Hong Kong lowers travel alert for Bangkok
The government says this follows Thailand's move to lift state of emergency from the capital
The Hong Kong government has lowered its travel alert for Bangkok – from the most severe level of black to the lowest amber, it announced today.
The government said the decision was made “in view of the latest situation in Bangkok, as well as the fact that the state of emergency in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces was already lifted by the Thai government”.
Under Hong Kong's three-level Outbound Travel Alert system, a black alert means that travellers are advised to avoid all travels to the destination concerned.
The amber alert means that travellers are advised to monitor the situation and exercise caution when they visit the location.
“Hong Kong residents who intend to visit the country or are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people,” a government spokesman said.
The spokesman said the Security Bureau would continue to monitor the situation and issue updates through the media. Hongkongers in Thailand who need assistance can call the government’s 24-hour hotline on (852)1868. They can also contact the Chinese Embassy in Thailand on the 24-hour consular protection hotline on (66) 854833327.
The black travel alert was issued in January after the Thai government declared a 60-day state of emergency aimed at preventing any escalation in more than two months of anti-government demonstrations. The protestors called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.