As the political unrest in Thailand escalates, more governments are urging their citizens to remain cautious if travelling to the country.
In Hong Kong, the amber travel alert remains in force (see here for earlier report), with Thailand-bound travellers recommended to be vigilant and monitor the situation.
The Security Bureau of Hong Kong also reported that the Thai government urged people in Bangkok to stay indoors from 2200 on December 1 to 0500 on December 2 after an anti-government mob on Saturday laid siege at a stadium rally and started attacking people and vehicles.
Hong Kong-based travel agency Wing On Travel has changed tourist itineraries to avoid prominent shopping malls, where there is considerable threat, South China Morning Post reports. Other tour groups are also avoiding Siam Square, a popular shopping and entertainment district in the city. Travellers are also advised not to wear red or yellow – the colour of the pro- and anti-government groups respectively.
Thai police have responded to the growing violence with the use of tear-gas and water cannons. The leader of the anti-government protest Suthep Thaugsuban announced last night that he had met with Thailand's prime minister Yinluck Shinawatra and issued an ultimatum of two days for her to resign.
Channel News Asia reported that at least two "red-shirts" were killed in the overnight clashes. While the circumstances remain unclear, it appears the violence began when an "anti-government mob attacked red shirts arriving to join the rally in Ramkhamhaeng district".
Clement Huang
