All Emiratis in Thailand are safe, official says

Abu Dhabi: The UAE embassy in Bangkok confirmed all Emiratis in Thailand were fine, but urged citizens not to travel to Thailand where anti-government protests escalated and the state of emergency was declared.

Mohammad Al Awadi, Charge d'Affairs of the UAE embassy, told Gulf News all Emiratis in Thailand were fine and the embassy only received enquiries from some Emirati families currently visiting the country for medical treatment. "We advised them to stay away from protest rallies and carry at all times documents proving their legal stay in Thailand," Al Awadi said.

Thailand is the premiere health care destination for citizens and residents of the UAE, with tens of thousands travelling to the country for medical treatment annually.

Al Awadi described the security situation as "stable but problematic".

On whether the embassy would facilitate the return of Emiratis from Thailand, Al Awadi said airports are open and there was no need for special arrangements to fly Emiratis home.He estimated that around 4,000 Emiratis were staying in Thailand at present.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry also warned Emiratis against travel to Thailand, and advised citizens in the country to take extra caution. Thai anti-government protesters known as ‘red shirts' broke into the parliament building in Bangkok on Wednesday. Hundreds of anti-government protesters loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra have marched on parliament, amid high political tension.

Al Awadi said the UAE embassy in Bangkok was closely monitoring the developments on the security situation in the country and in constant contact with the foreign ministry about welfare of Emiratis there.

Thailand has lurched from one crisis to another since 2006 when the government of Shinawatra was overthrown.

This is the fourth state of emergency in the capital since 2008 and the current bout of red-shirt rallies began on 12 March.