Thailand on Friday hit out at Australia’s decision to name the resort town of Pattaya in its security alert for the kingdom, saying regional nations had been given no credit for their anti-terrorism efforts. Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said upgraded travel warnings from western countries would help terrorists achieve their goal of damaging tourism and other businesses in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “I have repeatedly said it’s not fair for countries in Southeast Asia, who have managed to arrest terrorists and should receive praise or credit as other countries in other regions have received,” he told reporters. “We as ASEAN countries have closely consulted each other about whether we should do something or call a meeting, but we will not resort to protest,” he said. Pattaya, a tourist centre about 100 kilometres east of Bangkok in central Thailand, joined southern holiday island Phuket as only the second destination named in the Australian foreign ministry warning. “Australians in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, should exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners,” it said. Full Story
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