Western embassies in Bangkok alert citizens

Bangkok, Jan 1 (UNI) Following the blasts that rocked the Thai capital during the New Year, some western embassies here have advised their citizens to stay away from public places.

The British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand missions have sounded the alerts.

An Australian embassy announcement on its Web site has warned nationals of the likelihood of further bomb blasts in the city and other parts of Thailand.

British, Canadian and New Zealand nationals have also been advised by their missions here to stay off the streets, to avoid public transport, hotels and shopping centres.

Meanwhile, local media reports quoted government sources as saying that Thai Army Chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin, head of the all-powerful Council for National Security set up after the September 19 coup, was cutting short his Haj pilgrimage and returning today from Saudi Arabia.

UNI