Global Reaction

Thailand to watch closely following bin Laden's death

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-03 11:18

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed all relevant officials to closely monitor all reactions following the death of Osama bin Laden, local media reported Tuesday.

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"We had nothing to do with (the operation to kill bin Laden), but security agencies must monitor and evaluate reactions from all parties, as we don't know how different groups will react to this development," the Nation online quoted Abhisit as saying.

Meanwhile, Tritot Ranarid-vichai, commander of the Police Special Branch, said the force would keep a close eye on different groups passing through Thailand, the Nation said.

However, the police would not boost security in any particular place, not even at the US Embassy, because Thailand was not involved in the operation, he said.

On Monday, Kristie Kenney, US Ambassador to Thailand, told Thai media that strict security measures had to be taken at the embassy for the time being, because bin Laden's death does not mean an end to terrorism.

US President Barack Obama on Sunday night announced bin Laden, architect of 9/11 terrorist strikes in 2001 that killed over 3,000 people, was killed in a US raid in Pakistan. He said the death of the terrorist leader marks the "most significant achievement" to date in US effort to defeat al-Qaida.