This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5361398.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Crowds warning to Bangkok Britons Crowds warning to Bangkok Britons
(about 6 hours later)
Britons in Bangkok are being warned by the UK Foreign Office to avoid any demonstrations and large crowds, amid an attempted coup. Britons in Thailand are being warned by the Foreign Office to avoid large crowds and demonstrations after a military coup to oust the country's PM.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency and tanks have surrounded the government headquarters, Government House. Martial law has been declared following the coup which took place while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was at the United Nations in New York.
"Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted," the Foreign Office is warning Britons."Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted," the Foreign Office is warning Britons.
It says the British Embassy in Bangkok is monitoring the situation closely.It says the British Embassy in Bangkok is monitoring the situation closely.
The Foreign Office is also urging Britons in Bangkok - and those planning to travel there - to "monitor all available information on the local situation". The Foreign Office is urging Britons planning to travel to Thailand to monitor the local situation but has not advised against visiting the country.
But Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent newspaper, told BBC News that would be "very, very difficult". Those currently in Bangkok should avoid moving around the city, the Foreign Office added.
"It is the middle of the night there and nobody quite knows what is going on." British tourists
People who have relatives and friends in the Thai capital will be understandably concerned Independent travel editor Simon Calder British Airways said its service to Bangkok was "operating as normal" and that the last flight of the day to the city had left on Tuesday night.
British Airways said its service to Bangkok was "operating as normal" and that the last flight of the day to Bangkok had left. Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent newspaper, told BBC News that the flights from the UK would arrive in Thailand during the afternoon local time.
Mr Calder told BBC News that the flights from the UK would arrive in Thailand during the afternoon local time. "Nobody quite knows what the situation will be then," he said. "Nobody quite knows what the situation will be then," he said.
There were between 10,000 and 30,000 British tourists already in Thailand - about 2,000 of them in Bangkok, he added.There were between 10,000 and 30,000 British tourists already in Thailand - about 2,000 of them in Bangkok, he added.
"It must be very tense there, and people who have relatives and friends in the Thai capital will be understandably concerned.""It must be very tense there, and people who have relatives and friends in the Thai capital will be understandably concerned."
The Association of British Travel Agents' head of corporate affairs Keith Betton told BBC News British flights to Thailand would be diverted to land in neighbouring countries if necessary.The Association of British Travel Agents' head of corporate affairs Keith Betton told BBC News British flights to Thailand would be diverted to land in neighbouring countries if necessary.
Independent travellers should stay off the streets of Bangkok, he added.Independent travellers should stay off the streets of Bangkok, he added.
I am confident I will be able to get out when I need to Engineer Steve CowlsI am confident I will be able to get out when I need to Engineer Steve Cowls
A spokeswoman for travel agent Thomas Cook told BBC News there was "no apparent threat to tourists" and the main holiday resorts remained unaffected.A spokeswoman for travel agent Thomas Cook told BBC News there was "no apparent threat to tourists" and the main holiday resorts remained unaffected.
But the company would continue to monitor the situation "very very carefully".But the company would continue to monitor the situation "very very carefully".
Steve Cowls, 46, of Oxford, an engineer working on a Thai naval base 150km (93 miles) south-east of Bangkok told BBC News no one there was even aware of the state of emergency.Steve Cowls, 46, of Oxford, an engineer working on a Thai naval base 150km (93 miles) south-east of Bangkok told BBC News no one there was even aware of the state of emergency.
"Everyone here is doing normal things - there is no indication that anything is going down.""Everyone here is doing normal things - there is no indication that anything is going down."
Mr Cowls, who had been due to fly back to the UK from Bangkok on Thursday, added he was now considering leaving Thailand by travelling overland south to Singapore rather than attempting to enter the capital.Mr Cowls, who had been due to fly back to the UK from Bangkok on Thursday, added he was now considering leaving Thailand by travelling overland south to Singapore rather than attempting to enter the capital.
"I will work out what is best for me - but I am confident I will be able to get out when I need to.""I will work out what is best for me - but I am confident I will be able to get out when I need to."
The coup leaders have declared loyalty to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and it is unclear whether Mr Thaksin intends to return home.

Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.

Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
You can send pictures and video from Thailand to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video from Thailand to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
Name