Looks like Thai police are taking no chances. It's the beginning of Chinese New Year in Bangkok and, after last week's terrorism alert by the US Embassy in Bangkok, police are out in force.
Of course, the US Embassy terrorism warning was specifically targeted at so-called terrorist attacks that could possibly take place earlier in January. That nothing transpired has made people in Bangkok much more relaxed, so that most people I spoke to aren't concerned at all.
Still, police have a larger presence at Bangkok's shopping malls. Security guards at mall entrances too have obviously been warned to check bags carefully as, every one I visited today, I was subjected to a guard with a flashlight peering in my bag.
The main security though and large police presence has been concentrated in Bangkok's Yaworat (Chinatown) area, where the bulk of Bangkok's Chinese New Year celebrations usually occur.
Officials seem to be worried about the large number of wooden houses in the area, although they haven't said if that's because of worries of a bomb blast, or simply the risk of fire from fireworks and the burning of paper offerings to ancestors.
For any tourist in Bangkok for Chinese New Year though, you'll notice very little untoward. A few more police on the streets, security guards paying a bit more attention at Bangkok's malls, and underground and sky train stations.
Otherwise, the usual Chinese New Year festivities will be going on all over the city, from Yaowarat to Bangkok hotels, restaurants, cultural centers and shopping malls.
Chinese New Year is one of the most important times of the year for Chinese-Thais, and celebrations are always loud and fun.
