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Russia advises against Bangkok travel as protests escalate

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Bangkok has been the scene of a fourth day of anti-government protests with demonstrators pledging to shut down government ministries.


The protest leader said they would surround and close 14 ministries in an attempt to disrupt the government.


Most overseas government warnings advised citizens to avoid protest areas, but Russian media reports say its foreign ministry is advising tourists to avoid the capital completely.


“The possibility of further escalation of the unrest should not be ruled out,” the ministry said in a statement quoted by news agency RIA.


“In this respect, we recommend that Russians avoid visiting Bangkok. Those already there should take due care, comply with law enforcement officers’ demands and avoid crowded areas.”


The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintained its position, advising British travellers to the Thai capital to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.


The protests are being led by former opposition Democrat Party lawmaker Suthep Thaugsuban.


They began on Sunday and have targeted the finance, foreign and interior ministries, among others.


An army crackdown in 2010 on supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the older brother of the current prime minister, resulted in more than 90 people being killed in the violence.


In the wake of those events, a government led by Yingluck Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai party was elected, mostly by rural voters who benefited from Thaksin’s policies.


But many urban and middle class voters are bitterly opposed to him.


They say he controls the current government from self-imposed overseas exile, the BBC reported.

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