Thailand Travel Safety

Precautions

Do not leave bags unattended. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and travel documents are secure at all times, especially in tourist areas, crowded markets and bus or train stations. Thieves sometimes use razors to slit open purses or bags to remove the contents. Use only reputable transportation companies. Thefts have been reported on buses and vans that provide transport services throughout the country. Personal belongings, including passports, have been stolen from luggage compartments under buses, especially on long-distance journeys. Break-ins occur at budget guesthouses, sometimes while guests are asleep in their rooms. Be careful at night in entertainment areas throughout the country, particularly during full moon parties in Koh Phangan and similar events in other popular tourist locations. Robberies, injuries, drug abuse, arrests, assaults (including sexual assaults) and deaths occur during these events. Passport thefts and losses are extremely common.

Road safety

Travel by road can be dangerous. Hazardous road conditions, local disregard for traffic laws and drunk driving result in frequent accidents, particularly in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Accidents are also caused by poor weather, driver fatigue, speeding and reckless passing. Slow-moving trucks limit speed and visibility. Avoid driving on mountain roads at night, especially during the rainy season (June-October). Avoid driving or riding motorcycles in Thailand, even if you are an experienced motorcyclist, as motorcycle accidents are common and are responsible for a majority of road deaths. Rental scooters and motorcycles are often poorly maintained, making them unsafe to their riders and others on the road. Helmets are mandatory for motorcycle riders (including passengers), but many helmets do not meet international safety standards.

Identification

Foreigners are required to carry identification at all times. You may wish to carry a photocopy of your passport, however, police may require that you produce the original.

Swimming

Riptides in coastal areas can be strong, including the popular destinations of Cha-am/Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and Rayong. There have been a number of deaths due to drowning. Heed flag warnings and under no circumstances swim when a red flag is displayed. Diving schools and rescue services may not adhere to international standards. Rent water sports equipment only from operators affiliated with major international training organizations. Deaths have occurred as a result of contact with poisonous sea jellies off Koh Pha-ngan, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi and Phuket. Exercise extreme caution when swimming in these areas. If stung, seek immediate medical assistance.

Public transportation

Unlicensed vehicles (bearing black and white licence plates) are not properly insured to carry passengers and may not use meters. Many taxis may not be equipped with backseat seatbelts. Do not share a taxi with strangers. Use licensed taxis from official taxi stands, limousine services or official airport buses, or arrange to be picked up by hotel shuttle services when arriving by air. Disputes with operators of taxis, tuk tuks, etc. occur and have occasionally resulted in violence or intimidation. If a dispute occur and you feel threatened, seek the assistance of local police in settling the matter. Vessels often lack adequate safety equipment. Passenger boats sinking due to overcrowding and poor maintenance has occurred. Rail lines in the far south have been the target of acts of sabotage and armed attack. A number of train accidents have occurred in the past few years, some causing injuries and deaths.

Women's safety

Sexually motivated violence, committed by either Thai citizens or foreigners, is most likely to occur after time spent at bars, clubs, and parties, on beaches, or in remote/isolated areas. Based on the crime situation of the Thailand, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Fraud

Foreigners visiting Thailand regularly report having fallen victim to a variety of scams. Before renting a motorcycle or jet-ski, read all rental contracts thoroughly to ensure that the vehicle is insured to cover damage and theft. Only rent from reputable companies. Never leave your passport as collateral. Claims of damage allegedly caused by the renter have been made upon return of the equipment. In some cases, renters who refused to pay were harassed and threatened, and their passports (left as collateral) were withheld. In other cases, particularly with jet-skis, accidents have been allegedly staged to create damage for which the rental company seeks compensation from the renter. In cases of motorcycle rentals, some companies have been known to steal the motorcycle and claim compensation from the renter for the loss. When dealing with travel agencies, ensure that the company is a reputable tour organization before providing payment.

Scams

In known scams involving gems and jewellery, merchants sell lower-quality items at inflated prices with promises that the items can be resold at a profit. The guarantees that merchants offer are not always honoured. Carefully consider all purchases if you are not knowledgeable about gems and jewellery.

Crime

Violent crime against foreigners occurs occasionally. Petty crime, such as purse snatching, pickpocketing and theft, is common.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Thailand. Small-scale bomb attacks have occurred in public places in recent years. Further attacks are likely, however, foreigners have not been directly targeted. Targets could include government buildings, hospitals, places of worship, schools, transportation hubs and public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets and hotels.

LGBT

Thailand is generally a tolerant and progressive place for LGBTI travellers, although in parts of Thai society LGBTI rights and issues are more tolerated than accepted. There are active LGBTI communities and social venues and increasingly people from the LGBTI community play high profile roles in the public sphere, including trans-MPs. Same-sex relationships are not criminalised by law. Thailand has no legislation on same-sex marriage and same-sex marriages conducted elsewhere aren't recognised. Those wishing to change their gender marker on official documents can do so from male to female or vice versa, provided that they have undergone, or attempted to undergo, gender reassignment surgery. Thailand does not recognise a third gender.

Illegal or restricted activities

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are very strict and include the death penalty for serious offences. The possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs, including marijuana, can result in severe fines and prison sentences. Arrested offenders may be prevented from leaving Thailand while legal proceedings are in process. Enforcement action against people involved in all aspects of illicit drugs has increased. Amphetamines and ecstasy are regarded as Class A drugs and possession or trafficking carries the same penalty as heroin. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences of up to 10 years. Police spot-checks to search for illegal drugs occur, particularly in and around entertainment venues in Thailand. Uniformed or undercover police may search pockets, purses and bags, as well as vehicles. You may be asked to consent to a urine test. If you carry prescription or other medicines, keep them in clearly marked, original packaging. Gambling, with the exception of some horse racing, is illegal in Thailand.

Wild animals

It's illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence and the ivory trade is banned.

Driving

Traffic drives on the left. An International Driving Permit or a Thai driver's licence is required to drive in Thailand. Carry your identification card, driver's licence and vehicle registration book at all times.