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In view of the changed situation in Thailand, a spokesman for the Security Bureau today (December 1) reminded Hong Kong residents who planned to go to Thailand to pay close attention to the situation there. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government reiterated that residents should avoid travel to Bangkok. Those who are already in Bangkok should attend to their personal safety.
The HKSAR Government has arranged at least three chartered flights to Pattaya tonight and tomorrow to take Hong Kong residents home. Some 400 residents who had sought its assistance from the Immigration Department and still remained in Thailand have been informed of the chartered flight arrangements. Relevant details have also been uploaded to the Department's website. The Office of the Telecommunication Authority has also disseminated the information to Hong Kong residents concerned through mobile phone roaming services. Furthermore, the Government has made an announcement on radio and television to call on residents to notify their relatives or friends who are still in Thailand about the chartered flight arrangements.
Apart from the earlier special flights, Cathay Pacific Airways will mount a special flight to Pattaya on a daily basis from Wednesday to Friday (December 3-5).
From November 27 to 6pm today (December 1), the Immigration Department has received requests for assistance from a total of 823 Hong Kong residents. Some 430 of them have since come back to Hong Kong or have indicated that they will take the chartered flights back to Hong Kong. Some others have indicated that they prefer to take the flight arranged by themselves. The Immigration Department advises Hong Kong residents still in Bangkok to leave on chartered flights in these two days. The staff of the Department will continue to try to contact Hong Kong residents still in Thailand through different means to see if they need assistance.
The spokesman said:"The Government will continue to assess the situation, including whether there is the need for more chartered flights."
Hong Kong residents in Thailand who need assistance may call the Hong Kong Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline at (852)1868 or the Chinese Embassy in Thailand at (66)818214771 or (66)819840658.
Ends/Monday, December 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:58
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