November 30, 2025
South East Asia
Travel to the Chinese mainland for toursim and some businesses opened up again on 15 March '23. The region is generally easy and safe for both the business and recreational traveller, apart from Myanmar which remains unstable following the military coup of Febrary 2021. The military have systematically crushed civil resistance and the FCDO is currently advising against all but essential to Myanmar except for Yangon. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand present no significant issues to travellers. UK citizens can generally enter visa free for short stays. In the summer of 2025 conflict broke out between Thailand & Cambodia due to a border issue, the situation has calmed down but travellers should avoid the area in dispute. We assess that Thailand is heading for increased political turbulance and indeed the PM was removed by the high court in late 2025.
Current highlights:
- Indonesia: Over 400 dead in Sumatra floodings
- Hong Kong: Over 120 dead from housing fire
- Vietnam: Flooding kills over 90
- Indonesia: Increased volcanic activity Mout Semeru
- Myanmar: Mil retake large areas of territory
- Japan: Sanae Takaichi elected as PM
- Philippines: Earthquake strikes Cebu province
- Thailand/Cambodia: Land borders still shut - tensions remain.
- Vietnam: Typhoon Bualoi causes 11 deaths & extensive damage
- South Korea: Extensive flooding in south
- Thailand/Cambodia: Some border clashes despite ceasefire
- Philippines: Health issue in Manilla due to uncollected rubbish.
- Thailand: Some political protests continue
- Malaysia: Search for wreckage of MH 370 to start again
- Indonesia: Volcanic eruption on Flores island
- Vietnam: Increased risk of Dengue Fever in Hanoi
- Myanmar: Army loses major town to Karen rebels
- Taiwan: Elevated Dengue Fever threat
- Laos & Vietnam: Dengue Fever risk
- Cambodia: Water shortage in some cities
- Philippines: Increased terrorism threat in Mindanao Province
