Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK1073
2006-02-23 06:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR: STAFFDEL GROVE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 230609Z Feb 06
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
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
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