BANGKOK, Jan 15 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered the ministry of foreign affairs to foster understanding with the US and other countries following terror threat alert issued by embassies.
Speaking before the Sunday’s mobile cabinet meeting, she said she ordered the ministry of foreign affairs to clarify the situation with other countries to avoid an impact on prospective tourists.
The premier reaffirmed security at public places and safety for tourists. She instructed the Royal Thai Police and the National Security Council to closely monitor the situation and report to her.
‘We do our utmost to ensure full security, with officials ready to work around the clock. Security officials can certainly do their duties just like the security operations during the New Year holidays, the premier said.
However, she would not disclose information about another suspect who has not yet been located due to security reasons.
Meanwhile, the situation on Khao San Road, the capital’s backpacker haven remains normal, said Piyabut Jiwaramonaikul, chairman of the Khaosan entrepreneurs association.
He said businesses here closely monitored the area in cooperation with state officials to ensure safety in this busy tourist area and always remain vigilant for bins or unattended luggage.
There have been neither room cancellations nor early checkout of tourists so far in the area, he added. However, he viewed that the terror threat alert may affect the country’s overall tourism.
The website of the US embassy in Bangkok on Friday published a warning, urging all Americans living or visiting the Thai capital to be on high alert when “visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok.”
On the same day, Atris Hussein, a 48 year-old Lebanese man, with suspected links to a militant group in Lebanon was detained and questioned under immigration law, while the other suspect from the Middle East is still at large.
