COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BANGKOK FOR FAA

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000466

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR TH
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BANGKOK FOR FAA
PERSONNEL, JAMES C. HELBERG

REF: SINGAPORE 000080

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY


1. (U) Post welcomes and grants country clearance
to James C. Helberg, Aviation Safety Inspector for
the Federal Aviation Administration International
Field Office for Asia Pacific, for February 7 to
February 10, 2006.


2. (U) Embassy point of contact is Aaron Forsberg,
Transportation Officer, telephone number 66-2-205-
4698, ForsbergAP@state.gov. Embassy understands no
assistance is required.


3. (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,
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.


4. (U) After-hours emergency number for the embassy
is 66-2-205-4108.


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

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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.

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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 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.

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D. (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.

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E. (U) OTHER SECURITY TIPS:
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- (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