Why Thailand is the most dangerous country in the world for Aussies abroad

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Why Thailand is the most dangerous country in the world for Aussies abroad

 

AUSTRALIANS’ love of adventure is coming at a high price, with federal government data showing hundreds of travellers are getting seriously injured, dying or going to jail overseas.

 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade statistics for the 12-months to May 31, show consular assistance was sought for 660 Aussies who were hospitalised in just five countries, and for another 484 who were arrested.

 

The top five countries for Australian deaths overseas accounted for 621 lives lost — including 212 in Thailand, 124 in the Philippines and 97 in Indonesia.

 

Thailand was also the place Aussies were most likely to end up in hospital — with 200 admissions in the last year.

 

The US was the country in which Australian travellers were most likely to fall foul of the law with 170 arrests — and 53 people jailed.

 

Deaths and injuries to Aussie travellers in Thailand were up 26 per cent on the previous year, despite Australian visitors to the country falling five per cent.

 

The “trend” was reflected more broadly in medical repatriations, with insurer Allianz Travel recording an 80 per cent surge in overseas cases.

 

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/travel-news/why-thailand-is-the-most-dangerous-country-in-the-world-for-aussies-abroad/news-story/b95ae4725db3466fac462835cb5c5e9b

[observer90210]

The Australia media (and the medias of other western countries)  should start a campain to dissuade  from visiting Thailand. There are other more hospitable asian countries to spend one's money. Thailand is getting a bit spoilt with farang money so why bother?

 

Spend the cash somewhere else and above all, never, never get into buying property in Thailand who seems to disrespect farangs more and more on a daily basis. 

 

Sorry, to the trolls who will deny all obviously, or those who have no cash to drink and screw!! but in the past few days 3 tourists have be assaulted within Pattaya and Phuket and no matter what the reason, Thailand is definately not the safe haven it used to be in for farangs any more...

[DeaconJohn]

Why is Thailand the most dangerous country for Aussies abroad?

Because so many of them act like idiots, that's why.

[Peterw42]

32 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

The Australia media (and the medias of other western countries)  should start a campain to dissuade  from visiting Thailand. There are other more hospitable asian countries to spend one's money. Thailand is getting a bit spoilt with farang money so why bother?

 

Spend the cash somewhere else and above all, never, never get into buying property in Thailand who seems to disrespect farangs more and more on a daily basis. 

 

Sorry, to the trolls who will deny all obviously, or those who have no cash to drink and screw!! but in the past few days 3 tourists have be assaulted within Pattaya and Phuket and no matter what the reason, Thailand is definately not the safe haven it used to be in for farangs any more...

Yes thats right, in the past few days in Australia everyone hugged and sang kumbya, there was no crime, theft, assaults etc. 

Good to see that you can read these articles and put them into perspective.

What sells newspapers, reports of random violence or photos of puppies.

Click on the link in the OP and you will see it takes you to a sign up page to buy a newspaper subscription.

Edited June 13, 2017 by Peterw42

[Andrew65]

15 minutes ago, DeaconJohn said:

Why is Thailand the most dangerous country for Aussies abroad?

Because so many of them act like idiots, that's why.

Booze, drugs, motorbikes, drowning (or a combination of) are probably contributing factors in many cases.

 

Only recently, something I noticed or became aware of, is that travel insurance almost certainly will not cover motorbike accidents, regardless of whether the crashee has a licence or is wearing a skid-lid.

 

An old Scottish friend contracted meningitis (was at death's door) some years back. Luckily he was fully insured, B'grad plus the doctor-escorted trip home cost a cool 2 million Baht, which included a month in ICU.

[observer90210]

9 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes thats right, in the past few days in Australia everyone hugged and sang kumbya, there was no crime, theft, assaults etc. 

Good to see that you can read these articles and put them into perspective.

What sells newspapers, reports of random violence or photos of puppies.

Click on the link in the OP and you will see it takes you to a sign up page to buy a newspaper subscription.

Ok I do not know Australia and have never been there....so if you say that people sing your local song well...good for you?

 

Actually was commenting on Thailand and not on Australia, but thanks for the information nevertheless.

[Peterw42]

12 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Ok I do not know Australia and have never been there....so if you say that people sing your local song well...good for you?

 

Actually was commenting on Thailand and not on Australia, but thanks for the information nevertheless.

You are advocating that everyone should boycott Thailand as it is a very dangerous place, based on a couple of incomplete and sensationalist newspaper reports. For all you know there could have been more attacks in any other country, over the same time.

 

"Ok I do not know Australia and have never been there". Yes that right, you have no idea if there is more violence in Australia (or elsewhere) or less violence. A couple of people got robbed in Tahiti last week, are you going to call for a boycott of Tahiti as well.

 

 

 

 

[dabhand]

52 minutes ago, DeaconJohn said:

Why is Thailand the most dangerous country for Aussies abroad?

Because so many of them act like idiots, that's why.

This article shows that your comment has some merit.

http://www.traveller.com.au/australia-the-land-of-the-idiot-gi36oy

So, maybe more to do with Australians rather than Thailand.

 

[observer90210]

1 minute ago, Peterw42 said:

You are advocating that everyone should boycott Thailand as it is a very dangerous place, based on a couple of incomplete and sensationalist newspaper reports. For all you know there could have been more attacks in any other country, over the same time.

 

"Ok I do not know Australia and have never been there". Yes that right, you have no idea if there is more violence in Australia (or elsewhere) or less violence. A couple of people got robbed in Tahiti last week, are you going to call for a boycott of Tahiti as well.

 

 

 

 

see your point....as for Tahiti well we are talking about Thailand here and not Tahiti so what to say, as I am as well informed as you seem on Tahiti? 

 

Now these reports are not invention or would you consider that they are just a tissue of plain sensational lies and that nothing happened?  So perhaps we could consider to sue the press, make charges for libel and god know what else to boycott freedom of news and speech?????

 

And yes I do agree, the streets of Irak are much more dangerous for a late afternoon stroll,  but once again to remain on topic, the issue was on Pattaya and the fact that worse things happen elsewhere is perhaps, in my humble opinion, not an excuse to accept such attacks locally...and it is important for tourists not to become prey in a society that seems to consider tourists only as walking ATM's and nothing else? ... ..but on the short term, if such agressions against tourists are not tackled, the whole country would suffer .. up to you to decide my dear fellow which direction suits you best!!

[Peterw42]

From a million Australians visiting Thailand, .002 percent die or end up in hospital.

A million Australians could stay home and the same percentage would die or end up in Hospital.

 

 

[WhyYouTalkMeBad]

The Australia media (and the medias of other western countries)  should start a campain to dissuade  from visiting Thailand. There are other more hospitable asian countries to spend one's money. Thailand is getting a bit spoilt with farang money so why bother?
 
Spend the cash somewhere else and above all, never, never get into buying property in Thailand who seems to disrespect farangs more and more on a daily basis. 
 
Sorry, to the trolls who will deny all obviously, or those who have no cash to drink and screw!! but in the past few days 3 tourists have be assaulted within Pattaya and Phuket and no matter what the reason, Thailand is definately not the safe haven it used to be in for farangs any more...

Hahaha
We have a new record. The very first response to injured Ozzies has been turned into a don't buy a condo post
You can't make this stuff up lol

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[observer90210]

1 minute ago, WhyYouTalkMeBad said:

Hahaha
We have a new record. The very first response to injured Ozzies has been turned into a don't buy a condo post
You can't make this stuff up lol

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk
 

Lol and we also have a brillant literary critic on his 2nd post!

[bbi1]

"Why Thailand is the most dangerous country in the world for Aussies abroad"

 

You've gotta be frickin joking! You're more likely to have something happen to you walking down the Sydney CBD on a Friday or Saturday night or at the Gold Coast then you are anything to happen to you in BKK on those same nights.

[observer90210]

2 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

"Why Thailand is the most dangerous country in the world for Aussies abroad"

 

You've gotta be frickin joking! You're more likely to have something happen to you walking down the Sydney CBD on a Friday or Saturday night or at the Gold Coast then you are anything to happen to you in BKK on those same nights.

the point here is that it could have been a tourist from any country...that's what makes the whole context a bit scary and as a tour operator,  I would not like to send a customer to a country that claims all is smilesand safe,....where he runs the risk to get bashed up, be him an Aussie, a Brit, an Americain or whatever....

[wow64]

TAT should sue this media outlet as this was based on old outdated information. 

 

The statics were released by the department of foreign affairs May 31 its almost 2 weeks old and does not show the improved situation over the last 13 days. 

[Get Real]

Why in the world include this in the Thai news? It can´t possibly have anything to do with Thailand. It clearly states that the specific residents from a certain country has a problem. I just guess it´s time for all the Aussies to travel back home and come up with a solution. Seems to me that the problem is hidden there somewhere. Or what to you think?

[biggles45]

"Only recently, something I noticed or became aware of, is that travel insurance almost certainly will not cover motorbike accidents, regardless of whether the crashee has a licence or is wearing a skid-lid."

 

Not true at all. I have bought travel insurance in oz for the last 16 years and hVe been covered, though only for a bike upto 125cc. Additionally, the free cover provided by many credit cards will also often provide cover. 

[Juan B Tong]

Cheap beer.

 

 

(For humor,  no Aussies were bashed in this post.)

[spidermike007]

I do agree that Thailand is dangerous for foreigners. But, for completely different reason. The roads. One of the primary reasons is the toy police force. Nobody, and I mean nobody takes these guys seriously. There is absolutely nothing in the way of a deterrent here, and both the local governments, the central government (weak Little P.) and the police do not take traffic safety seriously. Not even one iota. The safety of the public means less than zero to the small men in charge here. Nothing. They show that on a daily basis. And most of the deaths on the road here fall squarely on the small shoulders of Little P. for his utter and complete refusal to address traffic and public safety. 

 

When I was growing up, we took drivers education classes. They showed us these horrendous films, of semi trucks crashing into cars, and literally obliterating them, and everything inside. Also, they showed very graphic images of head on collisions. Even as a young kid, it left a lasting impression, and I realized driving was no joking matter. Especially when you have your friends, or loved ones in the car with you. I am constantly astonished at the kinds of chances people take here, with their entire family in the car with them. Why? What is the logic? What is the reason? Why take those risks? Often, when someone cuts onto the highway in front of me, as I am doing 100kpm or more on the highway, I look in my rearview mirror, and there is nobody behind me for quite some distance. Which means, had they paused, and waited 2 or 3 seconds, there would have been zero risk to them, their family, or me and my family. What can one even say? All of this matters even more when driving a motorbike, where there is no protection. 

 

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head, drive with caution, and always, and I mean always watch out of the other guy. Chances are, he does not have much driving skill, nor patience, nor reason, nor common sense. You cannot be too careful on the road here. Especially considering that the toy police offer no traffic safety, nor enforcement of the law. 

[natway09]

They are a bit like Thais when they get behind the wheel of a car when they go overseas.

Complete personality change & act like di   heads usually fired by an excess of alcohol 

[esprit]

5 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

From a million Australians visiting Thailand, .002 percent die or end up in hospital.

A million Australians could stay home and the same percentage would die or end up in Hospital.

 

 

so is the moral of your statement that all Australians should stay at home and not come to Thailand ?

[williamgeorgeallen]

might have something to do with the fact so many aussies go to thailand. cant blame them as the flights are so cheap. after 10 years of living in oz i felt like there were cameras and cops watching every move. cant even drive 3km over the speed limit without getting a ticket. thailand is pretty much the opposite, paradise for them to let their hair down.

[bamukloy]

It should be 

"Why Australian tourist are a danger to themself overseas"

 

From the small time i spend in Aus i see a nanny state complex.

 

They are treated like idiots with all the laws.So many rules, harsh fines for every small infraction, beer & cigarettes priced for only the rich can have.

No drinking in public ..no this no that..it goes on and on. You must wonder if you allowed to take a crap without have some licence

 

with the riduclous cost of just a simple night out in Aus, start with 1000baht+ if to go over 15minutes in a taxi...

 

Is no wonder the buggers go troppo here

 

Sorry-rant over

[Blackheart1916]

8 hours ago, observer90210 said:

The Australia media (and the medias of other western countries)  should start a campain to dissuade  from visiting Thailand. There are other more hospitable asian countries to spend one's money. Thailand is getting a bit spoilt with farang money so why bother?

 

Spend the cash somewhere else and above all, never, never get into buying property in Thailand who seems to disrespect farangs more and more on a daily basis. 

 

Sorry, to the trolls who will deny all obviously, or those who have no cash to drink and screw!! but in the past few days 3 tourists have be assaulted within Pattaya and Phuket and no matter what the reason, Thailand is definately not the safe haven it used to be in for farangs any more...

Off you go then.

[Blackheart1916]

This old chestnut. Still, more Aussies die every year in Australia than any other country, so there you go!

[seajae]

as an aussie it is a bit of a worry to see some of the d*ck heads that come over here and what they do(including female ones) but I see the same from just about every other western country. Main cause is because many think that is what Thailand is all about, it is shown mainly as a drinking and sex holiday to many people so thats wheat they come for, unfortunately many aussies cant help themselves but that has been around for many years, part of being a bogan aussie. Thing is when we were a lot younger we did it with style, these days they are hopeless

[GreasyFingers]

18 minutes ago, seajae said:

as an aussie it is a bit of a worry to see some of the d*ck heads that come over here and what they do(including female ones) but I see the same from just about every other western country. Main cause is because many think that is what Thailand is all about, it is shown mainly as a drinking and sex holiday to many people so thats wheat they come for, unfortunately many aussies cant help themselves but that has been around for many years, part of being a bogan aussie. Thing is when we were a lot younger we did it with style, these days they are hopeless

Yes, it is not us old farts, it it the young, irresponsable ones they are talking about. It would be nice to be young again but luckily I found Thailand at an advanced age.

[wakeupplease]

212 Australians dead, over 300 British a year, I do not have the German, Russian or Chinese figures but from what I see on TV it must be high

 

Sounds like a bloody war zone with that many who die and the place is safe some say. yeah right go on believing that at your peril.

[4MyEgo]

10 hours ago, DeaconJohn said:

Why is Thailand the most dangerous country for Aussies abroad?

Because so many of them act like idiots, that's why.

You can hear them coming a mile away, chanting ozzie ozzie ozzie, oi oi oi with bottles of beer in hand walking down Bangla Road pissed as and ready to rumble

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I do agree that Thailand is dangerous for foreigners. But, for completely different reason. The roads. One of the primary reasons is the toy police force. Nobody, and I mean nobody takes these guys seriously. There is absolutely nothing in the way of a deterrent here, and both the local governments, the central government (weak Little P.) and the police do not take traffic safety seriously. Not even one iota. The safety of the public means less than zero to the small men in charge here. Nothing. They show that on a daily basis. And most of the deaths on the road here fall squarely on the small shoulders of Little P. for his utter and complete refusal to address traffic and public safety. 

 

 

When I was growing up, we took drivers education classes. They showed us these horrendous films, of semi trucks crashing into cars, and literally obliterating them, and everything inside. Also, they showed very graphic images of head on collisions. Even as a young kid, it left a lasting impression, and I realized driving was no joking matter. Especially when you have your friends, or loved ones in the car with you. I am constantly astonished at the kinds of chances people take here, with their entire family in the car with them. Why? What is the logic? What is the reason? Why take those risks? Often, when someone cuts onto the highway in front of me, as I am doing 100kpm or more on the highway, I look in my rearview mirror, and there is nobody behind me for quite some distance. Which means, had they paused, and waited 2 or 3 seconds, there would have been zero risk to them, their family, or me and my family. What can one even say? All of this matters even more when driving a motorbike, where there is no protection. 

 

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head, drive with caution, and always, and I mean always watch out of the other guy. Chances are, he does not have much driving skill, nor patience, nor reason, nor common sense. You cannot be too careful on the road here. Especially considering that the toy police offer no traffic safety, nor enforcement of the law. 

Couldn't agree with you more, there is never a day that goes by that I could have killed that person or that person killed me