Embassy closes amid violence

The British embassy in Bangkok closed today in response to an upsurge of violence in the Thai capital.

The Foreign Office was already advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok amid the anti-government "Red Shirts" protests that have rocked the capital in recent weeks.

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But officials decided to close the Bangkok embassy temporarily "due to its proximity" to the demonstrations.

Tensions heightened yesterday after a renegade army general, Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who was backing the protesters, was shot in the head in the street as he spoke to foreign reporters.

Soldiers reportedly shot a second person dead and at least three other people were injured in the ensuing clashes in which hundreds of protesters threw rocks and firecrackers.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware the US has closed its embassy in Bangkok.

The UK Embassy will be closed to the public on Friday due to its proximity to the demonstrations."