Foreign Office issues urgent travel warning for Thailand urging Brits to avoid areas

The Foreign Office has issued an urgent travel warning to Brits advising against "all but essential travel" to parts of Thailand. In its latest update, the Government body has urged travellers to avoid certain areas of the country amid the threat of heavy rains, flooding and terrorist attacks.

Not only could visiting these locations prove dangerous but your travel insurance could also be invalidated if you travel against Foreign Office advice.

The no-go areas include parts of the south near the Thailand-Malaysia border due to "regular terrorist attacks" and northern Thailand where it is currently experiencing "widespread flooding".

On the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website, it said: "FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border."

This includes:

• Pattani province
• Yala province
• Narathiwat province
• Southern Songkhla Province - south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

"FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces," the FCDO said. "This is due to regular terrorist attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia."

Going into more detail, it added: "There are regular terrorist attacks in the four provinces in the southern tip of Thailand by the border with Malaysia.

"However, terrorist attacks could take place anywhere in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities."

In regard to the heavy rains and flooding, the FCDO advised against visiting the city of Chiang Mai or areas near the Ping River.

It said: "Thailand is currently facing heavy rains and flooding in parts of the country, including widespread flooding in northern Thailand. Local authorities have issued warnings related to areas near the Ping River, including in central Chiang Mai. Remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities."

The FCDO also warns that Thailand has a high number of road traffic accidents, particularly with motorcycles, urging visitors to take caution when driving there. The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranks Thailand as one of the world's deadliest countries for fatalities on motorcycles.