This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/35003912

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Islamic State agents from Syria 'in Thailand to target Russians' Islamic State agents from Syria 'in Thailand to target Russians'
(34 minutes later)
Thai police say they were warned by Moscow that 10 Syrians working for the so-called Islamic State (IS) entered Thailand in October to target Russians.Thai police say they were warned by Moscow that 10 Syrians working for the so-called Islamic State (IS) entered Thailand in October to target Russians.
A leaked Thai police memo says the information was passed by Russia's intelligence agency. More than 1.5 million Russians visited in 2013.A leaked Thai police memo says the information was passed by Russia's intelligence agency. More than 1.5 million Russians visited in 2013.
But Thai police say they have not been able to confirm the presence of these Syrians and officials called for calm.But Thai police say they have not been able to confirm the presence of these Syrians and officials called for calm.
Russia began air strikes against IS in Syria at the end of September.Russia began air strikes against IS in Syria at the end of September.
An IS-linked group also claimed it brought down the Russian airliner which crashed in Egypt's Sinai peninsula in October, killing all 224 people on board.An IS-linked group also claimed it brought down the Russian airliner which crashed in Egypt's Sinai peninsula in October, killing all 224 people on board.
The Islamic State threat in south-east Asia
Russia 'slowing IS down in Syria'Russia 'slowing IS down in Syria'
Islamic State: Where key countries standIslamic State: Where key countries stand
'Terror act' brought down Russian airliner
The leaked memo, marked "urgent" and dated 27 November, was from a commander of Thailand's Special Branch and was sent to police units.The leaked memo, marked "urgent" and dated 27 November, was from a commander of Thailand's Special Branch and was sent to police units.
It says Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had told Thai police that the Syrian militants had entered the country between 15 and 31 October to target Russians.It says Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had told Thai police that the Syrian militants had entered the country between 15 and 31 October to target Russians.
How has IS threat expanded?How has IS threat expanded?
Does IS ideology threaten Indonesia?
IS moves into al-Qaeda's turfIS moves into al-Qaeda's turf
'Terror act' brought down Russian airliner
The memo reads: "They travelled separately. Four went to Pattaya, two to Phuket, two to Bangkok and the other two to an unknown location."The memo reads: "They travelled separately. Four went to Pattaya, two to Phuket, two to Bangkok and the other two to an unknown location."
The plan was to target "Russians and Russia's alliance with Thailand," it says.The plan was to target "Russians and Russia's alliance with Thailand," it says.
The memo calls for increased security around possible targets.The memo calls for increased security around possible targets.
Pattaya and Phuket are both popular resort destinations for Russian tourists, and Christmas and New Year are peak seasons.Pattaya and Phuket are both popular resort destinations for Russian tourists, and Christmas and New Year are peak seasons.
But Thai authorities said they had still to determine whether the Syrians had even entered the country.But Thai authorities said they had still to determine whether the Syrians had even entered the country.
A deputy spokesman for the Thai police Songpol Wattanachai confirmed the memo was authentic, but added: "So far it's only intelligence news that still needs to be proved... we have no proof if they are here for real or not."A deputy spokesman for the Thai police Songpol Wattanachai confirmed the memo was authentic, but added: "So far it's only intelligence news that still needs to be proved... we have no proof if they are here for real or not."
National Security Council Chief General Thawip Netniyom said: "We have yet to find any unusual movement. Everything is safe, rest assured."National Security Council Chief General Thawip Netniyom said: "We have yet to find any unusual movement. Everything is safe, rest assured."
Immigration Bureau commissioner Nathathorn Prausoontorn told Reuters news agency that of the 231 Syrians who had entered in October, only 21 remain and there were "no irregularities" among them.Immigration Bureau commissioner Nathathorn Prausoontorn told Reuters news agency that of the 231 Syrians who had entered in October, only 21 remain and there were "no irregularities" among them.
In August, a bomb at a Bangkok temple that killed 20 people was the first major attack on a tourist target in Thailand.In August, a bomb at a Bangkok temple that killed 20 people was the first major attack on a tourist target in Thailand.
Two Muslim Uighurs were arrested and charged, although authorities say they are linked to people-smuggling gangs, not Islamist militants.Two Muslim Uighurs were arrested and charged, although authorities say they are linked to people-smuggling gangs, not Islamist militants.
But the BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says there are outstanding arrest warrants for a further 15 suspects for that bombing who are still at large.But the BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says there are outstanding arrest warrants for a further 15 suspects for that bombing who are still at large.
There is a widely-held belief that it was carried out in retaliation for Thailand's controversial decision in July to repatriate more than 100 Uighur asylum seekers to China, he adds.There is a widely-held belief that it was carried out in retaliation for Thailand's controversial decision in July to repatriate more than 100 Uighur asylum seekers to China, he adds.