The Government has expressed deep concern about the military coup in Thailand and New Zealanders there have been warned to exercise caution.
The Thai army on Thursday suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil and imposed a night-time curfew across the country.
A soldier stands guard at Government House, where the anti-government protesters had set up their main camp in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
The military had declared martial law on Tuesday. Two days later, it gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis.
New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said on Friday it is difficult to see how military rule will ease the crisis and the detention of political leaders is unacceptable.
New Zealanders travelling to or residing in Thailand are encouraged to monitor developments, avoid any protests, and register their presence there on MFAT's safe travel website.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says 1139 New Zealanders are registered in Thailand.
It advised them to follow the rules of the local authorities and avoid protests and large public gatherings.
MFAT said the official travel advice for Thailand has not changed, but there is a strong threat of terrorism and civil unrest, particularly in the southern provinces and border regions.
A New Zealander in north-east Thailand, Loren Corbett, said there is confusion about what is going on and people have turned to Twitter because of the lack of information.
