BANGKOK, Thailand (23 Feb 2007) -- Canada joined two other western countries Friday in updating its warning to travellers after Thailand's defence minister said Muslim insurgents in the south could extend their attacks to the capital, Bangkok. The Canadian, British and Australian embassies all revised their advisories cautioning travellers to exercise caution in Bangkok as well as in the south - the scene of a bloody three-year insurgency. The U.S. Embassy, however, did not change its standing advice to exercise care in both areas. Thai Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya said that although Bangkok should be on the alert for terrorism, he did not anticipate any imminent attacks, the state Thai News Agency reported. Defence Minister Gen. Boonrod Somtad warned Thursday that Muslim insurgents could extend their attacks to Bangkok after the rebels demonstrated their strength this week with a string of high-profile attacks in the south. He said the insurgents are believed to have 1,000 armed fighters and 10,000 hardcore sympathizers, and that the rebels were infiltrating universities in the capital, which could be used as launching pads for assaults. Canada's Foreign Affairs Ministry "advised against non-essential travel to the capital, Bangkok," citing what it said was a Thai Interior Ministry security alert based on "reports of possible attacks targeting public places such as shopping centres and public transportation." The travel advisory from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the overall level of advice for Thailand - suggesting a "high degree of caution" - remained the same. But it said it continued to receive reports "that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners." "Reports indicate possible bombing attacks at crowded places such as department stores, and sky-train and subway stations in Bangkok on Friday 23 February 2007," said the advisory, which did not specify the origin of the information. Police Lt.-Gen. Thiradet Rodphothong, chief of the Thailand's Special Branch police division, said there was no intelligence information specifying that an attack could take place Friday, though rumours to that effect had circulated in the Thai media. He added, however, that the authorities would take special precautions on a major Buddhist holiday, Makha Bucha, on March 3, when there is the possibility of an attack "because there will be a large number of people gathering for religious events." | | A tourist is helped by medical staff after being injured in a bomb explosion in Bangkok. Three people were killed and at least 30 more were injured, including nine foreigners, in a wave of New Year bombings across the capital of military-ruled Thailand. There have long been fears and occasional warnings that insurgents might take their fight to other areas, including Bangkok. No such attacks are known to have taken place, although a series of eight bombings in the capital on New Year's Eve that killed three people remains unsolved, with some suspicion the insurgents may have been responsible. Ian Proud, deputy spokesman for the British Embassy, said it had no information specifically suggesting an attack was likely on Friday. He said the embassy's increased concern was based on announcements by Thai government agencies that security was being increased. "We are not referring to today as a specific risk but there remains a possibility of attacks happening at any time in the future," he said. The separatist insurgency, which has led to about 2,000 deaths in the past three years, has been largely confined to Muslim-dominated provinces in southernmost Thailand bordering Malaysia. Recent incidents include 29 co-ordinated bombings and 20 other arson and shooting attacks Sunday; a fire set to a large rubber warehouse Wednesday; and an ambush of the motorcade of a confidante of the Thai queen, also on Wednesday. SOURCE - Canadian PressSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Travel AlertsUK - Thailand Travel Warning: 2007-02-23CDNN Related NewsTHAILAND - Lucky escape from terrorist bombingsTHAILAND - Terrorist bombings will hurt Thailand tourism |
