The Thai Police are urgently ordering foreigners to stay away from tsunami-affected areas to prevent evidence tampering and disease spread.

In official orders, friends and family members searching for loved ones, foreigners, foreign volunteers and members of the press are told they must refrain from tsunami-affected locations, temples, mosques, all operational grounds including DNA gathering sites and autopsy sites.

This is to prevent tampering of evidence and obstructing the official gathering of DNA information for body identification. It also aims to prevent people without vaccinations and other protection from becoming infected by germs, bacteria and viruses.

Two centres help those seeking loved ones, volunteers

Those seeking loved ones are asked to check in with the International Victim Coordination Centre at a tent in front of Phuket Town's City Hall.

Anyone wishing to volunteer are asked to register at a Foreign Volunteers Centre with details of their special skills, a contact number and a copy of their passport.

Thai officials will contact them if their help is needed. Otherwise, they are to stay away from the affected areas.