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Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 8:25 am
by trubrit
With the British Embassy issuing a warning of a high probability of bombs in Udon Thani amongst six other provinces I thought it might be helpful if we had a seperate topic to discuss what members may think could be likely targets. Better safe than sorry .Whilst generally the farang population are pretty widely dispersed, so other than the two bar areas,D&N and Nutty Park spring to mind, there doesn't seem to be an area of concentration which would attract the terrorists interest, so we must presume they will hit a high profile target that would give them the media coverage they desperately seek . The airport, bus or train station are likely , but with the impending visit of the prime minister and members of her cabinet, plus the frequent number of royal visitors we have, every where they go must be considered as danger areas. Of the static sites the new complex seems obvious. Perhaps others may think of more . Whatever, where ever, remember the golden rule. Do not leave your bags unattended, be watchful, not complacent. report anything suspicious. We have to take care of ourselves and loved ones. Don't re lie on the Thai authorities with their mai pen rai attitude to protect us .
Stay safe .

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 8:53 am
by FrazeeDK
interesting.. please put up the link to the British embassy warning... I can think of no particular reason Udon might be on a terrorist target list other than it is a common pass-through point for entry into and from Laos. A potential terrorist could easily get into or out of Thailand into Lao and Udon is a logical way-point being a larger city than Nong Khai and easier to hide here.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 9:03 am
by BobHelm
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-liv ... a/thailand
There is a high threat of terrorism. Bomb and grenade attacks have been indiscriminate, including in places visited by expatriates and foreign travellers. Sporadic attacks continue in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. On 13 January as a precaution the Thai authorities increased security measures in Bangkok, following warnings of a possible terrorist threat. On 16 January the Thai authorities found a large supply of bomb-making materials in Samut Sakhon, 38km south west of Bangkok. You should exercise caution, especially in the cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 9:19 am
by Stantheman
I think the reason for the cities of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani are listed is the fact that there are large farang populations in those areas thus making them a possible target for terrorists

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 9:53 am
by Ricohoc
I prefer not to give terrorists any ideas with my perception of what might be good targets.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 9:57 am
by trubrit
Ricohoc wrote:I prefer not to give terrorists any ideas with my perception of what might be good targets.
Good targets? Surely you mean potential ones. I would hate to think any target could be considered "Good".

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 10:02 am
by Ricohoc
trubrit wrote:
Ricohoc wrote:I prefer not to give terrorists any ideas with my perception of what might be good targets.
Good targets? Surely you mean potential ones. I would hate to think any target could be considered "Good".
"Good" for them, Mr. Know-It-All.

You really have a difficult time restraining your pomposity, don't you? That's a rhetorical question, which means you're not required to answer, but I know you will.
:lol:

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 10:27 am
by harmonyudon
Where do the US airforce train each year???

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 10:37 am
by trubrit
Ricohoc wrote:
trubrit wrote:
Ricohoc wrote:I prefer not to give terrorists any ideas with my perception of what might be good targets.
Good targets? Surely you mean potential ones. I would hate to think any target could be considered "Good".
"Good" for them, Mr. Know-It-All.

You really have a difficult time restraining your pomposity, don't you? That's a rhetorical question, which means you're not required to answer, but I know you will.
:lol:
Flaming again? I prefer ostentatious rather than pompous. But which ever you use, I would point out they are both considerations from the users standpoint and therefore reflect his own, not mine , consideration of self importance . :-"

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 15, 2012, 12:43 pm
by Jello
harmonyudon wrote:Where do the US airforce train each year???
Harmony brings up a good point. At the top of a international terrorists target list is US and Israeli interests.
If the US military places the bar areas off-limits when there here, then you know the threat is real.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 7:27 am
by Khun Paul
As with all warnings I found over the years that in the main the Govts that issue warnings do so to avoid being attacked for not issuing warnings, rather like a knee jerk reaction.
if one looks at the incidents in Georgia, india and even Bangkok, you will find that these attacks ,are mainly aimed at the Israelis but possibly also US and UK Forces.
Now although Cobra Gold ( or whatever name they are using these days ) may sometimes come to Udon, the presence is not too large and they can if necessary be accommodated on a Military base if the threat is real.

I would be more worried about the lax policy at the Borders of this country which would enable suspected terrorists to pass without let or hindrance, hence I suspect that is why Udon is mentioned as a transport HUB for Issan and surrounding areas.

All I will do is to avoid if I can the town centre when the PM's PR tour comes to town.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 10:56 am
by Manadon
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's police chief said the Iranians who were arrested after accidentally setting off explosives at their rented home in Bangkok were plotting to attack Israeli diplomats, bolstering claims by Israel that the group was part of an Iranian-backed network of terror.

"I can tell you that the target was specific and aimed at Israeli diplomatic staff," police chief Gen. Prewpan Dhamapong told a Thai television station late Wednesday.

Just another attack on the Israelis. Wish there were none. Bust such is the world we live in.
Live and enjoy your life, stop spreading fear .

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 12:26 pm
by pienmash
I find it strange why these governments should include Udon on a target list except there are quite a few expats here , and easy to skip over the border and away to Laos ,and the BIB wont be terrorist trained , maybe Harmony is on the money being as there are large numbers of US servicemen in Udon regularly....... bloody hell im banning all Iranian and or lookalikes from CC now.

IMO......cant let these lunatics dictate where n what you do or they are forcing their beliefs on you inturn winning .... tho i just like to say to any would be Iranian bomb throwers out there Sunday is the best day to drop by as the shops quiet that day , and its mashes day off.

Be vigilant , serious as well fellas .

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 1:06 pm
by harmonyudon
pienmash wrote:....maybe Harmony is on the money being as there are large numbers of US servicemen in Udon regularly.......
Cant follow you on this, Jon?

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 1:11 pm
by Jing Jing
As I recall Bali had no military significance. The terrorist just want to find a soft easy target. Thailand is a soft target as demonstrated by the recent internal unrest. Thai officials are in denial that this act was the work of a terrorist. I guess this was road rage because the taxi would't stop.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 4:19 pm
by rick
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.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 16, 2012, 4:53 pm
by LilRed
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.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 17, 2012, 7:16 am
by fdimike
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.

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 17, 2012, 7:37 am
by parrot
How did the red shirt/UDD unrest enter the picture??

Udon under threat?

Posted: February 17, 2012, 9:04 am
by maaka
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