US cautions Thailand travellers

BANGKOK: -- Britain has warned its citizens that tourist areas in Thailand could be targeted by terrorists while the United States and Australia cautioned travellers about visiting the country's south following a string of attacks by Islamic separatists.

"The far south of Thailand has experienced incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence, including incidents attributed to armed local separatist or extremist groups," the US State Department said in a statement.

While most of the attacks have targeted buildings and people associated with the government, "some of the recent violence has been indiscriminate," it said, recommending that US citizens avoid non-essential travel to the provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun and Songkhla.

Thai officials believe Muslim separatists are behind the upsurge of violence that began in January, although they have said some attacks may stem from personal conflicts. More than 60 people have died.

Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned of a "threat to British and other Western targets from terrorism in Thailand."

advertisement

advertisement

"You should be especially vigilant in public places, particularly tourist sites, large resorts and hotels favoured by Westerners, and in airports, on public transport and in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, shopping centres and places of worship," it said.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that "Australians in Thailand, including Phuket, Pattaya and other tourist and resort areas should exercise extreme caution."

"We continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks," it said, urging "particular vigilance" in southern Thailand .

It said security at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok is being strengthened as a precautionary measure.

Two unidentified gunmen entered a railway station in the southern Narathiwat province and opened fire at the station master, injuring him seriously, police said.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said "It's normal to warn the tourists, but we're already very careful. We have to admit that the southern violence has affected tourism because the problem is still going on."

He said the authorities will be "extra-vigilant" during the Thai New Year holiday next week. Thai officials are especially concerned because of the recent theft of a large quantity of explosive materials.

--AAP 2004-04-10

Being careful to Thaksin is sticking his head in the sand and pretending there is no problem.

You still have to live your life, you can't rearrange it all to suit the various terrorists, live your life full, and don't worry about those ##holes

Inappropriate post removed

/Admin

Edited April 19, 200422 yr by george

Being careful to Thaksin is sticking his head in the sand and pretending there is no problem.

PM Magoo and Sergeant Schulz see nothing

Sergeant Schulz

a great character from a great programme from an era when there really was some good tv.