Embassy Bangkok Welcomes Staffdel Steigleder

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BANGKOK 000048 SIPDIS PASS TO DEPT H (DPARKS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CB CH JA TH SUBJECT: Embassy Bangkok Welcomes Staffdel Steigleder REF: State 1077 ¶1. Post welcomes Staffdel Steigleder with regards to site visits to projects managed by the Department of Labor's International Labor Affairs Bureau that aim to improve worker rights and eliminate child labor. Control officer will be Lawrence Petroni (information below) who has been in touch with local partners to ensure a productive visit. ¶2. CONTROL OFFICER: Primary: Lawrence Petroni, Deputy Economic Counselor and Labor Officer Embassy Number: 02-205-4000 x4639 Direct: 02-205-4639 Cell: 02-254-3783 E-Mail: PetroniLJ@State.Gov Fax: 02-205-2839 Alternate: Chris Burney, OMS Embassy Number: 02-205-4000 x4726 Direct: 02-205-4726 Cell: 02-173-1723 E-Mail: BurneyC@State.Gov Fax: 02-205-2839 ¶3. HOTEL ACCOMDATIONS: Conrad Hilton, All Season Place, 87/3 Wireless Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand Phone: (662) 690-9999, Fax: (662) 690-9000 Website: www.conrad.hilton.com/Bangkok Check-In: January 13, 2010 Check-Out: January 16, 2010 Room Type: Single Room Confirmation Number: 496895 Single room rate: USD 146, tax and breakfast included Cancellation Policy: PLEASE NOTE: Rooms are guaranteed and Post will be billed if 24-hour notice to hotel is not given for cancellations. ¶4. PER DIEM AMOUNTS: Lodging: $146 x 3 nights = $438 M&IE: $72 + $50(USDE) = $122 x 3 nights = $366 Total: $804 ¶5. TRANSPORTATION: 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 on the 2nd floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport (http://www.bangkokairportonline.com) for arriving passengers. The cost of a one-way trip varies from 700 to 1500 Baht, depending on the type of vehicle, with an additional 65 Baht for highway tolls. Regular taxis are also available and cost approximately 225 Baht, not including tolls, and an airport taxi surcharge of 50 Baht. Currently, the Thai Baht is approximately 33 baht/dollar. ¶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 antiquities. There are no Thai government-owned or sponsored gem stores. If victimized, seek assistance from BANGKOK 00000048 002 OF 003 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 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. 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 BANGKOK 00000048 003 OF 003 be reported to RSO Bangkok (tel. 02-205-4000, 24 hrs/day). John