Exercise extreme caution, Pinoys in Thailand told

Thai army takes power in coup
Thai army takes power in coup. Thai soldiers at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok watch as anti-government activists board a bus for home on Thursday, May 22. Thai army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha took control of the government in a coup on Thursday saying the army had to restore order and push through reforms, two days after he declared martial law. A curfew was imposed, suspended the constitution, and told outgoing cabinet ministers to report to an army base by the end of the day. Rival protest camps were ordered to disperse.Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom
Carry identification documents, follow security 
instructions from the authorities, and exercise extreme caution.

These were among the pieces of advice given by the Philippine Embassy in Thailand to Filipinos staying there, amid the political tension caused by the declaration of martial law and the subsequent coup.

In a public advisory dated Thursday night but posted on its website on Friday, the embassy also noted curfew has been imposed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Filipinos are thus advised to "exercise extreme caution and vigilance," it said.

The embassy also advised Filipinos in Thailand to:

- Remain indoors for the duration of the curfew.
- Avoid non-essential movements within Thailand.
- Refrain from taking part in protests and other political activities.
- Follow security instructions by the authorities.
- Carry valid identification documents at all times.
- Contact the Embassy for emergencies.

The embassy can be contacted at 760 Sukhumvit Road corner Soi Philippines (Soi 30/1) Bangkok 10110.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already raised alert level "2" in Thailand, while the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has imposed a temporary ban on the deployment of newly hired overseas Filipino workers.

The embassy's advisory was given hours after the Thai army seized power in a coup after failing to prod bitter political rivals into a compromise to end six months of turmoil.

Thailand's army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seized control of the government in a coup two days after declaring martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.

The military declared a 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. curfew, suspended the constitution and detained some politicians. It later summoned former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 22 others, including relatives and ministers in her ousted government. –Joel Locsin with Reuters/KBK, GMA News
 

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