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7NEWS
01-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Smartraveller issues terror warning for Australians heading to Thailand after seizure of explosives
The discovery of explosive devices in Thailand tourist areas has sparked a warning about the 'ongoing' terror risks in one of Australia's most popular travel destinations. Security has been tightened at several sites including Phuket International Airport following the alarming finds last week. 'There's an ongoing risk of terrorism in Thailand,' a warning from Smartraveller said. 'Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks anywhere across Thailand, including Bangkok and Phuket. 'Phuket International Airport has increased security measures and passengers should arrive early for their flight. 'This follows the recent discovery of an explosive device near the airport. 'Thai authorities also defused devices in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga and made arrests.' Local police have made a number of arrests and raided several locations where bomb-making materials were allegedly found, local media report. The suspects were reportedly from rebel movement Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN). Authorities said the explosive devices were not powerful enough to cause serious injury or kill, and were allegedly part of a plan to spark public panic and disrupt the economy in tourist hotspots. Australian travellers should 'exercise a high degree of caution' right throughout the Southeast Asian country, and reconsider travel to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces in the country's south because of 'low-level insurgent activity, including terrorism'. 'Coordinated attacks have occurred in the southern provinces,' Smartraveller said. It said the Middle East conflict could also spark attacks against Israeli interests in other regions. 'Be alert to possible threats. Take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities,' Smartraveller said. 'Border crossing points along the Thailand-Cambodia border continue to be closed at short notice. 'Border areas near Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia are dangerous due to violence, armed conflict and landmines. Pay close attention to your personal security.' Greg Raymond, a Thailand expert from the Australian National University, said the explosives were 'certainly concerning' but did not believe the country was necessarily becoming more dangerous. He was unsure if BRN was involved in planting the devices, saying there were a number of movements in the country. 'There is speculation about who is behind it, and there is precedence for violence in the south to spread to the northern regions, but it's very rare,' he told Thailand, where more than 800,000 Australians headed every year before the pandemic, is also in the middle of a political storm following a leaked call involving its PM and Cambodia's ex-leader over a border dispute. Stream free on
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Will a leaked phone call lead to a Thailand coup?
Advertisement In the leaked audio clip which emerged on Wednesday, Paetongtarn was heard addressing Hun Sen, a family friend, as 'uncle' and appeared to dismiss a Thai military commander. The clip has sparked outrage from quarters of the country's ruling coalition, including the withdrawal of a key royalist partner group of Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party, as well as calls for her to resign. 'I would like to apologise for the leaked audio of my conversation with a Cambodian leader which has caused public resentment,' Paetongtarn, 38, said on Thursday. Greg Raymond, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University's Coral Bell School of Asia-Pacific Affairs, said he had heard the leaked call, which might 'spell the end' for Paetongtarn, adding however: 'I suspect no coup will take place.' Advertisement 'It's a typical rumour and although I might be wrong, it will be fairly easy for the Pheu Thai government to be brought down now by other means,' he said, pointing to options that included judicially or through a parliamentary shake-up.
