Thailand Travel Alert

Media reports issued on 25 August 2006 continue to draw speculation to the events surrounding the alleged plot to assassinate caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra near his residence in Bangkok on 24 August. Reports clarify that the car that police officers seized near the Bang Phlat overpass contained TNT, C-4 explosives, fertilizer, detonating cords, fuses and a remote control set. The items were not, however, assembled into a bomb. Thaksin continues to assert that his opponents were plotting to assassinate him and accused several military officers of being behind the plot. The National Intelligence Agency stated its certainty that the 24 August incident was indeed a plot to assassinate Thaksin. Government critics claim, however, that Thaksin's supporters or the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party may have staged the alleged plot in a political ruse to gain sympathy votes for Thaksin; 24 August was the first day of campaigning for the 15 October general election. Other theories suggest that Thaksin's supporters staged the plot to discredit General Panlop Pinmanee, the deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command who was dismissed from his post on 24 August for his alleged role in the plot, due to his close ties to a key leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the anti-government group that coordinated large-scale protests in Bangkok in March.

Another theory suggests that the alleged plot was an attempt to draw public attention away from a renewed investigation into the controversial sale of Shin Corp., which in part prompted a series of protests demanding Thaksin's resignation, as his family owned the company.

Approximately 150 people gathered in front of the Bangkok residence of the Privy Council President on 25 August to demand protection of Thaksin, while approximately 300 PAD members rallied in front of the Royal Thai Police headquarters to protest violence against its members by pro-government supporters. As a result of the alleged assassination plot, security has been increased at Thaksin's private residence in Bangkok and around Government House.

Significant traffic congestion was reported on 25 August along Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Phitsanulok Road as traffic on Ratchadamnoen Road is restricted. There are rumors that Thaksin's government is planning to issue a state of emergency in response to the alleged assassination plot, and opposition and human rights groups warn that such a decree would only be instated to prevent anti-government protests. Several groups fear that the latest developments may prompt pre-election violence between pro- and anti-government groups.