US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK7301

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 007301 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H - MR. KELVIN DICKENS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP, AMGT, TH, Country Clearance, Codel/Staffdels 
SUBJECT: THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR:  STAFFDEL 
JANUZZI 
 
REF: STATE 212696 
 
1.  (U)  Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Mr. Frank Januzzi from 12/8 - 12/11, 2005 
 
2. (U)  Hotel reservations have been made at: 
 
Conrad Hotel, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Bangkok 
Tel:  (66-2) 690-9999 
Fax:  (66-2) 690-9000 
 
Room rate is $125.00 net (taxes and American breakfast 
included) and is within per diem (lodging $125, M&IE - $57). 
 
3.  (U)  Embassy point of contact is: 
 
Colin T. Crosby 
Work phone:  (66-2) 205-4621 
Home:  (66-2) 254-3812 
Cell phone:  (66-1) 173-1729 
Unclass E-mail Address:  CrosbyCT2@state.gov 
 
SIPDIS 
 
After-hours emergency number for the Embassy is (66-2) 
205-4108. 
 
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 form 700 to 1,500 Baht, 
depending on the type of vehicle, figure in another 70 Baht 
for expressway tolls.  Regular taxis are also available and 
cost approximately 225 Baht, not including tolls, and a taxi 
airport surcharge of 50 Baht.  Currently, the Thai Baht is 
approximately 40/dollar. 
 
5.  (U)  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, particularly those staying for a couple of 
weeks or longer, obtain an official visa before coming to 
Thailand.  If for whatever reason the traveler has to extend 
the stay, it is extremely difficult to extend a 30-day 
tourist visa obtained at the airport; and fines for overstays 
are costly. 
 
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 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.  (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 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. 
 
-  (U)  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. 
 
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.  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. 
 
D.  (SBU)  TERRORISM: 
-------------------- 
 
-  (SBU)  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. 
 
-  (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 or 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 
and 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 U.S. Embassy Bangkok, 
we hope you have a safe and pleasant visit. 
BOYCE