Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BANGKOK5346
2005-08-19 06:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GROMOLL, JAMISON, KANG AND

Tags:  PARM OTRA PREL MARR TH 
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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
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR GROMOLL, JAMISON, KANG AND
KARTCHNER

REF: STATE 152372

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
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