US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK6650

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 006650 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EAP/MLS FOR HIGGINS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA, TH, Country Clearance 
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED FOR EAP/MLS THAI DESK 
OFFICER MELANIE HIGGINS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 193032 
 
1.  Embassy warmly welcomes visit of EAP/MLS Thailand desk 
officer Melanie Higgins and grants country clearance.  Point 
of contact for the Bangkok portion of her travel is Political 
Officer Jim Cole (O) 02 205 4816 (C) 01 868-0498 (H) 02 
287-4652. 
 
2.  Hotel reservations have been made at the Conrad Hotel, 
All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Bangkok, Tel: (66-2) 
690-9999, Fax:  (66-2) 690-9000).  Currently, the Thai Baht 
is approximately 40/dollar. 
 
3.  Thailand has an airport departure tax of 500 Baht that 
must be paid in local currency upon departure. 
 
4.  (SBU)  SECURITY INFORMATION 
 
A.  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 1) 
complete the approved four-day seminar at FSI entitled 
"Serving Abroad for Families & Employees (SAFE)" or 2) 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 RSOBangkok@state.gov. 
 
B.  CRIME: 
 
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 
frequent 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. 
 
TRAFFIC: 
 
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.  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. 
 
TERRORISM: 
 
The threat from transnational terrorist groups to the U.S. 
Mission in Bangkok is currently ranked high. 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. 
 
E.  OTHER SECURITY TIPS: 
 
-  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 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. 
 
-  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 U.S. Embassy Bangkok, we hope you 
have a safe and pleasant visit. 
BOYCE