The FCO has advised against all travel to Bangkok, Thailand due to the worsening political situation and associated unrest. Scores of people have been killed as teh Army tries to disperse Red Shirt supporters. The situation may well get worse, a military coup to stabilse the situation is a distinct possibility. The Thai Prime Minister has promised fresh elections in the autumn and the country is likely to remain turbelent for some time. On a seperate issue, travellers should avoid the southern provinces were terrorism remains a serious threat.    

Relations between Colombia and Venzuela deteriorate, Ven' president Hugo Chavez tells his army to prepare for war, visitors are advised to monitor the situation closely. War is highly unlikely but tension will continue and opposition to Chavez's tenure in growing within Venezuela. 

Since 2009 there has been considerable civil unrest in many of the South African township, these areas should be avoided as attacks on African immigrants is likely to continue. Unrest in the township is likely to increase during the World Cup as locals use the presence of the world's media to hightlight continuing poor living standards.    

 Travellers to Northern Mexico need to take great care as the crime rate is rapidly increasing due to rise of drug related  violence, many towns close to the US border are high risk areas.    

Whilst Kenya is relatively stable at present, the ruling coalition is weak and fractured and we fear that poitical violence will return in 2010. A referendum is due on constitution on 4 Aug and 5 people werre killed in an explosion on 14 June.Travellers should be aware of the situation is fragile.     

Bird Flu (H5N1) continues to spread across the globe, but at present it is not posing a serious risk to travellers. Travellers are urged to avoid live poulty markets in SE Asia and to continue to check for developments on www.who.int and www.fco.gov.uk.  If you are travelling in an area where an outbreak occurs seek advise immediatly and simple precautions such as the use of alcohol hand gels are strongly recommended to prevent infection.

Objective continues to be concerned over the continued threat of a terrorist attack against tourists in Thailand.  Whilst to date Islamist attacks have been confined to the southern provinces, intellligence assessments are warning of the growing possibility of attacks against the major cities and popular beach resorts. Objective would urge travellers to avoid very popular nightclubs and restaurants in the most popuar beach resorts.  In late Oct 09 there has been an increase on attcks against railways in southeren Thailand.

The threat from terrorism is Indonesia is also high, please check FCO and Australian government web sites for advise.   

The terrorist threat level in Ski Lanka has decreased following the end of the civil war but we still advise against travel to the post conflict areas of north and east of the country.  

Terrorism remains an ongoing problem in some areas of India, travellers are urged to research the current situation. Maoist attacks are increasing in scale and diversity, attackes concentrated in W Bengal, Assam and Chhattisgarth.  

In South America, Central America and South East Asia there has been a  dramatic rise in cases of dengue fever, the virus is caused by mosquitos which bite in the day time  Symptons are headaches, nausea and sore joints.   The best form of protection is using insect repellant with a high DEET content & covering up to prevent being bitten. No vaccinne is available. If concerned see a doctor immediately.  In the vast majority of cases a full recovery occurrs within a month. In Feb 2010 significant outbreaks of the disease have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil and coastal regions of Ecuador.  See www.who.int  for details and advice.