S'poreans Advised To Postpone Non-Essential Travel To Southern Thailand After Bomb Blast

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, April 2 (Bernama) -- In view of the recent bomb blasts in Yala and in Hat Yai, which ripped through the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) advised Singaporeans to postpone non-essential travel to Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla in Southern Thailand temporarily. In a statement to media queries for an update on the situation in Hat Yai, a MFA spokesman said Singaporeans with an urgent need to travel to these provinces are advised to monitor local news, development, take necessary precaution for their personal safety and purchase comprehensive travel insurance. The spokesman said MFA continues to closely monitor the situation in Hat Yai, particularly of Singaporeans affected by the blast and fire at the hotel. "Our Embassy in Bangkok has been in contact with 31 Singaporeans in Hat Yai, including 10 were at the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel, and has established that they are safe. "An officer from our Embassy is in Hat Yai to provide consular assistance to these Singaporeans and to determine if there are other Singaporeans who may need assistance," the spokesman added. Singaporeans travelling to these provinces should also register with MFA at http://eregister.mfa.gov.sg to facilitate contact in an emergency. -- BERNAMA