VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #2601/01 1300213
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100213Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6782
INFO RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 6100

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002601 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA AMGT TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR: SARAH M. BUCKLEY, 
FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICER 
 
REF: STATE 63269 
 
¶1.  Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Sarah Buckley from May 11 - May 16, 2007 and again from May 
21 - May 25, 2007. 
 
¶2.  Per e-mail request Hotel reservations have been made at 
the following location: 
 
May 13 - May 16:  Confirmation No:  330994 
May 21 - May 25:  Confirmation No:  330995 
 
--  Conrad Hotel, All Seasons Place 
87 Wireless Road, Bangkok 
Tel:  (66-2) 690-9999 
Fax:  (66-2) 690-9000 
 
Room rate is USD 146 (taxes and American breakfast included) 
and is within per diem (lodging $146, M&IE - $72). 
 
¶3.  Embassy point of contact is: 
 
Name:  Guy Margalith 
Work phone:  (66-2) 205-4314 
Cell phone:  (66-8) 4751-2639 
Unclass E-mail Address:  MargalithG@state.gov 
 
SIPDIS 
 
After-hours emergency number for the Embassy is (66-2) 
205-4108. 
 
¶4.  Due to limited resources and easy availability of airport 
transportation, post policy does no allow for airport meet 
and assist.  Thai Airways Limousine Service and American 
Express Airport Taxi are recommended for persons unfamiliar 
with Bangkok; these services are located on the 2nd floor of 
Suvarnabhumi Airport (http://www.bangkokairportonline.com) 
for arriving passengers and the cost of a one-way trip varies 
from 700 to 1,500 Baht, depending on the type of vehicle, 
with an additional 70 Baht for highway tolls.  The new 
airport currently has limited facilities for regular taxis in 
the main terminal (located on the ground floor) and if no 
taxis are available there, arriving passengers will have to 
board an airport shuttle bus from the main terminal to a 
nearby taxi and bus terminal.  Regular taxis cost 
approximately 250 Baht, not including tolls, and an airport 
taxi surcharge of 50 Baht.  Currently, the Thai Baht is 
approximately 34.50/dollar. 
 
¶5.  Although visas are not required of holders of U.S. 
passports (whether diplomatic, official or tourist) who plan 
to stay fewer than 30 days, post nonetheless recommends that 
TDY travelers obtain an official visa before coming to 
Thailand.  It is extremely difficult to extend the 30-day 
entry permit granted without a visa at the airport, and fines 
for overstays are costly. 
 
¶6.   Temporary memberships to Bangkok's Commissary (Emporium) 
may be granted to U.S. Government personnel traveling through 
Thailand on TDY orders.  TDYers who wish to shop in the 
Commissary MUST present his/her official or Diplomatic U.S. 
passport to the Commissary Office along with a copy of this 
Country Clearance telegram or Official Orders to gain access. 
 Membership fees will not be charged to visitors with less 
than 30 days scheduled in-country, however, the Commissary 
charges membership fees US $3.00 per month) for those on TDY 
status in country for more than 30 days. 
 
¶7.   SECURITY INFORMATION 
 
----------------------------------------- 
¶A.  MANDATORY PERSONAL SECURITY TRAINING: 
----------------------------------------- 
 
--  All U.S. citizen personnel serving under Chief of Mission 
authority in a temporary duty status of 30 days or more must 
complete appropriate overseas personal security training 
prior to travel (04 State 66580).  Employees who have 
completed the Security Overseas Seminar course at State,s 
Foreign Service Institute (FSI) after June 1, 2000 meet this 
requirement.  All other TDYers must either, 1)  complete the 
approved four-day seminar at FSI entitled "Serving Abroad for 
Families & Employees (SAFE)" or 2)  have their agency certify 
to the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security that 
the employee has undergone equivalent security training.  The 
contact for this certification is Assistant Director of 
Training, DS/T, at telephone (703) 205-2617.  Country 
clearance will not be granted for any traveler with planned 
TDY in excess of 30 days if this information is not 
stated/certified.  POC for additional information is 
DS RSOBangkok@state.gov. 
 
----------- 
 
¶B.   CRIME: 
----------- 
 
--  Crime is generally non-confrontational in nature. 
Criminal acts are usually crimes of opportunity such as 
purse-snatchings, thefts of unattended property, and pick 
pocketing. Visitors should be especially alert in crowded 
buses, streets, and markets or while on "tuk-tuks."  Visitors 
should lock valuables in hotel safe deposit boxes not in 
their hotel rooms. 
 
--  Be aware of common scams and frauds (including credit 
cards, in particular).  Visitors should only use credit cards 
at well-established and reputable businesses.  Visitors 
should be careful when purchasing branded or copyrighted 
goods.  There are many pirated counterfeit products in the 
marketplace; their purchase is against post regulations and 
it is illegal to import these products into the U.S.  Be wary 
of common scams for jewelry, suits, silks, gems, or 
antiquities.  There are no Thai government-owned or sponsored 
gem stores.  If victimized, seek assistance from Tourist 
Police by dialing 1155. 
 
--  Visitors are cautioned from visiting bars involved in the 
sex trade.  Many of these operate illegally and clients can 
be subject to RTG law; they often charge exorbitant drink 
prices and cover charges.  There are also many incidents of 
crime against patrons in these establishments.  Drugging and 
robbing of unwary individuals is not uncommon.  There are 
sporadic reports of victims being drugged and robbed or 
beaten when visiting these bars.  The drugs used can cause 
serious temporary memory impairment, unconsciousness, and if 
overdosed, death. 
 
------------- 
¶C.   TRAFFIC: 
------------- 
 
--  The traffic situation in Bangkok can be difficult and 
dangerous for both pedestrians and vehicle occupants.  All 
visitors should be a1ert to traffic patterns and unexpected 
motorcycle drivers.  Traffic drives on the left-hand side, 
opposite from the U.S., although there may be a bus lane that 
flows in the opposite direction.  Pedestrians should use the 
overhead walkways for crossing busy streets. 
 
-------------- 
¶D.  TERRORISM: 
-------------- 
 
--  The threat from transnational terrorist groups to the 
U.S. Mission in Bangkok is currently ranked medium.  Despite 
stepped up RTG efforts to monitor its borders, they remain 
relatively porous and allow easy illegal access. 
Transnational terrorist groups, including Al-Qa'ida and 
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), have utilized Thailand as a transit 
point. 
 
--  The threat from indigenous terrorist groups is currently 
rated as low.  There is no evidence to indicate that 
indigenous terrorist groups are planning acts against U.S. 
personnel or facilities.  The far south of Thailand has 
experienced incidents of criminally and politically motivated 
violence, including incidents attributed to armed local 
Muslim separatist groups.  Although Americans have not been 
specifically targeted in the past, the indiscriminate nature 
of past attacks by these groups -- including bombings of 
public places -- indicates a potential threat to American 
citizens. 
 
--  The State Department is concerned that there is an 
increased risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including 
Thailand.  Travelers to Thailand should therefore exercise 
caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate, 
such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, tourist 
areas, and other places frequented by foreigners. 
 
------------------------ 
¶E.  OTHER SECURITY TIPS: 
------------------------ 
 
--  Visitors should avoid making any pejorative comments 
about any members of the Thai Royal Family or engaging in 
disrespectful conduct within temples or toward religious 
objects.  Such behavior can result in arrest and/or expulsion 
from Thailand. 
 
--  Precautions should also be taken not to discuss sensitive 
or classified matters outside secure environments or over 
unsecured and/or cellular telephones, and to securely 
safeguard classified or sensitive materials at the Chancery 
and not at hotels or residences. 
 
 
--  Visitors should also review the State Department,s 
Consular Information Sheet for Thailand and the most recent 
Worldwide Caution Public Announcements, which are available 
via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  DOD personnel 
must review the PACOM Force Protection Levels for Thailand 
found at http://131.84.1.218/staff/at/athome.shtml. 
 
--  In essence, visitors to Bangkok must exercise appropriate 
caution and be alert to their surroundings with regard to 
their personal security.  Suspicious incidents/activities 
should be reported to RSO Bangkok (tel. 02-205-4000, 24 
hrs/day).  On behalf of US Embassy Bangkok, we hope you have 
a safe and pleasant visit. 
BOYCE