BANGKOK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The embassies of some countries here have warned their nationals to avoid public areas in Bangkok and other parts of the country after a series of bombings hit Bangkok and surrounding areas on the New Year's Eve and shortly after midnight, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported on Monday.

    Describing the New Year's Eve bombings as "terrorism," the Australian embassy urged their nationals to avoid unnecessary travel in Bangkok as there is the possibility of further attacks in coming days, according to an announcement posted on the embassy's website.

    The embassy has earlier posted warnings against unnecessary travel to Thailand's four southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla due to ongoing violence in the region.

    With new background of the New Year's Eve bombing in Bangkok, the embassy told Australians to exercise "high degree of caution" when traveling in Thailand overall, saying that it continues to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

    British, Canadian and New Zealand embassies also advised nationals to stay off the streets of Bangkok.

    A series of bombs exploded across the city and its suburbs on early Sunday night, and two more bombings hit a shopping area in downtown Bangkok shortly after midnight, killing three persons and injuring some 40 others, including ten foreigners.