Thai Interpol head says no credible threat of IS attack

[webfact]

Thai Interpol head says no credible threat of IS attack
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Interpol director said on Tuesday there was "no credible" threat of an attack by suspected members of Islamic State following a warning by the Russian intelligence service that 10 Syrians linked to Islamic State had entered the country.

A document from Thai Special Branch police leaked to social media showed it had been warned by Russia's Federal Security Service that 10 Syrians linked to Islamic State had entered Thailand between Oct. 15 and Oct. 31 to target Russian interests.

Confirmation on Friday that the document was real prompted Thailand to step up security around potential targets including the cities of Pattaya and Phuket, home to large Russian communities. Officials have called for calm.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-thailand-russia-idUSKBN0TR0TO20151208


-- Reuters 2015-12-08

[nong38]

Be prepared, always be prepared. Are the police prepared?

[Gulfsailor]

Be prepared, always be prepared. Are the police prepared?

Well at my daughter's international school there were 1 police and two military men stationed all day today.

[Always18]

"Thai Special Branch"?

The mind truly boggles.......................

[JHolmesJr]

Famous last words.

Right up there with "I don't think they could hit an elephant at that dist……."

[Bluespunk]

"Thai Interpol head says no credible threat of IS attack"

Because he was told to.

[Lingba]

Thai interpol huh?...I'm glad I can rest easy now

[Aussieroaming]

I think the lack of credibility lays with the Thai special branch for leaking this and then laying low. Now that's what I call special.

[BigBadGeordie]

Thailand's Interpol director, Police Major General Apichart Suribunya, said that Interpol and Special Branch were both looking out for intelligence but that there was no credible threat of an attack in Thailand.

God forbid these words come back to haunt him!

[Farangathon]

Thailand has had the ability to be attacked for many years and nothing happened until Erawan. I mean from multinational aspects. I'm relatively new to Thailand so correct me if I'm wrong about that. Some people compare Thailand (Walking Street/Nana/Cowboy/anything like those places that are basically only for partying) to Bali from a few years ago when nobody expected a thing. Yes there is a possibility today, but why would they not solely attack in the home countries of their perceived aggressors (Russia)? Yes I do know they hit Paris, but the question is about trying something in Thailand. I know "hit the tourists for maximum effect", but I am just hoping these people like to have a couple drinks and would leave this place alone. Thailand has done nothing to the Syrians or Iranians or anyone involved with Daesh. No military involvement. Maybe they caught some of them in a jet ski scam.........

Not trying to pretend to be a know it all, just seeing if there are different opinions/knowledge.

[NeverSure]

Thailand's Interpol director, Police Major General Apichart Suribunya, said that Interpol and Special Branch were both looking out for intelligence but that there was no credible threat of an attack in Thailand.

God forbid these words come back to haunt him!

"Thailand's Interpol director, Police Major General Apichart Suribunya, said that Thai Interpol and Special Branch were both looking for intelligence..."

But there was nothing credible to be found.

[donnybay]

So they were just tourists them? beware of those backpackers in Insomnia and 808

[nong38]

Special branch has undercover operatives in every 7-11 ( the information gathering centre ) they know everything before you do!

[NovaBlue05]

The govt, whether here or anywhere else, would like you to think they have the threat managed. The govt can place heavily armed security at random venues but it's mostly for public perception. The bad guys go after the softest targets.

[petermik]

Thank goodness for those reassuring words from Thai Interpol,now I can sleep much easier at night

[silent]

Thailand's Interpol director, Police Major General Apichart Suribunya, said that Interpol and Special Branch were both looking out for intelligence but that there was no credible threat of an attack in Thailand.

God forbid these words come back to haunt him!

They're just looking in the wrong places for intelligence, Somebody should tell them that it can't just be found or bought.

[Tokay]

OK, so that really means an attack is imminent.

[oneday]

So the Interpol head in Thailand has confirmed with Russia that their warning was wrong. Or the Interpol head has knowledge of every source available to Russia and has independently checked out every source.

Yeah, I ain't buying it. You get threat notifications like this all the time they say.......until one day it is real.

[lostmebike]

Be prepared, always be prepared. Are the police prepared?

Well at my daughter's international school there were 1 police and two military men stationed all day today.

Money talks my friend, especially in the land of face.

[Baerboxer]

So the Interpol head in Thailand has confirmed with Russia that their warning was wrong. Or the Interpol head has knowledge of every source available to Russia and has independently checked out every source.

Yeah, I ain't buying it. You get threat notifications like this all the time they say.......until one day it is real.

Who would you sooner believe - the Thai head of Interpol (presumably the ones who said the paperwork for putting out a red notice on Thaksin was too complicated) and the Thai "Special Branch" or the Russian FSB, successor to the KGB?

Difficult choice

[Lupatria]

Someone must feel a bit lonely at the top of Thai Interpol. If there is no threat of an attack, the following seems pretty much preposterous:

Confirmation on Friday that the document was real prompted Thailand to step up security around potential targets

[mark131v]

I don't know if it is just me but every time a head of absolutely any department in Thailand speaks I have the overwhelming urge to shout Bullshittt!! don't know why that is but it is hard to fight it and can be embarrassing in public....

[tuanku]

"Thai Special Branch"?

The mind truly boggles.......................

Part of the Royal Tree Police - also affectionately known as the Woodentops

[tuanku]

"Interpol and Special Branch were both looking out for intelligence but that there was"..............................None to be found amongst the employees of either organisation?

[torpedo1970]

"Thai Interpol head says no credible threat of IS attack"

And we all feel sooooo much safer now....

No shit Sherlock, keep being vigilant and remember Terrorists does not have to be Syrian or even Arab....

There is now homegrown ones across the globe

stay alert and keep safe

[BlindMagician]

Be prepared, always be prepared. Are the police prepared?

Well at my daughter's international school there were 1 police and two military men stationed all day today.

Problem solved.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Be prepared, always be prepared. Are the police prepared?

You mean ready for the next tea money installment ? Sorry we are unclear what we must be ready for can you please clarify your question.

[Artisi]

Thai Interpol, is this some sort of joke, about as effective as a 7/11 security guard but with more badges, ribbons and wings.

[Srikcir]

Thailand has had the ability to be attacked for many years and nothing happened until Erawan. I mean from multinational aspects. I'm relatively new to Thailand so correct me if I'm wrong about that. Some people compare Thailand (Walking Street/Nana/Cowboy/anything like those places that are basically only for partying) to Bali from a few years ago when nobody expected a thing. Yes there is a possibility today, but why would they not solely attack in the home countries of their perceived aggressors (Russia)? Yes I do know they hit Paris, but the question is about trying something in Thailand. I know "hit the tourists for maximum effect", but I am just hoping these people like to have a couple drinks and would leave this place alone. Thailand has done nothing to the Syrians or Iranians or anyone involved with Daesh. No military involvement. Maybe they caught some of them in a jet ski scam.........

Not trying to pretend to be a know it all, just seeing if there are different opinions/knowledge.

You should familiarize yourself with the Islamic Malay-Thai insurgency in South Thailand. You might gain more clarity to a potential Daesh threat against Buudhist majority Thailand.

[Ulic]

Credible vs. Actionable. Nobody wants to create fear that would stop people from going about

there daily lives spending money and driving the economy. Governments around the world

hide the truth. You really can't believe any of them 100%. All you can do is remain vigilant

and aware. Enjoy life to the fullest but pay attention to what is going on around you.