Philippines not discounting travel ban to Thailand

After issuing a travel advisory on Thailand, the Philippines indicated Tuesday it is not discounting a travel ban if the situation there grows worse. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Eduardo Malaya said they are continuously monitoring and analyzing the situation in Thailand, where a state of emergency is in effect.

On Monday, the DFA issued a travel advisory to Filipinos in Thailand, urging them to stay indoors and cautioning against making unnecessary travel there.

Filipinos who are already in Thailand are told to take extra precautions and avoid public places where rallies could take place. Malaya cited reports from Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio Rodriguez that no Filipino there has been injured or affected so far.

He said there are some 10,000 Filipinos in Thailand, most of them gaining Thai citizenship or becoming permanent residents. Many Filipinos there are professionals and factory workers.