Saturday, December 5, 2015

Authorities downplay IS Terror Warning for Phuket and Thailand, but beef up Security

It has emerged that the Russian Intelligence Service FSB has warned Thailand, that terrorists could have arrived in Phuket and travelled on to other places in Thailand. According to FSB 10 Syrians connected to Islamic State (IS) entered the Kingdom in October with a possible plan to attack Russian interests, reports The Nation. Thaiöands security authorities boosted safety measures in the capital and many provinces. PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said that Russia had exchanged information with Thailand and wanted the Thai side to check the accuracy of the information on whether the Syrians had entered Thailand. "Thai authorities looked into the information and as of yesterday, we found no clues on Russia's concerns," he said.

The Governor of Phuket, Jamleran Tipayapongtada, said that all military, police and other authorities were aware of the reports and had intensified security precautions, as phuletwan.com reports. "Everybody who lives on Phuket or is visiting Phuket can help," he said. '"Please let police know if you see something that is not quite right."
Targets for terrorists could be Phuket, Khao San Road in Bangkok and the walking street in Pattaya. But experts as Thammasat University Middle East specialist Jaran Maluleemsay say, that Thailand could also not be the target but a safe hub for terrorists, reports The Nation.

Also in Malaysia police have beefed up security, particularly around places associated with Russian and Western interests, which the reports indicated the militants were likely to target, writes Thai PBS.

Malaysia's police said on Saturday that it had arrested five people, including a European employed as a teacher, on suspicion of links with militant groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, reports Reuters.