Authorities aware of Islamic State terrorist arrivals in Phuket since October

[snoop1130]

Authorities aware of Islamic State terrorist arrivals in Phuket since October
By: Phuket Gazette


Santi Udomkiratak, the Russian Federaion Deputy Honorary Consul to Phuket, said the National Security Council received the warning in October. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: Despite the recently leaked memo from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) warning that Islamic State (IS) terrorists had been despatched to Phuket, Thai authorities had been aware of the situation since October, confirmed the Russian Federation Deputy Honorary Consul to Phuket.

"Myself and some Thai officials were made aware of the situation in October," Santi Udomkiratak, the Russian Federation Deputy Honorary Consul to Phuket, told the Phuket Gazette.

However, it wasn't until November 27 that Thailands National Security Council issued a warning that ten possible terrorists entered the Kingdom between October 15-31. According to the warning, the group split on arrival with four heading to Pattaya, two to Phuket, two to Bangkok and two to unidentified locations. The warning did not name the suspects."

Mr Santi explained that after receiving the warning, he was immediately in contact with the Phuket Provincial Police and the Phuket Governor to ensure all necessary security measures were put in place.

The warning specifically noted that security should be increased around Russian buildings and personnel, so we have installed more CCTV at the consulate and increased the frequency of our security rounds, he said.


Full Story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Authorities-aware-Islamic-State-terrorist-arrivals-Phuket/62529


-- Phuket Gazette 2015-12-04

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[pinkpanther99]

well wel well. Maybe this leaked memo is legit afterall, if the Russian consul in Phuket is saying he has known about threat for almost 2 months!

[clockman]

I really do wonder what these people would do. In the event of a real attack?

[JHolmesJr]

yes we are aware, we just didn't want to mention it in case tourists decided to stay away for their safety.

[Thai at Heart]

So they blatantly lied about these being no Isis threat in Thailand. The thai authorities are incredibly dangerous and negligent

[Ricardo]

Wouldn't want the tourists to go home to California/Paris/Bangkok/Russia/Egypt/Mali after all !

[MJCM]

So maybe they already left and if they didn't they might be on overstay

[harada]

Seems to be a coincidence that this report should come out a day before the big event, inside job ?

[bubblegum]

They all know except the police who also don't understand that one can have a drink tomorrow, Dec the 5th.

[phoenixdoglover]

They are only being labelled as ISIS terrorists because the Russians say so. Understand the Russians are strongly aligned with the Syrian government, and the list of enemies is a mile long.

The Thai government got well-played by the Chinese. Maybe it's the Russians's turn.

[dageurreotype]

yes we are aware, we just didn't want to mention it in case tourists decided to stay away for their safety.

Echoes of the tsunami?

[ezzra]

Or maybe the terrorist just hiding in Phuket like all the other low life in there, or just soaking some surf and sun by taking a hiatus

from fighting..who really knows where the truth lies, only when the bodies will start to pile up, that we will know...

[spectrumisgreen]

Seems to me specific places are being named as 'targets' as if to show how 'on the ball' this intelligence is.. of course, if untrue (as is highly likely) then its: 1) just another case of Thailand shooting itself in the foot; and, 2) more excuses, as per ALL governments, for more governmental control of the people (& staying in power!!)...

[MaxLee]

What's your excuse now, RTP??? Wanna save more face????

[maoro2013]

This information has changed for the last three days. Yesterday there was no confirmation, the day before, two ISIS sent to Bangkok, two to Pattaya, some to unknown destinations. Where do the reporters get this obviously incorrect information?

[hansnl]

And what about those Iranian guys arriving in Suvarnibhumi and destined for Pattaya.

But never arriving there?

Just like a lot of Arabs?

Maybe going to spend their time in the Southern Provinces?

[Caveat Emptor]

So all of this came to light after the suspected terrorists entered the country, can we now believe the BIB etc are actively looking for them or is everyone too busy with denials to ' protect ' tourism ?

[Emster23]

"he was immediately in contact with the Phuket Provincial Police and the Phuket Governor to ensure all necessary security measures were put in place." Except informing the public.... Hope posts photo of Thai Terror alert Gauge.....

[recycler]

I really do wonder what these people would do. In the event of a real attack?

They would tell us that it was not terrorism and that the case is closed...

[oneday]

"...Thai authorities had been aware..."

Oh, contrar...from a previous article there were apparently several "high level" police officials who were NOT aware.

It appears and has appeared for a long time that there is a huge disconnect between all branches of police in this country.

[Equalizer]

I have lived here for 10 years, i have seen shootings, beatings, hit and runs, more suicides than WWII Japan, what fear are a bunch of ISIS terrorists going to offer me. Bring them on i,ve been in training for 10 years.

[jerome2]

Just saw a big sign muslim home in english along the road 30 km south of chiangrai ....

why would they write it in english.....? Wanted to report it

no number for terror police

[soalbundy]

TM 30 is working a treat isn't it

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

They are only being labelled as ISIS terrorists because the Russians say so. Understand the Russians are strongly aligned with the Syrian government, and the list of enemies is a mile long.

The Thai government got well-played by the Chinese. Maybe it's the Russians's turn.

And what will they gain from this ? Nothing, so why would they do it, only you know.

[BestBitterPhuket]

Time for Thailand to stop allowing tourists from Arab and Muslim countries in, which includes Muslims from western countries. This is not a time to be politically correct.

[razer]

I think the leaked memo was just a way to get certain people off their butts and get them to work. Seems the only way to do that is to get them into the newspapers or social web.

[Heng]

Staying away from crowded areas (especially those with escape bottlenecks... like movie theaters) just in case. Also in the spirit of capitalism, keeping funds in place for a nice little forex score.

[mancub]

If the authorities were aware of, and permitted these "suspects" to enter the Kingdom,then they should be questioned as to which type of visa they were granted, and whether their current whereabouts can be ascertained (as should be the case).

If not, then the public should be made aware that there is indeed a genuine reason to take this perceived threat seriously.

Conversely they could alleviate concerns by announcing and demonstrating that said suspects have left the Kingdom,if that is the case.

[Time Traveller]

Thai immigration are so incompetent it's hilarious.

Terrorists coming into the country with the full knowledge of the authorities. Meanwhile, immigration officials scowl their faces and threaten people with blacklisting and fines if they don't report their location every 90 days. .....like the Thai police, they will never ever attempt to arrest a real criminal as there is too much easy money to be made by threatening law abiding people over made up rules

[micmichd]

So,they have been here in Pattaya for more than a month?

I can't remember any Jihadist attack in Pattaya so far, it's the Farangs that stir most trouble.