Thailand increases security, calls for ASEAN antiterror unity
Thailand increases security, calls for ASEAN antiterror unity
Agence France-Presse, Bangkok
Thailand announced on Tuesday it had boosted security at its
famed tourist sites after the Bali bombing and urged all
Southeast Asian nations to unite in the fight against terrorism.
Thai police said surveillance had been increased at places
where tourists congregate, as well as at foreign embassies in the
capital Bangkok, after the weekend blasts which killed more than
180 people
"Local police and special forces have been ordered to step up
patrols and check thoroughly in the areas near foreign embassies
and consuls," said Police Gen. Tawatchai Pailee.
Tourist Police commander Maj. Gen. Sanit Miphan said about
1,000 of his officers had been deployed to patrol several tourist
spots in the capital Bangkok and in outlying provinces.
Uniformed and plain-clothes officers will also focus on
airports, bus stations and railway stations, he said.
In Bangkok, security measures will center on inner-city hotel
and shopping districts, as well as the backpacker strip of Khao
San Road, which teems with thousands of young foreigners.
The northern city of Chiang Mai, popular tourist spots like
Pattaya, Hua Hin and Krabi and the islands of Samui and Phuket
and Krabi will also be under a security watch.
"These provinces are popular for tourists. Our security
measures involve not only patrols but also include intelligence-
gathering," Sanit said, adding that the measures would be
reviewed after one or two weeks.
"But I don't think anything will happen. Our country has its
own culture and does not support violence," he added.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Monday that
even though Thailand was not expected to be the target of any
future terrorist attacks, the government would not drop its
guard.
"Tourists and foreigners should not be concerned about
security, the Thai government will take care of this with both
intelligence gathering and prevention," he said.
Thailand's tourism industry has until now benefited from the
predominantly Buddhist nation's reputation as a "safe haven"
undisturbed by the Muslim militant movements that plague its
southern neighbors.
However, fears remain that big-name Thai resorts like the
island of Phuket could be targeted by terrorists because of the
concentration of foreigners there.
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said a letter would be
sent to Cambodia, the current chair of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to urge a joint statement
against terrorism in the wake of the bombing.
"I have asked officials to send a letter to the ASEAN standing
committee chairman saying that ASEAN should have a joint
statement denouncing this kind of terrorism action," he told
reporters.
Surakiart also said that ASEAN should cooperate more closely
in intelligence gathering.
Thaksin announced on Monday that ASEAN leaders would meet to
discuss regional measures to combat terrorism ahead of an Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Los Cabos, Mexico,
this month.
"We will talk ahead of the APEC meeting to find security
measures to prevent terrorism," he said, without giving a date
for the meeting.