BANGKOK, Thailand-
The foreign ministry of Thailand cautioned Thai citizens to consider postponing or canceling traveling plans to France because of the threat of crime.
The ministry issued the warning in a statement which said that several robberies or thefts had occurred involving cars belonging to the Thai Embassy in Paris.
"In the past month, at least four robberies occurred to embassy cars and we would like to warn Thais who plan to travel to France to increase their safety measures or consider postponing or canceling travel to France in the summer," said the statement, released Tuesday.
It said a thief broke the window of an embassy car in which the Thai commercial attache was traveling when it had stopped at the intersection of a busy road. The diplomat was slightly injured when he resisted the thief, who attempted to snatch his bag, it added.
The statement warned Thais traveling to France to take special care of their property, including not putting valuables near car windows and not wearing jewelry.
Last month, the ministry urged Thais traveling in Paris not to wear flashy jewelry while sightseeing or speak to suspicious-looking people to avoid thieves who prey on foreigners.
The ministry also suggested at that time that Thais avoid traveling alone, steer clear of isolated places and pay particular attention to passing motorbikes–the vehicle of choice for French thieves.
Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries have often complained about travel advisories issued by Western nations to their citizens warning of the danger of violence or natural disasters. They complain that the warnings are overblown and hurt their vital tourism industries.
