1. Southeast Asia Security Risk
There is an increased, global risk of terrorism. No country is immune from a terrorist attack, and no
person is immune from becoming a victim of an attack. Terrorists have little regard for civilian
casualties and in many cases, attacks are designed to maximise casualties. Although travellers may
not be targeted deliberately, they are usually indistinguishable from any “Western” tourist and frequent
places where other Western tourists are found. This puts visitors at the same risk as others.
Wherever you are, you should keep yourself informed about the latest alerts and stay aware of your
surroundings in areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as shopping malls, markets,
monuments, demonstrations and on any public transport. Kidnappings and bombings have been the
hallmark of several groups operating in the southern Philippines such as the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group. In Indonesia members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (which allegedly has
links to Al Qaeda) have been charged with responsibility for the Bali Bombings in 2002 and 2005.
There is a risk of kidnapping of foreigners travelling to the islands and coastal areas in Eastern Sabah
(from Kudat in the north around eastwards to Tawau) by the Abu Sayyaf Group operating out of the
Philippines. Other countries in Southeast Asia, particularly those with Islamic populations, have
terrorism concerns. Accordingly, there is now a region-wide warning out about the possibility of
terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia.
Extreme risk
Destinations in Southeast Asia where advise against all travel
Philippines Throughout Mindanao. Sulu Archipelago including Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi island
groups
High risk
Destinations in Southeast Asia where advise against tourist and other non-essential travel
Cambodia Cambodia/Thailand border region in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple
Indonesia
Malaysia coastal areas and offshore Islands and dive sites remote from the main towns of eastern
Sabah (from Kudat in the North and around the coast to Tawau)
Burma (Myanmar) along the borders with China, Laos and Thailand
Thailand provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla, Thailand/Cambodia border in the
vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn), and Thailand/Burma border areas
Some risk
Destinations in Southeast Asia where advise caution
Cambodia except for Cambodia/Thailand border region in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (high
risk)
Malaysia except for areas in eastern Sabah listed as (high risk)
Burma (Myanmar) except along the borders with China, Laos and Thailand (high risk)
Philippines except Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago including Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi island
groups (extreme risk)
Singapore
Thailand except provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla, Thailand/Cambodia border in
the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn), and Thailand/Burma border areas (high risk)
Timor-Leste
Destinations in Southeast Asia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cambodia

2. • Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Viet Nam