amcab718 Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 So i am planning a trip to Thailand, for a year soon. I will be visiting for three months and sorting out my residence and language visa situation during these months. My question is regarding travel safety. Now i have read a few points that should be clear to anyone traveling. Keep your bags closeby and attend to them, keep documents safe, when arriving at my destination keep away from shady places. (Being drinking out late, dark alleys, whatever you get the point). But i have come across videos of some idiots and unlucky bastards getting caught with drugs in the airport, and also the Facebook8 that apparently wrote or said something that should not have been said. (Now when traveling abroad it is etiquette and a right thing to respect the host country's customs and rules and never break the law.) Having noted these, what are some precautions that should be taken when traveling to Thailand. As i am moving for a year, i will be bringing two suitcases, a carry-on and a backpack. I am not a backpacker and don't like wearing the same crap every day. Any advice, sarcasm, or whatever is welcome....Thanks guys. I ask because some of you may have traveled recently and would have updated advice and tips that sites may not have. Thanks in advance...Great Community! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geronimo Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 Don't break the law and you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcab718 Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 Yeah figured that, @geronimo, just asking in case someone has heard of unusual stories, which sometimes help to keep a sharper eye on things. I don't do drugs and rarely drink. So i see myself doing fairly alright, and steering away from trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLover Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 You say your not a backpacker but will carry a backpack, be careful as you may get stereotyped into being a backpacker and get called gutter mouth names if you stay in the tourist/local ghetto areas. Really, I'm sure you'll be fine, seems you have a good idea of what to do/not do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcab718 Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 No, i plan to stay away from ghettos, i am from New York. there are enough here to live near. While i do respect that people love to travel and follow their dreams. This is something i often see online, V-logs and blogs of backpackers living in these really messed up areas or rooms houses. etc. I just couldn't agree with that. When you experience a country, you should be able to experience it at its fullest without limits on housing and food. That is just horrible to me, why subject yourself to habitual torture in an estranged land. Again i tread carefully as i don't want to offend anyone. But really, i believe some of these gals/guys should save up some more money and then do that they want traveling. They always seem to encourage others to follow them, which i believe is a sign and not a good one. Although,i admit some are helpful, at least in knowing what to avoid and what to expect. so in that sense kudos to them, But lets keep in mind what the locals will believe of other tourists/expats, not good in my opinion. These images/stereotypes are some that should be broken by providing good examples of behavior and good attitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAustin Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 I was a backpacker once but never wore the same 'crap' everyday. But tarring everyone with the same brush, you'll do well here. Safety: same as most places. Look like you know where you're going (no pulling maps out in the street), get a local SIM and enter emerg numbers (tourist police 1155, ambulance 1669), be guarded when anyone approaches you on the street (Thais are normally conservative unless selling/up to something), also lots of dodgy foreigners here, don't argue with Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcab718 Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 @daveAustin don't mean to tarnish backpackers, like i said a lot of the information they provide is helpful. What i have criticized I have done as a collective. After all, we are foreigners in a country, shouldn't the image / way a group collective presents themselves matter, specially in such a place where 'face' is something that obviously matters to locals and their culture. I am not saying that they are wrong, or that what they do is trashy/crappy or whatever. Just there are some that don't do well when traveling abroad and representing their countries. Which we all do, wether we intend to or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chao Lao Beach Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 With a backpack for some reason people assume you are gutter trash. Same as some people think those who rent a BMW and put on a suit are wealthy. Just be aware, stupid I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thai3 Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Thais certainly look down on 'backpackuur' and tend to see them as poor, dirty and to be avoided Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malt25 Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Thais certainly look down on 'backpackuur' and tend to see them as poor, dirty and to be avoided Now there's an idea. Disguise yourself as a backpacker ... safe way to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 The most important thing is to get decent health insurance, which I'm sure you will, being the sort of person you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amcab718 Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 @nausea yes i will, it sucks with obamacare now, will have to pay this crap i wont use, and international insurance. While we are on this topic, is BUPA considered good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chowny77 Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 The most important thing is to get decent health insurance, which I'm sure you will, being the sort of person you are. I agree with nausea. Get a decent health insurance that covers everything, including motorcycle/car hire. You will get sick and that is a 100% guarantee, not because you did anything but because of the change of location/foods/accidents. Thailand can be dangerous but so can anywhere else in the world, keep your wits about you, use the common sense your parents gave you and you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 You sound like a reasonable person. Just use your head and common sense. you should be fine. Enjoy your visit....and don't worry so much. millions visit every year and have no problems. Like anywhere in the world, some are unlucky and have problems and some are stupid and have problems. Be lucky and have fun. It's an amazing place to experience for the first time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ireland32 Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Be careful with the Lady boi's, they are pickpockets on street , and on bahtbus in Pattaya , be respectful, but a firm no thanks should suffice, No Jetskiis, no gamble, no gold showing, Smile, No driving at night, Have Fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldgit Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Flame removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Fool Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Watch out for giant rats. I saw 2 on my last trip. They look like the size of a rabbit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumpy Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 A fool and his/her money are soon parted. Should be on the flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Watch out for giant rats. I saw 2 on my last trip. They look like the size of a rabbit. The rats will not bother you, they will just run past you and ignore you. I had one which trotted over my feet as I walked down Beach Road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phetphet Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Keep copies of important documents: Passport, Driving Licence, Travel insurance etc somewhere safe. Maybe on an encrypted USB key, Dropbox, or something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bantex Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 (edited) Keep copies of important documents: Passport, Driving Licence, Travel insurance etc somewhere safe. Maybe on an encrypted USB key, Dropbox, or something similar. I keep a copy of all important documents online in an email which I can easily access from any computer and print off as require. Police once required me to produce a document which I accessed from the police station and they read on the computer screen. Edited May 17, 2016 by Bantex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 The most important thing is to get decent health insurance, which I'm sure you will, being the sort of person you are. I agree with nausea. Get a decent health insurance that covers everything, including motorcycle/car hire. You will get sick and that is a 100% guarantee, not because you did anything but because of the change of location/foods/accidents. Thailand can be dangerous but so can anywhere else in the world, keep your wits about you, use the common sense your parents gave you and you will be fine. "You will get sick and that is a 100% guarantee". Depends on what you mean by getting sick, do you mean getting sick which happens to everyone in any country, or do you mean something more serious. I have never had any illnesses in the ten years I have been here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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