News... Airline Terror Plot ( UK)

Bangkok, THAI ease airline security

Thai Airways International (THAI), the country's national flag carrier, has reduced its tight security measures imposed on passengers of both domestic and international flights, effective from August 16.

Newly-appointed THAI President Flying Officer Apinan Sumanaseni told Thai News Agency that passengers on all domestic flights as well as internatinal flights are now allowed to bring their bags and carry-on luggage onto planes -- based on the airline's normal rules.

But: "Passengers who want to fly from the UK to the US are still barred from carrying any bag or luggage onto the planes, except their purses or wallets with necessary documents," he added.

The airline's ban on liquid items of all types, lighters and matches onto planes remains intact, except sealed-liquid items bought from airports' authorized duty-free shops with formal receipts and medicines in liquid form essential for any passenger on the flights, with a passenger permitting to bring with them unlimited amount of liquid medicines prescribed by doctors but a limited amount of no more than 4 oz a bottle for unprescribed ones.

Baby milk and liquid baby food are also now permitted on board the planes, but must be tasted by the accompanying passenger in the presence of security officers.

Passengers are allowed as well to carry their electronic and electrical equipment--in good order--and switched-off mobile phones on board the planes.

The relaxed rules also apply to passengers on the Bangkok-the United Kingdom, Bangkok-the United States, Bangkok-Australia, Bangkok-the Philippines, Bangkok-Indonesia and Bangkok-Sri Lanka routes, where security surveilance was raised to the highest level over the past week.

The Thai airline's move followed announcements by the UK and US governments earlier this week to downgrad their terror threat level from critical to severe, or from the red to orange colour, saying intelligence suggested that there is no renewed imminent attack.

Police in London last Thursday (August 10) thwarted a major terrorist plot to blow up aircraft flying from the UK to the United States in mid-flight.

Twenty-four people have been arrested so far in connection with the foiled plot--reportedly targeted aircraft from London, Glasgow and Manchester to the US.

The THAI president said, however, that passengers on the Bangkok-UK route are permitted to carry only a single bag onto planes.

"The size of their bags should not be larger than 45 x 35 x 16 centimetres if the passengers only make a stop-over at a UK airport before flying to other destinations," he noted.

Those flying from Bangkok to the US are also required to report their belongings in luggage to the airline's ground staff who are authorized to request a thorough inspection in suspected cases or ban specific items as part of its precautious measures, according to Flg. Off. Apinan. - (TNA)

JimboPSM wrote:

The airline's ban on liquid items of all types, lighters and matches onto planes remains intact

but how can I light up now if I can't have a lighter or matches with me?



Oh woe is me

A SUICIDE bomb suspect SMILES as he is taken to court amid military-style security yesterday.

The bearded man was one of 11 people making their first appearance before magistrates over the alleged plot to down up to nine airliners.

Several others grinned or made “OK” gestures to family and friends during brief hearings at London’s City of Westminster Court.

The 11 were ferried there from top-security Paddington Green police station in what appeared outwardly to be a low-key operation.

But it was anything but as officers wielding Heckler & Koch machine guns lurked near the courthouse.

Rooftop snipers lined the route, armed cops cruised streets in unmarked cars and a helicopter hovered overhead in the biggest security clamp since the days of IRA trials.



The suspects, including a woman and a teenager, appeared in the dock in groups of two or three, most wearing white T-shirts.

Eight were accused of conspiracy to murder and planning to smuggle bottle bomb components on to transatlantic planes.

No applications for bail were made and all were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on September 4. First to be dealt with was Tanvir Hussain, 25, who was flanked by four security guards as he confirmed his name.




Hussain, of no settled address, had close-cropped hair and a light beard.

Umar Islam, 28, of West Ham, East London, stood alongside Arafat Waheed Khan, 25, and Ahmed Abdullah Ali, 25 — both from nearby Walthamstow.

As they were led away Khan and Islam smiled and nodded at family and friends. Skinny Ibrahim Savant, 25, of Stoke Newington, North London, and heavily-built Waheed Zaman, 22, of Walthamstow, were in the dock together.

Zaman smiled broadly and Savant waved at the public gallery.



Assad Ali Sarwar, 26, of High Wycombe, Bucks, and Adam Khatib, 19, of Walthamstow were next.

Khatib made an “OK” gesture to relatives with his thumb and forefinger as he was led away.

No official pleas were entered but several lawyers indicated the suspects would deny the charges.



Accused ... Hussain, Khatib and Sarwar



The remaining three, who are not on the conspiracy to murder rap, were remanded in custody for a week.

A 17-year-old married lad, who cannot be named, appeared accused of possessing suicide notes, wills and a book on explosives.

Cossar Ali, the 24-year-old wife of Ahmed Abdullah Ali, faced a charge of failing to disclose information that might help prevent her husband committing a terrorist act. She wore an Islamic headscarf.



Mehran Hussain, 23, of Chingford, East London, faced a similar charge.

The suspects were taken to court in four blacked-out vans taking different routes 40 minutes apart.

Ahead of each were two squad cars containing armed cops in flak jackets. A 4x4 bearing more police followed and 30 uniformed officers ringed the court.

Police investigating a suspected plot to blow up trans-atlantic airliners freed one suspect on Wednesday and obtained permission to continue questioning nine others.

Police had already charged 11 suspects on Tuesday in the suspected plot and were holding 11 others pending a decision on whether to charge them.

They did not name the man they freed on Wednesday, but Sky News reported that he was Tayib Rauf of Birmingham. His brother Rashid Rauf has been arrested in Pakistan, where authorities called him a ringleader of the plot.


Police later said they had obtained a judge's permission to continue questioning eight of the additional suspects for a further week, and one for just 24 more hours.

One other suspect was still being held under an earlier warrant and was expected to be charged or freed overnight.

Under new anti-terrorism powers that came into force last month, police can hold suspects without charge for up to 28 days, but must seek a judge's permission every seven days.

Police announced on August 10 they had thwarted the plot to blow up airliners over the Atlantic by smuggling liquid explosives onto flights, after overnight raids in Birmingham, London and a town west of the capital.

Those charged on Tuesday include eight British Muslims accused of conspiracy to murder, a 17-year-old accused of having items useful to terrorists and two others, including the only woman still held, accused of failing to report the plot.
Police gave the first description of their evidence in the case on Tuesday, saying they had found bomb-making materials, suicide notes and "martyrdom videos" -- an apparent reference to the last testaments of suicide bombers.

Seventeen people, including at least two British nationals, are being held in Pakistan in connection with the plot. Pakistan says they have links to al Qaeda.

The discovery of the suspected bomb plot prompted tight new security measures on air travel on both sides of the Atlantic.

Terror police swoop on restaurant

Armed police have arrested 14 men overnight in an anti-terror raid on a restaurant in south London.

The intelligence-led operation took place in the Borough area of the capital, Scotland Yard said.

The men were arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Police say the arrests are not connected to the alleged transatlantic jet bomb plot or the 7 July attack