Borneo standoff ends

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 March 2013: Malaysian police said Monday they had cleared a remote village at the heart of a month-long incursion by Filipino Islamists as another gunman was killed, raising the toll in the crisis to 63.

But the remaining followers of a self-styled Philippine Sultan were still being hunted in a neighbouring village and surrounding farmland a week after Malaysia sent in the army to root them out.

Last week, travel advisories were issued by various countries, warning citizens to avoid Sabah.

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Bangkok bookings on track

BANGKOK, 22 February 2012: Tourism Authority of Thailand is communicating with overseas travel agencies to assess booking trends in the wake of last week’s bomb and grenade incident in a Bangkok residential district, according to TAT deputy governor for Asia and South Pacific, Sansern Ngao-rangsri.

Mr Sansern claims feedback from all 22 TAT overseas offices was positive with no signs of cancellations. TAT officials overseas were told to contact leading travel companies to gain first-hand knowledge.

“In the short-term, there have been no booking cancellations, but we will continue to monitor the markets daily,” said Mr Sansern.

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China lifts advisory on Thailand travel

BANGKOK, 2 December 2011: Both China and Singapore have lifted travel advisories on Thailand, while most  other Asian nations have reduced warnings to a cautionary level, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand deputy governor for Asia and South Pacific, Sansern Ngao-rangsri.

Mr Sansern reported earlier in the week that both China and Singapore had lifted travel warning since 23 November.

“I believe that Chinese market will bounce back faster than other markets as just two days after the advisory was lifted travel agents were already sending groups to Thailand,” said Mr Sansern. Read more

Phuket travel chief knocks advisories

BANGKOK, 23 November 2011: Travel warnings on Thailand’s flood should be lifted or reduced as the situation is now returning to normal Phuket Tourist Association president, Somboon Jirayus claimed Tuesday.

But his call is unlikely to be heeded by more than 30 countries that are currently warning citizens to avoid Bangkok and nearby provinces.

The warnings cite inconvenience, limited road access out of the capital, public health issues and a possible shortage of drinking water and even medicine. Read more

UK riots prompt warnings

BANGKOK, 11 August 2011 – Riots in London raised concerns for the safety of tourists travelling to the UK as the violence spread to other major cities in the country on Thursday.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned citizens planning trips to the UK to “keep an eye on media reports,” and recommended travellers to visit its website for updates or travel advisories.

Airlines and travel agents are concerned that if riots are not contained this week, it will dampen travel demand during August a traditional peak for travel to the UK. Read more

Travel warnings ease on Kashmir

SRINAGAR, 27 July 2011 – In a boost to insurgency-hit Indian Kashmir’s tourism industry, Germany said on Monday it had changed its travel advisory for its nationals to say foreigners were not a “target”.

Germany has become the first foreign country to amend its travel advisory following a sharp decline in militant violence in the scenic Himalayan region.

“The travel advisory issued by the FFO (Federal Foreign Office) for German nationals travelling to the region (Kashmir) has been revised,” German embassy spokesman Jens Urban said said in a faxed message. Read more

HK widens black alert on Japan

HONG KONG, 16 March 2011 – Hong Kong has widened its top-level black travel alert to three more Japanese prefectures after explosions at a nuclear plant in the quake-stricken country deepened concerns of a meltdown.

The warning, announced late Tuesday, advises Hong Kong citizens to avoid travel to affected areas amid rising concerns about dangerous radiation seeping from the stricken facility about 250 km northeast of Tokyo.

“In view of the seriousness and uncertainty of the incident of the nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, the government has extended the Black Outbound Travel Alert from one prefecture to four prefectures,” a government statement said.

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UK territory hit by travel advisory

LONDON, 30 August 2010 – Australia, New Zealand and the United States have all issued cautionary warnings to travellers visiting North Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.

The warnings follow three bomb blasts, earlier this month, linked to political demonstrations.

New Zealand’s travel advisory wet as far as to suggest citizens avoid travelling to Northern Ireland fearing they could be caught up in protests and demonstrations that have turned violent.

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Mixed bag of advisories

Bangkok 16 June, 2010 – Tourism Authority of Thailand reports that only Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates still prohibit citizens from travelling to Thailand. Other nations have softened their advisories or lowered the alert level.

As of 11 June, there were 46 countries that posted travel advisories on Thailand, of which 22 issued warned citizens to exercise caution when travelling in Thailand.

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Bangkok war zone off limits

SYDNEY, May 19, 2010 (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, on Wednesday warned travellers not to visit Bangkok, saying security in the Thai capital had deteriorated significantly as the army clashed with protesters.

Travel advisories have been issued by 50 nations all warning against non-essential travel to Thailand. Read more

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