Safety Info for Thailand

| AIRPORT TAXIS | FOOD SAFETY | WOMEN TRAVELLERS | TOURISM SAFETY | SAFETY IN NATIONAL PARKS | MEDICAL TOURISM | SAFETY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION | NATURAL DANGERS | BARS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES | ILLEGAL DRUGS | SCAMS | INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME | TREKKING IN BORDER AREAS | SAFETY IN YOUR HOTEL |  

Is Thailand Safe?
In 2008, Thailand welcomed a total of 14.5 million international visitors, of which 60 per cent were repeat visitors. The overwhelming majority of these trips were safe and without incident.

However, foreign governments do urge their citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while travelling overseas and use the same common sense and sound judgement when abroad as they would at home.

According to the US Department of State, the crime threat in Bangkok remains lower than that in many American cities and violent crimes against foreigners are relatively rare.

However, as is the case elsewhere around the world, there are incidents of crimes of opportunity such as pick pocketing, purse snatching and burglary. There are occasional reports of passports, wallets and other valuables having been stolen, usually by thieves who cut into purses or bags with a razor and remove items surreptitiously. Travellers are advised to be cautious in areas where such incidents are more likely to occur. These include walking in crowded markets, tourist sites and bus or train stations, market places and festivals. It is also best to avoid isolated neighbourhoods, short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.

In secluded beach destinations and remote islands, independent travellers should exercise caution. Indeed, they are advised to avoid all secluded areas and stay in the vicinity of other travellers whenever possible.

AIRPORT TAXIS
When arriving at Bangkok's airport, travellers should use only taxis from the airport's official taxi stand, cars from the airport limousine counters or airport buses. All major hotels in Bangkok can also arrange to have a car and driver meet incoming flights. It is uncommon for Thai taxis to pick up additional passengers. Travellers should be wary of drivers seeking to do so, and should never enter a cab that has someone besides the driver in it.

They should always ensure the taxi metre is used, and be aware that there is a 50 baht supplement of the journey into any part of the city from the airport. Any expressway charges that are incurred are also to the passenger's account.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), the operator of Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport), has launched a crackdown on illegal taxi drivers and unlicensed guides starting from July 28, 2009 onwards. The operation is being jointly conducted by AOT in conjunction with the Land Transport Department and the Tourist Police Division.

Furthermore, Thailand's Prime Minister, Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, recently assigned Deputy Prime Minister Mr Suthep Thaugsuban, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport and Communications to jointly conduct a thorough investigation of the series of complaints related to recent allegations of various scams and shoplifting incidents at the airport. During a seminar organized by the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) on August 13th, 2009, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated that he would personally champion efforts to promote closer inter-agency cooperation, improve various processes and procedures involving multiple agencies and authorities, and ensure the strict compliance and enforcement of legal measures.

FOOD SAFETY
Thailand is one of the world's largest exporters of fresh and processed foods to markets such as the US, the European Union, the Middle East, Japan, Australia and other countries where exporters are required to meet very strict standards of food safety. This is excellent news for Thailand's food and beverage, tourism and hospitality industry sectors. Chefs and cooks throughout the country have quick and convenient access to some of the freshest and best ingredients with which to prepare the vast range of culinary delights that have made Thailand a hub of cosmopolitan cuisine.

Food served in F&B outlets in hotels, resorts, restaurants and food courts in shopping malls and plazas generally meet internationally recognized health and hygiene standards. Opt for well-established restaurants frequented by the locals. The overall presentation and ambience of a restaurant generally offer visible clues as to their general outlook on food safety.

Ice cubes and shaved ice served in hotel F&B outlets and restaurants in resorts, food courts in shopping malls and plazas are generally safe for consumption.

Tap water should not be assumed to be safe for drinking and should be boiled before drinking. Bottled water is widely sold.

Visitors wishing to experience the real 'taste of Thailand' and who want to savour its myriad culture and flavours the way locals do are advised to be selective in their choice of food vendors. Always look for clues that may be an indicator of the food safety standards being observed. For example, does a stall have access to clean running water for washing up?

As a general guideline, it is safe to consume dishes that are freshly-prepared and cooked, either by boiling or frying. Meat and poultry should be well cooked and served hot. Avoid uncooked, under cooked or lightly grilled freshwater fish and seafood. This includes shellfish such as mussels, oysters, clams, crabs and shrimp. Also avoid consuming fish, seafood or meat with any kind of adverse odour.

WOMEN TRAVELLERS
The total number of women visitors to Thailand is on the increase. The ratio of male to female visitors to Thailand is now 65:35. Thailand welcomed over 14 million visitors in 2007. Of these, 5 million were women travellers and approximately 60 per cent have visited once or more before. Thailand is also home to a large number of female expatriate residents.

Women travellers are urged to use the same common sense travelling overseas that they would at home. This includes avoiding isolated neighbourhoods, short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets; avoid travelling alone at night; and also refrain from doing things that they would typically not do when back home. Women travellers are advised to dress appropriately when in public so they don't attract unwanted attention to themselves, and to refrain from sun-bathing in the nude or topless so as to not place themselves in a high risk situation.

Is Thailand more dangerous for women? Both the Foreign Office and Lonely Planet warn women to be vigilant when travelling alone in Thailand following incidents of drinks being spiked, sexual assault and pick pocketing.

The Koh Samui Tourism Association is more specific in its advice for female visitors: "Women especially should not accept an invitation from a stranger to walk on the beach at night, no matter how attractive he or she may be."

TOURISM SAFETY
Locations targeted for special attention include remote areas such as secluded beaches and other natural attractions that are popular with tourists who come in search of solitude, peace and tranquility. These include upland areas, waterfalls and caves. Measures Designed to Increase Tourist Safety at all Tourist Attractions Throughout Thailand Increased numbers of lifeguards, beach guards and trained volunteers deployed at all beach destinations along with more frequent patrols, especially along secluded beaches that are so popular with foreigners. Lifeguards and volunteers are working in conjunction with provincial authorities, the Tourist Police and regional police. The installation of additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) in some locations is also being considered.

Development of a detailed inventory of tourism attractions and sites situated in secluded areas to facilitate monitoring The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) recently completed a comprehensive list of tourist attractions and sites in all of Thailand's 76 provinces, including Phuket. This initiative is being expanded to add a detailed inventory of tourist attractions situated in remote areas. Security measures at these secluded destinations and sites will also be beefed up. Top priority was being given to the survey of secluded areas that are known to tourists, especially Fully Independent Travellers (FITs) who are not part of a tour group. To ensure safety for all tourists across the board and all year round, the MOTS also worked with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tourist Police to survey sites promoted for adventure travel activities such as abseiling, rock climbing, spelunking (potholing), jungle trekking and diving.

SAFETY IN NATIONAL PARKS
Conditions during tropical monsoon rains can make travel within national parks difficult and hazardous. Weather conditions can change very quickly. Fog and low clouds tend to hang low over the landscape. Cliffs may collapse under their own weight when the soil underlying the sandstone cap is eroded by heavy rain. Heavy rains can also cause landslides and flash floods in the streams which flow down the mountain slope.

For safety reasons, specific areas within affected land and marine national parks are closed from now until the end of the southwest monsoon season. This also provides a much-needed break from tourism activity and allows the natural environment, flora and fauna to revive and regenerate.

MEDICAL TOURISM
Thailand's impressive track record in health and wellness and on the medical frontier has frequently won international acclaim, particularly in areas like cardiac surgery and post-operative care, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, dentistry, and pharmacology, to name a few. In 2009, Thailand is projecting a total of two million international patients from all over the world coming to Thailand for treatment.

Useful Travel Tips offered by the US Department of State TRAVEL AROUND THE CITY OF BANGKOK* Most foreign visitors to Bangkok choose to travel around the city using the fast and convenient BTS 'Skytrain' elevated mass transit system or the underground Metro system, which operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Cities elsewhere in Thailand typically have only rudimentary public transportation, and usually do not have metered taxis. In many cases, motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, bicycle-powered rickshaws, and pick-up trucks will be the only options available for travellers without their own transport.

The use of motorcycle helmets is mandatory, although this law is seldom enforced.

SAFETY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Taxis
Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs. Foreign visitors may encounter taxi drivers and others who tout gem stores or entertainment venues. These touts receive kickbacks or commissions that drive up the prices of the goods or services. Travellers should not accept tours or other offers from them. Do not hesitate to ask to be let out of a taxi immediately if the driver is acting suspiciously or driving erratically. Trains* Well-organized, systematic robbery of passengers on trains along popular tourists routes is a problem. It is more common at night and especially on overnight trains. If you see your way being blocked by a stranger and another person is very close to you from behind, move away. This can happen in the corridor of the train or on the platform or station. Do not accept food or drink from strangers. Criminals have been known to drug food or drink offered to passengers. Criminals may also spray sleeping gas in train compartments. Where possible, lock your compartment. If it cannot be locked securely, take turns sleeping in shifts with your travelling companions. If that is not possible, stay awake. If you must sleep unprotected, tie down your luggage and secure your valuables to the extent possible. Do not be afraid to alert authorities if you feel threatened in any way. Extra police are often assigned to ride trains on routes where crime is a serious problem.

Buses
The same type of criminal activity found on trains can be found on public buses on popular tourist routes. For example, tourists have been drugged and robbed while sleeping on buses or in bus stations.

Tuk Tuks*
Reports of serious crimes involving taxis or 'tuk-tuks' (three-wheeled taxis) are also relatively rare, although attempts to charge excessive fares occur regularly.

Boat Safety*
Boat safety has become an increasing concern in Thailand. Ferries and speedboats used to transport tourists and local nationals to and from the many islands off the Thai mainland are often overcrowded and carry insufficient safety equipment. Avoid travel on overcrowded boats, and ensure that proper safety equipment (including life preservers) is available before boarding any boat or ferry.

NATURAL DANGERS
Strong seasonal undercurrents at popular beach resorts pose a sometimes fatal threat to surfers and swimmers. During the monsoon season from May through October, drowning is the leading cause of death for tourists. Some, but not all, beaches have warning flags to indicate the degree of risk (red flag: sea condition dangerous for swimming; yellow flag: sea condition rough, swim with caution; green flag: sea condition stable).

BARS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
Although most bars and entertainment venues operate honestly, some, especially in tourist areas, at times try to charge exorbitant amounts for drinks or unadvertised cover charges, and threaten violence if the charges are not paid. If victimized in this fashion, travellers should not attempt to resolve the problem themselves, but should instead pay the price demanded and then seek out a nearby Tourist Police officer for help in getting restitution. (If no officer is nearby, the Tourist Police may be contacted toll-free by dialing 1155.)

There have been occasional reports of scopolamine drugging perpetrated by prostitutes or unscrupulous bar workers for the purpose of robbery. (Scopolamine is a powerful sedative.) Tourists have also been victimized by drugged food and drink, usually offered by a friendly stranger, sometimes posing as a fellow traveller on an overnight bus or train.

In addition, casual acquaintances met in a bar or on the street may pose a threat.

Travellers are advised to avoid leaving drinks or food unattended, and should avoid going alone to unfamiliar venues.

Some trekking tour companies, particularly in Northern Thailand, have been known to make drugs available to trekkers. Travellers should not accept drugs of any kind, as the drugs may be altered or harmful, and the use or sale of narcotic drugs is illegal in Thailand.

ILLEGAL DRUGS
Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in, illegal drugs in Thailand are severe and convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences under harsh conditions, and often heavy fines as well. Thailand also has a death penalty for serious drug offences.

SCAMS
Scams involving gems, city tours, entertainment venues and credit cards are common, especially in areas heavily visited by tourists. Credit cards should be used only in reputable, established businesses, and the amount charged should be checked for accuracy.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives over a thousand complaints each year from visitors who have been cheated on gem purchases. Gem scams usually follow a predictable pattern. Someone approaches a tourist outside of a well-known tourist attraction such as the Grand Palace or the Jim Thompson House and says that the attraction is closed. The friendly stranger quickly gains the tourist's confidence, and suggests a visit to a temple that is supposedly open only one day per year; the stranger then mentions in passing that a special once-a-year government-sponsored gem sale is going on, and directs the tourist to a waiting tuk-tuk. At the temple, another stranger sometimes a foreigner engages the tourist in conversation and, by seeming coincidence, also mentions the 'special' gem sale. The tourist agrees to go look at the gem shop, and is soon convinced to buy thousands of dollars worth of jewels that can supposedly be sold in the U.S. for a 100% profit. When the tourist actually has the goods appraised, they turn out to be of minimal value, and the shop's money-back guarantee is not honoured. No matter what a tout may say, no jewellery stores are owned, operated, or sponsored by the Thai Government or by the Thai royal family.

Lists of gem dealers who have promised to abide by TAT guidelines are available online at http://www.tatnews.org/special_interest/shopping/979.asp, and detailed information on gem scams can be found on numerous web sites.

A traveller who has fallen victim to a gem scam should contact the local branch of the Tourist Police, or call their country-wide toll-free number: 1155.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact your embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The local equivalent to the '911' emergency line in Thailand is 191.

TREKKING IN BORDER AREAS
Tourists should obtain information from Thai authorities about whether official border crossing points are open, and should cross into neighbouring countries only at designated crossing points. Licensed guides can help ensure that trekkers do not cross inadvertently into a neighbouring country.

SAFETY IN YOUR HOTEL
Keep your hotel door locked at all times. Meet visitors in the lobby.

Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room while you are out.

Use the hotel safe.

If you are out late at night, let someone know when you expect to return.