DFA downgrades alert level in Thailand

Tourists and locals make their way in Bangkok’s Khaosan road, Thailand, Saturday, June 14, 2014. The generals who seized power in Thailand have lifted a nationwide curfew, giving a green light for the capital’s red-light districts, nightclubs and pubs to roar back to life. AP

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has lowered the crisis alert level in Thailand amid improving political situation in the strife-torn country.

From alert level 2, the DFA is now imposing alert level 1, wherein Filipinos are advised to exercise vigilance and take necessary precautions.

“Given the continuing normalization of the political situation in Thailand, including the lifting of the curfew nationwide last June 13, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario lowered the crisis alert level from 2 to 1,” the DFA said in a statement Monday.

“The ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers, whether rehires or newly-hired, will be lifted,” it also said.

Crisis alert level 2 was raised in Thailand last May following the declaration of Martial law by the Thai military.

Martial law was declared after six months of anti-government demonstrations to press Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan to step down.

The unrest has been continuing since Thailand’s former PM Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted by the court for abuse of power.

There is an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Filipinos in Thailand, the DFA said.

RELATED STORIES

DFA issues alert level 2 for Thailand over martial law declaration

Timeline: Key dates in Thai political crisis