DFA lowers crisis alert level for Thailand

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said that it lowered the crisis alert in Thailand from Level 2 to 1 following the continuation of normalization in the junta-led country.

The advisory comes with the lifting of the ban on overseas Filipino workers.

"Under alert level 1, Filipinos in Thailand are advised to take necessary precautions," DFA said.

The Thai junta, which seized power from the caretaker government, removed the nationwide curfew on June 13.

The coup d'etat came after protests from opposing groups- the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts- shut down the capital Bangkok.

Army commander Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha earlier said the coup was necessary to restore order in the politically divided kingdom.