Labour MP Chris Carter in midst of Bangkok clashes

Labour MP Chris Carter (inset R) and his partner Peter Kaiser (L) had intended to have a quiet holiday before the clashes in Bangkok broke out. Photos / Norrie Montgomery, AP

Labour MP Chris Carter is in the midst of tensions in Bangkok where two people have been killed and dozens injured in street clashes.

Mr Carter said he and partner Peter Kaiser had intended to have a quiet holiday during the parliamentary recess.

"It certainly has been an action packed two days while I've been here," he said.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Sunday over the protests which saw the East Asia summit New Zealand Prime Minister John Key was to attend cancelled.

Mr Carter said he was following New Zealand Ambassador Brook Barrington's advice to stay inside his hotel - the Hilton in central Bangkok.

"I've assured our ambassador who has been on the phone to me frequently... we will not be creating any extra hassles for him," he said.

"We haven't felt personally unsafe though we've certainly seen many armed police, seen the demonstrators and heard the bullets going off... all very dramatic."

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning New Zealand travellers that there is a high security risk in Bangkok.

"The political and security situation has deteriorated further and is very unpredictable," the ministry's travel advisory site warns.

The site also recommends New Zealanders visiting or living in Thailand to register and update their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mr Carter said his hotel was near the government district where the violence was centred.

"It was very tense yesterday as many of the major intersections in central Bangkok had been occupied by the red-shirted demonstrators... they seem to have retreated last night to Government House.

"I could see last night the education ministry burning from my hotel room, which is a place I know well as last year as education minister I went there to sign a mutual recognition of qualifications with the (Thai) education minister."

Mr Carter said the deaths and injuries could inflame the situation further.

"The police and army seem determined to crush the demonstrations today so today will probably be crunch time."

Mr Carter and Mr Kaiser fly to Phuket tomorrow morning.

"It saddens me very much to see a country like Thailand that has made such strong economic progress but has had such political instability over the past three years.... it's very sad to see this country gripped by such political crisis."

- NZPA