Singaporeans working in Bangkok say they are closely monitoring the unrest but are otherwise not too concerned.

Thai protesters have blocked off key intersections in Bangkok but are said to have remained peaceful. Several businesses and schools however have closed in anticipation of the growing unrest.

"We feel very safe here; as long as you don't go to the protest areas you should be fine," said Ms Aileen Ang, 57, a financial director of Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) who has been based in Bangkok since 1999. "You have to be streetwise, don't seek trouble," she added.

She and others who have made Bangkok their home away from home for some time now told The Straits Times that they are used to protests in the Thai capital, describing them as "routine occurrences".