The Department of Foreign Affairs has placed Thailand under Alert Level 1 and warned Filipinos there to avoid 10 areas in Bangkok.

The precautionary alert was issued in the wake of a powerful explosion near the Erawan Shrine on August 17, killing 20 people and injuring 125 others.

A Filipina was among those injured.

The DFA advised Filipinos in the capital to avoid the following areas, as specified by the Thai police:

1. Rajaprasong intersection;
2. Patumwan intersection;
3. Silom road;
4. Khao San road;
5. Narathiwat intersection;
6. Victory monument;
7. Tuk Chai intersection;
8. Benjasiri Park;
9. Soi Thong Lor; and
10. Sukhumvit Road.

The foreign department issues Alert Level 1 when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and external threat to the host country. Filipinos are alerted to take necessary precautions.

There are about 15,000 Filipinos in Thailand.

The said the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok is ready to extend assistance to Filipinos in the Southeast Asian kingdom.

Below are the contact details of the embassy:

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
760 Sukhumvit Road corner Soi Philippines (30/1) Klongtoey,
Klongtan, Bangkok 10110, THAILAND
Tel. No.: +662 259 0139 to 40
24/7 Hotline No.: +668 992 659 54
Email addresses: bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph or bangkokpe@gmail.com.