The world has been left shocked by recent reports of a devastating earthquake in the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand and Myanmar.

According to the United States Geological Survey, a huge 7.7 magnitude quake was recorded in central Myanmar, causing untold devastation.

In Thailand, 81 construction workers went missing after an unfinished high-rise building collapsed in Bangkok.

A state of emergency has also been declared in Myanmar, where rescuers said the damage to the nation's second-largest city of Mandalay was "enormous".

What is the most recent travel advice for Brits going to Thailand and Myanmar?

Here is the most recent advice as set out by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on the UK Government website.

Those in need of urgent assistance as a result of the earthquake have been told to contact +95 (01) 370 863/4/5/7 (Myanmar) and +6623058333 (Thailand)

Thailand

As things stand, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has only advised against all but essential travel to parts of Thailand.

This includes the Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province and 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).

This is because of regular attacks and acts of violence in the areas neighbouring Malaysia.

In terms of the earthquake, the UK Government has advised those travelling to affected areas to follow the advice of the local authorities and tour operators as well as local media.

There are a number of travel alerts in place for MyanmarThere are a number of travel alerts in place for Myanmar (Image: Getty Images)

Myanmar

Myanmar has a number of travel warnings in place with Britsh tourists being advised to avoid the following provinces over concerns about the "increasingly volatile" conflict between rebel groups and the military regime:

All travel

  • Chin State
  • Kachin State
  • Kayah State
  • Kayin Sate
  • Mon State
  • Rakhine State
  • Sagaing and Magway regions
  • Tanintharyi Region, excluding Myeik township, and the archipelago and townships south of Tanintharyi township
  • Shan State North
  • North Mandalay Region; the townships north of Mandalay City and Pyin Oo Lwin
  • East of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Bago region

Recommended Reading: 


All but essential travel

  • Shan State South and East
  • Mandalay Region
  • Tanintharyi Region south of Tanintharyi township
  • the rest of Bago region
  • the townships of Kyangin, Myanaung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Thabaung and Pathein in Ayeyarwady region

Regarding the earthquake, UK travellers have been told the following: "If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media."