whosyourdaddy Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand The Advice was issued on Thursday 29 May 2003 19:54:50 Australians in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, should exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners. Threats against Australians and Australian interests in Thailand are high, and we continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks. Security at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok is being strengthened as a precautionary measure. Australians should avoid public demonstrations and maintain a high level of personal security awareness. Thailand has imposed quarantine requirements for persons suspected to have Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Safety and Security Threats against Australians and Australian interests in Thailand are high and Australians in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, should exercise extreme caution. We continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks. Security at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok is being strengthened as a precautionary measure. Particular care should be exercised in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners such as but not limited to - shopping and related centres, clubs, discotheques, hotels including budget accommodation, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and around premises and buildings associated with foreign governments. Australians in Thailand should avoid public demonstrations and monitor carefully developments that might affect their safety, including the risk of kidnapping. Travellers should exercise additional caution when travelling near the Burma/Thai border given ongoing conflict and banditry along some sections of this border. This includes conflict between the Burmese military and armed opposition groups as well as clashes between Thai security forces and armed criminal groups, such as drug traffickers. Tourists should obtain up-to-date local advice from the local Tourist Police or other local tourism or security officials on the safety of travel to specific areas along the border. Travel in border areas at night and camping in undesignated areas in national parks should be avoided. Australians travelling to border areas should be escorted by a reputable tourist guide. There have also been occasional reports of banditry and violence along isolated parts of the borders with both Cambodia and Laos. Travellers should exercise caution and only cross into both countries at designated international border crossings with the required travel documentation. Travellers should also exercise additional caution in the far southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Pattani. Recent incidents have included the murder of several policemen and members of the military, as well as the theft of military weapons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 The message is quite clear. If you're from Oz, don't come to Thailand!!! Maybe go to Bali instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 At last count we had 129 countries on THE list so leaves us 60 odd countries we can visit at the moment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbaron Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Most of that warning hasn't changed in years, especially the Burmese border stuff. As tb says, the Aussie embassy is quick to warn about ANY country. Don't know why, reminds me of the boy who cried wolf.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Says Redbaron: Most of that warning hasn't changed in years, especially the Burmese border stuff. As tb says, the Aussie embassy is quick to warn about ANY country. Don't know why, reminds me of the boy who cried wolf.... I know some people who work in a sensetive area in Canberra, plus several academics who specialise in security and terrorism, plus I ponder this alot in my own studies. Since Bali, questions were raised concerning the adequacy of warnings which were given around the time. I feel the DFAT is not keen to give people the chance to repeat those acusations. What's more, the stakes are very high when dealing with a subject like security, so I feel its better to err on the side of caution, again so people cant say "I told you so". It wouldnt really stop me from travelling in SE Asia at the moment though, I still feel safer there than in alot of other places. Cheers Jaga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
think_too_mut Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 >The Advice was issued on Thursday 29 May 2003 19:54:50 The title on the article in The Sydney Morning Herald was: "The World is Small, and Getting Smaller"...then the list where not to go, 129 countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Yeah I got one telling me not to travel to Saudi Arabia! Now that's one you don't mind heeding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 I got one telling me not to travel to Saudi Arabia! Well I haven't had one telling to leave Saudi yet, so I guess its ok once your here. :: These warnings are just goverments covering their arse .. A bunch of bollocks IMO. Cheers K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 I'm an Aussie and I work in Thailand in the travel industry and this annoys me SO much!!! First the war... then SARS... now this! Thailand is the country where I feel safest in the world. Typical of the Australian Government though... :onfire: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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