DFA tells Filipinos in Thailand to stay indoors

Anti-government protesters throw rocks after riot police fired tear gas to them near the Government House in Bangkok, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. AP

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos in Bangkok have been asked to stay at home due to the escalating protests calling for Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

“The Thai government has issued a ‘request’ to the public to stay home in the wake of current political developments in Bangkok,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a text message.

“We ask the Filipino community in Thailand to heed the request of the Thai government and for our nationals to refrain from non-essential travel to Thailand at this time,” he said.

Thousands have been holding protests against Shinawatra’s administration alleging that her brother, exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was actually in control of the administration.

Thaksin was previously ousted in 2006 on allegations of corruption.

The military has been called in to support riot police protecting government buildings from demonstrators.

Four people have been reportedly killed while more than 100 have been injured in the violent clashes between police and protesters, Time Magazine said in a report.

“Our embassy is in touch with our kababayans (countrymen) there and is closely monitoring the political situation in Bangkok,” Hernandez said.

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