VZCZCXYZ0019
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #5142/01 2710851
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 280851Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RHEGGTN/USDOE GERMANTOWN MD
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9869

UNCLAS BANGKOK 005142 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOE FOR DWORMLEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA ENRG KSCA TRGY TH
SUBJECT:  THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DOE BLOYD 
 
REF: STATE 136911 
 
¶1.   Post welcomes and grants country clearance to Cary N. Bloyd, 
Energy/Environmental Policy Scientist with the Department of Energy, 
who will chair the APEC New and Renewable Energy Technologies Expert 
Group Meeting and attend other meetings related to bio-fuels from 
October 19-28, 2007 in Bangkok. 
 
¶2.   Post understands no further assistance is requested. 
 
¶3.   Due to limited resources and easy availability of airport 
transportation, post policy does not 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.  The 
new airport has limited taxi facilities in the main terminal. If no 
taxis are available at the terminal, arriving passengers will have 
to board an airport shuttle bus from the main terminal to a nearby 
taxi and bus terminal. The cost of a one-way trip varies from 700 to 
1500 Baht, depending on the type of vehicle, with an additional 65 
Baht for highway tolls.  Regular taxis are also available and cost 
approximately 225 Baht, not including tolls, and an airport taxi 
surcharge of 50 Baht.  Currently, the Thai Baht is approximately 
34.50/dollar. 
 
¶4.  Embassy point of contact (POC) is James Waller 66-2-205-4712 or 
wallerjm@state.gov.  After-hours emergency number for the embassy is 
66-2-205-4108.  Contact your POC in the event of an emergency 
situation (natural disaster, terrorist event, etc.) during your 
stay. 
 
¶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 ($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. 
 
Entwistle