BANGKOK – Australia, the UK, Russia and Hong Kong have joined governments around the world in advising their citizens to avoid or reconsider travelling to Bangkok.
Britain’s Foreign Office described the situation as “volatile and unpredictable with a high risk of further bloodshedâ€.
The latest FO advice said: “In view of the risk of a further deterioration, British citizens are warned not to travel to Bangkok unless their visit is absolutely essential and to review their travel plans to other parts of Thailand.”
Both Australia and Britain cautioned their residents in Bangkok and other cities affected by the violence to stay indoors and to monitor the media and official travel advice.
“We urge Australians not in Bangkok to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok,” said Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
The warning echoed an official travel advisory issued on Monday, the fourth time in three days the Australian government’s advice on Thailand has been revised in the face of a rapidly evolving crisis.
In Tokyo, the Japanese foreign ministry warned travellers to be on high alert and to stay away from government buildings and street rallies.
The ministry also recommended that Japanese travellers and residents refrain from wearing red or yellow T-shirts to avoid being mistaken for either anti- or pro-government protesters.
The Philippines, Malaysia and South Korea on Monday also told travellers to stay away from Bangkok or exercise extreme caution.
And Hong Kong stepped up its travel advisory.
Beijing issued a warning that the situation has descended into violence. Officials said travellers considering Bangkok as a destination should adjust their plans.
The United States told citizens in Bangkok to avoid demonstrations and to exercise caution.
Italian Ambassador to Thailand Ignazio Di Pace told the Bangkok Post the demonstrations were more serious than the political unrest last November when the PAD seized the airports.
“It is sad and unfortunate that in the past three years Thailand has yet to solve political deadlocks in a democratic and constitutional manner that could stabilise the situation,” the Italian ambassador said.
Source: TravelMole UK and the Bangkok Post
