Stay away from Bangkok

Britain, France and Austria on Thursday warned their citizens visiting Thailand to stay away from political protests in Bangkok as they could turn violent. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON - COUNTRIES including the US, Britain France and Australia on Thursday warned their citizens visiting Thailand to stay away from political protests in Bangkok as they could turn violent.

Britain warned its nationals against all but essential travel to the Thai capital due to the 'increasingly volatile' situation on the streets. 'This advice reflects our concern for the safety of British nationals planning to travel to Bangkok, given the risk that violence could break out without warning during the increasingly volatile political crisis,' the Foreign Office said.

'The situation is changing on a daily basis, and we recommend that British nationals living in Thailand or travelling to the country check the travel advice on the Foreign Office website regularly for details of further developments.' French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in a statement: 'We advise our compatriots to exercise the utmost caution and in particular not to go to places where there are political gatherings.'

He expressed concern over stern warnings by Thai army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd that force could be used in a crackdown against anti-government protesters in Bangkok. 'We reiterate our call to the authorities and protesters to act responsibly,' Mr Valero said. 'It is more indispensable than ever for dialogue to prevail over confrontation.'

The United States and Australia on Thursday also urged its citizens to stay away from Bangkok after deadly grenade attacks, warning that more violence was possible in Thailand's political crisis. 'Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all US citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok,' the State Department said, upgrading a travel alert issued two days earlier.

The Australian foreign affairs department issued the travel warning as it confirmed that a 26-year-old Australian was hospitalised after being wounded in a grenade blast in an elevated railway station late on Thursday. 'We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the recent deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and civil disorder,' the advisory said. 'There is a strong possibility of renewed violent clashes in Bangkok between demonstrators and security forces. These clashes could involve the use of lethal force and could occur at any time.'

A series of grenade blasts ripped through a pro-government rally in Bangkok on Thursday, leaving three dead and 70 injured, including foreigners, in the latest bloodshed in the heart of the Thai capital. The authorities said five grenades were fired from within the anti-government Red Shirt protesters' sprawling encampment, which has been fortified in recent days with sharpened bamboo stakes and piles of car tyres. -- AFP