Filipinos traveling to Bangkok warned

Anti-government protesters make their way across Buddhayodfah bridge during a warm-up rally to paralyze the capital Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of protesters took part in the rally aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Protest leaders have set Jan. 13 as the date to bring Bangkok to a halt. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos with travel plans to Bangkok should expect increased security measures due to the ongoing state of emergency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a press conference Wednesday.

“We wish to advise those with essential travel plans to Bangkok at this time to expect increased security measures in view of the declaration of a state of emergency in the Thai capital and the surrounding areas,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing.

“However, it bears emphasizing that despite the ongoing demonstrations, the situation in Thailand remains generally peaceful and under control,” Hernandez said.

Since January 13, thousands of anti-government protesters have been holding demonstrations in major intersections and government offices in Bangkok in an attempt to shut down the capital.

The protest movement, dubbed “Bangkok Shutdown,” seeks to pressure prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down amid allegations that she is a puppet of her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

Yingluck has ordered snap elections to be set on February 2 following the dissolution of parliament last December 2013. Most protesters however, have generally ignored the statements of the prime minister even when she has called for peaceful dialogue.

On Jan. 19, at least 28 people were injured after a suspected grenade attack during one of the protests.

The 60-day state of emergency was declared for Bangkok and surrounding areas after the violence.

The DFA estimates that there are 15,000 Filipinos all over Thailand.

Alert level one continues to be in effect in Bangkok, Hernandez said.

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