Overview
Sights And Activities
Planning Your Trip
Accommodations
Outdoor Recreation
Cultural Essentials
Beyond Tourism
Basics
In any type of crisis, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is a good resource in an emergency; registering with that embassy upon arrival in the country is a good idea. The government offices listed in the Travel Advisories box can provide information on the services they offer their citizens in case of emergencies abroad.
Thai police enforce strict drug policies and will arrest and heavily fine foreigners (and Thais) for possession and trafficking of illicit drugs. Beware of anyone offering a “free trip to Thailand” in exchange for help in transporting “luggage” or “gifts” into the country, as this method of drug trafficking has been frequently employed. It is also illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand, punishable by a fine. By law, foreigners are required to carry their passports at all times (you can get arrested if caught without one).
The monarchy of Thailand is a respected institution, and it is a criminal offense to make any derisive comments about the monarchy or its members. Called lese majeste, offenses against the royal family can result in terms of imprisonment from three to five years. These offenses include stepping on or destroying any image of the King, such as Thai bank notes.
Drugs are easily accessible in Thailand and, especially in some rural communities, drug use may seem to be common and public. Despite the glamour surrounding the Thai drug scene, which is often connected to the sex trade or the backpacker community, narcotics are illegal and travelers do get caught. Buying or selling any type of drug may lead to a stiff prison sentence. Possession of marijuana can lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years plus a fine of 150,000฿. For more serious drug offenses, Thailand has imposed the death penalty. If you break the law, your home embassies may visit you in jail, but they cannot do anything else to help you. Often they do not even learn of arrests until a few days after they occur.
Thailand has no established minimum drinking age; however, some clubs do have a minimum age requirement (although they often do not ask for IDs from foreigners). Whenever you drink, Let’s Go recommends that you use alcohol responsibly. Take extra safety precautions, as there have been cases of travelers being robbed after accepting drugged food or drink from strangers.
On December 26, 2004, a large tsunami hit areas of the west coast of Thailand, including Phuket, Patong, Khao Lak, and Ko Phi Phi Don. More that 5000 people were killed or missing, half of them foreign tourists. A string of hotels were also completely destroyed, though most of the hard-hit tourist areas have been rebuilt (with new safety guidelines). Travelers should educate themselves about natural dangers specific to the regions in which they are about to travel.
Flooding. Periodically, Thailand suffers from severe flooding during the rainy season (June-Nov.). Extensive flooding in the northern provinces of Uttaradit, Phrae, Lampang, Nan, and Sukhothai occured during the week of May 22, 2006, resulted in deaths and injuries. Be careful of strong currents off Thailand’s southern beaches which occasionally result in fatalities, especially when taking passenger ferries or swimming during monsoon season (Sept.-Oct.).
Typhoons. Typhoons are severe tropical storms (equivalent to hurricanes in the Atlantic) with extremely high winds. They typically occur from May to November, with the season peaking between August and October. If there is a typhoon, you should move inside, away from windows, and stay informed on the movement of the storm.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin’s return to Thailand and a talk of his possible return to politics as spurred some political boycotts. There were a number of peaceful political demonstrations in Bangkok and provincial towns. As further political demonstrations may be arranged with short notice, avoid large crowds and public gatherings.
Recently, northern Thailand and its border with Myanmar have been prone to on-going conflicts between the Myanmar Army and armed opposition groups as well as clashes between Thai security forces and armed drug traffickers. In addition, bandits and drug traffickers operate in these border areas. Visitors should only travel with local guides who are familiar to the area when traveling off-road in undeveloped areas. Border closings and re-openings occur frequently. Foreigners considering traveling into Myanmar from Thailand should be aware that in the event of a border closure, they may not be able to re-enter Thailand. Check the news and your embassy for the latest information.
Since January 2004, there have been almost daily attacks in the southern provinces of Naratiwat, Pattini, Yala, Satun, and Songkhla. Targets include civilians and government officials at hotels, bars, markets, schools; Those using transportation are targets too (see Southern Discomfort). Even outside of these highly volatile areas, there is a high threat from terrorism in Thailand. Following the violence in the far south, the Thai government has taken increased security measures, but there have been isolated attacks in Bangkok, the last such attack occurring in New Year’s Eve 2007. Check news and travel advisories (see Travel Advisories) to get an updated list of your home country’s government’s advisories before departure. The box below lists offices to contact and webpages to visit to get the most updated list of your home country’s government’s advisories about travel.
To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Respecting local customs (in many cases, dressing more conservatively than you would at home) may ward off would-be hecklers. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out and carry yourself with confidence. Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street. If you are traveling alone, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary and never tell anyone you meet that you’re by yourself. When walking at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and avoid dark alleyways. If you ever feel uncomfortable, leave the area as quickly and directly as you can.
There is no surefire way to avoid all the threatening situations that you might encounter while traveling, but a good self-defense course will give you concrete ways to react to unwanted advances. Impact, Prepare, and Model Mugging can refer you to local self-defense courses in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and the US. Visit www.modelmugging.org for a list of nearby chapters.
If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seatbelt. Children under 40lb. should ride only in specially designed car seats, available for a small fee from most car-rental agencies. Study route maps before you hit the road and, if you plan on spending a lot of time driving, consider bringing spare parts. For long drives in desolate areas, invest in a cellular phone and a roadside assistance program . Park your vehicle in a garage or well-traveled area and use a steering-wheel locking device in larger cities. Sleeping in your car is the most dangerous way to get your rest, and it’s also illegal in many countries. For info on the perils of hitchhiking,
Never leave your belongings unattended; crime can occur in even the most safe-looking hostel or hotel. Bring your own padlock for hostel lockers and don’t ever store valuables in a locker. Be particularly careful on buses and trains; horror stories abound about determined thieves who wait for travelers to fall asleep. Carry your bag or purse in front of you where you can see it. When traveling with others, sleep in alternate shifts. When alone, use good judgment in selecting a train compartment: never stay in an empty one and use a lock to secure your pack to the luggage rack. Be careful if traveling at night or on overnight trains. Sleep on top bunks with your luggage stored above you (if not in bed with you) and keep important documents and valuables on your person.
There are a few steps you can take to minimize the financial risk associated with traveling. Bring as little with you as possible. Also, buy a few combination padlocks to secure your belongings either in your pack or in a hostel or train-station locker. Carry as little cash as possible. Keep your traveler’s checks and ATM/credit cards in a money belt —not a “fanny pack”—along with your passport and ID cards. Lastly, keep a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. This should be about US$50 (US dollars or euros are best) sewn into or stored in the depths of your pack, along with your traveler’s check numbers, photocopies of your passport, birth certificate, and other important documents.
In general, Thailand has a good safety record. Nevertheless, scams abound: taxi and tuk-tuk drivers, guesthouse operators, and fellow travelers have all been known to attempt various con-games. In large cities, con artists often work in groups and may involve children. Beware of certain classics: sob stories that require money, rolls of bills “found” on the street, mustard spilled (or saliva spit) onto your shoulder to distract you while they snatch your bag. Never let your passport and your bags out of your sight. Hostel workers will sometimes stand at bus and train-station arrival points to recruit tired and disoriented travelers to their hostel; never believe strangers who tell you that theirs is the only hostel open. Beware of pickpockets in city crowds, especially on public transportation. Be alert in public telephone booths: if you must say your calling card number, do so quietly; if punching it in, make sure no one can look over your shoulder.
If you will be traveling with electronic devices, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, check whether your homeowner’s insurance covers loss, theft, or damage when you travel. If not, you might consider purchasing a low-cost separate insurance policy. Safeware (☎+1-800-800-1492; www.safeware.com) specializes in covering computers and charges US$90 for 90-day comprehensive international travel coverage up to US$4000. However, if at all possible and if they are not absolutely necessary, leave these items at home. Using them in Thailand will make it clear that you are a tourist and will label you a target for theft.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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