Terror warning for Aussie travellers

A 'HIGH' threat of terrorist attacks in parts of Indonesia during the New Year period has prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue official warnings to travellers.

INDONESIA NEW YEAR

A 'HIGH' threat of terrorist attacks in parts of Indonesia during the New Year period has prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue official warnings to travellers.

Thailand, including Bangkok, is also under their watch in the lead-up to February's national elections.

Australians are urged to exercise a high degree of caution across all of Indonesia, including Bali, according to their Smartraveller website.

It said Indonesian authorities have warned extremists may be planning to attack churches in Jakarta, and elsewhere in Indonesia.

They say there is a chance places around the country populated by Westerners could become targets, including nightclubs and hotels.

"We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place at any time," DFAT said on the website.

"In past years, we have received similar information - analysts consider that gatherings of Westerners over Christmas, New Year and other holiday periods could again be appealing targets for terrorists."

DFAT also asks Australians to "reconsider your need to travel" to the Central Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua and West Papua provinces.

In Papua and West Papua, anti-government groups and local political factors are causing strain amongst locals.

The department said in January 2013 police disrupted terrorist groups in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara and Makassar in South Sulawesi, and one in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

"Since May 2013, police disrupted terrorist suspects at multiple locations across Java and Sumatra," they said.

In Thailand, civil unrest and political tension has seen daily attacks in the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

The Thai government and DFAT have warned tourists not to travel to these areas at all as bombings and shootings are common.

Political demonstrations have also occurred in various parts of Bangkok since November 2013 and are likely to continue until the February 2 election.

DFAT also reported of an ongoing investigation into a vehicle that was found containing explosives in Phuket Town on December 22.

DFAT warns travellers to exercise a high degree of caution for the capital and other areas of Thailand.