THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR: STAFFDEL GROVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001073 SIPDIS SENSITIVE CODEL SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR H E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT TH SUBJECT: THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR: STAFFDEL GROVE REF: STATE 022813 ¶1. (U) Post welcomes and grants country clearance to Paul Grove and Cindy Chang, from February 24, 2006 to February 26, ¶2006. ¶2. (U) Embassy point of contact is: Anthony Tranchina, Political Officer Tel: 66-2-205-4599 Cell: 66-1-909-8235, UNCLASS E-Mail: TranchinaAM@state.gov. SIPDIS After-hours emergency number for the embassy is 66-2-205-4108. ¶3. (SBU) Staffdel is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok on Friday, February 24 on Thai Airways Flight 697 from Phnom Penh at 11:10 a.m. Staffdel is scheduled to depart Bangkok on Sunday, February 26 on United Airlines (UA) Flight 887 to Tokyo at 6:40 am. Embassy Bangkok will provide transportation for Staffdel to and from Bangkok International Airport as well as to all meetings and appointments. ¶4. (SBU) Staffdel will be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel located at 155 Rajadamri Road in central Bangkok. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the Embassy and a 5-minute drive from the Embassy's Rajadamri compound. ¶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. Currently, the Thai Baht is approximately 40/dollar. ¶7. (SBU) SECURITY INFORMATION -------------- ¶A. (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. -------------- ¶B. (U) TRAFFIC: -------------- - (U) The traffic situation in Bangkok can be difficult and dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicle occupants. All visitors should be a1ert 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. -------------- ¶C. (U) 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. -------------- ¶D. (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 US Embassy Bangkok, we hope you have a safe and pleasant visit. BOYCE