Thailand is once again safe for Israeli travellers, according to a report in the Jerusalem Post last night. The Counter Terrorism Bureau in Israel released a statement yesterday saying a previous “severe travel warning” issued two weeks ago over the likelihood of an immediate attack against Israelis in Bangkok has been cancelled because of the work of the Thai security forces. This included the arrest of an alleged Hezbollah operative and the uncovering of a weapons storehouse in the country.
However, because of the possibility that there remains some terrorist infrastructure in Thailand, and in light of concern that Hezbollah will try to avenge the 2008 killing of Hezbollah’s shadowy commander Imad Muganiyah on the anniversary of his death on February 12, Israelis travelling to the country are advised to exercise caution. About 120,000 Jewish tourists visit Thailand every year. In Bangkok there is a large Jewish community as well a Chabad house, which is a Jewish cultural center.
The cancelling of the “severe travel warning” by the Israelis follows the withdrawal last week of the security warning issued by the Chinese government. At the moment, we are waiting for the US Embassy in Bangkok to re-evaluate their security warning.
