Category: Health & safety

Violent crimes against tourists are rare.
Although murders, assaults, and rapes may occur. Tourists should be aware of drink and food-spiking in the bars and try not to get separated from their traveling comrades. In terms of violent crimes, they are most common in Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok and tourist areas in Southern Thailand.

Credit card fraud – ATMs: a general problem in Thailand, where law enforcement is limited in this regard. Paying by card in respectable hotels, restaurants, and shops is fine, but cash is safer. ATM tricksters aren’t too prolific.
Main diseases in Thailand are dengue, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, Leptospirosis, Soil-transmitted worm diseases, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and HIV.
Dengue fever: this disease has similar symptoms to malaria and is spread by mosquitoes, mainly occupying urban areas. There is a small risk of contracting this disease while in Thailand. Its prevalence is on the rise in Asia, and there are no effective prophylactics, so avoiding mosquitoes is the only prevention. Not all mosquitoes carry the virus. It exists where stagnant water assists in the breeding of rare carrier Aedes Aegypti. A simple water spray is effectively used across Thailand to reduce this but avoiding mosquito bites, particular during dusk when they are a problem, is best. Dengue is not usually fatal, but it’s less treatable than malaria. Once caught; however, a subsequent bout is often deadly.
Drinking water: in Bangkok, the tap water is drinkable, but across Thailand, everyone sticks to bottled water to be safe. Indeed, water across Thailand shouldn’t be drunk unless it’s out of a bottle of the water purification system, even in national parks streams. Bottled water is widely available, and ice is safe since reverse-osmosis purified water is supplied all over Thailand to every small village.
Dehydration: during the hot season, from March to June, Thailand can become extremely hot with temperatures reaching 40°C and beyond. Tourists are recommended to drink plenty of water, and try to escape from the heat as often as they can – feeling overly fatigued, having difficulty breathing or muscle seizures usually mean dehydration. Drinking rehydration salts immediately is a must and seeking medical attention if the symptoms persist. Particular attention should be given to children suffering from this.
Diarrhea: part of the process of adjusting to Thailand and its food often has the side effect of about of the runs – mainly if tourist frequents the roadside food stalls or eats something particularly spicy. Usually, the results will only be mild and should pass in a day. Imodium or a similar medication is widely available at pharmacies and will help stop the runs. It is essential to take rehydration salts or electrolyte beverages after a bout of diarrhea to avoid dehydration. ‘O-lyte’ is a popular brand found in most pharmacies or 7-Elevens and can be mixed with water. Almost all pharmacists speak English. Dangerous animals of Thailand are: Poisonous Snakes, Giant Centipedes, Jellyfish, Trigger Fish, Stingray, Lion Fish, Coral, Mosquitoes, Scorpions, Spiders, Ants, Poisonous Caterpillars, Dogs, Monkeys and Leeches