Four countries withdraw Bangkok travel warnings

BANGKOK - Four countries, including Israel, have withdrawn their travel advisories warning their citizens of possible terrorist attacks in Bangkok, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Jesda Katavetin, deputy director general of the ministry's Information Department, said Israel, China, France and Germany had withdrawn their advisories, though France and Germany are still warning travellers of possible attacks in the deep South.

Eighteen countries, starting with the United States, issued warnings against visiting Bangkok when a Lebanese terror suspect was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Jesda said the advisory withdrawal by Israel, which was one of the first countries to issue a warning, would result in others following suit. He also noted that though the US Embassy in Bangkok had retained the advisory on its website, the warning no longer appeared on the website of the US State Department.

"There is no advice against US citizens coming to Thailand," he said.

The spokesman said Beijing had withdrawn its warning on January 20 after Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul met with the Chinese ambassador.