Thai Terror Warnings Upgraded as Bangkok Outlaws Smoking

Senior Al Qaeda fighters met in Thailand and discussed a bombing campaign against nightclubs, bars and resorts in South East Asia, according to reports in this week's New York Times.

The paper quoted 'Western intelligence sources' as saying the terrorists had been in the country before the Bali bombing and suggested that Thailand remains "high on the list of potential targets". CNN also reported this week that a statement published on an Al Qaeda website admitted responsibility for the Indonesian attack, confirming they are specifically targeting "nightclubs and whorehouses".

The country's tourist industry came under assault from another unexpected quarter this week, as Bangkok officials introduced a smoking ban throughout the city's best-known sex area Patpong.

Any air-conditioned bars serving food (which includes most strip clubs and nightclubs in the notoriously decadent quarter) face fines of 20,000 baht (£300/ US$450) if any patrons are discovered smoking tobacco on their premises (Observer).

http://www.thailand.com/travel/nightlife/nightlife_bangkok_gaysoi4.htm
(Soi 4, Bangkok's main clubbing street) Tags

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• thailand