This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003143 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, S/CT 
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER TH ASEAN
SUBJECT: THAILAND: MEETING OF THE G8 CTAG 
 
REF: A. 04 BANGKOK 8009 
 
     ¶B. 04 BANGKOK 7838 
     ¶C. 04 BANGKOK 5239 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY: The Thailand G8 Counter-Terrorism Action 
Group (CTAG) held its first quarterly meeting under the 
Chairmanship of UK Ambassador David Fall on April 27.  The 
group discussed joint cooperation on a wide range of counter 
terrorism (CT) related issues in Thailand, focusing on 
creation of a RTG/CTAG CT working group, document fraud, 
terrorist financing and Thai endorsement of all UN CT related 
conventions.  CTAG Ambassadors agreed to continue pressing 
Thailand towards creation of a RTG/CTAG working group on 
counter terrorism and rapid endorsement of the remaining 
eight UN CT Conventions which the RTG has not yet ratified. 
END SUMMARY 
 
RTG/CTAG CT WORKING GROUP 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  On April 27, the Ambassador participated in the 
first quarterly meeting of the Thailand G8 Counter-Terrorism 
Action Group (CTAG) under the Chairmanship of British 
Ambassador David Fall.  Reviewing the progress of the CTAG, 
members noted that the RTG has repeatedly expressed its 
desire to support international CT efforts.  However, closer 
coordination with the international community has been 
hampered by the lack of a clear point of contact within the 
RTG on CT issues.  In 2004, CTAG members had proposed the 
creation of a RTG/CTAG working group on CT but action was 
delayed by the December 26, 2004 tsunami. (NOTE: On May 2, 
Ambassador Fall met with MFA Permanent Secretary Krit 
Garnjana-Goonchorn to press for the establishment of the 
working group.  Krit responded that the RTG was eager to move 
forward with the idea and would work with the CTAG on its 
creation. END NOTE) 
 
DOCUMENT FRAUD 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The CTAG discussed the new G8 Control Strategy and 
Draft Action Plan on Counterfeit Document Production in 
Thailand, which is designed to provide a framework for G8 
assistance to Thailand on document fraud.  It is part of an 
effort to improve the exchange of information and operational 
coordination between the CTAG and RTG. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  The Control Strategy was developed in response to 
concerns expressed at the November 2004 CTAG meeting (reftel 
B) about operational gaps in information sharing between the 
RTG and CTAG members.  The Thais designated the National 
Intelligence Agency (NIA) as the point of contact for 
document fraud, but have not given it a clearly defined role. 
 CTAG members agreed that the Control Strategy is a good 
start towards better coordination with the RTG on document 
fraud.  However, clarification is needed on the role of the 
NIA. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Members also expressed concern over how the 
Ministry of Justice is interpreting and applying Thai 
document fraud laws.  Overall, CTAG members agreed that Thai 
document fraud laws are adequate as written.  What is lacking 
is understanding of these laws by working level police and 
customs officials.  Members agreed to explore possibilities 
for enhanced capacity building with the RTG.  Ambassador Fall 
will meet with Attorney General Kampree to discuss the role 
of the NIA and to explore how CTAG members can assist the RTG 
in effectively enforcing document fraud laws. 
 
TESTIMONY BY DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  CTAG members agreed that the RTG should be 
reminded that CTAG member countries are willing to waive 
diplomatic immunity, on a case by case basis, to enable 
embassy staff to give evidence or expert testimony in cases 
involving home country document fraud.  The RTG should also 
understand that testimony by embassy personnel should not be 
viewed as an impediment to prosecution.  Ambassador Fall 
agreed to also raise this issue with the Attorney General. 
 
TERRORIST FINANCING 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Members exchanged information on how the CTAG can 
build Thai capacity to counter terrorist financing, 
especially informal remittance systems connected to ongoing 
separatist violence in the far south of Thailand.  The RTG is 
particularly sensitive to the issue because of press reports 
that southern militants may be receiving financial support 
from abroad.  CTAG members agreed to continue individual 
efforts to build capacity within the RTG in order to bring 
them up to international standards. 
 
UN CT CONVENTIONS 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Thailand is a party to five of the UN Conventions 
relating to CT -- following RTG ratification of the 
Convention on Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism in 
September 2004 -- but has made little progress towards 
ratification of the remaining seven UN CT Conventions (eight 
if the 2005 Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear 
Terrorism is included).  The MFA has repeatedly stated that 
Thailand intends to implement all UN CT Conventions (reftel 
A).  The Ambassadors agreed that all CTAG members should 
continue to encourage the RTG to adopt the remaining 
conventions.  In his May 2 meeting with Ambassador Fall, MFA 
Permanent Secretary Krit acknowledged that Thailand has yet 
to ratify the eight conventions.  Krit noted that the Cabinet 
passed a resolution in December 2004 urging Thai agencies to 
expedite ratification, but the process was interrupted by the 
tsunami.  Krit did not offer a clear timetable for 
 
SIPDIS 
ratification. 
BOYCE