Safety Thailand & Travel advice for Thailand

Safety Thailand: The vast majority of visits to Thailand are trouble-free, but travelers should be aware that there is a continuing threat to westerners from terrorism throughout South East Asia and should be particularly vigilant in public places, including tourist resorts. Visitors are advised to avoid the border areas and not camp in rural areas in national parks.

Visitors to major cities are advised to keep an eye on their passports and credit cards and ensure they don’t carry around too much money or jewellery. In Bangkok visitors should be aware of scams, often involving gems recommended by kind strangers. In tourist areas, and in particular at the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, visitors should be careful about accepting drinks from strangers, as there have been

Several reported incidents of drinks being heavily drugged. Incidents of sexual assault, on women in particular, continue to occur, and female travellers should be cautious. The security situation in the southern provinces closest to the Malaysian border is unstable and travel to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat and Songkhla is to be avoided; recent bomb explosions and fighting have killed and injured many people in public places and the government has announced a state of emergency in the area. Further attacks could take place in areas frequented by foreigners, although the Thai authorities have put additional security measures in place throughout the country, including in Bangkok.

Several explosions have occurred in Bangkok. The political situation remains unstable and numerous demonstrations have taken place in Bangkok with a risk of violence; visitors are advised to avoid all political demonstrations.

Cities/Islands like Phuket, Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan are free and safe of demonstrations or other attacks regarding the unstable political unrest.

Since 2005 there have been several sinkings of passenger boats and speed boats causing loss of life, thought to have been caused by overloading.

The height of the monsoon season in September and October (November to March on Koh Samui) brings about routine flooding in the north, north east and central regions, often causing mudslides and flash floods; visitors planning to trek in the jungle during this time should check conditions with licensed tour guides before leaving.

Travel Advice Thailand: It is safe to enter Thailand and there are no current incidents towards tourists in Thailand. Bangkok still remains unsafe in some areas. Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai are safe places to travel to. There have been no reports about Krabi, Koh Phangan and Koh tao regarding unrest towards tourists.

Please check your local foreign affairs regarding travel advise to Thailand. This is a major issue for some travel insurance companies.