Thai military speaks out on terror threat
In stark contrast to government denials, the Thai military has admitted that, like other countries in the region, Thailand faces the threat of terror attacks, and is watching some people and places carefully.
Groups of Muslims suspected of terrorist acts have sought refuge in the country three times, the military confirmed.
The comments, reported in Thai media yesterday, are the first official admission of claims by foreign intelligence that Thailand is not immune to terrorism.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has tried to play down the terrorist issue, but the armed forces have decided to accept reality by speaking out about counter-terrorist work regardless of the politicians' comments.
'We are quite concerned and we are trying to [identify] the soft targets that may be attacked in the future.
'We have a lot of cases and we are trying our best in terms of providing good surveillance,' the Supreme Commander, General Surayud Chulanont, said.
'I think we are in the same situation as any country because they [terrorists] have said they are going to attack US facilities as well as Israeli facilities, which happen to be everywhere around the world. So I think that we are not an exception' General Surayud said.
The general's comments spell an end to the denials, which have been consistently heard from the country's politicians about the threat of terrorism.
The subject is particularly sensitive because of Thailand's large tourism industry, which is beginning to suffer a downturn owing to many travellers' fears of more attacks.
