Possible Bangkok bomb plots prompt police to step up security

Possible #Bangkok bomb plots prompt police to step up security
.

Police said today that they have increased security at major landmarks in Bangkok, as well as at airports and in surrounding provinces, following reports of bomb plots just weeks after deadly attacks rocked the country's south.
.
An armed group was plotting car bomb attacks in a province near Bangkok, Thailand's national security head said.
.
"The Deputy Prime Minister instructed security agencies closely track and monitor anything unusual including things used to prepare bombs and cars," Thawip Netniyom, chief of Thailand's National Security Council, told reporters.
.
"Why target Bangkok? They probably want to make an impact," he said, without giving details on which groups could be behind the plot.
.
The Thai media specifically reported that the group might be plotting a car bomb between Oct. 25-30 in Bangkok, according to Pol. Gen. Sriwara Ransibrahmanakul, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police.
.
Pol. Gen. Sriwara said that he has instructed the local police to inspect any suspicious vehicles and tighten security at tourist attractions, embassies, and symbolic venues, reported Nation TV.
.
Always a popular tourist destination Thailand suffered a series of bomb attacks in the country's south over the past few weeks, including a wave of bombs in tourist towns between Aug. 11-12 that killed four Thai people and injured dozens more, including foreigners.
.
Police have linked the attacks to Muslim separatists operating in Thailand's far south.
.
Security chief Thawip said he was not sure whether the planned car bombs and the August attacks were related.
.
Thailand's tourism industry, which accounts for 10 percent of gross domestic product, has weathered more than a decade of unrest including two military coups and the recent bombings.
.
Britain's Foreign Office, as well as several others, advised travelers to exercise caution following the August bombings.
.
"You should exercise caution, particularly in public places. Further incidents are possible in these and other areas of Thailand," the Foreign Office said.
.
In August 2015, a bomb ripped through Erawan Shrine, a religious landmark in central Bangkok killing 20 people, most of them tourists. But the attack failed to dent tourist arrivals to any discernible degree.
.
wo ethnic Uighur Muslims from China are on trial in Thailand after being accused of carrying out the attack.
.
Analysts and diplomats suspected the attack was linked to Uighur sympathizers angered by Thailand's deportation of more than 100 Uighurs to China the previous month.
.
Bangkok is currently playing host to a regional meeting attended by some world and business leaders.
.
Police said they were on high alert.
.
"I have ordered all police under my supervision in the area around Bangkok to monitor news, investigate and gather intelligence on groups who could come in and cause trouble," said Police Lieutenant General Charnthep Sesawet, acting chief of Provincial Police Region 1, which oversees areas around the capital.
.
Story: Reuters/ Nation TV / Coconuts.co

 

.

No more visa Runs

.
No more visa runs as

The honeymoon seems to be over. Anyone relying on the Thailand’s easy boarder run policy to stay in the country for an extended period of time will not be able to from 13th August.
.
The one day visa runs to the neighboring countries borders to gain an additional 15 – 30 days has been a very popular and cheap way for many long term residents in Thailand to extend their stay here without the need of long stay visas, but this is about to change.
.
Anyone wishing to stay longer must now leave the country in order to apply for a visa at consulates and embassies in other countries, something many are complaining is very inconvenient.
.

.

The Immigration Bureau have already told the officials to refuse entry to foreigners on visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.
.
Tourists wishing to extend their stay in Thailand must now need to exit the country and apply for a proper tourist visa or they will need to fly out of the country every thirty days to obtain a new stamp. However, the ‘fly in – fly out’ option will not last for very long as visa runs by air will be prohibited from August 13th.
.

.

Immigration Bureau website says: “Leniency will be granted until August 12, but only for passengers arriving by air. Foreigners who come to Thailand must seek a proper visa in line with the purpose of their intended stay here.”
.
These moves have come about to prevent people from simply coming in and out of the country without having to apply, and pay for, the proper visa required to stay in the country. This means that tourists will now have to secure a visa from a consulate outside of Thailand whether that is in their own country before they travel or in nearby countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos or Singapore.
.
The issuing of visas from nearby countries is down to the discretion of the consulate used and the rules regarding the issue of tourist visas change on a monthly basis. Those who have already had several tourist visas may find their application is refused or they may receive a single rather than a double entry visa.
.
Pol Colonel Thirachai Dedkhad said: “We have made it clear that if they want to work in Thailand, they must seek a work permit and get the right type of visa.”

.
*****
Source: Love Pattaya Thailand

,

High Security Alert in Thailand

Media reports indicate that the security forces are now on a higher alert following an advisory that Thailand is one of the many countries at risk from IS.

As in western nations, the security forces have raised security at airports and at major tourist cities, following an advisory  statement issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok based on US intelligence.

This is not the first time that security has been tightened recently.  a similar advisory from the Russian Embassy also saw an alert last month.

With Western and Asian nations all working  IS Awareness campaigns, Cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket can expect to see a visible security presence.

CARRYING DOCUMENT AT ALL TIMES

Carrying valid Thai ID and/or copies of passports along with copies of the visas inside them is a requirement in Thailand.  In fact it was required that the original passport be in your possession at all times.  a recent statement in Bangkok allows copies to be accepted as long as you have access to the original.  Thai people too are required to have their ID with them, this is not a discriminatory requeirement but a logical one, especially at times of heightened secuirty.

In Pattaya and Chiang Mai, Police have had cause to visit tourist establishments and take in all visitors without ID.  To date they have all been able to find their passports in hotels or room where they stay.  To date all have been treated well and freed without penalty HOWEVER there is provision within the Thai law to fine if required.

Carry your Documents at all times.  Thailand is a safe country, no more or less dangerous than any other tourist country, Assisting police and authorities by carrying documentation will free them up to deal with other problems and lessen the chance that you evening is interrupted

Source: Pattaya103.com

*****

HOTEL BOOKINGS

 For the Best ‪#‎Hotels‬ and ‪#‎Resorts‬‬
We help you with your ‪#‎Bookings‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

ASIAN-BESTHOTELS
BANGKOK-BESTHOTELS
EUROPEAN-BESTHOTELS
HOLLAND-BESTHOTELS
VIP-BESTHOTELS

PLANET-ASIAN
GERRIT-TIENKAMP
TRIPADVISOR‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

.

Farang retirees will need a fortune

Re: "First shot fired in battle against border corruption", Editorial

 

 Your editorial omits one other feature of national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang's criticism of the Immigration service that has already had a major impact: the complex issue of one-year retirement visas. Applicants 50 years or older must now have had at least Bt800,000 in a personal bank account for some months, and without a friend topping up the amount on a short-term basis. Quite a number of farang are going to be caught in that honey trap.

Of course there is an alternative. Applicants can apply for the retirement visa wholly or partly on the basis of having income in their home country, provided that the relevant embassy issues a letter "confirming" the amount. The problem here is that some embassies (the UK's is one) insist that applicants provide proof of income, for example bank statements, while others (such as the US and Australian embassies) have no such rule and rely on self-certification. Over the next few months, don't be too surprised if there is a steep rise in the number of one-way tickets being sold on the Bangkok-UK routes to this new generation of elderly and unwilling economic migrants.

*****

For the Best ‪#‎Hotels and ‪#‎Resorts
We help you with your ‪#‎Bookings 
BOOK NOW SIMPLE CLICK ON THIS LINK ON OR THE BANNER
http://gerrit-tienkamp.blogspot.com/
http://planet-asian.blogspot.com/
https://asiabesthotels.wordpress.com/
https://europeanbesthotels.wordpress.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/Gerrit_Tienkamp

.

.