UNCLAS BANGKOK 002831
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA, AMGT, TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR EAP A/S HILL AND
SPECIAL ASSISTANT GIBBONS
REF: STATE 68693
1. Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to EAP
A/S Hill and Special Assistant Gibbons for their May 22-23
visit and their May 25-26 transit.
2. We have made arranged accommodations at the EMR guest
house for the night of May 22. The phone number at the EMR
guest house is (66)(2) 205-5404. For the night of May 25,
hotel reservations have been made at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi
Airport Hotel (confirmation numbers 408606 and 408607), with
address and contact information as follows:
999 Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
Moo 1 Mongprue Bang Phil
Samutprakam, Bangkok
Tel: 66-2-131-1111
Fax: 66-2-131-1188
The room rate is 4,888 Baht net (taxes and American breakfast
included) and within per diem. (Currently, the Baht is
around 34.50 to the USD.) An express breakfast at the Square
Restaurant is available from 0300 hrs.
3. Control officer for the visit is Deputy Political
Counselor David R. Greenberg, who can be reached as follows:
Work phone: (66-2) 205-4816
Cell phone: (66-81) 920-1084
Home phone: (66-2) 254-1589
Fax: (66-2) 253-3876
Unclassified e-mail address: Greenbergdr@state.gov
SIPDIS
The after-hours emergency number for the Embassy (Post One)
is (66-2) 205-4108.
4. The control officer and an Embassy expediter will meet A/S
Hill and Special Assistant Gibbons at the airport on arrival.
5. Although visas are not required of holders of U.S.
passports (whether diplomatic, official or tourist) who plan
to stay fewer than 30 days, post nonetheless recommends that
TDY travelers obtain an official visa before coming to
Thailand.
6. SECURITY INFORMATION
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A. CRIME:
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-- Crime is generally non-confrontational in nature.
Criminal acts are usually crimes of opportunity such as
purse-snatchings, thefts of unattended property, and pick
pocketing. Visitors should be especially alert in crowded
buses, streets, and markets or while on "tuk-tuks." Visitors
should lock valuables in hotel safe deposit boxes not in
their hotel rooms.
-- Be aware of common scams and frauds (including credit
cards, in particular). Visitors should only use credit cards
at well-established and reputable businesses. Visitors
should be careful when purchasing branded or copyrighted
goods. There are many pirated counterfeit products in the
marketplace; their purchase is against post regulations and
it is illegal to import these products into the U.S. Be wary
of common scams for jewelry, suits, silks, gems, or
antiquities. There are no Thai government-owned or sponsored
gem stores. If victimized, seek assistance from Tourist
Police by dialing 1155.
-- Visitors are cautioned from visiting bars involved in the
sex trade. Many of these operate illegally and clients can
be subject to RTG law; they often charge exorbitant drink
prices and cover charges. There are also many incidents of
crime against patrons in these establishments. Drugging and
robbing of unwary individuals is not uncommon. There are
sporadic reports of victims being drugged and robbed or
beaten when visiting these bars. The drugs used can cause
serious temporary memory impairment, unconsciousness, and if
overdosed, death.
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B. TRAFFIC:
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-- The traffic situation in Bangkok can be difficult and
dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicle occupants. All
visitors should be a1ert to traffic patterns and unexpected
motorcycle drivers. Traffic drives on the left-hand side,
opposite from the U.S., although there may be a bus lane that
flows in the opposite direction. Pedestrians should use the
overhead walkways for crossing busy streets.
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C. TERRORISM:
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-- The threat from transnational terrorist groups to the
U.S. Mission in Bangkok is currently ranked medium. Despite
stepped up RTG efforts to monitor its borders, they remain
relatively porous and allow easy illegal access.
Transnational terrorist groups, including Al-Qa'ida and
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), have utilized Thailand as a transit
point.
-- The threat from indigenous terrorist groups is currently
rated as low. There is no evidence to indicate that
indigenous terrorist groups are planning acts against U.S.
personnel or facilities. The far south of Thailand has
experienced incidents of criminally and politically motivated
violence, including incidents attributed to armed local
Muslim separatist groups. Although Americans have not been
specifically targeted in the past, the indiscriminate nature
of past attacks by these groups -- including bombings of
public places -- indicates a potential threat to American
citizens.
-- The State Department is concerned that there is an
increased risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including
Thailand. Travelers to Thailand should therefore exercise
caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate,
such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, tourist
areas, and other places frequented by foreigners.
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D. OTHER SECURITY TIPS:
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-- Visitors should avoid making any pejorative comments
about any members of the Thai Royal Family or engaging in
disrespectful conduct within temples or toward religious
objects. Such behavior can result in arrest and/or expulsion
from Thailand.
-- Precautions should also be taken not to discuss sensitive
or classified matters outside secure environments or over
unsecured and/or cellular telephones, and to securely
safeguard classified or sensitive materials at the Chancery
and not at hotels or residences.
-- Visitors should also review the State Department,s
Consular Information Sheet for Thailand and the most recent
Worldwide Caution Public Announcements, which are available
via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
-- In essence, visitors to Bangkok must exercise appropriate
caution and be alert to their surroundings with regard to
their personal security. Suspicious incidents/activities
should be reported to RSO Bangkok (tel. 02-205-4000, 24
hrs/day). On behalf of US Embassy Bangkok, we hope you have
a safe and pleasant visit.
BOYCE