Latest Travel Updates

[Bkk_Bound]

Still Current at: 31 December 2004

Updated: 30 December 2004

Thailand

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary, Crime and Natural Disasters sections. We are now advising against all but essential travel to resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, affected by the tsunami on 26 December.

SUMMARY

We recommend against all but essential travel to the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. On 25 October 2004, in Tak Bai, Narathiwat Province, over 80 people are reported to have died following clashes between protestors and members of the Thai security forces. There have also been a number of explosions in both Narathiwat and Yala, in the latest incident on 9 December 2004, a series of three explosions occurred on rail tracks, no injuries were reported.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Following the increased violence in the far south, the Thai authorities have taken additional security measures in other parts of the country, including tourist centres and Bangkok.

Following the recent tsunami, until local conditions improve we recommend against all but essential travel to affected resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak. Some coastal areas of Thailand were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. Large numbers of casualties have been reported. The infrastructure and public services are severely disrupted. For the latest information please refer to the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.

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