Countries across APAC issue travel and safety advisories amid rising tensions linked to Iran conflict

humanresourcesonline.net · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have advised citizens to avoid travelling into Iran and consider alternative travel arrangements that do not involve transits through the region.As tensions linked to the US-Israel war on Iran ripple across the Middle East, governments across Asia have issued travel and safety advisories covering multiple destinations — from Iran and Israel to parts of the Gulf — urging citizens to defer non-essential travel, monitor local developments, and exercise heightened caution amid airspace disruptions and broader security concerns.Against this backdrop, authorities in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have rolled out precautionary advisories for their citizens.SingaporeSingapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated that there are currently no reports of Singaporean casualties in Israel, Iran, and the wider Middle East region."In view of the volatile security situation and disruptions to flights to the region, Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel to Israel, Iran, and the Middle East region," said an MFA spokesperson on 28 February 2026. Singaporeans currently residing or transiting in the region are highly encouraged to take all necessary precautions for their personal safety, including staying indoors, proceeding to a safe shelter when alerted, monitoring the news closely, and heeding the local government’s advice. Additionally, the MFA has encouraged Singaporean travellers to consider alternative travel arrangements that do not involve transits through the region due to potential disruptions arising from airspace closures or flight cancellations. Travellers are also strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.Singaporeans are strongly advised to eRegister with the MFA so that they can be contacted should the need arise. Singaporeans who require consular assistance may reach out to their nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or the MFA Duty Office (24-hr) at:Address: Tanglin, Singapore 248163Tel: +65 6379 8800/8855Fax: +65 6476 7302Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Singapore have also instilled enhanced security measures at the land, air, and sea checkpoints effective 28 February 2026 in view of the heightened global security situation.Singapore Airlines also announced that it will be cancelling certain flights from 28 February to 7 March 2026: SQ494 departing Singapore for DubaiSQ495 departing Dubai for Singapore"As the situation remains fluid, other SIA flights may be affected," the airlines stated. MalaysiaThe MFA of Malaysia stated that it is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, and has advised Malaysians in the region to be ready to adapt to sudden changes in flight schedules, possible airport closures, and travel restrictions, and to make immediate contingency arrangements where necessary."The Ministry strongly urges Malaysians in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, particularly those in or near affected areas, to exercise a high degree of vigilance, avoid areas of military activity and public gatherings, and strictly adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. "Non-essential travel to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE should be deferred until the security situation stabilises," the Ministry stressed.All Malaysians residing in or travelling to these countries are urged to immediately register and update their contact details with the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission or via e-Konsular to facilitate timely assistance if required.In the event of an emergency, Malaysians are advised contact the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission, as follows:EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN TEHRAN, IRANTel: +98 21 8807 2444 / +98 21 8807 8606 / +98 933 535 2602 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwtehran@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN BAGHDAD, IRAQTel: +964 787 859 8775 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwbaghdad@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN AMMAN, JORDANTel: +962 6590 2400 / +962 78590 2400 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwamman@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN KUWAIT CITY, KUWAITTel: +965 2255 0394 / +965 2255 0395 / +965 9678 3036 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwkuwait@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN DOHA, QATARTel: +974 4483 6463 / +974 4483 6493 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwdoha@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN MANAMA, BAHRAINTel: +973 1756 4551 / +973 3899 0749 (Emergencies)E-mail: mwmanama@kln.gov.myEMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN ABU DHABI, UAEThailandTel: +971 2 4482 775 / +971 2 4482 776E-mail: mwabudhabi@kln.gov.myCONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA IN DUBAI, UAETel: +971 4 3985 847 / +971 50 737 9196 (Emergencies)Email: dxb.cons@kln.gov.myIn addition, the public may also contact the Ministry directly:MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OPERATIONS ROOMTel: +603-8887 4570E-mail: dutyofficer@kln.gov.myCONSULAR DIVISION, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRSTel: +603-8887 4597 / +603-8887 4769 / +603-8887 4264E-mail: bkrm@kln.gov.myThailandSihasak Phuangketkeow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, chaired a meeting on 1 March 2026 to address the situation in the Middle East. In the meeting, it was reported that an approximate 110,000 Thai nationals currently reside in the Middle East, and there have been no reports of Thai nationals being injured in the region."Evacuation plans of Thai nationals have been prepared should the need arise and may involve coordination with other countries or international organisations that are likewise preparing their own evacuation arrangements," stated the Ministry. Currently, the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in the affected areas are opening registration for Thai nationals who wish to return to Thailand and are closely coordinating with host country authorities to prepare for assistance and facilitate evacuation, should it become necessary. Trinuch Thianthong, Minister of Labour Thailand added that a war room has been set up to monitor the situation and coordinate assistance to Thai workers in the Middle East.According to the Minister, the Labour Department has been instructed to monitor the situation closely. If there are workers affected, they should be ready to assist in moving Thai workers to a safe area.Regarding the sending of workers to work, Trinuch said that she has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to delay the sending of Thai workers to work in high-risk areas in the Middle East. It was also reported by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour that the two sides agreed to delay the delivery of Thai workers.Currently, a total of 77,495 Thai workers are working under the responsibility of three labour offices, including: Labour Office in Tel Aviv, Israel: 58,921 peopleThe Labour Office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: 11,227 peopleSaudi Arabia, which is responsible for the territorial area: 7,347 peopleAdditionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) stated that Suvarnabhumi Airport has gathered staff to facilitate passengers affected by the Israel-Iran situation.A total of eight airlines have been affected: EL AL Israel AirlinesAir Arabia, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Arkia Israel Inland Airlines, and Kuwait Airways.According to CAAT, a total of 16 flights have been cancelled — two inbound and 14 outbound. As of 06:48am on 1 March 2026, CAAT stated that World2Fly announced additional cancellations, bringing the total number of cancelled flights to 32 (16 departing and 16 arriving flights). Airport staff have been deployed at designated service points to provide information and assistance to affected passengers, drinking water has been distributed to passengers waiting for check-in, and sufficient space has been arranged to accommodate affected passengers, and additional temporary seating areas have been set up on the 2nd floor of the Arrivals Hall at Gate 1 and Gate 10.The CAAT shared that airlines have arranged accommodation for affected passengers accordingly. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has also activated the Tourism Crisis Monitoring Centre to monitor escalating tensions in the Middle East and coordinate immediate assistance for travellers affected by flight disruptions. The centre serves as an integrated operations hub, consolidating intelligence, assessing potential impacts, and working with relevant agencies to support affected passengers.Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “Two operational scenarios have been developed to ensure preparedness in the short and medium term, covering communications management, traveller care, and market recovery once conditions stabilise.”According to TAT, preliminary assessments have indicated direct implications for travel to and from the Middle East. Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi airports have reported 59 flight cancellations by Middle Eastern carriers and airlines operating routes to or via the region, including those mentioned above by CAAT. "TAT’s Tourism Crisis Monitoring Centre will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely, accurate updates to tourism operators and industry stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective management throughout this evolving situation," TAT added.VietnamSpokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Pham Thu Hang stated that the MoFA and related domestic agencies have ordered Vietnam’s representative missions in Iran and Israel to maintain close coordination with domestic authorities. Further, Vietnamese missions in neighbouring countries, and agencies and diplomatic bodies of the host countries have been asked to keep a close watch on the situation and remain fully prepared to implement all necessary measures to ensure safety for Vietnamese citizens, as well as the representative offices' headquarters.Per the latest reports from the Vietnamese representative missions in Israel and Iran, all Vietnamese citizens in these areas are currently safe and accounted for.The MoFA has advised Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Iran or Israel at this time, or