Pinoys warned vs travel to Thailand amid state emergency

Following the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, Philippine authorities advised Filipinos to postpone all non-essential travel to Thailand. The Department of Foreign Affairs also advised Filipinos already in Thailand to avoid areas identified as meeting and staging areas for rallies. "In view of the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, Thailand on April 7, and the reported plans of demonstrators to intensify protests, Filipinos are advised to postpone all non-essential travel to Thailand, particularly to Bangkok," it said in its advisory on its website. "Filipinos who are already in Thailand are advised to avoid areas that have been identified as meeting areas and staging areas for the rallyists," it added. A state of emergency has been declared in Thailand after "Red Shirt" protesters stormed parliament and government ministers had to be airlifted to safety. Members of Parliament and officials were forced to use ladders to scale walls of the compound in Bangkok’s old quarter after the mob broke down the gates with a truck. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva enacted emergency law in Bangkok and surrounding areas, allowing the arrest of key leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship. The state of emergency also bans gatherings of more than five people. It is the fourth time since 2008 that emergency law has been declared in the capital because of political turmoil. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV