TRAVEL WARNINGS TO THAILAND

This Advice was last issued on Tuesday, 18 August 2015.   Local police report a bomb explosion occurred in central Bangkok's Chidlom district on 17 August. There were a number of casualties. Keep away from the area and follow the advice of local authorities. The level of advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand.

Summary

Thailand overall

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla

• Exercise normal safety precautions
• Exercise a high degree of caution
• Reconsider your need to travel
• Do not travel

 

• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack, including in Bangkok and Phuket. The security situation remains volatile. You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and where possible monitor the local media, including social media, for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• On 17 August 2015, local police reported that a bomb explosion occurred in central Bangkok’s Chidlom district near the Erawan Shrine. There were a number of casualties. There are unconfirmed media reports that another bomb may have been defused. Keep away from the area and follow the advice of local authorities.
• Thailand’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which took control of the country in a coup on 22 May 2014, retains wide powers, including to impose measures to respond to threats to peace, order and the economy. Nation-wide martial law was lifted on 1 April 2015, but martial law remains in place in 179 districts in 31 provinces, mostly in border regions.
• Australians should stay well clear of any demonstrations, political events, rallies, processions and large-scale public gatherings as they may turn violent. For further information on possible disruptions. See Safety and security.
• Screening measures are in place at major airports. Australians arriving from affected countries (Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran Jordan and South Korea) should be aware that they may be subjected to further testing and quarantine if screening tests are positive. See our Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) travel bulletin.
• Be aware of the risks of hiring jet skis and motorcycles. Australian travellers continue to report harassment and threats of violence by jet ski operators on beaches across Thailand, and particularly in Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. You may be detained and arrested by police following jet ski and motorcycle accidents until compensation, often in thousands of dollars, can be negotiated between parties. Check your insurance cover if you intend to ride a motorcycle in Thailand when you are not licensed to ride one in Australia.
• Tourists may be exposed to scams and more serious criminal activity in Thailand. Be aware that food and drink spiking occurs in Thailand, including around popular backpacker destinations such as Khao San Road in Bangkok the night-time entertainment zones in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, and during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.
• Travellers planning to attend Full Moon parties at Koh Phangan or other locations should carefully consider personal safety issues and take appropriate precautions. See our Partying Overseas page for advice on the risks you may face when attending Full Moon parties and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
• Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty. The possession of even small quantities of "soft drugs" for recreational purposes can result in lengthy jail sentences.
• On 30 July 2015, Thai legislation banning commercial surrogacy came into effect. Australians are advised not to visit Thailand for the purpose of engaging in commercial surrogacy arrangements. See Laws.
• 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 areas, including terrorist attacks and bombings that result in deaths and injuries on an almost daily basis.
• Australians visiting Thailand on business should see our Advice to Australian business travellers.
• Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
• organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy. Remember that if you cannot afford travel insurance you cannot afford to travel to Thailand.
• register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency