Amid escalating protests in Bangladesh that have resulted in dozens of deaths, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has canceled her scheduled trips to Spain and Brazil. The protests, sparked by grievances over the government’s job quota policy, have led to a nationwide internet blackout and a significant disruption in daily activities, affecting services such as ATMs and mobile money operations.
The government has intensified security measures by deploying the army and enforcing a curfew to manage the clashes between police and student protesters. This week alone, hospitals reported at least 105 fatalities due to the unrest. These protests represent a major challenge to Hasina’s leadership following her recent re-election for a fourth term. The political turmoil emerges at a crucial economic juncture as Bangladesh seeks financial aid to bolster its foreign exchange reserves.
Internationally, there are calls for an independent investigation into the protest-related deaths, with groups, including Amnesty International, criticizing the government’s response as overly harsh and detrimental to public trust. The unrest has also led to significant disruptions, including hacking the Prime Minister’s Office website.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka has indicated that, so far, the unrest has affected no Thai nationals. Nonetheless, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Thai citizens to avoid protest areas and restrict unnecessary travel, staying alert to updates from local authorities.
For Thai nationals planning to travel to Bangladesh, please consider postponing your trip until the situation has improved. For Thai nationals in Bangladesh, you can contact the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh – สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงธากา at telephone number (+880 17) 0964 0808, 24 hours a day. (NNT)
