On 12/29/2025 at 5:46 AM, spidermike007 said:

Thailand is very safe for foreigners and expats and this kind of thing affects a tiny pinhead of non Thais. 99% of the violence here is Thai on Thai, and Thailand remains one of the safest countries around in my opinion, as long as your mind your own business and keep your nose clean. 

I disagree.  I don't think Thailand is very safe for foreigners.  

 

The government, police, and judicial system are terrible corrupt here.  

 

Foreigners, expats and tourists, are frequently killed on the roads a;; across the country, with drink driving playing a major part.  Then there's everything from bed bug spray to

Koh Phangan speed boat crashes on Full Moon Party night killing people.  

 

I could go on and on, but no way is Thailand safe for foreigners.  

43 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I disagree.  I don't think Thailand is very safe for foreigners.  

 

The government, police, and judicial system are terrible corrupt here.  

 

Foreigners, expats and tourists, are frequently killed on the roads a;; across the country, with drink driving playing a major part.  Then there's everything from bed bug spray to

Koh Phangan speed boat crashes on Full Moon Party night killing people.  

 

I could go on and on, but no way is Thailand safe for foreigners.  

I couldn't disagree more adamantly, I have two decades of my own experience to prove it, in addition to countless friends who live here very safely.

 

I'm infinitely more afraid to walk the streets of Los Angeles than I am in Bangkok. 

 

But if you really truly are that afraid of Thailand I suggest you stay away. 

4 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

I was taught that in a knife fight everyone is going to get cut. Expect it. Plan for it by sacrificing a fleshy part of the weak arm as you attack with the strong. Better than ruining your best liver. 
While pepper ‘spray’ is illegal in Thailand, pepper is not. If you are close enough to get cut, you’re close enough to throw a handful of pepper. Salt works too. 

While that's likely an accurate fact it's just not that convenient carrying around a bag of ground pepper and then reaching deep into your pocket when an incident happens. You also have no control over where the pepper spray goes, especially if there are fans nearby or if you're outdoors and it is breezy.

 

Pepper spray is infinitely more useful. The fact that it's illegal is simply a very very minor deterrent. 1,000 baht "fine" maximum. My friend got away with a DUI recently by paying a 1,000 baht "fine". That's part of the beauty of the RTP, if you know how to work with them. 

20 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Money Number One in Thailand.  

Bizarre,  In which countries is money not number one?

4 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

If you are close enough to get cut, you’re close enough to throw a handful of pepper. Salt works too. 

Fortuitous that we all carry a handful of salt in one hand and pepper in the other.

2 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

3 hours ago, soalbundy said:

wait a moment while I unscrew the top of this pepper pot.

Wait a moment while I open my backpack and take out my pepper spray. Same problem.

Not at all - if someone is needing to carry pepper spray the chances are it'd be accessible in a pocket.

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

I disagree.  I don't think Thailand is very safe for foreigners.  

 

The government, police, and judicial system are terrible corrupt here.  

 

Foreigners, expats and tourists, are frequently killed on the roads a;; across the country, with drink driving playing a major part.  Then there's everything from bed bug spray to

Koh Phangan speed boat crashes on Full Moon Party night killing people. 

 

 

 

 

I could go on and on, but no way is Thailand safe for foreigners.  

B0llocks.

 

"The government, police, and judicial system are terrible corrupt here".

How does that adversely affect 99.99% of foreigners?

 

"Foreigners, expats and tourists, are frequently killed on the roads a;; across the country, with drink driving playing a major part".

Perhaps those foreigners shouldn't drink and drive, then.  Regardless, foreigners are, statistically and in reality, very rarely killed on Thai roads.

 

"Then there's everything from bed bug spray to..."

One isolated incident several years ago that does not affect foreigners in any way, generally.

 

"...Koh Phangan speed boat crashes on Full Moon Party night killing people".

One fatal incident 20 years ago and one this year when passengers ignored the dangerous conditions red flag warnings but took the boat anyway where known rough sea conditions capsised the vessel.  You post as though they are daily occurences.

 

"I could go on and on..."

Yes, you could go on with your exaggerating and over-dramatic scaremongering but please don't.  And why would you?

51 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I couldn't disagree more adamantly, I have two decades of my own experience to prove it, in addition to countless friends who live here very safely.

 

I'm infinitely more afraid to walk the streets of Los Angeles than I am in Bangkok. 

 

But if you really truly are that afraid of Thailand I suggest you stay away. 

Seconded.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I couldn't disagree more adamantly, I have two decades of my own experience to prove it, in addition to countless friends who live here very safely.

If you are in a cocoon, looked after by the Thai missus, as many are, I guess I can understand your comment.  

 

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I'm infinitely more afraid to walk the streets of Los Angeles than I am in Bangkok. 

That comment doesn't mean Thailand is safe though, does it, as you claim.  

 

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

But if you really truly are that afraid of Thailand I suggest you stay away. 

Not afraid.  Just no rose colored glasses, as you have.  

 

Thailand is NOT a safe country, for foreigners, and Thai's.  Particularly when it comes to road death.   

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Bizarre,  In which countries is money not number one?

In the countries where the police and government are not the mafia.  

 

Wake up.  

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

How does that adversely affect 99.99% of foreigners?

It effects everyone.  Thai's, and foreigners.  Both are extorted money for their for their freedom.  

 

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Perhaps those foreigners shouldn't drink and drive, then.  Regardless, foreigners are, statistically and in reality, very rarely killed on Thai roads.

Who said the foreigners drink and drive????

 

Drunk Thai's crash into law abiding foreigners, sometimes with fatal consequences. Not to mention those maimed, who will never walk again.  

 

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

One isolated incident several years ago that does not affect foreigners in any way, generally.

Not isolated.  Happened in more than one place.  Do check your facts before embarrassing yourself.  

 

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

One fatal incident 20 years ago and one this year when passengers ignored the dangerous conditions red flag warnings but took the boat anyway where known rough sea conditions capsised the vessel.  You post as though they are daily occurences.

Over the years there have been many, in various locations.  

 

33 dead in this one.  

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44728478

 

Thailand is all about maximum money in, for minimum money spent to generate that maximum money, and safety standards usually is the cost saving measure.  

On 12/28/2025 at 3:35 PM, save the frogs said:

Weekly occurrence?

I was referring to the violent acts committed by tourists in LOS ever since they open their doors to everyone and their mothers.

take the time and read news from other SE Asia forums and news and you will see the difference in behavior by tourists sans Bali where they attract the same kind as Thailand.

On 12/29/2025 at 4:31 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Money Number One in Thailand.  

thank you!!!

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

In the countries where the police and government are not the mafia.  

 

Wake up.  

Some posters are the biggest trolls on this forum. they will defend Thailand until LOS screws them over. they better pray to Buddha and hold on to their amulets that day never comes!

Troll post removed

@BayArea discuss the topic not other posters.

Rule 9. You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages. You will respect other members and post in a civil manner. Personal attacks, insults or hate speech posted on the forum or sent by private message are not allowed.
 
10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

On 12/29/2025 at 8:41 AM, scubascuba3 said:

They should profile people, check Chinese properly

Yeah, take the straws off the Indians too!

13 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

If you are in a cocoon, looked after by the Thai missus, as many are, I guess I can understand your comment.  

 

That comment doesn't mean Thailand is safe though, does it, as you claim.  

 

Not afraid.  Just no rose colored glasses, as you have.  

 

Thailand is NOT a safe country, for foreigners, and Thai's.  Particularly when it comes to road death.   

Well I couldn't possibly agree with you more when it comes to the highway, but i was not speaking in a general manner taking into accounts all considerations. I was speaking more about general security issues, and the highways and roads here are incredibly dangerous, you're correct about that.

Nowhere else in the world have I seen people consistency take the kinds of chances and risks in the road, that they take here, with their families in the car. Nowhere. When they could have waited four seconds to make the uturn or turn onto the highway, and have a completely clear path, they instead choose to take a tremendous risk. It is beyond comprehension. I see it all the time. My eyes do not lie to me. This rarely ever happens to me in the US.

If I decide to cut you off on a highway, when you are going 120kph, and I am making a u-turn, and there was plenty of room behind you for me to make a safe turn, is that an error, if it results in a horrific, fatal accident, and I take out the lives of you and your family?

Sometimes an error is wearing white after Labor day in New York City to a formal event. And sometimes an error is invading Russia before the oncoming winter.

On 12/29/2025 at 6:22 AM, BayArea said:

Ask yourself why these incidents mostly occurred in Thailand. You don't often hear these violent incidents in other parts of SE Asia.  Its a weekly occurrence either in BKK, Pattaya and Phuket.  we all know the reasons why, but the Thai government and ever hungry TAT don't seem to care or address these matters with any urgency whatsoever.  I guess as long as the numbers of tourists continue to be high, a blind eye it shall be!

You've never lived in China then.

They get hissed and carry on and fight just like every other mob where grog is involved.

When you market to the low end of a market, you get what you get.

Occasional drunken Brits getting their asses kicked in a punch up are far preferable to the hordes of Thais and Chinese who never saw a flush toilet until they came to Thailand. Especially Chinese, who add arrogance to lack of manners

On 12/31/2025 at 3:30 AM, spidermike007 said:

Well I couldn't possibly agree with you more when it comes to the highway, but i was not speaking in a general manner taking into accounts all considerations. I was speaking more about general security issues, and the highways and roads here are incredibly dangerous, you're correct about that.

So, just to clarify, Thailand is safe for foreigners and expats in nightclubs, but not safe on the roads. Is this what you mean?

I would have thought the words "safe" or "safety" in Thailand was for 24/7/365. After all, what's the point of worrying about safety in a nightclub, if you are involved in an accident on the way to the nightclub. 🙂

Whilst it's never happened to me, even when I was a younger man coming to Pattaya, the nightclub raids with being searched and p*ssing in a cup etc wouldn't make me feel very "safe." I don't do drugs, but I would feel that being in a raid like that would not be a safe environment. Certainly open to extortion.

Then, there's the pick pocket in the nightclub, and overcharging on the bill.

On 12/31/2025 at 3:30 AM, spidermike007 said:

Nowhere else in the world have I seen people consistency take the kinds of chances and risks in the road, that they take here, with their families in the car. Nowhere. When they could have waited four seconds to make the uturn or turn onto the highway, and have a completely clear path, they instead choose to take a tremendous risk. It is beyond comprehension. I see it all the time. My eyes do not lie to me. This rarely ever happens to me in the US.

Don't forget the big bus crashes.

On 12/31/2025 at 3:30 AM, spidermike007 said:

If I decide to cut you off on a highway, when you are going 120kph, and I am making a u-turn, and there was plenty of room behind you for me to make a safe turn, is that an error, if it results in a horrific, fatal accident, and I take out the lives of you and your family?

They could be foreigners and expats. Right?

On 12/31/2025 at 3:30 AM, spidermike007 said:

Sometimes an error is wearing white after Labor day in New York City to a formal event. And sometimes an error is invading Russia before the oncoming winter.

For me, the "error" is in poor license or non existent license testing. Also poor law enforcement. Then, there's that part of Thai culture, Money Number One that pushed professional drivers over their limits to keep schedule.

Some tourists have not even made it to their hotel from the airport to start their holiday.

On 12/30/2025 at 6:35 PM, BayArea said:

Some posters are the biggest trolls on this forum. they will defend Thailand until LOS screws them over. they better pray to Buddha and hold on to their amulets that day never comes!

Ahhhh, yes. I know the type.

They believe the more, or the bigger, Buddha tattoos they have, the more Thai they are than you. It's laughable. 😂

Then, there are others who have "invested" in Thailand both emotionally, and financially. They need to reinforce their decision by continually promoting Thailand to others.

Many lose sight of reality here.