SAUDI ARABIA has increased its level of alert over the political uncertainty in Bangkok and is now advising citizens to leave Thailand ''at the earliest.''
''That is correct,'' an embassy spokesperson said when Phuketwan called one of two special telephone numbers now being used to speed departures.
In an advisory issued Thursday, the embassy urged Saudis wishing to travel to Thailand to defer their travel plans until normalcy returns to the country.
This is similar to the advice offered to citizens of more than 30 other nations as the political stand-off between the government and red rally protesters enters its third week in Bangkok.
However, the Saudis have taken concern at the Bangkok situation one step further and are now advising citizens in Thailand to leave.
''The embassy has formed a special team to assist Saudi nationals in their departure from Thailand,'' the Saudi Gazette reports online. ''The team could be contacted through: 0066 844603845 and 0066 843311011.''
While the peaceful street confrontation appeared calm in Bangkok on Friday morning, the Saudi newspaper reported that Thailand upgraded security measures after two more blasts hit government buildings, latest in a string of minor attacks since anti-government protests erupted.
The Saudi report quoted Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as saying: ''We have to adjust our operation to curtail the attacks. Intelligence reports say they want to create unrest to show that the government cannot control the situation, but I want to reassure the Thai people that the government is in control.''
The blasts, which follow eight other minor explosions since the protests began on March 12 to push for fresh elections, caused minor damage but no injuries.
Phuket has remained untouched by the demonstrations in Bangkok, more than 800 kilometres to the north.
Phuket officials say that tourists transiting through Bangkok airport to the island or flying directly to Phuket are unlikely to be affected.
''That is correct,'' an embassy spokesperson said when Phuketwan called one of two special telephone numbers now being used to speed departures.
In an advisory issued Thursday, the embassy urged Saudis wishing to travel to Thailand to defer their travel plans until normalcy returns to the country.
This is similar to the advice offered to citizens of more than 30 other nations as the political stand-off between the government and red rally protesters enters its third week in Bangkok.
However, the Saudis have taken concern at the Bangkok situation one step further and are now advising citizens in Thailand to leave.
''The embassy has formed a special team to assist Saudi nationals in their departure from Thailand,'' the Saudi Gazette reports online. ''The team could be contacted through: 0066 844603845 and 0066 843311011.''
While the peaceful street confrontation appeared calm in Bangkok on Friday morning, the Saudi newspaper reported that Thailand upgraded security measures after two more blasts hit government buildings, latest in a string of minor attacks since anti-government protests erupted.
The Saudi report quoted Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as saying: ''We have to adjust our operation to curtail the attacks. Intelligence reports say they want to create unrest to show that the government cannot control the situation, but I want to reassure the Thai people that the government is in control.''
The blasts, which follow eight other minor explosions since the protests began on March 12 to push for fresh elections, caused minor damage but no injuries.
Phuket has remained untouched by the demonstrations in Bangkok, more than 800 kilometres to the north.
Phuket officials say that tourists transiting through Bangkok airport to the island or flying directly to Phuket are unlikely to be affected.
