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Glenn Schloss

The Thai Consul-General has rebuked giant American financial institution Citigroup over a leaked memo which warned of a possible terrorist attack in Bangkok.

The electronic message, sent from its regional security director based in Hong Kong, carried details of a warning apparently supplied to the company that an Islamic extremist with links to al-Qaeda had travelled recently from southern Thailand to the capital.

Quoting 'confidential national law enforcement authorities', it said the sources 'stated that the extremist might be involved in planning a terrorist attack to take place in Bangkok between November 17 and 21'.

'We urge residents and visitors to Thailand to avoid large, congested tourist areas frequented by Westerners,' it said, listing night markets, discos and tourist attractions. Bar districts such as Patpong should also be avoided.

However, the Thai holiday period of Loy Krathong, which was the focus of the warning, has passed without a major terrorism incident.

Thai authorities have expressed outrage over the warning.

'One has to exercise responsibility and prudence in the issuance of such travel advisories which should only be done on the basis of hard evidence,' said Thai Consul-General Sihasak Phuangketkeow. 'Under the present circumstances, all of us have to work together to promote confidence in the tourism sector which is a vital part of economies in the region,' he said.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said last week: 'Citibank is a bank [part of Citigroup], so its duties should have been about banking services. How come it acts like an intelligence agency? It is ridiculous for a bank to talk like an intelligence authority.'

The Thai government has also been unhappy about official US warnings for travellers issued following the Bali bomb blasts last month which killed nearly 200 people. The travel advisories have warned visitors to Thailand to exercise caution, especially in areas where Westerners congregate.

It is not clear from the message who authored the security warning, attached to a short message circulated internally by Citigroup's regional security director Al Demeter in which he promised to follow the warning up and confirm its validity.

A Citigroup spokeswoman confirmed the message had been sent to staff and clients but would not divulge how many had received it. She declined to answer further questions.

A security industry source in Bangkok said he believed it had been written by an Asian-based security consultancy which had Citigroup among its clients.



Bangkok officials fume over bank's leaked terrorist alert