Travel Advice and Warnings

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently believe that criminal elements and terrorists are continuing with plans to kidnap foreign tourists from the islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah. Action taken by the Philippines Armed Forces in January 2007 against terrorist groups in the southern Philippines may heighten this risk. Visitors are advised to be extra vigilant when travelling in eastern Sabah and to altogether avoid the islands off Sabah's east coast, including Sipadan and Pandanan.

Anyone planning to travel over the border to Thailand should be aware that there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

Visitors should not become involved with drugs of any kind: possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment or the death penalty.