US warns: Terrorist threat to Bangkok

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US warns: Terrorist threat to Bangkok

Published: 13/01/2012 at 08:28 PM
Online news: Security

Police said they detained a Lebanese man with suspected ties to Hezbollah, after the US Embassy issued an emergency warning to its citizens to beware of a "real and credible" terrorist attack in Bangkok on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said authorities received a tip-off before New Year's Eve celebrations of a planned attack, which was apparently to target Israelis.

"At first we were told the Palestinians were behind it but it turned out to be the Hezbollah," a Lebanon-based Shiite militant group backed by Iran.

He said police detained on Thursday a Lebanese suspect with alleged links to Hezbollah.

Authorities had been "following two Lebanese men and called in one of them ... for questioning," Mr Chalerm said.

The US Embassy message said that "foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future." It urged Americans to "keep a low profile" in public and to exercise caution in areas where Western tourists gather.

United States authorities had informed the Thai government that two suspected Muslim terrorists had entered Thailand, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said after the US embassy on Friday alerted its citizens to possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok.

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Writer: BangkokPost.com with Agency reports

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brilliant
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Discussion 11 : 13/01/2012 at 11:33 PM11
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Just parade yourself as a ranking Thai government worker and you can walk into the country. As for tobi and onlyme, perhaps a Bali style nightclub bombing that kills a few hundred people will change your mind. Thailand is a perfect target for terrorists as is seen every day in the South.
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Silkpit
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Discussion 10 : 13/01/2012 at 10:56 PM10
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Two Terrorists, namely "Hizbollah", here in Bangkok.
What a farce!
Terrorists in the South of Thailand are in the hundreds, localy made, and yet we are not bothered at all, and the US and UK embassies are standing idle and watch the slaughtering without comments since years.
Bangkok is a safe heaven for criminals, terrorists, fakers, drug dealers and alike for the past tens and more years, both Thais and foreginers alike.
I'm wondering why the Israeli Embassy, with their notorious "Mossad' squads haven't alerted anyone so far.
I'm more concered braking my leg on the foothpath of Sukhumvit, then getting blown away by a bomb from "Hezbollah" Terrorists on R&R in Bangkok.
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med142
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Discussion 9 : 13/01/2012 at 09:05 PM9
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Its not just the us embassy its the brit embassy also. I would not be suprised if others also.
This obviously has been know about for a while, and the suspects monitored.
Has the influence of the airport security breach influenced the decision on making this public?
It does go to show that the security is lax for these people to get into the country.
who is not to say that bombs have not already been placed anywhere in bangkok? or elsewhere?
There are some very prime targets in bangkok besides the tourist areas, the international schools for one. But they have already done and achived what a terrorist does and that inflicts terror.
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abbub
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Discussion 8 : 13/01/2012 at 08:25 PM8
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E'BOB D2 is absolutely right. Read:

"For Thai citizens, there is no need to announce any warning because it will cause panic and will affect tourism."

Totally ridiculous. It is saying what not to say and saying it within the context of stating exactly what it says not to say!
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nitnoi
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Discussion 7 : 13/01/2012 at 08:10 PM7
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No need to alert Thais because it will cause panic among them; vey considerated. Are the areas where tourists frequently visit run by foreigners? Bombs problably will explode selectively so the Thais citizens should not worry because terrorists target tourists only. How small mind those socalled"Intelligence Official" are.
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onlyme
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Discussion 6 : 13/01/2012 at 07:42 PM6
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rva what tobi is alluding to is that the USA has been in a panic state for years and sees a terrorist behind every rock. For Thailand we should be ok as, if the terrorist shows up and declares himself a VIP before he slaps the security agent then we will know he is ok because he must be a customs official/clerk.
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rva
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Discussion 5 : 13/01/2012 at 07:19 PM5
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tobi, please explain.
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loopholes
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Discussion 4 : 13/01/2012 at 07:16 PM4
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The Thai security agencies be well prepared and safe guard against any possibility of an act of terrorism like the bloody incident in Bali ! Prevention is always better than seeking for a remedy !!
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tobi

Discussion 3 : 13/01/2012 at 06:43 PM3
it has to be mentioned though that americans tend to collapse at every bearded muslim they spot and are prone to overreact.
from iPhone application.
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englishbob
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Discussion 2 : 13/01/2012 at 06:43 PM2
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I really doubt that giving the details of two terrorists entering the country and an imminent arrest is standard operating procedure.

In most countries, isn't it customary to surprise the criminals, rather than advertising the police's arrival?
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