Travelling to Thailand? Read this to ensure your own personal security

Crime in Thailand has always been there, it is just that it is receiving more news coverage at the moment. RPS advises you to plan your trips carefully and be conscious of your personal security at all times when travelling.

Eleven British people have been murdered in Thailand since January 2009.

Western tourists have been victims of vicious and seemingly unprovoked attacks by gangs in

Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of the Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars in Haad Rin on Koh Phangan.

In January 2013 a British person was killed in a shooting incident while at a beach party in Haad Rin. Violent assaults and robberies have been reported in the Koh Samui archipelago. Attacks have also occurred in other tourist districts in Thailand including in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Krabi. Take care, especially at night and try not to walk home alone. Take a taxi, booked by a reputable hotel or restaurant or get your local friendly driver to come and pick you up at a pre-arranged time !

There have been sexual assaults against foreign men and women, especially in the Koh Samui archipelago and Krabi province. Tourists have also been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms.

In some cases their drinks were drugged.

Be careful about taking drinks from strangers and at clubs and parties, particularly in Koh Samui, Pattaya and at the Full Moon party on Koh Phangan, where date rapes have been reported.

Alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. Some British travellers have suffered severe psychiatric problems because of drug use, resulting in some suicides, according to the British Foreign Office.

 Credit card fraud

Be aware of the possibility of credit card fraud. Don’t lose sight of your card during transactions. There have been incidents of ATM skimming in Thailand. Where possible use an ATM within a bank and always protect your PIN.

Be careful to observe demarcation lines between shops and stalls, particularly in market areas and at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Taking items from one shop’s area to another may be treated as suspected theft.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers

Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. Foreign travellers have had items snatched by thieves on motorbikes when walking along busy streets or travelling in open transport like tuk tuks (small motorbike taxis). If you travel by bus, make sure the cash and valuables you have are kept securely. Think about leaving them in your hotel safe. There have been incidents where passengers have had items taken from bags while asleep.

Gem scams

Gem scams are common. There have been reports of visitors buying gems for inflated prices from seemingly respectable establishments then later finding out the stones are worth a tiny fraction of the purchase price.

It is advisable to report any incidents of crime to the Thai police before leaving the country, to ensure you don't have any problems later when you try to re-enter.

Contact RPS for further travel advice to this region on [email protected]

Photo: Phuket with thanks to ngolf Pompe/Look