Suicide bombings are a ‘wake-up call’

The attacks yesterday in Jakarta were a wake-up call for security officials in Southeast Asia to work more closely in sharing intelligence and information on Islamic State (IS) fighters, the secretary-general of Thailand’s National Security Council says.

Gen Thawip Netniyom said yesterday after learning of the attack in Jakarta that the bombings should be considered a major threat to national security.

Shortly after the incident, Jakarta’s police chief Tito Karnavian told reporters that the IS was definitely behind the attacks and he named Indonesian militant Bahrun Naim as the mastermind.

According to The Guardian, Indonesian police believed Naim is in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Gen Thawip said Thai authorities normally work closely with Indonesia. However, only general movements of the IS group in the region were reported before the incident, with reports indicating that some IS militants are planning to form factions in countries in the region.

The attacks further underscore that intelligence agencies in each country, including Thailand, need to improve on collecting information which plays a pivotal role in tracking perpetrators, Gen Thawip added.

The attacks in Jakarta, which killed seven people and injured 23 others, have also raised serious concerns over safety in Thailand.

National police spokesman Detnarong Sutthichanbancha said police have been instructed to step up security measures at embassies, especially the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok, and at border checkpoints nationwide.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai yesterday conveyed their condolences to Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo in a tribute to the victims of the suicide attacks. The statements also condemned the assailants for their heinous acts.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said no Thais were affected by the attacks.

The Thai embassy will also work closely with the Indonesian government to remain updated on the situation, he said.

Thai business operators in Indonesia also increased security efforts.

Chaiyarit Anuchitworawong, executive vice-president of Bangkok Bank, said the attacks occurred near its branch in central Jakarta but there was no impact on either clients or staff; however, security has been stepped up. Mr Chaiyarit said the bank is ready to immediately adopt a contingency plan if necessary.

“Almost all of our staff there are local people, they were in a panic at the beginning but after our officers kept the situation under control, they were feeling better but we have to remain cautious. We still have no idea what will happen,” said Mr Chaiyarit.

Chemical producer Covestro (Thailand) said it is sticking to a plan to open a laboratory next year despite the intended site being located only a kilometre from the scene of the attack.