BANGKOK — Thai police have dismissed reports about a possible terror attack against Israelis at a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan this Friday, amid travel warnings issued by Israel and Germany to its citizens.
Surat Thani province police chief Sermphong Sirikhong was quoted as saying by The Bangkok Post that such claims were groundless, and the safety measures had been increased to boost confidence among all tourists on the island.
Reports by some Israeli media of the purported terror attack this Friday mention the observation that local police had been increasing security patrols due in anticipation of an attack.
However, Surat Thani police said increasing patrols was normal procedure ahead of the popular monthly festival that draws tourists from around the world.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday issued the terror threat warning to citizens planning to attend the Full Moon Party, citing a “growing fear of attacks on Israelis and Jews across Thailand”.
Bernama, citing German news agency dpa, also reports the German embassy in Bangkok issuing a similar travel warning.
The embassy’s website said “indications of possible terrorist attacks” targeting the event had emerged in recent days and advised its citizens to avoid the Full Moon party this Friday.
Besides this event, the embassy also urged citizens to avoid other music festivals and gatherings with large foreign crowds across Thailand “at this time”.
The Full Moon Party has been held at Haad Rin Beach each month, on every full moon, since the late 1980s. The all-night parties feature music and dancing. – November 14, 2024