my first time in Thailand

[jtrodreigez]

Hi, I will be coming to Thailand in December for about 6 months and i would like to ask some question i have picked up while trying to find info on Thailand. Thanks in advance for any answers or advice.


Violent crimes against farang,

This is something i have come across on numerous different sites and it seems to be that people are seeing an increase in this. Is this true? Also im not really talking about the whole losing face thing as i will get on to that later but just general violence on innocents either for no reason or robbery. Am i to be worried by this or is it just been blown out of proportion because as long as i use common sense i hope to be able to avoid any trouble and i am sure i will feel safer over there than here in the north of england where i rarely venture into town anymore as the violence over here is rediculous.

Is Koh Phangan to be avoided?

In conjuction with the abouve question have heard koh phangan has gotten very bad over the years and now is a place to be avoided, is this true? I will be starting my travels with a friend and i know this is where he is planning on coming first but he has been here for months on end a few times before and never had any problems so is it just another case of keeping yourself in check, using common sense and not getting too wrecked? Any info in general about the island would be great.

Losing face.

From what i've read this can be a problem but should be pretty easy to avoid i think and the general advice is just don't xxxx with a Thai, don't argue or get upset just smile and walk away. All this is fine but what if for any reason you find yourself unable to do this? From what ive read it seems even if i was defending myself id be in the wrong and would probably be attacked and by this i mean physically defending myself from harm, is this true? Also this rule seems to be saying even if someone is trying to scam you dont speak up or you may find yourself on the wrong end of a snap kick, what are you to do about that?

The girls,

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Transport,

Just a short one this as all the advice ive read screams out be careful on the roads so i get all that but just one worry is the buses or coaches driving on unsafe roads, how bad/unsafe is this? I intend to use the train for any long journeys or fly if i can afford but id just like to know anyway as im sure i will not to be able to avoid that method of transport completely. The advice on boat travel seems to be make sure you have life jackets and the boat is not over loaded, seems pretty straight forward but is there anything else i should be wary of?

Health,

Apart from a case of the xxxx, trying not to eat bad food and getting my jabs is there any major heath risks i should watch out for?

I am 30 if that makes any difference on the advice and i am planning on doing the chilling/tourist vibe for a month then i will be looking to settle somewhere cheap for a few months to get on with writing fiction which is the main reason for me comeing to Thailand. Any advice on where i could get settled or any advice on my trip in general would be very helpful and i look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Thanks. John.

[Mike]

Violent crimes against farang,

This is something i have come across on numerous different sites and it seems to be that people are seeing an increase in this. Is this true? Also im not really talking about the whole losing face thing as i will get on to that later but just general violence on innocents either for no reason or robbery. Am i to be worried by this or is it just been blown out of proportion because as long as i use common sense i hope to be able to avoid any trouble and i am sure i will feel safer over there than here in the north of england where i rarely venture into town anymore as the violence over here is rediculous.

Well as a Brit myself I think I feel much safer here than back in England in general. Violent crime against tourists isn't unknown as you can see from past high-profile news reports, but generally if you use common sense and don't go looking for trouble you're very unlikely to have a problem.

Is Koh Phangan to be avoided?

In conjuction with the abouve question have heard koh phangan has gotten very bad over the years and now is a place to be avoided, is this true? I will be starting my travels with a friend and i know this is where he is planning on coming first but he has been here for months on end a few times before and never had any problems so is it just another case of keeping yourself in check, using common sense and not getting too wrecked? Any info in general about the island would be great.

I don't have any recent knowledge of Ko Phangan, but I'd imagine as long as you don't do anything stupid (i.e. use drugs or ride a rented motorbike drunk) and use common sense as anywhere then you'll be ok.

Losing face.

From what i've read this can be a problem but should be pretty easy to avoid i think and the general advice is just don't xxxx with a Thai, don't argue or get upset just smile and walk away. All this is fine but what if for any reason you find yourself unable to do this? From what ive read it seems even if i was defending myself id be in the wrong and would probably be attacked and by this i mean physically defending myself from harm, is this true? Also this rule seems to be saying even if someone is trying to scam you dont speak up or you may find yourself on the wrong end of a snap kick, what are you to do about that?

I think you're worrying excessively here, you could find loads of people who've been in Thailand for years without a hint of a physical altercation. I bet any Thai who was attacked would defend themselves, so I wouldn't worry about being in the wrong there. As for scammers, well best to just let it go as if you act aggressively towards them you're raising the likelihood of a confrontation - but then that's the same everywhere isn't it ?

The girls,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bar girls is an off-limits topic here, but generally it's no problem turning someone down selling something with just a simple polite 'mai ao kap' (roughly 'No thanks'), no need to worry about losing face.

Transport,

Just a short one this as all the advice ive read screams out be careful on the roads so i get all that but just one worry is the buses or coaches driving on unsafe roads, how bad/unsafe is this? I intend to use the train for any long journeys or fly if i can afford but id just like to know anyway as im sure i will not to be able to avoid that method of transport completely. The advice on boat travel seems to be make sure you have life jackets and the boat is not over loaded, seems pretty straight forward but is there anything else i should be wary of?

Well the driving can be fairly crazy, I wouldn't plan on driving yourself. Personally I still prefer the coaches to the trains as they get to the destination 20-25% faster and leave much more frequently, but I know not everyone shares that opinion. You don't really have much choice with the boats to the islands, you either get on or don't go. Not great really, but I'm not aware of any major accidents in the recent past so not too much to worry about I don't think. They all seem to have lifejackets as far as I remember.

Health,

Apart from a case of the xxxx , trying not to eat bad food and getting my jabs is there any major heath risks i should watch out for?

This seems quite a broad question, best to consult a guidebook for the details I think. Dengue fever seems to be a particular problem at the moment, so load up on the DEET I guess.

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[jtrodreigez]

thanks for the reply, all the things i have asked are just things i have picked up from reading about thailnad on the net and i know it may sound a bit like im worrying too much but im not really just wanted to hear what someone with experience thought so thanks a lot. I have read loads and loads of great things about Thailand and the Thai people so as long as i dont drink too much i think im going to have a great time.

John.

[loratadine]

Thai people like smile.. wellcome to Thailand..

[AIDS]

I Will Till You What Should You Do And What You Must Care It In This Country,,,
First One Im Already Come 7 Times In Thailand So I Have Good Idea Of This ,,,,,,
1. Becarful Of The China Town Theft If You Have More Money Because Alot Of Theft There

2. Dont Sleep With Bar Girl To Make Some Thing You Know What I Mean
3. Make A Good Friends Working Already Not Gust For Play
4. Becarful Of Motorcycle Taxi And Dont Be Reach To Every Body Like Special Cloth With Expencive Watch And Cloth
5 Dont Go To Far Way Alone . Because No Tourist Police There
....good Luck.......

[johnster]

hi trodriguez the best advice i can give you is too take your time there look and learn if it does not feel right don't do it. Enjoy your visit

[sunderlandstephen]

More Brits are victims of crime in Thailand than anywhere else while on holiday,per capita, around 10%,that said violent crime is still rare.Generally feels safe even in the small hours.
As for losing face,dont let let the custom put you off standing your ground in a disagreement,just follow what you`ve already learned,a solution is normally found.
Thailand is capable of spinning your brain of it`s axis,you`ll love it.

[senaratne]

Compared to those vetarans who know the country in and out, my knowledge is strictly limited. But every time I went and wherever I went, I tried to mix up with ordinary people as much as possible. My invariable experience has been those people are friendly, kind, willing and ready to help and such positive in all aspects.

In Phetchaburi, one fine morning, while still sun had not fully risen, I was a watching a woman vendor frying some eatables on the pavement. Seeing my curiosity, she wrapped some of it and gave me and refused any money for it.

Once, I was carrying a heavy baggage along the stairs and some girl seeing my difficulty took extra trouble to help me carry it even if it made her further delayed for work.

When I bought a cup of coffee, I was offered a free china tea and money offered for it was refused.

One person once invited me and my friend for lunch at the residence and all our attempts to contribute towards the expences were kindly refused.

Such examples galore. Best luck.