The Jakarta Post, 1/14/2005 2:04:54 PM
Thai embassy in Indonesia's capital closed after bomb threat
JAKARTA (Agencies): Thailand temporarily closed its embassy in Jakarta on Friday
after Indonesia warned of a possible bomb threat overnight, the Thai government said
in Bangkok.
"Our staff did not enter the building and will not work at the embassy, at least for
today. We will re-assess the situation later," Thai foreign ministry spokesman
Sihasak Phuangketkeow told AFP.
But he said the embassy's work would not be disrupted by the threat because a
contingency plan was in place for the staff to work at an undisclosed satellite location.
The British embassy also shuttered its building in Jakarta's central business district
and closed a consular facility in a neighboring office block that is home to several
foreign media organizations and near hotels frequented by Westerners.
Police deployed bomb squads and anti-terror teams in force to the area and said they
were taking seriously the threat against it and the nearby Thai embassy.
Around 30 police, some carrying rifles, were on guard outside the closed Thai
embassy Friday. An armored vehicles as well as a police bus and truck were parked
outside.
Sihasak said Thailand would not send additional guards to protect the embassy
because the Indonesian government had addressed the security concerns.
Indonesian police on Thursday mobilized bomb squads and anti-terror personnel after
reported threats of a possible attack near the British and Thai embassies in Jakarta.
(**)
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