Protecting Yourself In Thailand
It’s easy to travel safely in Thailand if you follow a few simple guidelines. They include:
- Be taxi-smart
- Watch what you say
- Be careful when you travel solo
- Hydrate and protect against the sun
- Be water-smart
- Lean on the embassy and consulates
- Buy travel insurance
Photo by Yuya Uzu on Unsplash
1. Be taxi (and tuk-tuk)-smart
Taxis are generally safe, even in Bangkok – but you need to know what’s going on. Specifically, you should:
- Watch the meter. When you get in a Thai taxi the meter must start at 35 Thai baht. If it starts at something less, get out and look for another cab.
- Avoid taxis at the airport. Instead, use public transportation from the airport’s official pick-up area, cars from the limousine counters, or a car from your hotel.
- Be clear about your destination. When you finally find a cab that meets your requirements, tell the driver your destination clearly and slowly, and don’t engage in idle chatter.
- Ask for a female cab driver. Women should speak clearly and loudly to cab drivers, tell them where you want to go and how much you’re willing to pay. If you’d feel more comfortable with a female cab driver, ask your concierge to recommend an appropriate cab service.
- Do much of the same with tuk-tuks. Much of the same advice goes for tuk-tuks. Where they differ from cabs is that you have to negotiate a fare before you get on.
The base rate for tuk-tuk fares is 50 baht. If a driver wants to charge you less, they’re likely going to take you to a tailor shop or other tourist trap and try to sell you something.
Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash
2. Watch what you say
In the words of travel blogger Traveltomtom, “Freedom of speech in Thailand might not be what it is like in your home country.”
Making a critical or defamatory comment about the royal family can get you up to 15 years in prison per offense. This includes intentionally ripping up Thai bank notes, which carry an image of the king.
Along those same lines, even criticizing a tourist venue can get you in trouble. In 2020, TripAdvisor had to come to the rescue of an American tourist who was being prosecuted for a negative review of the Sea View Resort & Spa that he put on the platform.
The case was eventually settled, but not before the tourist spent two nights in jail and TripAdvisor agreed not to put a warning label on the hotel’s page.
3. Be careful when you travel solo
Solo travel in Thailand is popular but can lead to dangerous situations, especially when alcohol or drugs are part of the mix.
If you’re a woman traveling alone, be aware that revealing or provocative clothing may be misinterpreted by Thai males. While it’s unfortunate, it’s best for women to wear modest clothing whenever possible, and carry a cover-up to throw on if taking a cab or walking down the street.
When traveling alone, exercise caution, stay near other travelers, and ensure friends or family know how to contact you.
Enrolling in STEP can help with contacts; otherwise, investigate using an app like bSafe (Android / iOS).
Photo by Frankie Spontelli on Unsplash
4. Hydrate and protect against the sun
Carry a bottle of water with you at all times. When you arrive at your destination, go to the nearest convenience store and pick up as many bottles of water as you can carry. It’s safe, and a lot cheaper than the minibar.
When considering tap water, tour operator Indochina Tour notes, “You’d better not drink water straight from the tap. Instead, drink bottled water or purify your drinking water with a water filter. Ice is generally made from purified water, so you don’t need to worry about ordering a drink with ice in a restaurant.”
In addition, the tropical sun is unrelenting. Wearing sun protection any time you go out (except in a monsoon) is highly recommended.
5. Be water-smart
As mentioned elsewhere, many of Thailand’s beaches lack lifeguards. Rip currents are possible, and attacks by marine life are not unheard of.
If you’re going to swim in Thailand, know what’s under the water, swim parallel to the shore, and don’t drink and swim.
If you can’t do that, stick to the pool at your resort.
Photo by Evan Krause on Unsplash
6. Lean on the embassy and consulates
The U.S. Embassy in Thailand and its consulates are vital resources for American travelers to Thailand. They can:
- Help you find appropriate medical care
- Help you report a crime to the police
- Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
- Explain the local criminal-justice process
- Provide a list of local attorneys
- Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support
- Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
- Replace a stolen or lost passport
Don’t know where to find the nearest embassy or consulate? The STEP program can help with that, and so can the State Department’s Smart Traveler app.
7. Buy travel insurance
Whether it’s refunding the rest of the money you paid for your resort if you have to cut short your trip for a covered reason, or airlifting you out of the jungle because of a medical emergency, travel insurance can help provide peace of mind for your next trip to Thailand.
Getting covered is easy. Get a quote today and see for yourself.
Travel Safety In Thailand: The Bottom Line
Thailand is popular for many reasons, but it’s certain that Thailand wouldn’t be such a popular destination if it wasn’t safe.
What that means is you can have a great time in Thailand easily, by just taking a few common-sense precautions.
Do that, and the exotic vacation of your dreams can be yours.
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