Thailand: Overview

Travel Warning: Territorial Dispute - Security Concerns - Conflict in Southern Thailand - Myanmar Border

Thai and Cambodian soldiers are locked in a territorial stand-off at the site of an ancient Hindu temple which lies on the border. More than 500 Thai and 1000 Cambodian soldiers are stationed on either side of the Preah Vihear temple, and the UN Security Council has been called on to resolve the dispute. Thai troops were accused of crossing the Cambodian border, following Unesco's classification of the temple as a Cambodian World Heritage Site, a move which sparked tensions. Thai protestors were recently arrested by Cambodian authorities for crossing an immigration checkpoint near the site and attempting to plant a Thai flag. Travellers should avoid this region.

Most visits to Thailand are trouble-free but travellers should be aware that there are serious security concerns in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla due to ongoing violent insurgency. On 15 March, a car bomb exploded in the parking lot of a Pattani hotel, killing two people and injuring 13. The Thai-Myanmar border is also potentially volatile.

Following the general election in December, Thailand has returned to democratic rule under a coalition government, but travellers should still exercise caution, and avoid political rallies and demonstrations in the capital.

For more information go to Safe Travel or for the latest on what travellers are saying check out our Thorn Tree forum .

severity: High-level alert