Hezbollah terror plot against Israeli tourists in Bangkok foiled

Hezbollah reportedly planned attack on Israelis in Bangkok's popular Khao San Road tourist hub • Bangkok Post reports suspects were arrested at different locations in Bangkok after Thai police received intelligence from Israel about a Passover attack.

Israel Hayom Staff

Suspected Hezbollah operative, Lebanese-Filipino national Youssef Ayad | Photo credit: Stop910.com

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The investigation into two alleged Hezbollah terrorists arrested in Thailand recently was progressing swiftly, the Bangkok Post reported on Thursday, as one of the suspects reportedly admitted to a planned attack on Israeli tourists in Bangkok's popular Khao San Road tourist hub. There are several Israeli travel agencies and other establishments in the area, along with a Chabad house.

The men have been identified as French-Lebanese national Daoud Farhat and Lebanese-Filipino national Youssef Ayad.

A Thai source familiar with the investigation, according to the Bangkok Post, said Farhat held a French passport and Ayad carried a Philippines passport. According to their passports, both were born in Lebanon, though authorities have yet to confirm if the travel documents are genuine.

Farhat was visiting Thailand for the first time, while Ayad was arrested during his 17th visit to the country.

Both suspects reportedly arrived several days before the beginning of Thailand's Songkran festival on April 13.

Thailand's deputy national police chief Winai Thongsong said the men were arrested at different locations in Bangkok after Thai police received intelligence from Israel about a planned attack on Israeli tourists during Passover.

The Thai source said investigators believe at least nine suspected foreign terrorists connected to Hezbollah are somewhere in Thailand. Authorities are attempting to track them down, he said.

The source also said Ayad had given useful information to police and admitted his cell entered Thailand to carry out a bomb attack against Israeli tourists and other Israeli groups on Khao San Road during Songkran.

"Now we can seize materials, such as nails and bolts, used in making bombs from their homes in Bangkok. We are taking the holder of the Philippines passport to Rayong province to search for more bomb-making material kept there," the source said.

"If we had been unable to arrest the men during Songkran, a bomb attack would certainly have taken place somewhere on Khao San Road," he said.

Winai, according to the Bangkok Post, said the two suspected foreign terrorists will be deported back to the last countries they travelled from immediately after Thai police finish questioning them. He did not name the countries.

"They are still being questioned thoroughly. We have not yet pressed any charges against them. Once we finish questioning them, we will deport them," Winai said.

Meanwhile, National Security Council Chief Lt. Gen. Paradorn Pattanatabut confirmed Thai authorities were also focusing on the capture of another foreign terrorist, named by immigration police as Bilal Bahsoun, who may not have entered Thailand.

Both Farhat and Ayad are listed on the website Stop910.com, which collects information on suspected Hezbollah terrorist cells operating in Asia, and carries notices of financial rewards for information.