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Belgium to close its embassy in Bangkok

Belgium said it would close its embassy in the Thai capital Bangkok on Monday after at least 31 people died in clashes between troops and anti-government protesters.

“The embassy is not far from the areas where the violence is taking place and for security reasons it has therefore been decided that the embassy will close Monday”, a Belgian foreign ministry spokesman said, quoted by Belga press agency.

The telephone line will stay open but no evacuation of embassy staff is planned, it said.

Washington announced on Saturday that it would allow non-essential personnel in the US embassy in Bangkok to leave the Thai capital if they chose due to the escalating violence.