ABU DHABI // Thailand's ambassador to the UAE has reassured Emiratis and expatriates that it is safe to visit his country's capital after Monday's explosion in Bangkok in which at least 20 people were killed and 140 injured.
Warawudh Chuwiruch condemned the act, which he called “isolated” and one-of-a-kind in the country’s history.
“All security officers in Thailand stepped up all the measures to ensure the safety and security of the public,” he said.
“So it is under control and no country has issued a travel advisory to Thailand yet.
“All the embassies in Thailand put up a message about people travelling there or who are there to [exercise] caution and listen to the latest developments.”
The incident happened at a popular Hindu shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok during evening rush hour. The upscale area was filled with tourists, office workers and shoppers.
Mohammed Ali, a Jordanian national living in Abu Dhabi, had just flown back from Bangkok on Sunday evening.
“The explosion happened right under my hotel,” he said.
“It’s frightening to think about it and upsetting that there were so many innocent victims.”
The incident has not affected air travel between the UAE and Thailand, with both Emirates and Etihad Airways confirming all scheduled flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Bangkok were still fully operational.
Prawit Wongsuwan, Thailand’s defence minister, said the attack, for which no one has yet claimed responsibility, was aimed at destroying the country’s economy by targeting a major tourist area.
The UAE embassy in Thailand said Emiratis living and visiting the country were safe.
“The site is a very touristy area as it is a shrine that many Chinese people visit,” Mr Chuwiruch said.
He said visitors should still feel safe when visiting Thailand. “In that central area of Bangkok, they are fully equipped with CCTV and they found out about one suspect already that went to the site and left a backpack,” he said.
“So we’re trying to find out who he is and we will follow up with the case very closely.
“Now when we step up measures to secure public safety and security, I believe it is safe to travel to Thailand as this is the first incident in the country’s history. Previously, [turmoil] was mainly related to the former government.”
Mr Chuwiruch said he hoped the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE would not issue a travel ban to the country.
“We haven’t received a call from them yet,” he said. “We put up all the information needed on our website and Facebook page that is monitored by the Thai community here. We also have a hotline for Thai people if they have any kind of problem.”
Visitors to Thailand were urged to register with their embassies and avoid affected areas. “We don’t know the reason behind this act but we condemn it and every nation, and the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon, condemned it,” said Mr Chuwiruch. “It should not happen to innocent people.”
For more information, call the embassy’s hotline on 191 or the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ hotlines on +6626447245, +6626435522 and +66850659927.
cmalek@thenational.ae
