Govt denies ‘IS threat’ but security stepped up
Malls, mass-transit systems heed warning from US Embassy; closer scrutiny on borders
SECURITY at mass-transit systems and key attractions has been stepped up following a US embassy warning that Thailand is among the countries the Islamic State (IS) is targeting. The attractions include department stores and entertainment venues.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, questioned the timing of the warning.
“The US has warned because there is a tendency for the IS to strike in different places but Thailand is not in the context of IS,’’ Panitan said.
Thailand has been on alert for terrorist attacks since the deadly Ratchaprasong bomb attacks last year, though it was not linked to IS, he said.
“The US was a bit late to warn us. If it had warned us earlier [about the Ratchaprasong bomb attack] we would have addressed the case better,’’ he said.
He said he was not concerned about security measures at airports. He said border checks and water transport should receive more attention.
The Aranyaprathet border checkpoint has stepped up checks in a bid to prevent IS attackers entering the country.
Officials are strictly checking the passports of tourists entering Thailand through the checkpoint, especially Muslim Cambodians and Muslim Vietnamese.
Joint military and police operations have been deployed to check the Rong Kluea market as well as resorts and guesthouses around the market to ensure they report to officials when foreigners check in.
Anat Arbhabhirama, chairman of the advisory panel to the BTS Skytrain, said the company had always follow-|ed strict security measures.
He said it had invested in security systems such as bomb detectors and increased security manpower.
He said the BTS had 394 security guards carrying out duties daily at 34 train stations, with each station having four to 10 guards and reinforced with two police officers and two sniffer dogs to detect explosives.
He said the BTS had metal detection devices near ticket booths and automatic doors on both sides of the stations.
Random bag checks were carried out in a bid to prevent crimes and sabotage on trains. All stations had CCTV to cover all areas in the stations, train operation control areas, parking and maintenance areas.
Chatchai Praditpong, an adviser to Metropolitan Rapid Transit Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line operator Bangkok Expressway Metro, said he had not confirmed that there was a terrorism threat. He said the train had strict security measures such as baggage checks and scanning passengers with modern devices.
Airport Rail Link has stepped up security by using military and police dogs from the Vet Army’s Disaster Relief Centre in trains and at train stations. Security cameras installed around the stations are checked regularly, it said.
Surapong Laoha-unya, chief executive officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co Ltd, said he had instructed security guards to check the baggage of passengers at every station.
A source from MBK department store said the mall checked cars and bags of customers. There are more than 400 security cameras inside and outside the mall, the source said.
