UK Thai embassy issues warning amid anti-immigration protests
The Thai Embassy in London issued a stern warning for all Thais living in or travelling to the UK: steer clear of crowded places and protests. This urgent advice comes as thousands of anti-immigration protesters take to the streets in towns and cities nationwide.
Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast have been pinpointed as high-risk areas. The embassy strongly advises heightened caution if travelling to these cities.
Reports suggest the unrest could spread even further, heightening the need for vigilance. The embassy urges Thais to stay informed through British news channels and official updates. In case of emergency, they can reach out to the embassy at +44 (0) 7918 651 720 or via email at consular.lon@mfa.go.th.
According to the BBC, the violent protests erupted after false rumours spread online. The misinformation alleged that a 17 year old Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on July 29.
The unrest has seen mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers come under attack. Shops were burned and looted, causing widespread fear and disruption. Yesterday, August 7, high street shop owners across England took precautionary measures, boarding up windows and closing early to brace for potential violence, reported Thai PBS World.
In related news, the United Kingdom Foreign Office issued a travel warning to British tourists heading to Thailand ahead of the summer holidays: “Behave, or end up in jail!”
The Foreign Office advised British holidaymakers flying to the Land of Smiles to be cautious of the new visa rules. The UK Foreign Office has explained that there are strict regulations regarding goods that can be brought into and taken out of Thailand. Holidaymakers must declare any items that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
In other news, the United States of America Embassy issued an official statement of concern on Facebook after the Constitutional Court yesterday dissolved the Move Forward Party (MFP) over their attempts to alter the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Law.
