Safety in Thailand for Tourists

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By Admin | May 24, 2017 | Category Blog

How Safe is Thailand?

Overall, Thailand is a safe country to visit, but it is always sensible to take some precautions to ensure you have an enjoyable and stress free holiday:

• Before you go to sleep at night, ensure that your room is locked.
• Be sure to leave valuables, airline tickets, passports etc either in the room safe or a hotel safety deposit box.
• It is sensible to carry some form of identification with you. For example,  a photocopy of the ID page of your passport.  The police can ask to see it, but rarely do.  It is more useful in case you have a serious accident.
• If you take a taxi in Bangkok, be clear about where you want to go.   And always ensure the driver uses the meter.  On Koh Chang you shouldn’t have any trouble with the local pick up truck taxi drivers.  But note that if you are travelling back to your hotel very late night prices will be around double the day time price for the same journey.
• When travelling by train or bus don’t leave valuables in any baggage that is stowed out of sight. Also, be cautious of strangers offering free food or drink. Thai’s can be very hospitable, but it also has been known for food and drink to be drugged. When you awake your valuables have gone.
• If you hire a vehicle read the terms carefully.  Also check that your travel insurance covers scooter rental – as most doesn’t unless you have a valid motorcycle licence from your home country.  The scooters themselves will just have the legal minimum 3rd party insurance.  So you will be held responsible by the owner if you damage the bike.
• Wear sensible clothing if you ride a motorcycle. Swimwear won;t protect you if you have a minor accident.  Also note that under Thai law wearing of helmets is mandatory.
• If you are renting a car, the law requires front seat passengers in cars to wear a seat belt.
• Driving standards in Thailand leave a lot to be desired so take extra care.
• You’ll notice that jetskis are banned on Koh Chang. However, elsewhere in Thailand, if you hire a water scooter or jet ski wear a life jacket and keep away from areas where people are swimming.  Under Thai law you require a license to drive on.  If you do not have this license your insurance won’t cover you in the event of an accident
• Always take out travel insurance before you leave home.
• Since 2003 there has been a crack down on drugs, and the penalties for possession and trafficking have been enforced with extreme severity.  Do not take illegal drugs in Thailand.

Tags: safety