Malaysian embassy gives advice on Bangkok shutdown

KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysian ambassador to Bangkok Datuk Nazirah Hussain urged Malaysians in the Thai capital to stock up on food, medicine and other necessities for emergency purposes as it was not certain how long Monday's "Bangkok shutdown" rally would go on.

"We have been assured that it will be a peaceful rally. However, we do not have a definite time frame on how long it may last and when it will end.

"There are more than 500 Malaysians registered with the embassy in Bangkok. We are certain they will be safe, as most housing communities are away from 'red' areas.

"Malaysians need to monitor closely the developments through local and international news reports to ensure their safety."

Nazirah appealed to Malaysians in Thailand to avoid being involved in the demonstration and not openly show support for either the Thai government or opposition.

She said Malaysians who would be travelling to Bangkok between next week and the end of the month were urged to keep in contact with the embassy as a safety measure.

The demonstration is an attempt by anti-government protesters to pressure the caretaker government to step down.

The protesters plan to dissolve its current rally site at Ratchadamnoen Road in Bangkok and move to seven new rally sites around the city on Monday. The new sites are Lumpini, Chaeng Wattana, Asok- Sukhumvit, Ratchaprasong, Pathumwan, Victory Monument and Lat Phrao.

Nazirah, who confirmed that the embassy had prepared contingency plans in case of emergencies and further developments in the situation, urged Malaysians in Thailand to act wisely.

Thai officials had informed the embassy that roads leading to all diplomatic centres would be blocked by security personnel, while airports would operate as normal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said Malaysians in Bangkok would be safe, as long as they did not get involved in any demonstrations or enter the affected zones during the anti-government demonstration.

"We urge those residing in the city to not get involved with the demonstration and, more importantly, not show any support to either the government or anti-government parties," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

Hamzah said those travelling to Bangkok should refer to the advisory by the Malaysian embassy there on its website at http://www.kln.gov.my/web/tha_bangkok/home.

For assistance, Malaysians can call the embassy at +662-629-6800 during office hours and +6687-028-4659 after working hours.