Bangkok, May 30: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today told his compatriots not to be frightened "like foreigners" about terrorist attacks in Thailand, saying he was confident an attack would not take place here. Thaksin was reacting to a travel advisory issued by the Australian government yesterday, urging its citizens to "exercise extreme caution" in the beach resort town of Pattaya.
"I think Australia has the same information as we do. I would like to warn my fellow Thais not to be so frightened or worry like foreigners," Thaksin told reporters. The advisory said "threats against Australians and Australian interests in Thailand are high, and we continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks."
The Thai Island resort of Phuket that also was named in an Australian travel advisory issued last week.
But the Thai government has underplayed the threat, saying the police are on top of the situation and can prevent any terrorist act. "We also have some information about possible (terrorist) targets and we have been following the matter closely. We can cope with it," Thaksin said.
"It is normal for a country like Australia, which experienced a great loss of life in Bali, to warn their people with whatever information they have," Thaksin said.
“But I am confident that, such a thing (terrorist attack) will not take place in our country," Thaksin said. Bureau Report