As anti-Singapore sentiment grows following the purchase of Shin Corp by Temasek Holdings, a Singaporean international school in Bangkok has stepped up security measures for its students and staff.

The school, whose name is being withheld, has instructed all its security guards to be on the highest state of alert, with its gates locked at all times.

Any unauthorised persons, protesters or groups moving towards the premises must be immediately reported to the administrative office, according to instructions issued by the school.

"Our drivers have been told to be more alert. For safety reasons in the face of possible extremists, the school has decided to temporarily remove the school's name plate from its vans," the institution said.

"This is an important precaution as we have no way of knowing if our vans will pass any of the protest areas in different parts of Bangkok," it added.

The Singaporean Embassy in Bangkok will keep in close contact with the school during these tense times.

Singapore was dragged into the ongoing domestic political conflict after protesters accused the city-state's government of involvement in the business deal between its investment arm, Temasek, and Shin Corp, owned by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatara's family.

The Shinawatra and Damaphong families sold their stake in Shin to Temasek for a largely tax-free Bt73 billion. The anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy has launched a campaign to boycott goods and services from Singapore, accusing it of entering into an unregulated deal with Thaksin.

The alliance held protests in front of the Singaporean Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday and Thursday.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation