Thailand safety and security and Natural Disasters advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the safety and security and Natural Disasters sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where there is continuing violence due to insurgency and civil unrest. Since January 2004, there have been regular attacks including bombings and shootings. On 20 October 2005, the Thai Government extended the declaration of a serious state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat for a further three months to 20 January 2006.

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against places frequented by foreigners.

The Thai Ministry of the Interior has issued a warning of heavy rain, possibly causing localised flash flooding, for the southern coastal provinces of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coast from Chumpon southwards (including Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui). Strong winds and high waves are likely in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It is expected that the heavy rain will continue until at least 18 December 2005. The Thai authorities advise against anyone putting out to sea in smaller boats in these areas.

Tsunami: Information for British nationals affected by the tsunami and their relatives and friends can be found at: Thailand: Information for Families.

Services and facilities in most areas of Thailand affected by the tsunami, including Phuket are now operating normally.

Watch out for crimes of opportunity. Theft of passports and credit cards is a problem. Passport fraud is high and penalties are severe.

Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) have occurred in domestic poultry and wild birds in Thailand in 2005, resulting in a small number of human fatalities. If you are travelling to Thailand, you should consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice before departure. See Health section below for further details. You should read this advice in conjunction with the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed advice and information.

By law, tourists are expected to carry their original passports at all times in Thailand.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake

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