Security Briefing: Security Assessment

Normal Travel Precautions

Elevated Risk

High Risk

Visitors to Thailand should practice extreme vigilance to protect their personal security. Tourists may be targeted for theft, food and drink spiking, and violent and nonviolent harassment.

By law travelers must carry passports at all times. Tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passports.

Political demonstrations are frequent in Thailand and have resulted in a number of fatalities and injuries. Monitor local media and be wary of potential targets of terrorist attacks, such as public transportation centers, embassies, shopping markets, banks, clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, beach resorts, and tourist areas.

Drug offenses carry heavy punishments, including the death penalty. The possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs for recreational purposes can result in jail sentences.

Recreational activities should be approached with extreme caution. Bungee jumping, jungle trekking, diving, kayaking, white water rafting, boating, and Jet Skiing are all popular recreational activities that carry inherent risks. Be sure the company is using the most up-to-date equipment and safety features and that they are fully licensed and insured. Do not hand over your passport as a guarantee for returning equipment as they are not always returned.

Be cautious when swimming off coastal areas, especially during monsoon season. Comply with red-flag warnings and swim at your own risk. Also beware of jellyfish, particularly in the rainy season. Their sting can be deadly.

High-Risk Regions

Western Governments advise against travel to the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songgkhla due to almost daily incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence. This includes travel by train between Thailand and Malaysia.

There are ongoing border disputes with Cambodia, Myanmar, and Burma. Tourist attractions and border crossings may be closed without notice. Land mines and unexploded military ordnance may still exist in border areas.

Primary Sources: The US Department of State's "International Travel" website (travel.state.gov/travel/), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Smartraveller" website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/)