By Jono Hutchison
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says travellers to Bangkok face “extreme risk” as violence in the city intensifies.
It comes after confirmation that a New Zealand journalist has been injured in the street battles.
As the siege continues, there are fears the Thai government is preparing for a final crackdown.
Authorities told women and children to leave central Bangkok by 8pm tonight New Zealand time.
Some have left, but thousands of protesters – known as the “Red Shirts” – have chosen to stay.
“We will ask every people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just sit still, or stand still here and don’t fight back’. If they would like to kill us, let them kill us,” says Red Shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn.
Death is a real possibility in this standoff.
More than 30 people have been killed since Thursday, with over 200 injured.
Among them, a 25-year-old New Zealander – confirmed by another Kiwi working as a paramedic in Bangkok.
“Six foreigners – they all got hit at the same time,” Marko Cunningham told reporters.
“I believe they are all journalists and obviously just doing something together.”
MFAT says the man was treated and released from hospital over the weekend.
Another New Zealander was stuck in her apartment for three days before she managed to escape.
“On Saturday night it got crazy,” she says.
“Gunfire from the building next door to us, loud explosions through the night.
“We were hiding in the bathroom because it was insane.”
The Red Shirts say they’re willing to negotiate if the UN is involved and army troops leave the streets, but the Thai government rejected those conditions.
A former army general who supported the Red Shirts was shot in the head last week and died today.
Protesters say army snipers are at work “every day”.
The New Zealand embassy in Bangkok remains closed and the Government says Kiwis in Bangkok should think about leaving.
Prime Minister John Key said the Government was following the situation very closely and advised against travel to Bangkok.
New Zealanders currently in Bangkok should consider departing
and the Government had authorised the voluntary departure of the
families of embassy staff, he said.
"The airport in Bangkok is currently open and access to the
airport is unimpeded, commercial flights are operating so there are
options for New Zealanders to leave that may not be available later
on."
Mr Key said he was confident the Government could rely on
commercial flights to transport people out of Thailand but would "look
to act" if the situation changed.
Travellers could keep updated on the situation at www.safetravel.govt.nz.
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