Thailand

/This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and
Sea Safety section. 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
31 August 2006, bombs exploded outside 22 banks in Yala province causing
one fatality and 28 injuries.** The Thai Government has declared a serious
state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

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

*
* *Since December 2005, there have been a number of small explosions in
Bangkok. The motives for these attacks are not clear. On 24 August 2006
bomb making equipment was discovered in a car close to the Prime
Minister’s residence in the Bang Plat district of Bangkok. The device was
successfully defused.

*
* *In August 2006, three foreign tourists (including two British nationals)
died in separate white water rafting accidents. Particular care should be
taken when participating in this sport, especially during the rainy season
from May to October.

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

*
* *Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Thailand have resulted in a
small number of human fatalities. The most recent fatality was in Uthai
Thani Province in central Thailand on 03 August 2006. The Thai
authorities are currently investigating suspected outbreaks in a number of
other central, north and north eastern provinces. As a precaution, you
should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you
may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure
poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked. For further information see
Health section below and also read the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.

*
* *Around 750,000 British tourists visit Thailand every year. The main type
of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in
Thailand is for arrests (mostly drug related); hospital cases (especially
road accidents); and deaths, mostly from natural causes and road
accidents. The majority of consular cases occur in Bangkok, Pattaya and
Koh Samui.

*
* *The new Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) is scheduled
to open at 0300 on Thursday 28 September 2006. All domestic and
international flights will operate from this airport from this date. A
number of airlines are transferring some or all of their flights to
Suvarnabhumi in advance of the official opening. If you are in any doubt,
you should confirm with your airline which airport your flight will depart
from.

*
* *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. Please
see: Travel Insurance

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