Claims of threats to Americans

A 'credible threat' or increasing anxiety about America's enemies?
U.S. warns tourists of 'possible terrorist threat' in Bangkok

Digital Journal,

13 January, 2012

The U.S. embassy in Thailand warned on Friday that there is a "real and very credible" threat of a terrorist attack against American citizens in Bangkok.

"This message alerts U.S. citizens in Thailand that foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future," a message on the website of the US embassy in Bangkok says, "U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok."

"We're warning all U.S. citizens to take caution when visiting public areas where Western tourists are known to gather in Bangkok," US embassy spokesman Walter Braunohler told Reuters.

Following the alarm, "a Lebanese suspect from the Hezbollah group has been taken into custody by Thai officials and police are investigating further," Thai deputy PM Chalerm Yumbumrung told Reuters.

"Following concern raised by the Israeli embassy about a possible attack by a group of Lebanese terrorists in Bangkok, Thai police officials had been coordinating with Israeli officials since before the New Year."

Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shi'ite Islamist political party strong of a military wing, is on the official U.S. blacklist of foreign terrorist organisations.

Bangkok is one of the world's top city destinations with about 10 million visitors a year.