National Police Chief Police General Priewpan Damapong has ordered 24-hour surveillance on the US and Israeli embassies as well as tourist attractions in Bangkok to ensure no violence.
Pol. Gen. Priewpan has given instructions to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Crime Suppression Division and the Tourist Police to stringently monitor the areas at risk of being attacked by terrorists, such as Khao San Road, Soi Rambuttri and Soi Sukhumvit 22.
Security around the embassies of the US and Israel has also been beefed up since these two countries are well-known enemies of terrorism. At the same time, Patrol and Special Branch officers have been instructed to monitor the safety of other embassies in Bangkok.
The Royal Thai Police asks the public to rest assured of their security since Thailand is not a common terrorist target.
Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau will collaborate with Israeli Police and Public Security Attaché for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Yaki Oved, to determine whether or not the recently arrested suspect belongs to the terrorist group, which is plotting against the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok.
On the other hand, leaders from the Thai Patriots Network have gathered in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok to submit a protest letter regarding the terror warning previously issued by the embassy. They claimed that the alert has seriously damaged Thailand’s economy and tourism, as well as raised panic among both local and foreigners in Thailand.
However, the embassy was closed due to a public holiday. Thus, the group has scheduled another protest on 19 January to pressure the US Embassy to take responsibility for its action.
News from NNT