The multiple bomb blasts in the Sukhumvit Soi 71 neighbourhood on Tuesday should be a wake-up call for security agencies and the government to be far stricter about issuing visitors with visas, according to security experts.
Surapong: Thailand remains neutral
The bombings involved several Iranian nationals who rented a house in the middle of Bangkok apparently to store and prepare C4 explosives for an attack.
Some of the bombs went off accidentally in the afternoon, creating a deafening noise in the area and destroying one-third of the rented house.
Mohummad Hazaei, 42, and Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh, 31, managed to escape the scene but a third Iranian, Saeid Moradi, 28, was arrested after he threw a hand grenade at a taxi that refused to pick him up, damaging the vehicle and causing injuries.
He later hurled another grenade at a police officer who tried to stop him escaping. But the grenade rebounded off a passing truck and exploded next to him, blowing off his legs.
Mr Hazaei was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport while trying to leave for Malaysia, while Mr Zadeh was arrested by Malaysian authorities after landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a flight from Bangkok.
The house was rented under the name of Rohani Leila, 32, also an Iranian national. It is possible she may have returned to Iran already. All the suspects face charges of possessing explosives and attempted murder.
Thai police believe the attack targeted individuals, probably Israeli diplomats, a similar motive to previous bomb attacks in India and Georgia.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul remains optimistic that Thailand is not a target country for terrorism because it has always been friendly with other countries.
He said Thailand is the most neutral country on the international stage.
''We can count on the fact that Thailand is a friend to all countries in the world,'' said the minister.
He even urged terrorists not to use Thailand as their base because it is a peaceful Buddhist country.
However, the bombings have given the Thai government a reality check and made it more cautious about issuing visas to foreign visitors.
According to some security experts, the government's policy of promoting tourism has made it easy for people to come to Thailand as long as they are not on the authorities' blacklist. Many can apply for visas on arrival.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thai embassies around the world must now be more stringent in issuing visas to applicants outside Thailand based on information contained on the police blacklist.
However, the last line of defence lies with the immigration police because they have the final say on who is allowed to enter the country. They too must exercise extra caution in reviewing documents, the experts said.
The sources said it was high time agencies worked vigorously together to create better screening and border defence systems to make Thailand less likely to be hit by terrorism.
Hotel visit spurs security code puzzle
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to the Four Seasons Hotel last week has left behind an air of mystery surrounding the security code Wor 5.
The visit grabbed public attention when controversial businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr, who is the former head of the collapsed Charter Investment pyramid scheme, claimed he was attacked inside the Four Seasons by someone in uniform whom he believed was connected to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra shortly after Ms Yingluck had left the hotel.
Yingluck: Free to meet anyone
Ms Yingluck's appearance at the hotel on Ratchadamri Road apparently aroused Mr Ekkayuth's curiosity.
Mr Ekkayuth, a long-time political foe of Thaksin, has asked why the prime minister was at the hotel during working hours.
Ms Yingluck arrived at the hotel escorted by several bodyguards on the afternoon of Feb 8. At about 4pm she left the hotel and minutes later Mr Ekkayuth claimed he was assaulted.
A security source said the prime minister's security escort team had been exchanging information on their communication radios. The team had been informed that a Wor 5 security code would be in effect during Ms Yingluck's hotel visit.
Wor 5 signifies a classified, personal mission. The escort team was also told the prime minister did not wish to be disturbed during her visit to the hotel.
The security codes commonly used for the prime minister's engagements include Wor 21, a reference to Ms Yingluck's journey from her home in Lat Phrao to Government House. Once the premier's motorcade enters the compound of Government House, the security team flashes a Wor 22.
A wide range of codes had been allocated during Ms Yingluck's visit this week to the North to inspect flood prevention programmes. A Wor 40, for example, refers to ''accidents'' such as a boat with Ms Yingluck on board running into ducks in the river.
The source said that just as Wor 5 was being deciphered by some political elements, speculation started to circulate that Thai Airways International president Piyasvasti Amranand might be being replaced by Srettha Thaveesin, president of property developer Sansiri Plc.
The speculation came on the heels of Ms Yingluck's hotel visit, prompting observations that the replacement issue may have been discussed when the prime minister was at the Four Seasons.
The opposition also raised questions about the prime minister's presence at the hotel.
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said a property developer was seen while Ms Yingluck was in the hotel. Her visit raised the worry that if the developer knew where the government would locate a floodway, he would buy the land and wait to sell it when the land was expropriated.
Ms Yingluck said she was ''free to meet anyone'' at the hotel, which is a public place, and insisted there was nothing irregular about the visit.
Footie match may kick up border trade
Sport brings people together and it could also help kickstart efforts to improve important projects.
A reliable border source said a football match was being organised between Myanmar's KBZ FC and the Chiang Rai United team to be played in Chiang Sai district of Chiang Rai next Saturday.
The source said local businesses have hailed the match as a major step towards warmer trans-border trade relations.
Chiang Rai governor Thanin Suphasaen, third left, and Pagaimas Viera, third right, announce the football match between Myanmar’s KBZ FC and Chiang Rai United.
Over the years, border businesses and authorities have sent invitations to Myanmar for its football team to play in Chiang Rai. However, Myanmar has repeatedly declined the offer.
Finally, the challenge was accepted and organisers hope the friendly match will help foster cross-border friendship. The proper football match will be followed by an informal game between high-level border officials and senior military officers of the two countries.
Pagaimas Viera, who owns the Mekong Delta Travel Agency that runs Chiang Rai-based Mekong cruises, said the match is historic, with commercial ties expected to grow in leaps and bounds as a result.
While there have been cross-border football matches before, they have only been kickabouts between soldiers of the two countries in fun games aimed at fostering goodwill in the aftermath of border skirmishes.
The Feb 25 game will be the first professional football fixture between Thai and Myanmar teams in Chiang Rai.
Trade and cultural promotion activities fill the calendar after the match, said Ms Pagaimas, also chairwoman of the Thai-Myanmar Culture Association.
She said tighter cooperation is on the horizon, marked by reciprocal visits of business representatives and high-ranking administrative delegates, and the boost in trade will extend beyond Thailand and Myanmar to other neighbouring countries.
The border source said the brighter bilateral ties could favour not only the two countries but also the wider regional economy. Myanmar authorities could be motivated to modernise the old R3B highway linking Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai with Myanmar, Laos and southern China.
Parts of the highway cut through rebel-controlled areas in Myanmar, but the new government there has engaged in peace talks with the ethnic minorities to end their decades-long conflicts.
The R3B route has not been used commercially for many years because it passes through security-sensitive zones.
However, if the Myanmar government can reach a peace deal with rebel groups, it could provide a tremendous push for the route to be upgraded, which could provide a significant trade boost for the region.