Travel warning to Bangkok maintained

The Phnom Penh Post
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

Written by Cheang Sokha
Monday, 20 April 2009

AN ADVISORY issued by the government warning Cambodians against travelling to Bangkok and surrounding areas remained in effect Sunday, despite the fact that political unrest there had largely subsided.

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith told the Post on Sunday that Cambodians making trips to Thailand should inform Cambodian embassy officials in Bangkok about their proposed travel dates and locations, which he said would make it easier for the officials to reach them in an emergency.

"We have not banned them from travelling to Bangkok, but we are warning them," he said. "Our Constitution grants people the right to travel."

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the advisory on April 13 in response to the country's political turmoil, which involved massive demonstrations and riots staged by so-called "red shirts", anti-government protesters drawn largely from the country's north and northeastern regions.

The advisory was published by various media organisations, including newspapers and radio and television stations.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to appeal to all Cambodian citizens not to travel to Bangkok or surrounding areas because they are currently not safe," it reads in part.

Koy Kuong, an undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said officials would not remove the advisory until "Thailand announces that the safety of the people can be ensured".

He said the ministry had not heard of any Cambodians running into difficulties in Thailand due to the unrest.