Is Thailand Safe To Visit? Helpful Things To Know

Is Thailand Safe To Visit?

Thailand is a popular tourist destination. But many wonder: is Thailand safe to visit? The short answer would be yes. But like any other country, there are certain safety concerns that travelers should be aware of before visiting. It’s interesting to note that the US Department of State ranks Thailand as a level 1 destination. That basically means it’s safe, but travelers need to exercise normal precautions.

Thai People Are Honest

First things first. Most Thai people are amazing! Thailand is known as “The Land Of Smile”, and one thing that we felt very early on is that Thai people in general are very friendly and honest. For instance, a friend of us made a mistake and gave the food delivery guy 1000 baht instead of 100 baht. What happened? A few minutes after he left, when he noticed, he came back and sorted things out. That’s pretty cool!

We’ve also experienced many times that when you give too much money on a market, they won’t accept it. And we have friends that left their iPad on a restaurant, but no one stole it. Instead one of the waitresses came looking for them to give it back.

So is thailand safe to visit? Our experience is that it feels very safe. But there’s still things to keep in mind though.

Crime in Thailand

Though most Thai people are friendly and honest, you still have to be aware that in some areas, crime can be a big problem. Tourists are often targeted by thieves and pickpockets, particularly in crowded tourist areas such as Bangkok’s Khao San Road and Pattaya. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure while traveling.

As you may already know, Thailand is the first Asian country to have decriminalised cannabis. So some tourists visit Thailand for that reason. And when you start getting involved with drugs, it’s a lot higher chance that you will encounter crime and violence.

Some general tips for avoid falling victim for crimes

• Avoid shady places and places you see sell drugs
• Don’t walk alone in dark, deserted places
• Don’t carry too much money and valuables. Thailand actually has a really good system to pay with your cellphone
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings

Thailand Traffic Accidents

What about everything you hear about thailand traffic accidents? Is Thailand safe when it comes to driving?

Well, the fact is that Thailand has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world, and many travelers are injured or killed on the roads each year. There’s actually some really good statistics on that here. Statistics show that it’s a 3:1 men and women ratio! It also shows that most of the accidents happens to people in the age between 36 and 60 years.

For us, it was the left side driving that was the scariest. But once we got used to that, it actually feels pretty safe driving around on our little scooter. It’s sometimes crowded on the road, and you’re not always sure what rules to follow and who needs to give way, but it flows really nice. Like a school of fish!

But of course to stay safe, it’s important to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or scooter, and to exercise caution when crossing the street. Thai people are not used to stop when other people are crossing the road.

Diseases in Thailand

Is Thailand safe to visit when it comes to diseases? It’s important to remember that Thailand is located in a tropical climate, and you need to take precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes and other insects that can carry diseases.

It’s also very normal to get sick from the food or the water here. We all had diarrhea many times during our first month in Thailand. It just takes a little time to get the experience needed to see where to eat and what places to avoid.

Though we feel a lot more experienced now, we still get sick from time to time from the food we eat. But I guess that’s just something you have to get used to.

Here are some common diseases to be aware of:

Dengue fever

Dengue fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is prevalent in Thailand, especially during the rainy season (June-October). Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, joint pain, rash, and muscle pain. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, and patients are usually advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take pain relievers.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. TB is a significant health problem in Thailand, especially among people living in poverty and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of TB include cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Treatment for TB usually involves taking antibiotics for several months.

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can be contracted through contaminated food and water. It’s prevalent in Thailand, and the risk of infection is higher in rural areas. The Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers to Thailand.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can be contracted through contaminated food and water. It’s prevalent in Thailand, and the risk of infection is higher in rural areas. The Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers to Thailand.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is prevalent in Thailand, especially among children. Hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure. Symptoms of hepatitis B include fever, fatigue, nausea, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. There is no cure for hepatitis B, but vaccination can prevent the disease.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection that can be contracted through the bite of an infected animal, such as dogs, bats, and monkeys. The risk of infection is higher in rural areas of Thailand. The Rabies vaccine is recommended for travelers who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors or who are at a higher risk of exposure to animals.

Malaria

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It’s not a very high risk of getting malaria, but be aware of the symptoms, like fever, headache, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Treatment for malaria usually involves taking antimalarial drugs.

Vaccines Helps – Talk to your doctor

Before we moved to Thailand, we had a talk with our doctor and he could tell us what vaccines we should take. Here are some common vaccines:

1. Hepatitis A and B
2. Typhoid
3. Rabies
4. Tuberculosis

Conclusion

Despite these concerns, Thailand is generally considered to be a safe country for travelers. Most of the visitors experience no problems while visiting, and the country’s friendly and welcoming people go out of their way to make sure that visitors feel at home. By taking a few simple precautions and staying aware of potential risks, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to Thailand.

So to answer the question: Is thailand safe to visit? Yes, we think so. If you follow some basic precautions. But we would love to hear what you think too. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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