Thailand tops 'most dangerous holiday destination' list

[Richard Barrow]

Thailand tops holiday hazard poll
BBC, 10th July 2006

British tourists heading to Thailand face the highest risk of suffering traffic accidents, theft or food poisoning, a survey has said.

Researchers found that tourists in South Africa, the 2010 World Cup hosts, were most likely to suffer violent robberies or lose luggage in transit.

Austria was the country where tourists were most likely to suffer a skiing or snowboarding accident.

The survey was compiled by Norwich Union Travel Insurance.

Figures revealed the Czech Republic topped the poll for pickpockets, while those in the Caribbean faced the biggest risk from insect bites and stings.

The safest place to holiday was Ireland followed by Belgium, Holland, Germany and France.

The official website for tourism in Thailand advises tourists not to walk alone on quiet streets or deserted areas.

Dawn McMullan, travel product manager at Norwich Union, said: "The purpose of our research is not to worry tourists looking forward to their summer holidays, just to make them aware of what can go wrong when they're away from home."

She advised travellers to take the same precautions abroad as they did in the UK.

Ms McMullan added: "Our research shows that you need to take a little extra care in certain countries and of course make sure you are adequately covered by travel insurance."

The survey was based on more than 60,000 claims made to Norwich Union in 2005.

[paul_au]

Stay off those motor cycle's, give way to cars when walking across a rare pedestrian crossing and wear your safety belt, note not all Thai cars have safety belts in the rear seats.
Never had a problem with food poisoning my self, but if your concerned, become a vegetarian for your holiday, Thai vegetable dishes are absolutely delicious.
Theft, well use a bit of common sense, have a body wallet to hide your money, cover your hand with the other hand when entering your pin number into an ATM and don't walk down a dark alley alone at night.
Like any where in the world, you need to take precautions, same as you would at home.
USE some common sense and your holiday will be safe as safe as any where, know country is perfect.

[khunlungphudhu]

Very limited research I reckon!
They certainly never asked me! LOL!
I have been to many far more dangerous destinations, many of which I have no desire to return to, but Thailand? Have always felt safe with common sense applied.

[Khun Don]

This story also appeared in at least one British daily newspaper. True or not, it is not going to do British tourism to Thailand any good, I fear. I have always felt safe in Thailand, but I suppose anyone who has never been is going to think they will spend their holiday in a Thai hospital, one way or another.
Come to think of it, I have never been asked my opinion for ANY poll -and, at 59yrs old, I think it is high time I was-if such are not made up, that is, which I sometimes suspect.

[Richard Barrow]

​[B]​[SIZE="4"]British tourists heading to Thailand face the highest risk of suffering traffic accidents, theft or food poisoning, a survey has said.

She advised travellers to take the same precautions abroad as they did in the UK.

Those three are not really serious crimes - it is based on insurance claims. The traffic accidents are from people renting motorcycles and riding around in swimming gear with no protection at all. You would never do that in the UK. Food poisoning, well that is down to not being used to spicy food. Some people think they are up to it. Theft, well that happens anywhere. You need to be careful at all times. At least we are not top of the list for tourist murders - well not yet anyway.

[FaranginPhetch]

Looks like that might be the next warning..

[Khun Don]

Those three are not really serious crimes - it is based on insurance claims. The traffic accidents are from people renting motorcycles and riding around in swimming gear with no protection at all. You would never do that in the UK. Food poisoning, well that is down to not being used to spicy food. Some people think they are up to it. Theft, well that happens anywhere. You need to be careful at all times. At least we are not top of the list for tourist murders - well not yet anyway.

And all can be equally applied to UK -Traffic accidents happening to people from countries that do not drive on the left and who automatically look the wrong way when they cross a road or forget and drive on the wrong side of the road, Food poisoning (upset stomach) from hot meat snacks in pubs, railway stations etc and Theft -from airports, railway stations, bus stations trains, cars, hotels etc.
It must also be remembered that a lot of insurance claims for theft are bogus. For example, I remember a court case in the UK where a traveller claimed for lost/stolen luggage every time he took a plane abroad -insurance companies became suspicious and I think it was 6 "missing" suitcases that were found in the attic of his home by the Police.

[yurian]

Thailand is a breeze, a walk in the park, people are nice.

but if you want to poison yourself, be their guest.

if you think you are superman

then you are mistaken

but we do believed in reincarnations

[Peterg]

Thailand tops holiday hazard poll
BBC, 10th July 2006

British tourists heading to Thailand face the highest risk of suffering traffic accidents, theft or food poisoning, a survey has said.

Probably due to the copius amounts of alcohol they drink when roaming the bars of Pattaya. Personally, I have never felt unsafe on any of the trips I have made to Thailand and that includes driving on the roads.

And the only problem I have ever had travelling happened in a little upper middle class village in the English Cotswolds. We stopped at a pub for lunch and when we stepped out, the rear window of the Land Rover we were travelling had been smashed and my friends camera equipment had been lifted.

Plus there are a lot of areas in the UK, I would never go into after dark. They are no-go areas even to the police!

[Khun Don]

Probably due to the copius amounts of alcohol they drink when roaming the bars of Pattaya. Personally, I have never felt unsafe on any of the trips I have made to Thailand and that includes driving on the roads.

And the only problem I have ever had travelling happened in a little upper middle class village in the English Cotswolds. We stopped at a pub for lunch and when we stepped out, the rear window of the Land Rover we were travelling had been smashed and my friends camera equipment had been lifted.

Plus there are a lot of areas in the UK, I would never go into after dark. They are no-go areas even to the police!

Living in the Cotswolds I can readily believe that !