The world’s riskiest place to visit, if you’re British

[Andrew65]

3 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I have chatted with many British expats who live in Thailand because they got sick of

the British Winters, and also with having people of other countries buying up their

neighbourhoods, building a mosque and waking everyone up with in 2KMS every

morning at 5AM etc. They also got tired of the high costs of living in Britain.

  I know of some Canadians who also live in Thailand for 6 months each year for

the same reasons. Dangerous but better warm or hot Winters, and cheap living

hmmm wonder what I will do in the next few years

Geezer

I've just left Thailand after nearly 20 years to return to the UK.

 

I used to do all the nightlife stuff that almost all of us do, but not for many years now.

 

Absolutely the weather will be what I will miss the most.

 

As far as being cheap, not quite as much as it used to be (I was first in Thailand in 1985 when it was dirt cheap!). One example being, when I go around the supermarket in the UK, many things cost a half or a third of what they do in Bangkok. Rent is similar in Bangkok to what I pay in the UK (around £600 a month).

[DILLIGAD]

I have chatted with many British expats who live in Thailand because they got sick of
the British Winters, and also with having people of other countries buying up their
neighbourhoods, building a mosque and waking everyone up with in 2KMS every
morning at 5AM etc. They also got tired of the high costs of living in Britain.
  I know of some Canadians who also live in Thailand for 6 months each year for
the same reasons. Dangerous but better warm or hot Winters, and cheap living
hmmm wonder what I will do in the next few years
Geezer

That ‘cheaper living’ difference is getting smaller & smaller IMO. I hear that many Expats are leaving LOS for other nearby ASEAN countries.


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[finnishmen]

YES,better british idiot tourist keep far at thailand  and better go only india and african tourism, not newer again to other countries, better banned out ewery country.

[Andrew65]

4 minutes ago, finnishmen said:

YES,better british idiot tourist keep far at thailand  and better go only india and african tourism, not newer again to other countries, better banned out ewery country.

...better to Finnish learning English before trying to write it!☺️

[sawadee1947]

7 hours ago, kannot said:

Never  claimed  anything here  in 13  years.................except for gross  stupidity.

Very interesting. Who paid then for your "gross stupidity " ???

[marqus12]

People have to take tests to get a driving license to be able to drive. So why are people

who grew up in "nanny states" get passports without passing the appropriate tests???

They pose a threat to themselves and others, It seems that some restrictions

should be introduced for their own safety .

[stanleycoin]

24 minutes ago, finnishmen said:

YES,better british idiot tourist keep far at thailand  and better go only india and african tourism, not newer again to other countries, better banned out ewery country.

 

Trolling,

Trolling.

Trolling down the river. 

[Essex Grampa]

Doesn’t Endsleigh speialise in insuring students? It certainly used to.

 

At the other end of the scale if you retire somewhere you’re likely to die there!

 

[Andrew65]

4 minutes ago, Essex Grampa said:

Doesn’t Endsleigh speialise in insuring students? It certainly used to.

 

At the other end of the scale if you retire somewhere you’re likely to die there!

 

I think the reference to travel insurance means this is more about tourists than expats,

[bannork]

20 minutes ago, marqus12 said:

People have to take tests to get a driving license to be able to drive. So why are people

who grew up in "nanny states" get passports without passing the appropriate tests???

They pose a threat to themselves and others, It seems that some restrictions

should be introduced for their own safety .

Well the well-known British public figure, Mr Gumby, did go to have his brain checked though I don't know if he went to Thailand after the operation. His twin brother, James Joyce, did venture as far as Italy.

Edited August 13, 2018 by bannork

[spidermike007]

My guess is, that a high percent of these deaths or injuries are from renting scooters without alot of driving experience. Especially on the southern island. 

 

Many of us drive motorcycles or scooters here, and it is dangerous getting on the roads with some of these other drivers. Getting on a scooter, or a motorcycle anywhere in Thailand, much less Phuket, Phangan, Dark Tao, or Samui without a very good helmet, is like playing Russian Roulette with three or four bullets in the chamber. It is absolutely asking for problems. The degree of recklessness here is astounding. And many foreigners come here thinking "how much trouble could I get in on a little scooter, on a tropical island"? Well, the answer is alot. The amount of foreigners who are killed on the Southern islands is staggering. Most are not reported in the media. I had a friend who worked for Samui rescue for many years, and said the numbers were about 30-60 a month, on Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao. He is a very honest gentleman, and did not have an agenda, so I trust him. The official number is about 3 a month. Rider beware. Use as good a helmet as you can afford, and do not use these eggshells pieces of crap. They crack at the first impact, and what lies underneath them? Your skull, which is very delicate. 

 
Just ask yourself- do I have enough problems already, without a broken skull, or smashed head, or face injury, or lost eye? I have two friends who have been in motorbike accidents on Samui within the last few years. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, from a motorbike accident, where she hit her head on the pavement going only 20 kph. No helmet, unfortunately. The other one has lost alot of his mental capacity after hitting his head. He insisted for years he would never wear a helmet. Now, he seems 15 years older. 

 

I was told by a very reliable source. He did not have an agenda. He rescued alot of the survivors. He attended to alot of the ones who did not make it. The press here is highly censored. The report only what the so called leaders want them to report. Nothing else. Social media? Why would social media report these statistics? They report individual accidents, but not overall statistics. Anything you read about accidents on Samui in the media would be false.  

 

 

 

 

[anon789561]

not much info as usual. would be interesting to see what kind of tourists these were. i imagine alot of claims are by back packers whether genuine or not and most as i did back in the day fly into bkk and use it as a base the same way aussie, kiwis and saffas do london to back pack europe so of course bkk will get the brunt of any insurance claims. also, many moons ago my old man lived in spain and i went with a load of guys from school at 16 and we were able to hire motorbikes without even a licence never mind a helmet. don't think that's possible now in most places anyway. i reckon spain may well have been the 'most dangerous' place for tourists from the uk not so long ago. basically the article is kind of pants, not enough info

[from the home of CC]

probably the ex wife's place on a Saturday night.....

[Get Real]

1 hour ago, smotherb said:

While I see your point; your basis is incorrect.The study only tested Brits. 

I guess there must be a reason for that, right? Or was it just another stupid mistake created in the aftermath of Brexit?

[SunsetT]

6 hours ago, dotpoom said:

If a particular person/ nationality has a particular problem internationally..

then it is logical to conclude that the problem lies within that person.....rather than  within the area or citizens  where they choose to visit. 

Endsleigh would only be assessing the risk to Brits travelling, not the risk to any other nationalities. They also specialise in insuring students so this would indicate that Thailand only has the highest risk for backpackers not all British travellers visiting Thailand:

 

"Endsleigh Insurance is a Cheltenham-based UK insurance intermediary specialising in the student, education, graduate and sport markets. It is the preferred insurer for several unions and professional associations"......from Wikipedia.

Edited August 13, 2018 by SunsetT

[smotherb]

2 minutes ago, Get Real said:

I guess there must be a reason for that, right? Or was it just another stupid mistake created in the aftermath of Brexit?

Not sure there is a requirement for a logical reason to post on this forum. However, a lot of posts are Brit-related, maybe because so many Brits are here.

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, Get Real said:

As we once again see in the news. The brits can be proud to be separated from other people, and once again stand alone with something unfathomable.

How in the world can it percentually be more risky for brits then other nationalities, if they are not the cause of the problem? Please, anybody. Enligthen me.

The survey was done using an insurance company that is for British students.

(40 years back I was insured with them)

[soalbundy]

nah London is way riskier.

[anon789561]

23 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

My guess is, that a high percent of these deaths or injuries are from renting scooters without alot of driving experience. Especially on the southern island. 

 

Many of us drive motorcycles or scooters here, and it is dangerous getting on the roads with some of these other drivers. Getting on a scooter, or a motorcycle anywhere in Thailand, much less Phuket, Phangan, Dark Tao, or Samui without a very good helmet, is like playing Russian Roulette with three or four bullets in the chamber. It is absolutely asking for problems. The degree of recklessness here is astounding. And many foreigners come here thinking "how much trouble could I get in on a little scooter, on a tropical island"? Well, the answer is alot. The amount of foreigners who are killed on the Southern islands is staggering. Most are not reported in the media. I had a friend who worked for Samui rescue for many years, and said the numbers were about 30-60 a month, on Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao. He is a very honest gentleman, and did not have an agenda, so I trust him. The official number is about 3 a month. Rider beware. Use as good a helmet as you can afford, and do not use these eggshells pieces of crap. They crack at the first impact, and what lies underneath them? Your skull, which is very delicate. 

 
Just ask yourself- do I have enough problems already, without a broken skull, or smashed head, or face injury, or lost eye? I have two friends who have been in motorbike accidents on Samui within the last few years. One still cannot walk, or talk or function on her own, from a motorbike accident, where she hit her head on the pavement going only 20 kph. No helmet, unfortunately. The other one has lost alot of his mental capacity after hitting his head. He insisted for years he would never wear a helmet. Now, he seems 15 years older. 

 

I was told by a very reliable source. He did not have an agenda. He rescued alot of the survivors. He attended to alot of the ones who did not make it. The press here is highly censored. The report only what the so called leaders want them to report. Nothing else. Social media? Why would social media report these statistics? They report individual accidents, but not overall statistics. Anything you read about accidents on Samui in the media would be false.  

 

 

 

 

why are your posts always so long? 555 i took the time to read btw and made sense as usual. i have a thai mate from dark tao as you name it. different topic. he's in hospital in nonthaburi paralyzed from the waist down from a 'small' motorcycle accident on tao. he had to hire a driver and maid so he can get out and about whilst he does his physio and stuff. will he actually be able to walk again? we doubt it but we don't tell him until all hope is lost. bikes are dangerous whether on your moo ban or on the main roads or a nice little island. one mistake (not even yours) and it can change your life. you told me that when i was 19 and exploring the world would i have listened? yes, i just wouldn't have cared

Edited August 13, 2018 by Happy enough

[dunroaming]

7 hours ago, z42 said:

As a Brit here I don't feel overlg at risk compared to many other places. Generally speaking though I have enough smarts and experience here to just about keep me out of bother.

 

That said, luck and good timing also play just an important a role imo.

 

The roads are the riskieat part of the whole thing, and generally speaking, the range of the activities available here not only make it such a wonderful place to visit but also open up a traveller to a whole host of extra dangers both clear and less obvious

Coming to Thailand as a visitor is very different to being an ex-pat living in the country.  And it also depends on how you define riskiest.  Travelling in S.E.A I have had a few insurance claims in Thailand for having my suitcase broken into by baggage handlers, having my safe broken into in hotel rooms and one when I was hospitalised by a hit and run driver.  Living day to day in Thailand gave me no problems.

[Get Real]

13 minutes ago, smotherb said:

Not sure there is a requirement for a logical reason to post on this forum. However, a lot of posts are Brit-related, maybe because so many Brits are here.

That it might be many Brits here have not at all any relation to why it is the riskiest place for just Brits. That due to that the calculation was made on a percentually calculated level.

Nice try, bad luck!. The only thing that was right is that you are not sure. 

Edited August 13, 2018 by Get Real

[Get Real]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The survey was done using an insurance company that is for British students.

(40 years back I was insured with them)

Which actually make it even worse, right? You have traitors in the form of students in your country! Call the ruskies. They know how to deal with them in a more scientific way. 

[swanny321]

6 hours ago, dotpoom said:

If a particular person/ nationality has a particular problem internationally..

then it is logical to conclude that the problem lies within that person.....rather than  within the area or citizens  where they choose to visit. 

  Your logic is a little flimsy, dare I say flawed, there bud.

[gamini]

7 hours ago, coulson said:

I dont think it matters if you're British or not.

 

It's the riskiest tourist destination for anyone to visit full stop/ period/ end of.

I guess you've never been anywhere else. I have lived here on an off most of my life and I find it the safest place  I have ever lived. We were in Australia for three years, got our house broken into three times. Our cars twice. My wife had a shopping trolley stolen at Woolworths.  Our teenage daughter scared to go out alone after dark. I got into a few fights too, only ones in my whole life

[natway09]

Without some % of numbers visiting these figures are useless & stupid reporting.

They need to ask "how many went to each country"?

[smotherb]

1 minute ago, Get Real said:

That it might be many Britshere have not at all any relation to why it is the riskiest place for just Brits. That due to that the calculation was made on a percentually calculated level.

Nice try, bad luck!. The only thing that was right is that you are not sure. 

I think you missed the point. No where does it say, " . . . not at all any relation to why it is the riskiest place for just Brits." 

 

It appears to me the study was of Brits. There were no other nationalities specifically mentioned.

 

The  headline states, " The world’s riskiest place to visit, if you’re British "

The lead-in sentence for the first paragraph says, " If you’re British, where in the world is the riskiest place for you to visit? "

 

The lead-in sentence for the second paragraph says, " Thailand has been found to be the world’s riskiest holiday destination for British tourists, "

 

Then the article itself says, " Top 10 riskiest travel destinations, if you’re British: " and gives a list of countries starting with Thailand.

 

Seems to me the article is about Brits.

 

 

 

[DILLIGAD]

I think you missed the point. No where does it say, " . . . not at all any relation to why it is the riskiest place for just Brits." 
 
It appears to me the study was of Brits. There were no other nationalities specifically mentioned.
 
The  headline states, " The world’s riskiest place to visit, if you’re British "


The lead-in sentence for the first paragraph says, " If you’re British, where in the world is the riskiest place for you to visit? "
 
The lead-in sentence for the second paragraph says, " Thailand has been found to be the world’s riskiest holiday destination for British tourists, "
 
Then the article itself says, " Top 10 riskiest travel destinations, if you’re British: " and gives a list of countries starting with Thailand.
 
Seems to me the article is about Brits.

 
 
 

It’s been reported elsewhere that numbers are dropping, so I guess accidents will too.


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[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

I know what you mean, but then again, Britain has some of the safest roads in the World, and Thailand (almost) the most dangerous.

Yes, it's a question of knowing the risks. Phuket and Samui are dangerous for bikes for instance due to the sand that can easily blow onto the road. Most of the fatalities on Thai roads occur on the major highways where the locals drive insanely fast. Using bikes around Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai I always felt pretty safe... certainly more than driving somewhere like Saigon where a British driver is constantly trying to remember to be on the right side of the road. 

[Jonmarleesco]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Travel insurance claims included damaged luggage and flight cancellations.

Hardly reflective of risk. 

[zydeco]

6 hours ago, Brigante7 said:

The problem is, most Brits under 30 are thick as shit and have no concept of what is going on around them, to busy with their heads stuck in their phones. Every country in the world has danger spots and unless you are paying attention then before you know it you are up the creek without a paddle. 

 

 

 

Brigante7.

 

 

 

Probably most Westerners from that demographic are in the same vulnerable condition. Just more Britishers because more of them come here than Americans, Germs, French, Ports, Spans, Dutch, et. al. Americans, for example, usually go to Mexico to get killed.