STAFFDEL BLANK INFORMATION FOR THAILAND (SEP 3-6)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002181 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN TH SUBJECT: STAFFDEL BLANK INFORMATION FOR THAILAND (SEP 3-6) REF: STATE 87427 ¶1. Post welcomes Jonah Blank from September 3 to September 6, 2009. ¶2. Hotel reservations for September 3-4 have been made at: -- Four Seasons Hotel, 155 Rajadamri Road Tel: 66-2-251-6127 Fax: 66-2-254-5390 Room rate is USD 145 (taxes and American breakfast included) and is within per diem (lodging $146, M&IE - $72). Hotel reservations for September 5 have been made at: -- Novotel Centara Hat Yai 3 Sanehanusorn Rd Songkhla 90110 Hat Yai Tel: 66-74-352222 Fax: 66-74-352240 Room Rate is Baht 1,750 (USD 51.50) net (taxes and American breakfast included) and within per diem. ¶3. Embassy point of contact is: Name: Brent Soderborg Work phone: (66-2) 205-4754 Cell phone: (66-8) 1173-1729 Unclass E-mail Address: SoderborgBB@state.gov After-hours emergency number for the Embassy is (66-2) 205-4108. ¶4. Embassy POC will meet STAFFDEL at Suvannaphoum Airport and accompany to hotel. POC will also provide per diem for STAFFDEL upon arrival. ¶5. Thai immigration law requires a visa for those traveling to Thailand on official and diplomatic passports. Thus, post strongly recommends that TDY travelers obtain an official visa before traveling. Even though the visa requirement for official and diplomatic visitors is almost never enforced by Thai immigration authorities, U.S. airlines have in a few recent instances refused to allow TDY'ers traveling to Thailand on official or diplomatic passports to board their flight without a Thai visa. The airlines have every right to do this since they are liable for a passenger's return airfare if immigration authorities in Thailand decide to refuse entry to those who do not posses the required visa upon arrival. U.S. citizens traveling to Thailand on tourist passports who are planning to stay in country for fewer than 30 days do not require a visa and are granted a 30-day entry permit at the airport upon arrival. While, in practice, this is also done regularly for travelers on official and diplomatic passports, there is no guarantee that this is in fact what will happen if you are traveling on an official or diplomatic passport and arrive in country without a visa. It should also be kept in mind that even if you are granted a 30-day entry permit upon arrival, it is extremely difficult to extend the 30-day entry permit upon arrival, it is extremely difficult to extend the 30-day entry permit if that is later necessary. Furthermore, fines for overstays beyond 30 days are costly. ¶6. SECURITY INFORMATION -------------- ¶A. CRIME: -------------- -- 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. -- 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 BANGKOK 00002181 002 OF 002 antiquities. There are no Thai government-owned or sponsored gem stores. If victimized, seek assistance from Tourist Police by dialing 1155. -- 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 sporadic 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. TRAFFIC: -------------- -- 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. 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. TERRORISM: -------------- -- The threat from transnational terrorist groups to the U.S. Mission in Bangkok is currently ranked medium. 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. -- 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. -- 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. OTHER SECURITY TIPS: -------------- -- 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. -- 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. -- Visitors should also review 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. -- 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. JOHN