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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Local Travel section (Princess Galyani Vadhana) and Health section (avian influenza poultry outbreaks in Nakhon Sawan and Pichit Provinces, in the west-central region of Thailand). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
SUMMARY
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We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. There continue to be frequent attacks, including bombing and shooting, due to insurgency and civil unrest in these areas. See the Terrorism sectionof this advice for more details.
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There is a high threat from terrorism in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There were a number of bomb explosions in Bangkok in 2007. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
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General elections took place in Thailand on 23 December 2007. The political situation in Thailand is uncertain. You should exercise caution and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. You should also keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this advice. See the Political situation section of this advice for more details.
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Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.
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Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Thailand have resulted in a small number of human fatalities. The last fatality was 2006. See the Health (Avian Influenza) section of this advice and the FCO’s Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet.
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Around 850,000 British nationals visited Thailand in 2006 (Tourism Authority of Thailand figure). The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Thailand in 2006 were for: replacing lost or stolen passports (over 750 cases); deaths, mostly from road accidents or related to drink/drugs (over 250 cases); and hospitalisations (over 200 cases). The majority of consular cases occur in Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui.
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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 all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Terrorism/Security
There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should exercise caution at all times.
On 31 December 2006, a series of bomb explosions in Bangkok killed three people and injured at least 36 others, including six foreigners. Since then there have been a number of attacks in Bangkok, with motives which remain unclear. Most have been small and caused no casualties.
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 almost daily attacks in the far south. These include arson, bombings and shootings. Targets have included civilians and members of the security forces, government office, tourist hotels, discotheques and bars, shops, marketplaces, supermarkets, schools, transport infrastructure and trains. Over 2,500 people have been killed and several thousand more injured. No British nationals have been killed in these attacks, but some other foreign nationals have been killed and injured.
There is a state of emergency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Martial law remains in place in these provinces. Security authorities can detain suspects without charge, censor the media, conduct searches and seize documents. Martial law is also in place in the Chana and Thepha districts of Songkhla province.
If you are considering travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Thailand, you should seriously reflect on whether or not your journey is absolutely necessary. If you do decide to go ahead with your trip you are advised to regularly review your own and your family’s security arrangements.
Elsewhere in the region, Westerners were killed and injured following terrorist attacks in Indonesia; in Bali (October 2002 and October 2005) and Jakarta (August 2003 and September 2004). The extremist group Jamaah Islamiyah is thought to be responsible for these bombings. The Thai authorities have arrested a number of terrorist suspects, most notably a senior leader of Jemaah Islamiyah.
Political Situation
On 19 September 2006, there was a coup against the Thai civilian government and martial law was imposed throughout the country. Martial law has since been lifted in 41 provinces including Bangkok but it remains in 35 other provinces. An interim Prime Minister was appointed on 1 October 2006.
General elections took place in Thailand on 23 December 2007, but the political situation in Thailand remains uncertain. You should exercise caution and avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings of people. You should also keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this advice.
Crime
Five British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January 2006.
Watch out for crimes of opportunity. You shoud take sensible precautions and be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers.
We receive regular reports of credit card fraud after shop employees have copied card details. You are advised not to lose sight of your credit card during transactions.
There has been a number of incidents where tourists have had their drinks drugged (in both tourist areas and red light districts). You should be careful about taking drinks from strangers and be wary at clubs and parties, particularly in the Koh Samui area and at the Full Moon party on Phangan Island where incidences of date rape have been reported. A number of British nationals have suffered severe psychiatric problems as a result of drug use, in a small number of cases resulting in suicide.
We receive occasional reports of tourists who have been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases their drinks were drugged. Ensure that your passport and wallet are secure at all times.
We continue to receive reports of sexual offences committed against foreign women and men. In January 2006, three British women were raped in separate incidents in Thailand, including one who was murdered. Female travellers in particular should maintain a high state of personal awareness during their time in Thailand. For more information see Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas
You should report any incidents of crime to the Thai police before leaving the country.
LOCAL TRAVEL
The King's sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana, died on 2 January 2008. The Princess' body will lie in the Dusit Throne Room in the Grand Palace in Bangkok until approximately the end of March. Members of the public have been invited to pay their respects so larger than usual numbers of people can be are expected in and around the Grand Palace.
As noted in the Terrorism/Security section of this travel advice, there has been a resurgence of violence in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. This has included attempts to sabotage the railways and lethal attacks on public buses. We recommend against all but essential travel to, or through, these four provinces.
Thai to Burma Border
The main towns along the order with Burma are generally safe. However, if you plan to travel to remoter areas you should exercise particular care. There is sporadic conflict on the Burmese side between Government soldiers and armed opposition troops, some of whom cross the border into Thailand to seek refuge. There are also occasional clashes between the Thai security forces and armed criminal groups, such as drug traffickers who operate in these areas. Outside the main towns, police and military checkpoints are actively manned and travellers may be asked to produce identification. If you wish to visit border areas outside the main towns you should consult the local authorities for advice on the current situation at: http://www.tourismthailand.org/.
Do not attempt to cross the border into Burma other than at an official border checkpoint and after obtaining any relevant permissions/ visas from the Burmese and Thai authorities. You are recommended to consult the FCO travel advice for Burma.
Travelling to Cambodia
There are two legal land border crossing points into and out of Cambodia for foreigners: Srakaew Province to Poipet, open daily 07:30 hours to 20:00 hours; and Klong Yai at Had Lek, Trad Province to Koh Kong, open daily 07:00 hours to 20:00 hours. British nationals need a visa for Cambodia. You are recommended to consult the FCO travel advice for Cambodia.
Crossing to Laos
Visas are available at the principal entry points, the Thai to Lao Friendship Bridge, Luang Prabang and Vientiane Airports, on payment of 30 American Dollars cash and provision of a passport photograph. If you intend to enter at any other entry point then you will need to get a visa in advance. You should also be aware that not all entry points are open to foreigners. You are recommended to consult the FCO travel advie for Laos.
Road Travel
An international or Thai driving licence is required to drive in Thailand.
Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand can be dangerous. On average 38 people a day die in motorcycle accidents in Thailand. You should take the same safety precautions as in the UK. The Thai law that safety helmets must be worn is widely ignored: a contributing factor in many tourist deaths each year.
The motorcycles or scooters available for hire in beach resorts are often unregistered and cannot, consequently, be used legally on a public road. Before you hire a vehicle you should check your travel insurance policy carefully to ensure that you are covered and check the small print of the lease agreement carefully. You should never hand over your passport as a guarantee against returning a motor scooter or cycle. Unscrupulous owners have been known to hold on to passports against claimed damage to the motor scooter or cycle.
Riding ‘Quad-bikes’ can also be dangerous. You should also note that it is illegal to drive these on the roads in Thailand despite the fact that they are available to hire on the roadside.
Air Travel
Don Muang Airport (the old international airport) re-opened for some domestic flights on 25 April 2007. You should check with your airline which airport your flight will arrive at and depart from.
Orient Thai 1-2 Go Flight number OG269 from Bangkok to Phuket crashed on landing at Phuket airport on Sunday 16 September 2007. Over 80 people were killed, including 10 British Nationals.
Sea/River Travel
There has been a number of instances of passenger boats sinking, usually due to overloading and/or poor maintenance. During the full moon party speedboats to and from Koh Pha Ngan are often severely overloaded. You should exercise care at all times when travelling by passenger ferry or speedboat and avoid travel on vessels that are clearly overloaded or in poor condition. You should also ensure that life jackets are available.
You should take care when swimming/diving/kayaking or white water rafting in rivers or close to waterfalls, particularly in the rainy season from May to October. Currents are extremely strong.
Swimming
You should take particular care when swimming off coastal areas, especially during monsoon season (November-March in Koh Samui and the south-east of the Thai peninsula and May - October in the remainder of Thailand). Strong riptides have resulted in a number of drownings in several areas including Phuket, Koh Chang, Hua Hin/Cha-am, Rayong and Pattaya and the Samui archipelago. Always comply with warning signs, especially red flags, and only swim from approved beaches. Jellyfish can swim close to the shore, particularly during the rainy season from May to October. Their sting can be fatal. If in doubt take local advice e.g. from hotel management, dive centres.
Water sports and scuba diving
If you choose to rent Jet Skis or any other type of water sports equipment, you should first consider the dangers involved and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. Once satisfied about this, rent only from reputable operators and insist on sufficient training before use. Also ensure that the operator is licensed and has adequate insurance cover.
The standards maintained by diving schools and rescue services are not always as high and comprehensive as they might be in the UK. Check a dive operator's credentials carefully before using them and ensure that your insurance covers you for all of the activities that you undertake. If you are an experienced diver you should purchase dive specific insurance and check that your qualifications and experience fall within the cover provided. You should contact your issuing authority (ie. PADI or BSAC) if you are in any doubt. If you have had no previous diving experience you should ask your dive operator to explain what cover they offer before signing up for a course; you should also be satisfied that sufficient safety equipment is available on the boat, particularly oxygen. You should also ask about contingency plans, which should include the ability to call for help whilst at sea and to evacuate divers to the nearest hyperbaric chamber if necessary.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Never become involved with drugs of any kind in Thailand. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment. If you are found guilty of being in possession of marijuana you are likely to receive a long prison sentence plus a hefty fine. Amphetamines and Ecstasy are regarded as class A drugs and possession or trafficking of them carries the same penalties as, for example, heroin. If you are found guilty of being in possession of 20 grams, or more, of a class A drug at a point of exit from Thailand you will most likely be sentenced to death.
It is illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. The importation of more than 200 cigarettes will be met with a heavy fine and the confiscation of the cigarettes.
By law, tourists are expected to carry their passports with them at all times in Thailand. There have been incidents where tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passport.
It is a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments about the King or other members of the Royal family in Thailand. This offence is punishable by a sentence of three to fifteen years or longer.
Thai family law is very different from UK law and particular caution is needed when, for example, child custody becomes an issue. Please see International Child Abduction.
For more general advice for different types of travellers see the: Travel Checklists.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visa Requirements
British passport holders may enter Thailand for up to 30 days, without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival. If you intend to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days, or you intend to work in the country, you must obtain an extension of stay or a valid visa. This visa free entry, of up to 30 days per visit, is limited to a maximum of 90 days in any six month (180-day) period. However, time spent in Thailand on a tourist visa issued by a Thai Embassy or Consulate does not count towards the 90-day limit.
Overstaying without the proper authority is a serious matter and you can be held in detention until a fine is paid. The only legal way of obtaining a new visa, entry permit or extension of stay is from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, an Immigration Officer at a point of entry into Thailand or one of the Immigration Offices around the country.
Visas issued by visa shops, travel agents or by any other means are likely to be illegal and lead to criminal proceedings, which may result in a large fine or imprisonment. You would also be prohibited from entering Thailand again.
Entry to Thailand is normally refused if you have a passport with less than six months’ validity. Entry is also normally refused if your passport is damaged, or if pages are missing from your passport.
Employment in Thailand
You need a work permit, which is difficult to obtain and time consuming, in order to work legally in Thailand. If you enter Thailand on a tourist visa you are not allowed to take up employment. Failure to observe this rule can lead to arrest and deportation.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country, or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Thai authorities do not require such evidence, but if you have any concerns please check with Thai representation in the UK.
HEALTH
There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok but they can be expensive. Ordinary hospitals and clinics in Thailand are not always up to UK standards. This applies particularly to the coastal islands and many mainland districts outside of Bangkok, where hospitals and clinics are not equipped to deal with major trauma. Many hospitals require guarantee of payment for the hospital bills before they will begin treatment. You should complete next of kin details in the back of your passports.
Dengue fever is endemic to Thailand, there is no vaccination or immunisation. The rainy season, which is the peak season for dengue fever, runs from May to October. Since January 2005 the number of cases of dengue in Thailand, and in particular Southern Thailand, has increased sharply with several thousand cases and some deaths being reported.
Thailand has a significant level of HIV infection and AIDS. Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections and HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes.
You should take necessary precautions to prevent diarrhoea including boiling water before drinking, or using bottled water.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on vaccination requirements for Thailand.
For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Thailand you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel
Avian Influenza
There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in domestic poultry and wild birds in Thailand. Most recently, in January 2008 the Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak in Nakhon Sawan, in the west-central region of Thailand. The outbreaks have led to a small number of human fatalities believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry. Thai authorities have also announced that a human fatality occurred in Nong Bua Lumphu Province (north eastern Thailand) on 10 August 2007. Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution, you should avoid visiting 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.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if a virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people.
British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Monsoon Season
The rainy season in much of Thailand runs from May to October, with September and October being the height of the monsoon season. The rainy season in Koh Samui and the south east of the Thai peninsula runs from November to March.
Torrential rain and widespread flooding, which often result in flash floods and mudslides, are common throughout Thailand, including the southern tourist areas of Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. You should check with the Thai Meteorological Department ( www.tmd.go.th/en) for up-to-date information or with your tour operator before travelling to affected areas. If you are considering jungle trekking you should also ensure that you use reliable licensed tour guides.
When visiting Lake Caves, particularly during the rainy season, you should be aware that they are prone to dangerous flash flooding. On 13 October 2007 eight people died, including one British national at Khao Sok National Park following a flash flood.
GENERAL
Insurance
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 all the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
Registering with the British Embassy
If you are a British national and plan to stay for an extended period in Thailand you are strongly advised to register with the British Embassy in Bangkok upon arrival.
Purchasing Property
Before purchasing property anywhere in Thailand you are strongly advised to seek qualified legal advice from a source that is independent from the seller. British nationals purchasing property in Thailand are strongly recommended to deal only with established and reputable estate agents or with other contacts whom they know to be reliable and genuine, and to make all payments within bank premises and/or through banking channels.
Money
It is not possible to change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes anywhere in Thailand.
CONTACT DETAILS
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Address:
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British Embassy
14 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
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Telephone:
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+66 (0) 2 305 8333 Main Embassy line
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(66) (2) 305 8229 Consular information
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(66) (2) 305 8333 press 2 Visa information
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Facsimile:
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(66) (2) 305 8372 Chancery
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(66) (2) 255 8619 Commercial/information
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(66) (2) 255 9278 Management
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(66) (2) 255 6051 Consular
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(66) (2) 254 9579 Visa
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Office Hours:
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Local times shown (GMT +7 hours)
Visa Section:
Mon-Thurs: 0730-0930; Fri: 0730-1030
Consular Section:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1100 & 1300-1530; Fri: 0800-1200
All other sections:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1200 & 1245-1630; Fri: 0800-1300
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