Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says the Government is monitoring the development in Thailand and will consider upgrading the red outbound travel alert to black if the situation deteriorates.

In response to the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, Mr Lee today told reporters about 1,000 Hong Kong tourists are now on package tours to Thailand. It is estimated that about 2,000 to 3,000 Hong Kong people, who are not on package tours, are also travelling in the country.

The Government is closely liaising with airline companies to ensure that there are sufficient flight seats to get Hong Kong residents home when necessary.

Messages sent to HK tourists

The Government has issued SMS over mobile phones to Hong Kong residents in Thailand to inform them a state of emergency has been declared around Bangkok.

People already in the country should attend to their personal safety and avoid places with demonstrations and large gatherings of people.

Since the alert was raised to red on March 10, the Immigration Department's Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit has received 293 enquiries and no request for assistance.

The Government has been in close liaison with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.

Any update on the situation will be issued through the media and the outbound travel alert webpage. Hong Kong residents who need assistance may call (852) 1868.