Authorities have protested AustraliaÂ’s reference to Pattaya and Phuket in a recent travel advisory warning Australians about travel to the two resorts. The advisory states: “Australians in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, should exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners.” Thailand feels it and its neighbors deserve praise for their anti-terrorism efforts rather than sanctions. At the same time, security experts have raised concerns that terrorist activity in Thailand and Cambodia may increase as extremists flea security clampdowns in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The recent arrests in Cambodia of two Thai Muslims believed to be members of Jemaah Islamiah suggest that these concerns may be valid.
