Ditch Thailand vacation, nations tell tourists

Source: China Daily | 04-14-2009 09:21

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."