Udon under threat?

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rick
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Udon under threat?

Post by rick » February 16, 2012, 4:19 pm

A bit of difference between Bali bombers who had a LOCAL agenda which included getting rid of non-Moslem's and Iranian government who are attacking enemy targets of opportunity in other countries (probably Israeli ambassadors). Which is more despicable - blowing up Ambassadors or Nuclear Physicists? Not that I have any sympathy for the idiot who blew his legs off.



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LilRed
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Udon under threat?

Post by LilRed » February 16, 2012, 4:53 pm

Udon Thani (NOT Ban Dung), is widely believed to have been one of the "black" interrogation sites used in the early years, after 9/11...

Given the inclination of certain cultural groups for "blood feud" and revenge, Udon is a very serious potential candidate for "payback".

It is now apparent, that the latest Bangkok incidents involved Iranians, and devices like those used in New Delhi to attack Israelis...


I am no rocket scientist, neither am I a fool. Seems to me that serious caution and awareness are just plain good common sense.

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Udon under threat?

Post by fdimike » February 17, 2012, 7:16 am

I don't quite understand the inclusion of Ubon & Khon Kaen on this list of cities as neither has a large farang population. I would asume there is some other reason for including them like maybe these cities all featured prominently in the in the red shirt generated unrest. If that's the case then where's the tie-in between red shirt generated viloence and these Iranians? Maybe the embassies feel there could be more future red shirt/UDD unrest as the current government continues to screw up one program after another.
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parrot
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Udon under threat?

Post by parrot » February 17, 2012, 7:37 am

How did the red shirt/UDD unrest enter the picture??

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maaka
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Udon under threat?

Post by maaka » February 17, 2012, 9:04 am

Ubon was a US base during that little show that went on next door afew decades ago, maybe still has ties, and Khon Kaen Airport ( not that I knew there was one ) is a public /military operated airport, and I am led to believe them Cobra Gold fellas were there last year..
seems to me that the pundits are jumping the gun and thinking all this bombing is aimed at US personel, when it appears to be centered around the blokes from the Land of Big Noses, and thier neighbours, over certain taking out of nuke specialists of the latter country, and trying to halt the nuke developement of that country..stay away from blue stars and camels

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merchant seaman
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Udon under threat?

Post by merchant seaman » February 17, 2012, 10:57 am

LilRed wrote:Udon Thani (NOT Ban Dung), is widely believed to have been one of the "black" interrogation sites used in the early years, after 9/11...

Given the inclination of certain cultural groups for "blood feud" and revenge, Udon is a very serious potential candidate for "payback".

It is now apparent, that the latest Bangkok incidents involved Iranians, and devices like those used in New Delhi to attack Israelis...


I am no rocket scientist, neither am I a fool. Seems to me that serious caution and awareness are just plain good common sense.
Not Ban Dung? Have you forgotten about VOA and who actually runs it? Air strip and all inside the compound and all very secertive. My wifes sister's husband is a policeman in Ban Dung and they are not allowed into VOA. And for sure was used for what you call "black" interrogations

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jackspratt
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Udon under threat?

Post by jackspratt » February 17, 2012, 11:44 am

There is no airstrip inside the VOA station - which a quick look at Google Earth will confirm.

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Udon under threat?

Post by Bandung_Dero » February 17, 2012, 12:34 pm

Yes BUT I've often wondered why there has always been a big long straight 4 lane road adjacent to it, out in the middle of no where which narrows at each end and which also has very little traffic???

It's all a conspiracy!!!
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Udon under threat?

Post by fdimike » February 17, 2012, 8:11 pm

Parrot

it was just a maybe since i couldn't quite figure out the reason KK & Ubon was included. The only common thread I could think of linking them was the red shirt UDD unrest other than they were cities in Thailand. The USEMB still has a threat warning for Thailand on their website as of a day ago. I would assume they have some reason for keeping the warning in place.
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LilRed
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Udon under threat?

Post by LilRed » February 19, 2012, 3:28 pm

I know FOR SURE who runs the VOA site at Ban Dung. I know FOR SURE that there are NO secret underground facilities, torture chambers, jails of any kind; nor are there any airfields of any kind.

Perhaps MS refers to an incident in the late '80's/early '90's, when several Russian bi-planes emergency landed on a then under construction antenna berm? The bi-planes were being sent to the PDL, got lost and ran out of fuel. The antenna berm had a wide, flat, compacted surface suitable for an emergency landing by SMALL AIRCRAFT, but certainly not suitable as an airfield. (The first US official on scene was a long time professional associate and friend of mine. Large towers and antennas were subsequently constructed on the berm so that it is no longer suitable for even emergency landings.)

"In January 2008, the Asia Times reported that political analysts and diplomats in Thailand suspected that the detention facility was “situated at a military base in the northeastern province of Udon Thani" and "Political analysts and diplomats in Thailand suspect that the prison was, and perhaps still is, situated at a military base in the northeastern province of Udon Thani from where the US launched its bombers during the Vietnam War and is currently believed to monitor regional radio communications, including inside China.", from: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_ ... 5Ae01.html

A careful web search reveals several more references to the site as being IN Udon Thani (not Ban Dung). And, that a number of articles specifically referring to the "Cat's Eye Prison", Udon Thani, and, even Wing 23, are NO LONGER AVAILABLE. (There are references to a "Cat's Eye Prison" at/or near Don Muang, but careful reading leads one to conclude that this was mis/disinformation.)

I repeat: Good common sense dictates serious caution and awareness regarding possible terrorist acts IN Udon Thani.

Best Regards.

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Udon under threat?

Post by merchant seaman » February 19, 2012, 3:58 pm

[quote="LilRed"]
"In January 2008, the Asia Times reported that political analysts and diplomats in Thailand suspected that the detention facility was “situated at a military base in the northeastern province of Udon Thani" and "Political analysts and diplomats in Thailand suspect that the prison was, and perhaps still is, situated at a military base in the northeastern province of Udon Thani from where the US launched its bombers during the Vietnam War and is currently believed to monitor regional radio communications, including inside China.", from: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_ ... 5Ae01.html

And is currently believed to monitor regional radio communications including inside China. That would be VOA. And of course nothing to do with intellegence gathering, jut ask your friend as he is freely able to talk about it all. I think everyone knows who runs the VOA and not just the site in Ban Dung.

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LilRed
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Udon under threat?

Post by LilRed » February 19, 2012, 5:38 pm

MS:

I don't even need to ask my friend. I have the t-shirt.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors runs the International Broadcasting Bureau which runs VOA (and several other similar entities).

Check out: www.bbg.gov ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internatio ... ing_Bureau ; and

http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/usiahome/ibbfacts.htm

I repeat, there are no secret underground or other facilities of any kind at the Ban Dung IBB station, which is, in fact, owned by the government of Thailand and employs a fair number of Thais in its operation. The station does NOT monitor foreign broadcasts. (That's a wholly different and unrelated 3 letter agency.)

For the other Forum members: This is degenerating into "pig wrasslin". If you have any interest, please check out the websites in this and my previous post... Stay cautious and aware. Our ONLY protection here is lots of open eye balls and ears. (We surely cannot depend on ANY governments to be overly concerned with out safety, health and welfare.) Unfounded statements, rumors and innuendo are hazardous to all our health.


Best Regards.

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merchant seaman
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Udon under threat?

Post by merchant seaman » February 19, 2012, 6:24 pm

Belief it or not I actually worked at one of these facilites. it wasn't a broadcasting station but only a listening station and it was in Edzell Scotland. If you can find a copy of the book Puzzle Palace it will tell you in great detail what these places are all about.

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Udon under threat?

Post by fdimike » February 19, 2012, 7:42 pm

MS

You may be confusing the VOA site in Ban Dung with the old US Army intercept site just south of Udon. That base (long since closed) had what was known as an elephant cage antenna to intercept signals from China, Vietnam and several other countries. It was in full operation while I was stationed here in 1970. The trasmissions captured by this very large antenna were signals reflected off the upper atmosphere. The antenna and associated electronics were deactivated long ago and the base returned to the Thai government. I'm told they have converted the former concrete dormatory there into a mushroom farm.
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Laan Yaa Mo
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Udon under threat?

Post by Laan Yaa Mo » February 20, 2012, 4:24 am

merchant seaman wrote:Belief it or not I actually worked at one of these facilites. it wasn't a broadcasting station but only a listening station and it was in Edzell Scotland. If you can find a copy of the book Puzzle Palace it will tell you in great detail what these places are all about.
Edzell is a bit north of Brechin City, is it not? I believe Lord Dalhousie owns/manages both Edzell and Brechin Castle. The current Lord is a distant relation of mine, and my daughter and I met him back in 1995. The only time I have ever seen a weasel (the animal kind) was at Brechin Castle.

At this point in time, I do not perceive Udonthani to be under threat. As long as Sondhi, PAD, the military and certain others maintain their distance from the current government, the city should remain safe and secure.
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