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In view of the worsening situation in Thailand, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has advised Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel to Bangkok. Those who are already there should attend to their personal safety, avoid places of demonstration or gatherings of large number of persons.
The Government bureaux/departments concerned, including the Security Bureau and the Immigration Department, were closely monitoring the situation in Thailand, and remained in close liaison with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to keep abreast of the latest situation in Thailand.
In the past few days, the Security Bureau from time to time updated the travel advice given to Hong Kong residents in light of the latest situation. This afternoon, the Government again sought assistance from local telecommunication operators to send SMS to inform Hong Kong travellers in Thailand by roaming service that a state of emergency had been declared in Bangkok.
From April 10 to 9pm today, 292 enquiries but no request for assistance were received by the Immigration Department.
Residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.
Ends/Sunday, April 12, 2009
Issued at HKT 23:34
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