Police identify 10 New Year security risk areas

[PeteC]

Police identify 10 New Year security risk areas

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crimes/ ... risk-areas

Thousands of police, troops to fan out over capital amid fears of renewed holiday strife, with CentralWorld's countdown festivities high on the watch list

Published: 26/12/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Police have worked out a security plan to ensure safe and smooth New Year celebrations.

On Dec 6, a bomb was discovered near the Government Lottery Office on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Some of the bomb's circuitry was missing, which gave rise to the theory the bomb-maker just wanted to cause panic.

Ten days later, six homemade explosives were found at three spots in Lat Krabang and Prawet districts. Police arrested one suspect.

The two bombing incidents have caused concerns over the possibility of renewed violence and a repeat of the New Year's Eve bomb blasts in 2007 in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which killed three people and injured 42 others. Police have drawn up a security plan which identifies 10 potential risk areas, mostly residential communities, shopping places and homes of important figures.

The area in front of CentralWorld shopping complex is on the list as thousands of people are expected to attend the New Year's countdown which will be held there on Saturday.

Pol Lt Gen Winai Thongsong, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police would check CentralWorld carefully before the countdown takes place.

Bomb squads and sniffing dogs would be deployed.

Once the search has been completed, the place will be sealed off and guarded by a 1,000-strong police and military force. Hundreds of officers from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, Central Investigation Bureau and Border Patrol Police will be deployed.

They will work alongside about 400 army officers and at security guards in the surrounding areas.

Visitors will have to pass through various security checkpoints where the authorities will screen them for explosives and weapons.

Ten entry points to the area in front of CentralWorld will serve as security checkpoints on the day, according to Pol Lt Gen Winai.

Security and traffic cameras will also keep an eye on proceedings.

A further 250 security checkpoints would be set up across the capital to protect revellers on New Year's Eve, Pol Lt Gen Winai said.

Gold shops have also been identified as being at risk during the New Year festival and Lt Gen Winai has ordered local police to tighten security.

"At this point, I am not worried. Our intelligence reports show [there has been] no movements from any criminal groups to stage attacks," he said.

He added those individuals or groups intent on sowing mischief tend to hide explosive devices in public waste containers, telephone booths or under trees and shrubs.

[margaretcarnes]

This might warrant a separate thread Pete - but what the f..k has happened to AIRPORT sucurity at Swampy? There used to be xray machines before checkin for the big baggage. In the last year they have gone - to be replaced by computerised check in (which needs an 'ology' to operate.) Meanwhile the baggage destined for the hold goes straight through with no apparent checking.
Are suitcases destined for the hold xrayed at all now?
I used to have a great deal of faith in Thailands' security - having encountered armed guards at subway stations etc a year ago. Now there is nothing that is apparent anywhere. Zilch at HuaLamphong over Christmas - even less on Sukhumvit, other than one sleepy cop eating at my hotels restaurant and trying to find his oppo by phone - and failing.