With anti-government protests spiralling into violent clashes in Thailand, India is keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation in the Southeast Asian country, which is home to around 200,000 Indians, and has underlined that it is “supportive of all measures” aimed at upholding the rule of law and restoring normalcy in that country.
Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry, said in New Delhi Dec. 3 that New Delhi is “following developments taking place in Thailand and is in constant contact with the Indian embassy in Bangkok, which is also providing updated information on current situation to Indian travellers and residents, including through its website.”
“We are supportive of all measures and efforts to address the situation through consultations in order to uphold the rule of law, preserve democracy and restore normalcy,” he underlined.
Celebrating its Look East policy and burgeoning relations with Thailand, India had hosted Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as chief guest for the country’s Republic Day celebrations last year. Shinawatra now finds herself the target of cascading protests, with clamour rising for her resignation. The Thai prime minister has, however, refused to step down.
Thailand, with its buzzing night life and picturesque beaches, tops the list of overseas destinations of Indian tourists. In March this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a grand “A Million Thanks” evening in Mumbai to celebrate the crossing of the one million mark of tourist arrivals from India to Thailand last year.
With the security situation deteriorating, over 20 countries, including the US, UK, France, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, have issued special travel advice urging their citizens visiting Thailand to be cautious.
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