The Nation, Agencies
Several countries advising their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand
The international community has expressed concern over the political situation here and issued warnings to their respective citizens to cancel non-essential trips to Thailand even as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cancelled his visit to Hanoi for the Asean Summit.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who is already in Hanoi, represented Thailand on behalf of the premier.
Abhisit was scheduled to attend the Asean Summit meetings yesterday and today but made the decision at the last minute.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Emergency Operation decided to unplug the red shirts' mouthpiece People Channel television, and some independent websites.
Abhisit had initially planned to be present in Hanoi for the Asean meetings during the daytime. But the tense situation in the capital forced him to completely abandon his plan.
The confrontation between the government and the red shirts led to a tense situation on Wednesday after a group of protesters stormed their way into the Parliament compound.
The United States has criticised the storming of Parliament, saying the move was not a suitable means of protest.
Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley said at a daily press briefing that the US respects the right of freedom of expression.
"However, forcibly entering government buildings is not an appropriate means of protest. Everyone has the right of assembly and to protest peacefully," he said.
Singapore said yesterday that the situation in Thailand was "worrying" and it hoped that violence would not erupt.
"The situation in Bangkok is worrying and it's a sombre backdrop to our discussions," said Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo.
"[I] really hope that the situation there will not lead to violence, that good sense will prevail, and that the parties involved will continue to talk," he told reporters on the sidelines of the summit.
Thailand's neighbours were understanding of Abhisit's inability to attend the two-day Asean Summit.
"Our first responsibility must be to our own people," Yeo said, adding he had no doubt that regional leaders "fully understand" Abhisit's decision.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the cancellation was "not the end of the world".
"At the same time, Indonesia is certainly following closely the developments in Thailand with the hope that normalcy can be restored," he said.
The Philippines government recommended that Filipinos postpone non-essential travel to Thailand amid escalating anti-government protests in Bangkok.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged Filipinos already in Thailand to avoid the meeting and staging areas of the demonstrators.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry upgraded the level of alarm yesterday for Taiwanese planning to travel to Bangkok and neighboring areas amid escalating tension there.
The ministry issued an orange-level warning - which advised Taiwanese nationals to avoid going to the destination and to be on high alert if they had to go - in the four-level tourism advisory system.
A red alert - the highest level in the system - advises that no-one should visit the destination under any circumstances, while a yellow alert advises would-be travellers to think of their personal safety when deciding whether to visit. A grey alert means there is no perceived danger.
The international community has expressed concern over the political situation here and issued warnings to their respective citizens to cancel non-essential trips to Thailand even as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cancelled his visit to Hanoi for the Asean Summit.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who is already in Hanoi, represented Thailand on behalf of the premier.
Abhisit was scheduled to attend the Asean Summit meetings yesterday and today but made the decision at the last minute.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Emergency Operation decided to unplug the red shirts' mouthpiece People Channel television, and some independent websites.
Abhisit had initially planned to be present in Hanoi for the Asean meetings during the daytime. But the tense situation in the capital forced him to completely abandon his plan.
The confrontation between the government and the red shirts led to a tense situation on Wednesday after a group of protesters stormed their way into the Parliament compound.
The United States has criticised the storming of Parliament, saying the move was not a suitable means of protest.
Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley said at a daily press briefing that the US respects the right of freedom of expression.
"However, forcibly entering government buildings is not an appropriate means of protest. Everyone has the right of assembly and to protest peacefully," he said.
Singapore said yesterday that the situation in Thailand was "worrying" and it hoped that violence would not erupt.
"The situation in Bangkok is worrying and it's a sombre backdrop to our discussions," said Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo.
"[I] really hope that the situation there will not lead to violence, that good sense will prevail, and that the parties involved will continue to talk," he told reporters on the sidelines of the summit.
Thailand's neighbours were understanding of Abhisit's inability to attend the two-day Asean Summit.
"Our first responsibility must be to our own people," Yeo said, adding he had no doubt that regional leaders "fully understand" Abhisit's decision.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the cancellation was "not the end of the world".
"At the same time, Indonesia is certainly following closely the developments in Thailand with the hope that normalcy can be restored," he said.
The Philippines government recommended that Filipinos postpone non-essential travel to Thailand amid escalating anti-government protests in Bangkok.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged Filipinos already in Thailand to avoid the meeting and staging areas of the demonstrators.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry upgraded the level of alarm yesterday for Taiwanese planning to travel to Bangkok and neighboring areas amid escalating tension there.
The ministry issued an orange-level warning - which advised Taiwanese nationals to avoid going to the destination and to be on high alert if they had to go - in the four-level tourism advisory system.
A red alert - the highest level in the system - advises that no-one should visit the destination under any circumstances, while a yellow alert advises would-be travellers to think of their personal safety when deciding whether to visit. A grey alert means there is no perceived danger.
5 comments:
Because Abhisit affraid that he might have a chance to re-enter Thailand.
Abhisit`s being afraid of coup d`etat whom would be involved with the army,that couldn`t allow him come back to Thailand,just like Sinawatra in the 2006.That`s why,he had to decide not to joint the ASEAN`s summit.This guy is a chicken,not like KHMER leaders.IF you were born as a coward or a chicken!and a rat,so then when you die,you die like those animals.KHMERS IN CANADA ALWAYS LOVE KHMERS,no matter what is happening to KHMERS around the world.
Please care about your government's business first, create more jobs for people to work rather than spend time talking bad about other country's issue. I don't want to see Khmer beggars anywhere in Bangkok anymore. Please go back to your jungle
Where is the Thai King the Thai father who helped Thai people?
Khmer please watch your property when Thai thieves stop fighting each other they will come stealing Khmer property again.
Post a Comment