Using Smarttraveller as the
reference, Australia’s official travel advisory body, it was interesting to
note that only Afghanistan, warranted a “Do Not Travel” listing for Asia – the
highest security level offered. Of course that Afghanistan is listed is hardly
surprising.
In the level two category
“reconsider your need to travel” in Asia there were two listings – the Kyrgyz Republic and Pakistan. However in
the third level of caution – “exercise a high degree of caution” – was
Bangladesh, Burma, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, East Timor, India,
Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
As Crisp did, I thought of my
experiences in these places – I’ve been to seven of the 12 “high degree of
caution” Asian places and am due to visit another next month. It was
interesting, having been to some of these places, to see if the risks are
indeed valid and/or if they would prevent me from considering traveling there
again.
Let’s take a look, starting with
those in the level two category. “Reconsider your need to travel” is defined by
smarttraveller as:
There is a high level of risk in
the country/area. This may be due to a very high threat of terrorist attack or
a volatile and unpredictable security situation. If you are already in a
destination where we advise you “reconsider your need to travel” and you are
concerned about the security situation, you should consider leaving.
Kyrgyz Republic
We advise you to reconsider your
need to travel in the Kyrgyz Republic because of the volatile and unpredictable
security situation, especially in the south of the country. There is also a
risk of terrorist attack, and high levels of serious crime.
The security situation remains
fluid and subject to change at short notice, there is potential for violence.
If you do decide to travel to the Kyrgyz Republic, you should exercise extreme
caution.
You should avoid demonstrations,
street rallies and public gatherings as they may turn violent.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek and Kyrgyz-Tajik border areas (in the south and south-west) and the Ferghana Valley. The security situation there is volatile and there are frequent incidents of violent crime, varying levels of civil unrest and reports of terrorist activity. The affected area includes the cities of Osh, Jalalabad and Batken. Landmines are also a risk in uncontrolled border areas.
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek and Kyrgyz-Tajik border areas (in the south and south-west) and the Ferghana Valley. The security situation there is volatile and there are frequent incidents of violent crime, varying levels of civil unrest and reports of terrorist activity. The affected area includes the cities of Osh, Jalalabad and Batken. Landmines are also a risk in uncontrolled border areas.
Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office recommends against all non-essential travel to some areas,
please check with your relevant national government.
My experience: None. But read Lonely Planet (again) and they rave about it:
Kyrgyzstan may be small, it may
be often overlooked but, just like the players in a game of kok boru, this
tenacious nation packs a powerful wallop and may yet run off with the prize as
Central Asia’s most appealing and accessible republic.
ü
Might put it
on the travel list when things improve.
Pakistan
We strongly advise you to
reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high
threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, sectarian violence and the
unpredictable security situation.
Australians in all parts of
Pakistan should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations as they may turn
violent and could be targeted at perceived western interests.
Kidnapping and assassination of
foreigners remains a threat throughout the country, particularly in
Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly the North West Frontier Province) and
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
There is a very high threat of terrorist
attack against places in Pakistan that are frequented by Australians and other
Westerners. Possible targets include diplomatic missions and other premises in
the diplomatic enclave, hotels (particularly hotels catering to Westerners),
restaurants, clubs, religious sites and places of worship, shopping centres or
shopping areas, banks, airports and educational facilities including
universities and international schools. These attacks could include Western or
Australian interests and occur at anytime, anywhere in Pakistan.
My experience: None, however I’ve glimpsed Pakistan from China
and India and it is high on my list of places to visit. I also have met
numerous travellers who have raved about their experiences. The India/Pakistan
violence is another issue of concern for travellers (covered in the section
below). This is covered in a slightly light handed fashion by Michael Palin’s
Himalaya series about the nationalist displays at the India/Pakistan border
which are definitely worth seeing:
X
Bangladesh
There have been a number of
terrorist incidents in recent years in Bangladesh. Security agencies continue
to apprehend people connected to terrorist organisations. Further attacks are
possible, including against Western interests. There is a risk foreigners could
be caught up in attacks directed at others.
Violence has traditionally been
characteristic of Bangladeshi politics.
Criminal violence and armed
robbery are common in Bangladesh.
My experience: None but it does seem accounts of Bangladesh in the
news are usually on account of political violence or disaster. However it might
be worth noting this account from Lonely Planet on
that score:
In late 2007 a rumbling occurred
deep in the tropical waters of the Bay of Bengal. Within hours of Cyclone Sidr
smashing into southwest Bangladesh, the world’s media and aid organisations
were on the move and Bangladesh was about to find herself wrenched back out of
obscurity and once again presented to the global community as a classic ‘basket
case’ (as Henry Kissinger once described the country) of disaster. The pictures
and stories that emerged from Bangladesh at that time portrayed an entire
nation on its knees, but this was only a half-truth for within hours of the
storm hitting, the majority of the country was back on its feet and
operational. This wasn’t the first time that Bangladesh had been dismissed as a
no-hope nation, and it probably won’t be the last.
Burma
We advise you to exercise a high
degree of caution in Burma because of the uncertain security situation and
possibility of civil unrest.
Pay close attention to your
personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about
possible new safety or security risks.
Protests and organising
assemblies of people are illegal in Burma. You should avoid all demonstrations
and street rallies as they may turn violent. You should avoid taking
photographs of demonstrations, the military or police as this may not be
tolerated by the Burmese authorities.
The frequency of bomb attacks in
Burma has increased, including in Rangoon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. Attacks
have occurred or have been planned in areas frequented by tourists and
expatriates, including shopping centres, supermarkets, markets, hotels,
transportation hubs, on public transport, including taxis, and other public
places. Further attacks could occur at any time.
My experience: I’ve been to Burma a few times and yes, I’ll be
back. I’ve travelled into areas experiencing civil conflict and to border
regions with China, Laos and Thailand that are warned against if you read
further on Smart Traveller.
There’s certainly a strong
military contingent in these areas but I never felt unsafe but I was sensible
and sensitive to the situation. I wouldn’t recommend visiting these areas.
Safety seemed no different than
in other Asian states in the major cities but there certainly are rumblings and
warnings you hear from other travelers and locals. This has been
addressed in
some other posts, as has the ethical debate for travellers about whether to
visit Burma or not.
From Tony Wheeler’s Bad
Lands:
Suu Kyi continues to languish
under house arrest, another uprising was quashed with ferocity in 2007, and the
disastrous Cyclone Nargis in 2008 gave the government the opportunity to prove,
yet again, that they can score 10 out of 10 for oppression and economic
incompetence, but zero when it comes to providing useful assistance to their
people.
You no doubt know that Myanmar is
a troubled land. In 2011, following the previous year’s election, a
quasi-civilian government was sworn in and Aung San Suu Kyi had been released
from house arrest. The tourism boycott that persuaded many to steer clear of
the country for over a decade has been lifted. It’s still up to you to decide
whether it’s time to visit. Keep in mind that the long-suffering people are
everything the regime is not. Gentle, humorous, engaging, considerate,
inquisitive and passionate, they want to play a part in the world, and to know
what you make of their world.
Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea
Summary from smarttraveller:
We advise you to exercise a high
degree of caution in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) because
of the restrictions placed on foreigners and the very different laws and
regulations on your behaviour. See Local travel and Laws for details.
DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-il died on
17 December 2011. Australians in the DPRK should continue to monitor
developments closely because of the risk that tensions on the Korean Peninsula
could escalate with little warning.
Relations between the Republic of
Korea (ROK) and DPRK were very tense following an exchange of artillery fire on
23 November 2010 across the Northern Limit Line, a disputed border, in the West
Sea (Yellow Sea) off the coast of DPRK. We advise against travel to the
Northern Limit Line Islands.
From Tony Wheeler’s Bad
Lands:
Meanwhile in North Korea, Kim
Jong-il underlines that there’s more than one crazy out there, alternating
between threatening rants and holding out his begging bowl to the same people
he’s been menacing. On the other hand there have been some faint signs of the
North Korean population realising that their loving father figure isn’t quite
as astoundingly competent as he claims – a disastrous demonetisation scheme in
2009 prompted public outrage.
My experience: None.
East Timor
We advise you to exercise a high
degree of caution in East Timor because of the uncertain security situation and
the possibility of civil unrest. The situation could deteriorate without
warning.
The second round of the
Presidential election is scheduled to be held on 16 April 2012. Parliamentary
elections are scheduled to be held on 7 July 2012. There may be an increase in
political tension in the lead up to these national elections.
You should avoid demonstrations,
street rallies and other large public gatherings as they may turn violent.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
Medical facilities are extremely
limited and evacuation, at significant expense, is often the only option in
cases of serious illness or accident.
My experience: I’m heading there next week and for the first
time I actually registered on Smartertraveller.
India
We advise you to exercise a high
degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terrorist
activity by militant groups.
Pay close attention to your
personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about
possible new safety or security risks. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere
at any time in India with little or no warning.
Possible targets include public
places in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities, areas frequented by
tourists (such as hotels, markets, tourist sites and transport hubs), Indian
security and political interests and other locations identified under Safety
and Security: Terrorism. Major secular and religious holidays could provide
terrorist groups an opportunity or pretext to stage an attack.
A number of terrorist attacks in
India have resulted in significant casualties. For example, in 2008, over 170
people were killed and more than 300 were injured in a series of coordinated
terrorist attacks targeting places frequented by Westerners in Mumbai.
Australians were among the casualties. More recent attacks causing significant
casualties have occurred in Varanasi in December 2010, Mumbai in July 2011 and
New Delhi in September 2011.
Violent protests and
demonstrations occur frequently throughout India. Australians are urged to
avoid protests, to monitor international and local media, and to follow the
instructions of local authorities.
Parts of India are subject to
earthquakes, flooding and cyclones. In the event of a natural disaster it is
likely that severe disruptions to services may occur. See under Natural
disasters, severe weather and climate for more information.
Due to the risk of harassment and
assault, women travelling alone should take particular care in all parts of
India. See under Crime for more information.
Note: There is a long list of
warnings further to this summary that is well worth reading if you plan to
visit India.
My experience: I’ve been to India countless times and lived
there for a two year period during the worst of the skirmishes with Pakistan in
the late 90s and early 00s. I even visited neighbouring states with Pakistan
during this time.
Problems: zero. But there was a
lot of military around and obviously the troops were on high alert. Most of the
problems I’ve had in India have come from food/water hygiene, in the form of
sexual harassment and petty theft. I’ve probably used up most of my nine lives
on various forms of road traffic in India as well. It’s not the safest place to
travel but I will be back later this year.
Watch this space for
the next installment.
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