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[Master Shake]

The US State Department reccommends that travellers to Thailand avoid demonstrations and "exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate, such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation venues, tourist areas, beach resorts, and other places frequented by foreigners." -www.travel.state.gov
This is in response to some bombings in Bangkok last year.

I will arrive in Bangkok to teach on Jan 28th. Are there any other precautions I should take?

This info from the State Department was rather surprising. I'd always thought of Thailand as a safe, peaceful place.

Do you feel safe in large groups of people, even if it is a group of "westerners"?

[takgeyon]

[gusto102]

The US State Department is always overly cautious with their travel recommendations. I wouldn't let any of this give you second thoughts about coming here.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ ditto takgeyon and gusto102


Over the past 2 decades I've done a fair bit of travelling and lived in a number of large cities with populations over 5 million. With the exception of Tokyo (which may be the safest city in the world) I'd definitely rank Bangkok among the safest large cities I've lived in. I go out at all times of the day and night, and I have no fear of being in a large group. In my experience, you are not likely to have problems in Thailand unless you get loud or insult somebody who's had one too many. Thai men sometimes release pent up aggression when they're a little drunk. The bombs that went off on New Year's eve last year appear to have been an isolated incident, carried out by a small group of people loyal to Thaksin in protest against the coup. The other popular theory is that it was linked to the muslim problem in the south, meaning it had spread all the way to Bangkok. That's what triggered the State Department warning. If the muslim problem should ever reach Bangkok, there would be real cause for concern. At the moment, however, I'd say that the most serious threat to personal safety - at least in Bangkok - is the traffic. If you can get across Silom Road during rush hour, or manage to stay on the back of a motorcyle taxi as it speeds between buses and trucks with only 2 centimeters between you and the bus or truck, you'll be in good shape to handle the next coup that comes along.

[Master Shake]

Good to hear there aren't bombs going off right and left.

I'm living in a pretty bad neighborhood right now in Poland. Thonburi sounds a lot better.

Would you feel safe traveling in South Thailand? I hear bad things are going on there between Buddhists and Muslims.

I'd also love to travel to Laos and Cambodia but I dont know if this is prudent. What you think?

[gusto102]

Just be as careful as you would in any large city. The only serious problem I�ve ever had here was getting pick pocketed at Klong Toom night market, which I have since learned is notorious for petty theft. I consider myself street smart and thought I was being pretty cautious that evening (I had stashed my wallet into the front pocket of my cargo pants) � but bad things can happen. And this could�ve happened in any big city I might add.

I am not sure about going down to the Deep South on holiday. I passed through a few years ago while leaving Malaysia and stayed a few days in Hat Yai. But just last year there were several bombings in that city. I can�t see any reason to head south right now as things just seem too unpredictable.

And despite Cambodia�s past history of turbulence and violence the country is now a rather safe place for travelers. I highly recommend you check it out if you get a chance. The country is laid back and the people are quite friendly.