Thai Police Chief: Hizbullah Suspects Called off Bangkok Bomb Plot

An alleged terrorist plot aimed at Bangkok that sparked urgent warnings of danger from the United States and Israel has been thwarted, Thai police said Saturday.

National Police Chief Gen. Priewpan Damapong said the alleged bombing scheme was called off by the alleged plotters — two Lebanese men said to be linked to Hizbullah. One man was in custody for questioning, and the other was at large.

The U.S. Embassy had circulated a warning Friday that there was a "real and credible" terrorist threat against Americans in Bangkok, and Israel issued a similar warning to its citizens. Thai authorities confirmed being informed of a plot, and said they were pursuing the missing suspect.

Priewpan's remarks came less than 12 hours after police held a hastily arranged news conference late Friday night in which they circulated a sketch of the missing suspect, with a call for the public to help track him down. They said the man in custody told them the plot was supposed to be carried out between Jan. 13 and 15.

Thailand seemed to have been caught by surprise by the publicity over the alleged plot, which officials said they had been informed about before New Year's. The U.S. Embassy warning was the first public notice of the affair, and Defense Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa said Thai authorities did not release news of the alleged plot because of fears that it would hurt the tourist industry and cause panic.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul said Saturday that he was greatly disappointed the United States and other countries had issued travel warnings to their citizens over terrorism risks without consulting the Foreign Ministry.

Surapong said such actions adversely affect Thailand's tourism industry, its image and confidence among other nations, and that the ministry would seek an explanation from the countries involved and consider measures to remedy the problem.

Thailand's Metropolitan Police spokesman Piya Utayo said Friday night that the man in custody told police the pair had arrived before New Year's with plans to stage a bombing attack.

Priewpan, the police chief, however, said Saturday that the man — a Swedish national of Lebanese origin identified as Attiris Hussein — told police an attack had been prepared but was called off when the authorities learned about it.

Priewpan said the suspect had been questioned by Thai authorities after being detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport as he was about to leave Thailand. Police can hold him for questioning under immigration law for 60 days before deportation.

Priewpan said police would not file any charges against him because he had not committed any crime.