US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK5346

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005346 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AC/RSS, EAP/MLS 
DOD PASS TO OSD/MISSILE DEFENSE POLICY (JAMISON) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM, OTRA, PREL, MARR, TH, Country Clearance 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GROMOLL, JAMISON, KANG AND 
KARTCHNER 
 
REF: STATE 152372 
 
1.  (U) Post welcomes and grants country clearance to Drs. 
Robert Gromoll, Eliot Kang, and Kerry Kartchner from the 
Department of State and Mr. Phil Jamison from the Office of 
the Secretary of Defense to visit Thailand during the period 
of August 26 - August 30 , 2005, to give Thai MFA and MOD 
officials a briefing on U.S. missile defense programs and 
policies in preparation for the U.S./Thai ASEAN Regional 
Forum (ARF) seminar on missile defense. 
 
2.  (U) Point of contact for the visit/briefing will be 
Political/Military Officer Mark Lambert (tel:  66-2-205-4729; 
email: LamberMB@state.gov).  Political Officer Colin Crosby 
remains the primary point of contact for the October 6-7 ARF 
Missile Defense Conference (tel: 66-2-205-4621; email: 
CrosbyCT2@state.gov). 
 
3.  (U) As requested, Embassy has confirmed reservations at 
the Conrad Bangkok Hotel (87 Wireless Road, Bangkok. tel: 
66-2-690-9999; fax 66-2-690-9000).  Rooms are at Bangkok per 
diem rate ($125/night); taxes and breakfast included. 
Reservations are confirmed for Dr. Kartchner from August 
26-30 (confirmation number 197071); Drs. Gromoll 
(confirmation number 197070) and Kang (confirmation number 
197069) from August 27-30; and Mr. Jamison from August 28-29 
(confirmation number 197072). 
 
4.  (U) Due to limited resources and easy availability of 
airport transportation, post policy does not allow for 
airport meet and assist.  Thai Airways Limousine Service and 
American Express Airport Taxi are recommended for persons 
unfamiliar with Bangkok.  These services are located inside 
the arrival hall, which you enter after clearing customs. The 
cost of a one-way trip varies from 700 to 1500 baht, 
depending on the type of vehicle, plus another 70 baht for 
expressway tolls.  Regular taxis are also available and cost 
approximately 225 baht, not including tolls, and an airport 
departure surcharge of 50 baht.  Currently, the exchange rate 
is approximately USD 1 = 40 baht. 
 
5.  (U) Although visas are not required of holders of U.S. 
tourist passports who plan to stay fewer than 30 days, 
holders of diplomatic or official passports MUST obtain visas 
prior to arrival.  If a traveler is not a U.S. passport 
holder, please contact your local Thai Embassy for visa 
information. 
 
6.  (U) Thailand has an airport departure tax of 500 baht 
that must be paid in local currency upon departure. 
 
7.  (SBU) SECURITY INFORMATION 
 
A.  (U) MANDATORY PERSONAL SECURITY TRAINING: 
(U) All U.S. citizen personnel serving under Chief of Mission 
authority in a temporary duty status of 30 days or more must 
complete appropriate overseas personal security training 
prior to travel (04 State 66580).  Employees who have 
completed the Security Overseas Seminar course at State's 
Foreign Service Institute (FSI) after June 1, 2000 meet this 
requirement.  All other TDYers must either a) complete the 
approved four-day seminar at FSI entitled "Serving Abroad for 
Families & Employees (SAFE)" or b) have their agency certify 
to the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security that 
the employee has undergone equivalent security training.  The 
contact for this certification is Assistant Director of 
Training, DS/T, at telephone (703) 205-2617.  Country 
clearance will not be granted for any traveler with planned 
TDY in excess of 30 days if this information is not 
stated/certified.  POC for additional information is 
DS(underscore)RSOBangkok@state.gov. 
 
B.  (U) CRIME: 
(U) 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. 
 
- (U) Be aware of common scams and frauds (including those 
involving credit cards, in particular).  Visitors should only 
use credit cards at well-established and reputable 
businesses.  The drugging and robbing of unwary individuals 
is common.  Various Americans have reported being drugged and 
robbed or beaten after socializing with strangers in bar 
areas.  The drugs can cause serious temporary memory 
impairment, unconsciousness, and if overdosed, death. 
Visitors should not accept free food or drinks from 
strangers. 
 
- (U) Be wary of common scams for jewelry, suits, silks, 
gems, or antiquities.  There are no Thai government-owned or 
sponsored gem stores.  Some disreputable entertainment venues 
may charge exorbitant drink prices or cover charges.  The 
sale of counterfeit goods is also rampant in tourist areas. 
If victimized, seek assistance from Tourist Police by dialing 
1155. 
 
C. (U) TRAFFIC: 
(U) The traffic situation in Bangkok can be difficult and 
dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicle occupants.  All 
visitors should be alert to traffic patterns and unexpected 
motorcycle drivers.  Post recommends that pedestrians use the 
overhead walkways for crossing busy streets.  Visitors are 
advised that traffic drives on the left-hand side, although 
there may be a bus lane that flows in the opposite direction. 
 
D. (SBU) TERRORISM: 
(SBU) The U.S. Mission in Bangkok currently rates the threat 
from transnational terrorist groups as high.  Despite stepped 
up RTG efforts to monitor the borders, they remain relatively 
porous and allow easy illegal access. Transnational terrorist 
groups, to include Al-Qa'ida and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), have 
utilized Thailand as a transit point. 
 
- (SBU) 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. 
 
- (U) 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. 
 
E. (U) OTHER SECURITY TIPS: 
(U) Visitors should avoid making any pejorative comments 
about any members of the Thai royal family or engaging in 
disrespectful conduct within temples of toward religious 
objects.  Such behavior can result in arrest and/or expulsion 
from Thailand. 
 
- (U) 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, 
not at hotels or residences. 
 
- (U) Visitors should also be aware of 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.  DOD personnel 
must review the PACOM Force Protection Levels for Thailand 
found at http://131.84.1.218/staff/at/athome.shtml. 
 
- (U) 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