THAILAND is reconsidering its open-door policy for international visitors after it was established that the three Iranians accused of planning an attack on Israeli diplomats in Bangkok had spent time in Pattaya prior to visiting the capital.
Even though the country receives 12 million overseas visitors and more than US$25 billion (S$32 billion) in tourism evenue each year, lax visa and law enforcement policies have been blamed for an influx of criminals, and now, terrorists.
Last week’s scuppered bomb plot forced Thai authorities to recognise that the country was a target for international terrorist networks, and prompted the tourism ministry to shelve a plan that would have allowed nationals of Middle Eastern countries to avail of visas on arrival.
Instead, immigration authorities have since been ordered to be more vigilant when conducting background checks on potential visitors, especially those from countries that might be considered breeding grounds for terrorist activity.
