led fight against the Islamic State group, sending its top pilot prince on bombing runs over Syria.

On Wednesday, the Saudi government released photos of Prince Khaled bin Salman smiling shyly from the cockpit of his F15 fighter jet.

^{Prince Khaled bin Salman sits in the cockpit of a fighter jet after taking part in a mission to strike Islamic State targets in Syria (AFP/Getty)}

The prince was said to have piloted one of four planes as jets from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined American aircraft on bombing runs over Syria.

Saudi Arabia's decision to publicise Prince Khaled's role is likely two-fold, reassuring the west of the Kingdom's firm stance against extremist groups and warning Saudi citizens that the Islamic State, also known as Isil or Isis, is an enemy of the Crown

The Telegraph.

Doesn't Saudi Arabia still carry out beheadings? Whats the problem, are they frightened of a little competition? Hypocrites.

[Alwyn]

Most of the country is in lockdown with martial law. The military controls all government and educational institutions, and national media. What more security is needed?

But the regime might consider the potential for ISIS influence in Southern Thailand with the PREDOMINANT muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces should it follow an arrogant and imperialistic approach to their grievances. Thailand's immediate failure to reach an early and equitable peace agreement with Malay-Thai insurgents may provide ISIS an opportunity to offer to Malay-Thais something more than sympathy such as indirect and direct military support to create a min-ISIS. Considering Saudi Arabia has been in the past an ISIS financial supporter and currently does not have a good diplomatic relationship with Thailand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia might find placing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand a bit of payback.

I see where you're coming from Rickirs but the chances of Saudi pacing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand are not realistic. For one, Saudi is part of the joint Arab forces (together with Jordan, Oman etc) combating ISIS at this very moment in time. Whilst is clear that Saudi were originally funding ISIS (as were the USA etc) - when it was known as Al Qaeda, it seems they are too extreme for not only Saudi but most Taliban too. BUT... what could easily happen is that some radical Muslim faction in the south will commit an atrocity and CLAIM they are, or are part of, ISIS. Then things will get interesting as ISIS will not certainly not deny it, will they.

[Brian Corrigan]

Well what do you know! The Royal Thai Police have found a reason to improve security for tourist visiting Thailand, while at the same time ignoring the real threat,Thai rapist. I would like to see all Embassies in Thailand issuing travel warnings to visitors.These warnings should cover corrupt police, Thai Mafia,Scams carried out by Thai's,Double pricing, A Non-existent justice system,Dangerous bus/train travel.......I could go on. The only way Thai's are going to,maybe,do something about their atrocious record is to deter tourist from coming to "The land of smiles" and there by cut the money they so love.

I have to laugh when I see Farangs extracting the wee wee out of the Thai system. Please explain, what the hell are you doing here.

Please explain, what the hell are you doing here

.Of course I can explain.........once you explain what a Thai system is.

[Jimbolai]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Most of the country is in lockdown with martial law. The military controls all government and educational institutions, and national media. What more security is needed?

But the regime might consider the potential for ISIS influence in Southern Thailand with the PREDOMINANT muslim populations in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces should it follow an arrogant and imperialistic approach to their grievances. Thailand's immediate failure to reach an early and equitable peace agreement with Malay-Thai insurgents may provide ISIS an opportunity to offer to Malay-Thais something more than sympathy such as indirect and direct military support to create a min-ISIS. Considering Saudi Arabia has been in the past an ISIS financial supporter and currently does not have a good diplomatic relationship with Thailand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia might find placing ISIS elements in Southern Thailand a bit of payback.

I don't think Saudi Arabia is going to start financing IS terrorists in southern Thailand anytime soon.

Based on what is happening now in the middle east.

Report

Saudi Arabia has offered a royal seal of approval to the US-led fight against the Islamic State group, sending its top pilot prince on bombing runs over Syria.

On Wednesday, the Saudi government released photos of Prince Khaled bin Salman smiling shyly from the cockpit of his F15 fighter jet.

^{Prince Khaled bin Salman sits in the cockpit of a fighter jet after taking part in a mission to strike Islamic State targets in Syria (AFP/Getty)}

The prince was said to have piloted one of four planes as jets from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined American aircraft on bombing runs over Syria.

Saudi Arabia's decision to publicise Prince Khaled's role is likely two-fold, reassuring the west of the Kingdom's firm stance against extremist groups and warning Saudi citizens that the Islamic State, also known as Isil or Isis, is an enemy of the Crown

The Telegraph.

I like this a lot.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Jimbolai