The Foreign Office has urged British nationals in Thailand to be on alert as the country braces for a fortnight of protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Military rule will effectively be in place from tomorrow (11 March) until 23 March as the ‘Red Shirt’ opposition protesters mount rallies in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

A previous demonstration in 2008 saw about 100,000 air passengers stranded at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport when it was seized by rival ‘Yellow Shirt’ protesters.

The Thai government has confirmed that the Internal Security Act will be invoked for the next fortnight, giving the military powers to impose curfews and restrict marches.

Any Brits travelling in the country during this period are advised to exercise caution, with the Foreign Office urging holidaymakers and expats to avoid all large gatherings.

The advice states: “On 12 March protesters say that they will gather at several locations in central Bangkok and will then move through the city to Ratchadmnoen Avenue, where demonstrations will continue throughout the weekend, culminating in a major protest on 14 March.

“If violence breaks out, British nationals are advised to remain indoors and monitor the media.”

Mr Shinawatra was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 following years of allegations about corruption. The charismatic former Prime Minister, whose support is greatest among disenfranchised Thais in rural regions, remains deeply involved in Thai politics despite living in exile in Dubai.

The ousted leader’s supporters, the Red Shirts, are preparing to descend on the capital in protest of a recent court decision to confiscate £940 million of his fortune.

Government officials predict that up to 100,000 demonstrators will gather in and around Bangkok, though protest organisers say the number could be as high as 600,000. Despite reassurances from the Red Shirts that all marches will be peaceful, outbreaks of violence remain possible.

“There is a very small minority who is trying to cause instability through, frankly speaking, potentially violent acts,” Korn Chatikavanij, Thailand’s Finance Minister, warned.

Thailand has a long history of political unrest, with the military holding de facto power and 18 coups being staged since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was abolished. Despite this, the country is relatively stable thanks to public deference to its widely revered Royal Family.

© Cheapflights Ltd (Creative Commons image: echiner1 / Flickr)

 
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