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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

THAILAND (BANGKOK) - (Update) According to latest reports, another small-scale incident took place in Thailand's capital of Bangkok on 18 August. An unidentified individual threw a small improvised explosive device (IED) off the Sathorn-Taksin bridge that crosses the Chao Phraya river. The device, which was initially erroneously identified as a grenade, landed in the river and detonated; no casualties or damages were reported. There have been no claims of responsibility for this attack. There are also reports that an explosive device was detonated near a train station in the Bang Khae district of the city; however, these are unconfirmed and are at present believed to be false. In other developments, the military junta has indicated that an additional 10,000 security forces will be deployed and further roadblocks and security checkpoints erected. Increased security measures have also been implemented at airports. Although the incident did not result in any casualties, it took place in close proximity to the Sathorn pier, a busy transport hub used by foreign nationals; it is thus possible that the attacker was attempting to target foreign nationals. If this is indeed the case, this latest attack, and the 17 August one that left at least 22 people dead, is a significant development for the security dynamic in Bangkok. Government officials have identified a person of interest in the 17 August bombing and have stated that he is from "an anti-government group based in Thailand's north east"; this is believed to be a reference to the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) group, also known as the 'Red Shirts'. However, the group has distanced itself from the attack, and if it were indeed found to be responsible, this would be a considerable departure from its previous anti-government activities. Irrespective of who may be responsible for the attacks, further such incidents are possible in the near-term. Clients currently in Bangkok are advised to avoid the impacted area in the short-term, limit travel to crowded public areas and areas popular with foreign nationals, and ensure that itineraries are kept flexible to accommodate for travel and business disruptions at this time.

CHINA (BEIJING) - Authorities in China's capital of Beijing will implement measures to reduce congestion and pollution from 20 August. Cars will only be allowed to drive on alternating days, depending on whether they have odd- or even-numbered licence plates. This measure will be in place between 03:00 and 23:59 local time on the affected days, until 3 September. Busses, taxis and emergency services vehicles are exempt from the scheme. Although traffic congestion will ease during the upcoming period, there is likely to be an increased demand for bus, train and taxi services. As such, difficulties in sourcing road-based travel options are likely to be experienced. Clients in or planning to be in Beijing over the affected period are advised to allow for the possibility of travel disruptions and adjust their itineraries accordingly.

ARGENTINA - Rail workers affiliated with the Argentine Confederation of Transport Workers (CATT) are expected to embark upon a countrywide 24-hour strike in Argentina on 20 August. Inter- and intra-city services will be disrupted by the strike action; at least one million commuters are expected to be affected in the capital, Buenos Aires. The strike action has been called with regard to an ongoing wage dispute. Given that negotiations are ongoing, the strike action may be cancelled or extended at short notice. Should the strike proceed as scheduled, severe disruptions to all scheduled rail services should be expected. This could increase the demand for alternative forms of public transportation, creating additional travel disruptions. Furthermore, associated protest action remains possible; any protest action is likely to be well attended and may also lead to further localised travel disruptions. Clients travelling in Argentina on 20 August are advised to confirm the status of their scheduled transport service with their travel provider or the relevant transport authority prior to departure. Itineraries should be kept flexible to accommodate for any possible travel disruptions. All associated protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.

LEBANON(PORT OF BEIRUT) - Workers at the sea port in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, initiated an open-ended strike on 18 August. The strike was initiated in response to a controversial waste disposal action in the vicinity of the port. Lebanon is experiencing severe waste management problems. The issue has sparked protests in numerous areas of the country, including in areas identified by the government as temporary waste disposal areas. Port workers staged a similar protest earlier in August. The possibility of further related protests at the port coinciding with the strike exists. The risk of violence at any related protest is low; however, minor confrontations between workers and the security forces cannot be discounted. Disruptions to port activity should be anticipated for the duration of the strike. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Lebanon due to a number of security concerns. Clients in Beirut should exercise caution in the port area. Protest gatherings should be avoided as a standard precaution.

PAKISTAN(FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED TRIBAL AREAS(FATA)) - According to military spokespersons, at least 105 militants have been killed in air strikes in the North Waziristan and Khyber agencies of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 16 August. The air strikes targeted militant positions in North Waziristan's Shawal and Gharlamai areas and also the Rajgal area of Khyber agency's Tirah Valley. Further details remain unavailable at present. This latest air strikes form part of Operation Zarb-i-Azb, a military offensive against various militant strongholds in the country. The offensive was launched in North Waziristan in June 2014 and has left at least 2,700 insurgents dead. However, due to government restrictions on travel to FATA, this information is difficult to independently verify. More specifically, air strikes were carried out in response to a bomb attack in Punjab province's Attock district on 16 August that left at least 19 people dead, including Punjab's Home Minister Shuja Khanzada. Although the operation in North Waziristan has, to some extent, limited the activities of militants, as this latest incident demonstrates, insurgents have been able to continue their operations and execute retaliatory attacks elsewhere in Pakistan. The threat of terrorism therefore continues to be assessed as extreme at this time. Given the general insecurity in the country, further such incidents, including military offensives and targeted militant attacks, are likely to continue. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, including extreme levels of terrorism, clients are advised against non-essential travel to Pakistan and all travel to some areas of the country, including FATA. Persons in or planning to travel to the country are advised to implement robust personal, travel and residential security measures at all times. All movements should be coordinated in the presence of a security escort and during daylight hours only.

PAKISTAN(KARACHI) - Protest action by supporters of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) political party is possible in Pakistan's city of Karachi and other towns in Sindh province in the coming days following an armed attack on a senior MQM member, Abdul Rashid Godil. Godil was shot by unidentified assailants in the Bahadurabad neighbourhood, in the Gulshan Town (Gulshan-e-Iqbal) area of the city, earlier on 18 August. Although there have been no official calls for strikes or protest action by MQM leaders, precedent suggests that such developments cannot be discounted in the near-term. Indeed, reports have indicated that many businesses have already closed on 18 August as a precaution against possible protest action. While protests can take place at any time, such events often occur after Muslim midday prayers, particularly on Fridays. In addition, associated strike action, possibly resulting in severe disruptions to transport and business operations, is possible. It should be noted that any demonstrations that take place are likely to be well supported, as the Karachi-based MQM has considerable support in the city. More generally, all protest action in Pakistan carries a high threat of violence; clashes between rival groups of protesters, as well as between security forces and protesters, are regularly reported. Due to a number of ongoing concerns, all non-essential travel to Pakistan, including Karachi, is advised against. Clients in the country in the coming days, particularly in Karachi, are advised to monitor local developments closely and avoid all protest action as a precaution against violent civil unrest.

GUINEA(CONAKRY) - Opposition-led protests are set to be held across all five sub-prefectures of Guinea's capital, Conakry, on 18 August. The protests form part of an ongoing agitation against Guinea's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the Guinean administration of President Alpha Conde. Further details pertaining to the upcoming protests have not been disclosed; however, precedent suggests that the events will likely centre on the headquarters of the CENI, located in the city's Camayenne area. Additional gatherings may occur in Conakry's Cosa, Bambeto and Hamdallaye areas. The primary grievances against the CENI involve the scheduling of Guinea's presidential elections for 11 October 2015 and the postponement of local elections to an unconfirmed date in 2016. Guinea's opposition political bloc has long accused the commission of being unduly influenced by the incumbent president and the ruling Rally of the Guinean People (RPG). As is the case with all anti-government gatherings in Guinea, the upcoming events carry an elevated risk of violence between activists and security forces. Such unrest may therefore pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Persons in Conakry on 18 August are advised to avoid all protests and related gatherings a standard precaution. Clients are further advised to make allowances for localised travel disruption in the vicinity of any protest action.

COSTA RICA(SAN JOSE) - Trade unions in Costa Rica have called for strike action in the country's capital, San Jose, on 20 August. The Labour and Social Bloc union (BUSSCO) has called for a protest in opposition to the proposed countrywide reduction of taxi permits. The BUSSCO-led strike is expected to coincide with a National Association of Teachers' (ANDE) strike called in opposition to the freezing of public sector employees' salaries. Further information regarding both upcoming events is not available; however, road blockades and protest gatherings should be anticipated. Labour strikes and protests are fairly common in Costa Rica. Although these are generally non-violent, clashes between protesters and security forces occur occasionally during demonstrations. Protesters frequently block main roads and thoroughfares, resulting in travel disruptions. Security forces are known to use heavy-handed tactics when dealing with crowds participating in demonstrations; crowd-control measures may include the use of water cannons and teargas to disperse participants. As such, the possibility of violence at the upcoming protest march cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the protest route and demonstration-affected sites. Persons in San Jose on 20 August are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the planned strike and demonstrations. All large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution. Furthermore, allowances should be made for potential travel disruptions in the vicinity of the above-mentioned sites.

NICARAGUA(MANAGUA) - Nicaragua's coalition of opposition parties, including the Independent Liberal Party (PLI), has called for weekly demonstrations in the country's capital, Managua. The weekly demonstrations, which have been dubbed 'protest Wednesday', have been called to demand free and fair elections. Participants are expected to gather in the vicinity of the Supreme Electoral Council building (Pista Juan Pablo II) on the corresponding strike day. No further information is available. The protest forms part of the coalition's weekly campaign to demand fair elections and a change of electoral magistrates ahead of the 2016 presidential vote. Further such demonstrations are anticipated in the near-term; related protests are likely to be held in other parts of the country as the campaign continues. Previous related demonstrations in the city were marred by low-level clashes. Accordingly, the risk of low-level clashes at the upcoming protest cannot be discounted. Additionally, localised road travel disruptions should be anticipated in the protest-affected areas. Clients in Nicaragua are advised to monitor local media broadcasts for updates regarding the planned demonstration. Persons in Managua on Wednesdays are advised to avoid all street gatherings as a precaution. Furthermore, clients should expect travel delays in the vicinity of the demonstration-affected areas.

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