US warns of terror attack threat in Bangkok; Hezbollah suspect arrested

Americans are under the "real and very credible" threat of a terrorist attack in Bangkok, the U.S. ambassador to Thailand warned Friday, as authorities in the country arrested a Lebanese member of Hezbollah.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney was elaborating on an "emergency message" sent by the embassy to American citizens earlier Friday warning of a possible terrorist attack.

Thailand's deputy prime minister later said a Lebanese suspect had been detained and that police had stepped up security.


"A Lebanese suspect from the Hizbollah group has been taken into custody by Thai officials and police are investigating further," Chalerm Yumbumrung told Reuters.

"Following concern raised by the Israeli embassy about a possible attack by a group of Lebanese terrorists in Bangkok, Thai police officials had been coordinating with Israeli officials since before the new year."

Earlier, the US embassy warned its citizens that "foreign terrorists" may be looking to launch attacks in tourist areas of Thailand's capital.

"U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok," the embassy said in a statement. "We also encourage you to keep a low profile in public areas, particularly areas frequented by foreign tourists."

It also said Americans should "maintain a heightened awareness" in public, be alert for unattended packages and bags and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement personnel.

It was the first U.S. warning of a foreign terror attack in Bangkok in recent memory.

Bangkok, a magnet for tourists with its vibrant nightlife and a transit point for those heading for Thailand's beaches, has faced political turmoil in recent years but threats of foreign attacks are rare.

Embassy spokesman Walter Braunohler declined to release more details saying, "At this time we don't have any further information to share."

Msnbc.com staff and Reuters contributed to this report.

Discuss this post

The muslims are a threat all around the globe when will the World Health Organization declare an Islamic pandemic?Islam is like a virulrnt infectious disease that is terminal to believers and nonbelievers. I try to avoid this plague as much as possible,wish their was a vaccine?

  • 6 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:37 AM EST

You can't avoid the plague, especially Muslim one, for long and it chases you!

  • 2 votes
#1.1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:38 AM EST

Great comment. Islam is a disease and needs to be irradiated just lie polio and small pox was. It is truly a pandemic. It infects most of the countries of the world and is spreading to a town near you. What will people of the world do to save themselves?

  • 1 vote
#1.2 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:47 AM EST

The time has come for us to admit we are already in WWIII. I would have never believed that I would even think of considering a war to wipe out a religion.

Muslims have been trying to convince the world that the majority of muslims are good. And that it is a small fanatic few that cause all this world wide horror. But there isn't a muslim group of any sort anywhere in the world trying to stop the hatred and killing or reverse these centuries old trends. The so called good muslims may not be out killing but they are sitting on the sideline waiting for the day all infidals are cleansed from this world.

The basic idea of simply live and let live without fear of being persecuted is everyones birth right on this planet. Unless you are a muslim whose religion is in itself based on persecution. It's time the pope call to arms all Christians and ask them to bring a Jewish friend along with them to the new crusades!

Huh, ten years ago I would have called me crazy, but not today!

  • 1 vote
#1.3 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:30 AM EST

Damn if we could only get rid of Christianity too! Religion has become immoral and corrupt it is nothing more then a power play between people. OUTLAW ALL RELIGIONS.

All these BS from people who want a Christan USA president.

  • 1 vote
#1.4 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:06 AM EST
Reply

And even though the muslims are a minority in Thailand it does not stop them from practicing their religion

Islamic terrorists kill more Buddhists in Southern Thailand ...

www.faithfreedom.org/.../islamic-terrorists-kill-more-buddhists-in-so...Cached
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
26 Jan 2011 – It is clear that Islamists in southern Thailand desire a homeland whereby all Buddhists will be cleansed and then Islamic Sharia law will hold ...

  • 7 votes
Reply#2 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:56 AM EST

More than five percent of Muslims in a nation means all sorts of problems like Sharia Laws, no laws for Muslims, separate nation and so on.

Killings start right away. Higher percentage means more and more miseries and a downward march of a nation.

Here Saudi Arabia and other rich ME nations are guilty of exporting their brand of Islamic radicalism and terrorism.

Pakistan is equally guilty of providing foot soldiers.

  • 3 votes
#2.1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:32 AM EST
Reply

I wish there was a pesticide to use on muslims to rid this world of those freaks of nature.

  • 6 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:00 AM EST

Bangkok is one of my favorite cities and Thailand one of my favorite countries! The Thai people make very good and loyal friends. Agreed, l&f LuVr, we do need a vaccine to eliminate the radical islamic vermen and protect Bangkok and the rest of the world!

  • 5 votes
Reply#4 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:03 AM EST

Many best places have been turned into dirtiest swamps by Muslims.

Muslims use all methods used till now and with time invent more to turn a heaven into a hell.

Just study how they sneak into a very good place to start with.

  • 2 votes
#4.1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:36 AM EST
Reply

Terror threat in Bangkok!!! Hell, there is a terror threat almost anywhere in the world on any given day, as long as Muslims want to control the world with their religion and laws. This isn't a suprise........

  • 1 vote
Reply#5 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:19 AM EST

And hezbollag ..of all groups.These terrorists who have taken over part of Lebabon and rant and raver nazi style against Jews and Chrisitns in the mideast.And like the Iranians cleric who hide behibnd skirtsd hezbollah says they are "freedom fighter" Yeh they want freedom to mass murder whoever they want.And now in Thailand.A long way from their killing grounds. Strong words.but all true...Hezbollah.like its sugar daddy Iran is a cancer and plague on the world..They´ve been operating on different continents for years. THis time they got caught.Hope the demons face is plastered all over the world.And with a warinng.All Islamic terrorists will be quarantined or killed!!

  • 2 votes
Reply#6 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:45 AM EST

It's just a matter of time before they start cropping up in Mexico.

  • 1 vote
#6.1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:36 AM EST
Reply

I would be more afraid of the taxi and tuk tuk drivers.

    Reply#7 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:48 AM EST
    RaggaHDeleted

    Whose bollah? My bollah?

    No, Hizbollah!

    Herbollah?

    Hizbollah!

    ok!

      Reply#9 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:36 AM EST

      These muslim terrorist was in Bangkok to kill "Americans".. These terrorists don't want us in there countries at all, but they go to other countries and our country to try to kill us, These muslin terrorist want to rule the world with there warped views and if you don't agree with them then they kill you.. I'm tired of this crap and I think it is time to put them in there place.. We Americans are the so nice to all these other countries and they want to kill us... We will have to fight Iran today or later, it will happen, Stop it now or wait for them to shoot at us, but it will happen, these people know one thing and one thing only, "Hate"and "War".... You can not deal with people who are willing to blow them selfs up for a cause, Americans in the 1940's would have not put up with such crap, look at pearl harbor, but now look at 9/11, have we done what needs to be done to stop these terrorist acts.. I don't think so.........

      • 2 votes
      Reply#10 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:42 AM EST

      Just more BS from US Politicians...

      From a US Citizen currently in BKK...

      If you want something to worry about. Check the numbers of people being KILLED by the US drones...

      These killings have and are making/motivating more terrorist, everyday...

      BTY - You need to go to foreign media outlets, because the US Media neglects to print this information...

      • 2 votes
      Reply#11 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:43 PM EST

      100% Agreed p-AC.

      I think I know why all these TeaRepubs are upset with this. I bet they are worried it will close Soi Cowboy.

      Take care and Swadee Krup.

        #11.1 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:16 PM EST
        Reply

        Thai government should be more careful and refrain from talking too much at this early stage.

          Reply#12 - Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:42 PM EST

          Thailand has been under Muslim attack for the last few years. Middle East factions have been supplying money and weapons to the countries south of Thailand in an effort to split off the South of Thailand into a Muslim State. There have been over 5000 deaths attributed to this. If it comes down to it and they need help I am sure China will step in since they have been friends for hundreds of years. We are looked at as a Muslim run country since we let our country be run by a muslim that was raised in the country that is attacking them. Is the West so stupid that they can not see World War is here already and this time it is a war with out boarders. S.E Asia, China, and Russia did the smart thing and isolated themselves. Western governments stood by while Hitler expanded over Europe and now the are doing the same thing while the Muslim nation is doing the same thing. Get smart before it is to late, they may be telling everyone how nice they are and that they are misunderstood but have you noticed the gun being pointed at you?

          • 1 vote
          Reply#13 - Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:48 PM EST
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