Thread: Four Syrians Sought in Thailand for Overstaying

PHUKET: Immigration officials have released the photographs and names of four Syrians whose movements they say are unaccounted for in Thailand.

The four men did not arrive in Thailand in the October time ''window'' mentioned in the Russian document saying that 10 potential terrorists had entered Thailand and were spreading out to Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and other places.



However, Immigration may be keen to locate the four Syrians, even if only to charge them with overstaying their visas.

They are:

.. Abul Aziz Rouk, 44, entered through Ranong on Jaanuary 27, visa expired April 26.

.. Mouayad Hanati, 29, entered through Suvarnabhumi Airport, July 7, visa expired October 4.

.. Hagop Kassabian, 57 , entered through Suvarnabhumi Airport May 16, visa expired August 13.

.. Nawfal Hassoun, 34, entered overland from Laos, August 3, visa expired October 31.

Immigration police chief Pol Lt Gen Nattatorn Prohsunthorn said the number of Syrians visiting Thailand was very small.

''In mid-October, 200 of them came here but most of them have already left. There are now no more than 20 here at present.

''It's not yet known whether the 10 people in the warning are among the 200,'' he said.

The Canadian embassy has issued the following warning in relation to the suggestion of terrorists arriving in Thailand:

Dear Canadians,

You are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Please share the following important information with other Canadian nationals in your area.

Some of you may have seen media reports that a group of 10 Syrians could have entered Thailand with plans to attack Russian citizens in popular tourist-resort cities such as Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok.

For this reason, we would like to take this opportunity to remind Canadians that there is a threat of terrorism throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

Maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate without notice.

Exercise caution, particularly in commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship), outdoor recreation events and tourist areas frequented by foreigners.

Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should call the Embassy Canada in Bangkok, Thailand, at +66 0 2646 4300 or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa directly at +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls are accepted where available).

An email can also be sent to [email protected].

If you have already left and are no longer in Thailand, please send an email to our Registration of Canadians Abroad email address at [email protected] order to end your registration in our system.

Four Syrians Sought in Thailand for Overstaying - Phuket Wan

Police say four Syrians are not connected with ISIS

Four Syrians who were held by police for questionings have been cleared of any suspicion that they might have links with ISIS, Pol Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police bureau, said on Monday.

The four Syrians were identified as Nawfal Hassoun, 34; Abdul Aziz Arouk, 44; Mouyad Haeyati, 29 and Hagop Kassanbian,57.

Police said that Hassan reported himself to Thung Mahamek police to show his innocence after someone posted his picture on the social media accusing him of being linked to ISIS terror group. Arook works as a singer whereas Gassabian was located by police in Chaiyaphum province.

None of them have any connection with the ISIS but all of them have overstayed their visas, said Pol Lt-Gen Saanit.

Gassabian has been living in Thailand for over 10 years has lodged a complaint with the police after his passport and picture were posted on the social media suggesting that he might be linked with ISIS.

Pol Maj-Gen Songpol Wattanachai, deputy spokesman of the National Police Office, however, said that the four Syrians would still be held for further questioning to make sure that they are definitely not connected with the ISIS.

In the meantime, Pol Gen Sivara Rangsipromnakul, deputy police chief, said the investigation about how the Russian intelligence report about

possible presence of ISIS terrorists in Thailand which was sent to the Thai police was leaked to the media is still under way.

He said the probe was intended to find out whether the person or persons who leaked the report had ill intent towards the country or not.

Police say four Syrians are not connected with ISIS - Thai PBS English News