Summaries
Indonesia
• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.
• On 17 July 2009, terrorists detonated bombs at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta. Australians were among those killed and injured.
• There is a possibility of further terrorist attacks in Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia, including Bali.
• Terrorists have previously attacked or planned to attack places where Westerners gather including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and airports in Bali, Jakarta and elsewhere in Indonesia. Analysts judge that these types of venues could be targeted again.
• In past years, we have received information about possible terrorist attacks in Indonesia in the Christmas and New Year period. Analysts consider that gatherings of Westerners over the Christmas and New Year holiday season may again be appealing targets for terrorists.
• We continue to receive credible information that terrorists could be planning attacks in Indonesia and that Bali remains an attractive target for terrorists.
• If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, you should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security and avoid places known to be possible terrorist targets. See the Terrorism section for details.
• There were incidents of violence in Papua during the parliamentary elections in April 2009. There is a possibility of further attacks in the Papua Provinces, including attacks on infrastructure and national institutions.
• Since July 2009, there has been a series of violent attacks near the Freeport Mine in Papua. One Australian has been killed in these attacks. Further violence is likely.
• Australians should avoid all protests, demonstrations and rallies as they can turn violent.
• Reconstruction is underway in and around the city of Padang in Sumatra after a high magnitude earthquake hit this area on 30 September 2009. You should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist and transport services at your planned destination have been affected.
• We advise you to read carefully the sections on travel to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province, Maluku, Papua and West Timor where additional safety risks exist.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
• The WHO has confirmed human deaths from avian influenza in Indonesia, including Bali. The Indonesian Government has declared that rabies is present in Bali. See the Health Issues section below for advice to Australians travelling to or resident in Indonesia.
Thailand
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution because of the high threat of terrorist attack and because of political instability in Thailand.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including tourist areas and other places frequented by foreigners.
• Demonstrations can develop quickly and turn violent with little warning. In the event of protest action, disruptions could occur in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, including to transport and other infrastructure. You should avoid demonstration sites, political rallies, military deployments and concentrations of security personnel. You should also closely monitor developments and follow any instructions issued by local authorities. If you are in an area where demonstrators are gathering, you should leave the area immediately.
• There is an ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia relating to land near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai). There has been fighting between Thai and Cambodian military troops in recent years, resulting in some injuries and fatalities. Some border crossings have been closed at times and landmines have been reported. Australians are urged to be particularly vigilant if travelling to this area and to monitor local media.
• We strongly advise you not to travel at this time to the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla or overland to and from the Malaysian border through these provinces due to high levels of ongoing violence in these regions, including terrorist attacks and bombings resulting in deaths and injuries on an almost daily basis. Since January 2004, more than 3500 people have reportedly been killed and many more injured, including a number of foreigners. If you are in these provinces, you should consider leaving.
Malaysia
• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Malaysia because of the risk of terrorist attack.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the islands, dive sites and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah because of the high threat of kidnapping by terrorists and criminals. In the past, terrorists have kidnapped foreigners from coastal areas of Eastern Sabah, the islands and surrounding waters. If you do decide to travel to this region, you should exercise extreme caution.
• If you are intending to travel overland from Malaysia to Thailand, you should also read the travel advice for Thailand which recommends that Australians do not travel to the far southern Thai provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, including overland travel from and to the Malaysian border through these provinces.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Philippines
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack and the high level of serious crime.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila. We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners. You should avoid places known to be terrorist targets (see the Terrorism section below).
• On 23 November 2009, at least 57 people were abducted and killed in the province of Maguindanao on the island of Mindanao in what appears to have been a politically-motivated attack.
• Violent crime is a significant problem in the Philippines (see the Crime Section below).
• We strongly advise you not to travel to Mindanao, including mainland Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, including kidnapping, and related counter-terrorism operations. Armed clashes between Philippine security forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front could occur without warning, including in central Mindanao. Attacks occurred in mid-2009 against military and civilian targets. Further attacks cannot be ruled out.
• There is a danger of kidnapping throughout the Philippines, particularly in the southern Philippines including coastal and island tourist resorts and dive sites. Terrorists have kidnapped foreigners from these areas in the past.
• The typhoon season normally runs from late May to early December. This is also the rainy season when tropical storms, flooding and landslides may occur.
Cambodia
• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Cambodia because of the risk of civil unrest, violent criminal activity and terrorism.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• In recent years, Cambodian authorities have disrupted a number of bomb plots, including on 3 January 2009, when three improvised explosive devices were discovered in Phnom Penh.
• There is an ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand relating to land adjacent to the Preah Vihear Temple. Although military activity in the area has declined, the situation remains tense. Australians are urged to be particularly vigilant if travelling to this area and to monitor local media.
• You should avoid protests, demonstrations and political gatherings as they may turn violent.
• There have been reports of an increase in assaults and armed robberies occurring at the Riverfront area in Phnom Penh and in Sihanoukville, particularly at isolated beaches. You should exercise vigilance when travelling through this area at all times but especially after dark.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in a number of countries throughout the world, including Cambodia. For a list of these countries, visit the WHO website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Laos
• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Laos because of the risk of civil unrest and criminal activity.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Vietnam
• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Vietnam because of the risk of criminal activity.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
• Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death sentence. Vietnamese authorities have announced increased security measures to combat drug trafficking. Over 20 Australians are currently serving long sentences or facing the death penalty for drug trafficking in Vietnam.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
East Timor
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in East Timor because of the uncertain security situation and the possibility of civil unrest. The situation could deteriorate without warning.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
• You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as they may turn violent.
• Medical facilities are limited and evacuation may be required in cases of serious illness or accident.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
• Because of the uncertain security situation, we recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.
Singapore
• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Singapore, because of the risk of terrorist attack.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Burma
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Burma because of the uncertain security situation and possibility of civil unrest.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Be aware that protests and organising assemblies of people are illegal in Burma. You should avoid all demonstrations and street rallies as they may turn violent. You should avoid taking photographs of demonstrations, the military or police as this may not be tolerated by the Burmese authorities.
• We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas near the border with Thailand because of the risk of ethnic conflict, banditry and unmarked landmines.
• We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas adjacent to the border with China in north-eastern Shan State, in particular the Kokang Special Region/Northern Shan State Special Region 1, due to increased activity by the security forces.
• Damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 still affects movement in the Ayeyarwady (Irrawady) Delta. Australians are encouraged to avoid unnecessary local travel in this region.
• Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
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