The Philippine government on Thursday recommended that Filipinos postpone non-essential travel to Thailand amid escalating anti-government protests in the South-East Asian neighbour, according to dpa. The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged Filipinos already in Thailand to avoid the demonstrators identified meeting and staging areas. The advice was given "in view of the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, Thailand, and the reported plans of demonstrators to intensify protests," the department's advisory said. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva placed Bangkok and nearby provinces under emergency law Wednesday after protestors calling for new elections vowed to step up their rallies. Bangkok has been besieged by daily protests since March 12. The demonstrations are led by supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
