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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Security Bureau explained today (December 3) that the existing system of issuing reminders to Hong Kong residents travelling abroad mainly related to the security risks to Hong Kong residents in that destination.
The spokesman said: ¡§The prime concern of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is the personal safety of Hong Kong residents travelling abroad. The Security Bureau and the relevant departments have been closely monitoring the situation in Thailand. Since Bangkok started to have rather large gatherings in August, we have from time to time assessed the risks faced by Hong Kong residents who planned to visit Thailand, and issued the relevant messages to give Hong Kong residents the latest information and remind them to keep themselves updated on developments there.¡¨
On September 2, the Thai Government declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. The HKSAR Government immediately reminded Hong Kong residents travelling to Thailand to pay attention to personal safety, keep themselves up-to-date on developments there and avoid large gatherings or places of demonstrations. Since then, we have provided timely reminders according to the developments. As the situation in Bangkok further evolved, the Security Bureau, since November 27, had advised travellers to avoid unnecessary travel to Bangkok.
¡§Notwithstanding that different countries may have different arrangements for issuing travel risk messages to their nationals, they normally regard security risk assessment as the basis. In fact, the content of risk messages issued to travellers to Thailand or Bangkok in particular is largely the same internationally.¡¨
Some countries, such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, which regard Thailand as tourist attraction for their nationals, are still appealing to their citizens to consider adjusting their schedules to Bangkok, or defer non-essential travel there.
The Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor, and issue up-to-date information according to the situation there for residents¡¦ reference.
The spokesman said the Government would review the system with a view to improving and enhancing the efficiency of the system.
Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:10
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