Security tightens in Bangkok after terrorism warnings
Thai police were on alert Saturday in Bangkok after the US and Israeli embassies issued warnings against possible "foreign terrorist attacks" in the capital.
Security was increased at the Israel embassy and in popular tourist areas, Police Chief Priewpan Damapong told the Bangkok Post.
On Friday night, police detained a Lebanese man suspected of having links to Hezbollah militants at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, shortly after the US embassy issued an alert.
"We're encouraging all US citizens to maintain a heightened sense of awareness, be alert to unattended packages and bags, and to report suspicious behaviour to the nearest law enforcer," the embassy said.
Officials did not specify what prompted the warning.
"Thai authorities have been aware of this possible threat throughout, and we've been working together with friendly countries on this issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said.
In the late 1980s, terrorists occupied the Israeli embassy in Bangkok briefly. There was also an attempt to blow up the embassy with a bomb placed in a truck that failed when the driver panicked and fled the vehicle.
An estimated 8000 US expatriates live in Bangkok, and the city is a tourist destination for hundreds of thousands of US tourists who visit Thailand annually.
Although bombings and threats have occurred in Bangkok in recent years, most have been blamed on local political or business conflicts.
Source http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2012/01/14/security-tightens-in-bangkok-after-terrorism-warnings
Security was increased at the Israel embassy and in popular tourist areas, Police Chief Priewpan Damapong told the Bangkok Post.
On Friday night, police detained a Lebanese man suspected of having links to Hezbollah militants at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, shortly after the US embassy issued an alert.
"We're encouraging all US citizens to maintain a heightened sense of awareness, be alert to unattended packages and bags, and to report suspicious behaviour to the nearest law enforcer," the embassy said.
Officials did not specify what prompted the warning.
"Thai authorities have been aware of this possible threat throughout, and we've been working together with friendly countries on this issue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said.
In the late 1980s, terrorists occupied the Israeli embassy in Bangkok briefly. There was also an attempt to blow up the embassy with a bomb placed in a truck that failed when the driver panicked and fled the vehicle.
An estimated 8000 US expatriates live in Bangkok, and the city is a tourist destination for hundreds of thousands of US tourists who visit Thailand annually.
Although bombings and threats have occurred in Bangkok in recent years, most have been blamed on local political or business conflicts.
Source http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2012/01/14/security-tightens-in-bangkok-after-terrorism-warnings
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