what travel advice can you offer for thailand?

Question

i am off to thailand (bangkok) for just 6 days in early march and have mixed information on the safety and what to beware of.

i would like to know from westerners who have traveled there recently how it was, how safe you felt, whether you would recommend travel south through to malaysia, and on the whole any advice :)

thanks!

Answer 1

i went to bangkok couple of years back felt pretty safe there, even though recently they had bombings at new year but people are still going there, its a good place to shop and relax.

Just avoid dark alleys and always stick together, and don't buy stuff from strangers especially those that are 'overly friendly'
hope this helps cheers

Answer 2

Come and have a great time! I feel quite safe here and I would not recommend travelling south through to Malaysia but rather suggest that if you need / want to go there, do so by air rather than ground travel. The three southern provinces of Thailand are in a state of flux right now and I cannot in good conscience tell you it is safe to travel to Malaysia through the south of Thailand.

Answer 3

I am not a westerner, but a traveler to Thailand. I do find it perfectly fine around Thailand, except the 3 southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. Otherwise, Ii feel safe traveling around Thailand, last trip was just last month.

I have not traveled through Malaysia to Thailand yet, but I do know that there are daily traffic through the checkpoint and up to Hatyai without incidences so far. Just avoid the Sungei Golok Checkpoint on the south-east side, near to Malaysia's Kota Bahru town.

Answer 4

I felt pretty safe as a female in Bangkok although I was with my boyfriend. I think as long as you're careful and stick to the same safety rules you would do at home it's not a problem. Just make sure to watch your bag at all times and don't leave valuables in your room. Also always get cabs where they use a metre and ensure that they put the metre on.

We travelled up from Malaysia to Koh Phangan and then upto Bangkok and it was fine. We got a train from Malaysia all the way up to Koh Phangan and again, felt safe.

Hope you have an amazing trip.

Answer 5

It is a wonderful and safe place to go. 6 days is barly enough time to get your feet wet but enough time to see enough to know you must come back again and again.'
See the normal tourist places in the daytime and take in a variety of night life options--see it all. Get out and walk and see the life and people away from the tourist areas. Stay in an inexpensive yet clean and hotel like Oh My Inn or Malaysia Hotel. Both under 1000 Baht/night. Try new foods. If your just going to eat a McDonalds, Burger King, Sizzler and Outback--why bother to come. Plan to shop at Night market on Silom and Suan Lum Night Bazzar. Learn and use just a few Thai words. The Thais appreciate it and will help you and you will better feel a part of the culture. Use Thai Baht...easy to learn the exchange rate and you will get better deals when shopping. Be sure to barter over prices..It's expected.
Plan and expect to have a wonderful time in this exotic and erotic country.

Answer 6

Thailand is a beautiful place to go. And yes there are things you need to be warned about. I was there last year and I can give you as many tips as you need about there. No it is not expensive, as a matter of fact our country has lot more money than theirs does. There is so many ways for transportation if you ever need to go somewhere;taxis,motorcycle,trucks,bikes. Yes if you do not watch out it is VERY dangerous in so many definitions; if you don't watch out the people will charge you more money on the item you buy than it actually cost because they know you're a tourist. Do stay close to who ever you're going with because someone can kidnap you and no one will notice because everyone else is doing something else. They are required to speak English because tourist go to visit and sight see but a lot of them don't know how to speak it because classes to teach them cost so much for them. Some of them only know a few words. I don't believe there are any tourist traps but my definition of that meaning they'll charge you mor because they know you're a tourist. The beach is lovely place to go relax and see. The temples are good too but I guarantee you won't understand the language. If you ever go inside anyone's home or the temples make sure to take off your shoes before going in. If you don't it means disrespect. Bangkok is also a sight seeing place. But be extra careful when you go there. Keep an eye on your belongings all times no matter where you are. If you even look away for a second they will steal.I know it's a lot of info but that info is strictly need to know basis. Hope you have a wonderful time there!

Answer 7

Watch out for the popular Jewlery shop scams. Anthing that appears to good to be true usually is.

Some people have been pickpocketed. Leave all your essential documents such as passport or travellers checks at the safty deposite box at the front desk of your hotel. Take out only as much money you need for the day.

Avoid eating food from strangers. It may be drugged The Snacks offered at open air beer bars are fine.

Don't take unmarked Taxi's

Don't get involved with drugs.

Don't gamble avoid card games.

Answer 8

Don't worry - You will have a great time and like many of us Westerners here, you may not want to leave.. however, though it is possibly fine, personally, I would fly to Malaysia and avoid those troubled southern provinces of Thailand...

Answer 9

It's the same as any other big city.. It's safe if you don't risk yourself eg don't go out late at night alone and get drunk until you don't remember where you are. Same as New york or other big city on pick pocket.. it's happened sometimes, you just need to be careful. Nothing in particular.. All the touristic places has tourist police incase you need help. People are kind and friendly.

Answer 10

I did Bankok with my daughter who was 8 at the time...

We loved it totally , you must visit Kow Pang Road (not sure on spelling) its a must ...

Nothing really bad or warnings, the people were lovely, the place was rather busy and dirty but we had the best time EVER....

Enjoy your time and their and watch out for those tai birds/blokes hee hee....

I felt 100% safe with my daughter and would go again tomoz if i could ...


Enjoy