BEIJING, April 14 -- Japan urged its nationals
to avoid wearing red or yellow colors in Bangkok, while France and Britain
advised citizens to stay indoors as rioting spread Monday in the Thai capital
and countries worldwide issued travel advisories.
Americans were urged to "exercise caution" in Bangkok
and South Korea called on its citizens in the Thai capital "to return home (to
Korea) if they are not on urgent matters".
A violent showdown between soldiers and
anti-government protesters flared in more than a dozen parts of Bangkok, as
protesters burned public buses and set tires on fire that sent plumes of black
smoke into the sky.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime
Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. On Sunday, a group of protesters viciously attacked
Abhisit's car by hurling chunks of concrete and metal barricades at his armored
vehicle, before he was able to escape. They wear red to distinguish themselves
from rival protesters, who dress in yellow.
"We recommend you should avoid wearing red or yellow
shirts," Japan's Foreign Ministry urged citizens in a statement.
The US Embassy issued a message urging Americans "to
avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution anywhere in Bangkok".
Australia advised its nationals to reconsider
traveling to Bangkok or surrounding provinces, and to "exercise a high degree of
caution because of the political instability in Thailand and the possibility of
political demonstrations."
"The French Embassy strongly recommends that French
nationals stay in their homes or hotels," said a statement on the embassy's
website that also recommended postponing nonessential travel until calm returns.
Thailand's government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn
repeatedly appeared on national television Monday, at times speaking in English,
with updates on the security situation.
"We must protect foreign tourists," the government
spokesman said, urging Thais to help keep foreigners up to date on the crisis as
some areas cleared of clashes and new ones arose. "If you have foreign friends,
please help them."
The rioting comes just months after a rival group of
yellow-shirted protesters shut down Bangkok's two airports during a weeklong
shutdown that stranded more than 300,000 travelers.
Hundreds of local and foreign tourists still gathered
Monday to celebrate the water festival in Bangkok's Khao San Road, a magnet for
budget travelers, but some businessmen wondered how many foreigners would be
back next year.
"This could be the last time you see such joy and
celebration here in Thailand," said a less-than-festive Surat Wongcharnsilp,
chairman of the Association of Khao San Business Operators.
"Around 80 percent of tourists have checked out and
more tourists are expected to leave after Songkran," Surat said, referring to
the water festival that marks the start of the Thai New Year.
In 2007, 14.5 million foreigners visited Thailand.
Official full-year data was not available for 2008, but in the first 11 months,
arrivals touched 13.2 million.
Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of
Thai Travel Agents, was quoted in the Bangkok Post as saying on Sunday that
tourist arrivals could fall below 10 million this year.
"Right now, there's no hope for the Thai tourist
industry," Surat said.
(Source: China Daily)
Chinese gov't issues Thailand travel
warning
BEIJING, April 14 -- Chinese travelers are being
warned not to enter Thailand.
The Foreign Ministry and National Tourism
Administration of China Monday suggested tourists postpone trips to the country,
which has recently been plagued by rioting. They also alerted Chinese travelers
already in Thailand to be cautious and stay away from the rioting. Full story
