“There are heightened security concerns in India following the November 26 terrorist attacks on hotels, a railway station, restaurant, hospital, and other locations in Mumbai frequented by Westerners. Over 100 persons are believed to have been killed, and hundreds injured. Casualties include both Indian and foreign nationals. Americans appear to have been among those specifically targeted. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current.

Meanwhile, pro- and anti- government protesters have been gathering at various locations throughout the country. At least 20,000 supporters for the pro-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) gathered on 30 November outside of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to protest against the PAD. The DAAD announced that the protest will continue all night or until PAD protesters vacated Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang International Airports. No violence has been reported. On 30 November the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) announced that it plans to gather in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok until the PAD ends its siege of the airports to demand that the government along with police and military forces disperse the PAD protestors at the two airports in Bangkok.

Officials have been deployed to prevent further unrest. Both military and government officials have called on the protesters to end their occupation of the capital’s airports after His Majesty the King’s birthday on 5 December. However, as of 1 December, operations at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang International Airport remain suspended. Airport authorities have stated that Suvarnabhumi Airport will remain closed until at least 1800 local time on 1 December, and it is highly likely that the closure will last longer. PAD leaders showed some willingness to negotiate with the government when they agreed to allow 88 stranded aircraft to fly out of Suvarnabhumi Airport without passengers on 30 November. The aircraft were released in order to help evacuate stranded tourists from airports in other provinces Thousands of police officers remain on standby at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Reports indicated that another 500 police officers, stationed 3 mi/5 km outside the airport, clashed with more than 200 PAD members armed with pipes, knives and sticks on 30 November. There is no additional information regarding that incident.

Currently more than 240,000 foreigners are stranded in Thailand. Some countries have sent state-sponsored flights to retrieve their citizens. Reports indicate that the Thai government is doing its best to cooperate with foreign governments to facilitate the departure of stranded foreign citizens. Passengers are using the Rayong U-Tapao International Airport (VTBU/UTP) — which is located approximately 90 mi/140 km south of Bangkok — however, the terminal can accommodate only 400 people. This has caused stampedes and chaos, and some passengers have had to receive medical attention. The Thai government has agreed, for the interim, that passengers stranded in Thailand needing medical assistance, will be allowed to receive free treatment at both private and state hospitals. Airports of Thailand (AoT) personnel have begun setting up early check-in counters at the Bangkok International Exhibition and Trade Center (Bitec) and the Centara Grand Hotel. These facilities are requiring passengers to check-in seven hours ahead of departure in order to transit from Bangkok to U-Tapao. Passengers are only allowed to check-in at these facilities with approval from the airlines.

On 30 November PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang agreed to meet with Bangkok police chief Suchart Muenkaew to discuss increasing security at the Government House after an attack on the night of 29 November injured approximately 50 people, four of them seriously. The leader asked that police officers help patrol the area in order to reduce the violence that has sprung up. The chief and leader reported that the meeting lessened tensions. It is unknown whether police officers will support the idea. On 1 December, PAD leaders called for protestors to end the rally at the Government House and move to Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport. Reports indicate that daily demonstrations might still take place at Government House but will only last until evening due to safety concerns.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is currently residing in the northeast of the country, an area where support for his government is strong. Officials believe that Wongsawat left Bangkok because he fears a coup. He also risks losing his post on 2 December when Thailand’s Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on whether the governing People Power Party (PPP) committed fraudulent acts during elections in 2007. If the PPP is found guilty, the party is expected to dissolve; Somchai would then lose his position as prime minister, which the PAD would claim as a huge success. Additional military forces and police officers were deployed in Bangkok on 1 December, ahead of the 2 December ruling.

Officials interviewed the only captured gunman and are reporting that he and the rest of the terrorists were associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization. The captured man stated that the goal of the group was to hit more targets and kill at least 5,000 people. He also reportedly told officials that two more gunmen were involved; however, they were able to escape the area before being apprehended. There are also reports citing that some officials, including management at the Taj Mahal hotel, received advanced warning several days prior to the attack. Upscale hotels across India have implemented heightened security measures in response to the attacks.

Mumbai International Airport (VABB/BOM) remains operational. ASI recommends that non-essential travel to Mumbai remain suspended for another 24 hours to allow travel through the city to return to relative normalcy. All travel to India should be closely monitored in view of the heightened security concerns, particularly in view of increased political tensions with Pakistan. While the Indian government has so far not implicated the Pakistani government in any direct involvement in the attacks, Lashkar-e-Taiba has long-standing ties to elements of Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. The situation is further complicated by the domestic political situation in India. Upcoming state elections have put pressure on the ruling Indian National Congress Party to respond to the incident. The Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest opposition party, has staunchly criticized the Congress Party for ineptly handling the crisis. India responded to a terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001 with a massive mobilization of troops along the border with Pakistan. While there are currently no indications that India will take such measures, the situation is likely to result in a tense regional crisis.

Meanwhile, according to reports on 1 December 2008, authorities have increased security in New Delhi after receiving an e-mail warning that auto rickshaws would be used to detonate explosives in crowded areas. The e-mail — which was signed by the Deccan Mujahideen, a previously unknown group that claimed responsibility for the Mumbai attacks — warned of an attack at Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP/DEL) and three railway stations. Police officers are conducting random security checks of vehicles on roads near the airport. Indian Railways has heightened security at the 17 Metro stations in New Delhi.