I will be traveling to Thailand in May to meet four other international females for service work in the southern part of Thailand. I am American and the other travelers are from Canada and the UK. Are there any potential hazards or things to know before arriving? We will have a Thai local escorting us, so language shouldn't be too much of a challenge. I've traveled a great deal but never to Asia. Thanks for your advice.
Thailand is safer than America. That said, you should still do everything as a group.
Also, hopefully south means Phuket and Krabi, not the southern most provinces where there is Muslim extremist trouble.
Hopefully - "southern part" is not the three or four southern most provinces - as there are muslim extremist there. Not that they will target YOU and your friends. It is just not a safe area to be in generally.
Overall, Thailand is as safe as any place in the world. People are great and you will love it. But like anywhere, there are bad people too. Safetywise, just exercise common sense and caution as you would travelling anywhere else. DON'T accept food and drinks from strangers. Don't go out to isolated area at night. Don't go anywhere alone - unless you are in very familiar sour rounding.
Do a bit of research - even Lonely Planet Guide book on Thailand is quite good. There are a lot of books and resources available. One book I come across is "Do's and Don'ts in Thailand" - don't know the author but try asking a bookshop.
Hi, it should be a good experience for you. Just immerse yourself in their culture and you will understand why the Thais are always smiling. By the way, which part of south Thailand are you visiting? Hopefully not the troubled provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani. These places are still involved in extremist attacks.
I used to know french student who spent 1 year inBangkok, she always left may apartmet at 11 pm and get back at 5 am. alone by taxi (which I really did not recommend). She went out for drink, dance, chatting at Bangkok pub etc. Yes it's safe but would recommend that you use your general precaution when meeting people. Geneally, Thai are friendly to all races and colors no matter where they come from and willing to help to the best they can. But same things as in the big city, there're good and bad people.
For the south, if you avoid 3 southernmost provinces and stay in teh region such as Phuket, Trang, Krabi, Pang-nga, Songkla, Stul, Ranong etc. you will be safe. People are nice to foreigners and do not think you're strangers but guests to the country. Same thing, there're always good and bad people everywhere in the world. Relax and make yourself at home and enjoy your stay. I hope you will have a good time and enjoy your experience and learning in Thailand.
Any part of the south is relatively safe for foreigners.
The best advice I was given was to at least learn how to say numbers in Thai before you get there. It helps with dealing with a tonal language as well as being useful knowledge in day-to-day interaction.
Hopefully, you won't be shepherded too much and will be able to explore on your own and particularly try local food.
Just as in your previous travels, you will experience culture shock, so try and stop yourself 'comparing' everything to 'back home' and make an active effort to work and think in baht and not dollars. You will be able to compare local price differences better that way.
Unlike in our culture, Thais generally give credit to individuals who display tolerance and humility, so practice smiling, even in disorienting situations! Go with the flow......
Thailand is a very safe country. Only been there twice and I am male but you will be OK.
Only one mild caution, Tuk Tuks in BKK may seem like a fun way to travel but if you are involved in a crash the results can be very nasty.
Thailand is a great country, hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
PS.. if you get told that a temple etc is closed due to wotever reason, ignore it.
I've traveled Asia extensively and Bangkok had to be the most uncomfortable. I think it was all the 'sex-in-your-face' stuff.
I travel mainly by myself and I wasn't hit on but I had an uncomfortable feeling all the while I was there.
I was told there's lots of pick-pocketing but I didn't encounter any. I wouldn't keep valuables in the hotel room. Travel light.
Be safe and have fun
Bangkok - it's a cosmopolitan city and very modern with convenient skyway like a subway system but in the air. Convenient shopping - Robinson & May is there and mega theatre playing the lastest Hollywood film. Exercise common sense caution, then it's quite safe for female travelors.
Do agree with the othre answer, Bangkok was safer than some US cities.
Thailand is safer than America. That said, you should still do everything as a group.
Also, hopefully south means Phuket and Krabi, not the southern most provinces where there is Muslim extremist trouble.
Hopefully - "southern part" is not the three or four southern most provinces - as there are muslim extremist there. Not that they will target YOU and your friends. It is just not a safe area to be in generally.
Overall, Thailand is as safe as any place in the world. People are great and you will love it. But like anywhere, there are bad people too. Safetywise, just exercise common sense and caution as you would travelling anywhere else. DON'T accept food and drinks from strangers. Don't go out to isolated area at night. Don't go anywhere alone - unless you are in very familiar sour rounding.
Do a bit of research - even Lonely Planet Guide book on Thailand is quite good. There are a lot of books and resources available. One book I come across is "Do's and Don'ts in Thailand" - don't know the author but try asking a bookshop.
Hi, it should be a good experience for you. Just immerse yourself in their culture and you will understand why the Thais are always smiling. By the way, which part of south Thailand are you visiting? Hopefully not the troubled provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani. These places are still involved in extremist attacks.
I used to know french student who spent 1 year inBangkok, she always left may apartmet at 11 pm and get back at 5 am. alone by taxi (which I really did not recommend). She went out for drink, dance, chatting at Bangkok pub etc. Yes it's safe but would recommend that you use your general precaution when meeting people. Geneally, Thai are friendly to all races and colors no matter where they come from and willing to help to the best they can. But same things as in the big city, there're good and bad people.
For the south, if you avoid 3 southernmost provinces and stay in teh region such as Phuket, Trang, Krabi, Pang-nga, Songkla, Stul, Ranong etc. you will be safe. People are nice to foreigners and do not think you're strangers but guests to the country. Same thing, there're always good and bad people everywhere in the world. Relax and make yourself at home and enjoy your stay. I hope you will have a good time and enjoy your experience and learning in Thailand.
Any part of the south is relatively safe for foreigners.
The best advice I was given was to at least learn how to say numbers in Thai before you get there. It helps with dealing with a tonal language as well as being useful knowledge in day-to-day interaction.
Hopefully, you won't be shepherded too much and will be able to explore on your own and particularly try local food.
Just as in your previous travels, you will experience culture shock, so try and stop yourself 'comparing' everything to 'back home' and make an active effort to work and think in baht and not dollars. You will be able to compare local price differences better that way.
Unlike in our culture, Thais generally give credit to individuals who display tolerance and humility, so practice smiling, even in disorienting situations! Go with the flow......
Thailand is a very safe country. Only been there twice and I am male but you will be OK.
Only one mild caution, Tuk Tuks in BKK may seem like a fun way to travel but if you are involved in a crash the results can be very nasty.
Thailand is a great country, hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
PS.. if you get told that a temple etc is closed due to wotever reason, ignore it.
I've traveled Asia extensively and Bangkok had to be the most uncomfortable. I think it was all the 'sex-in-your-face' stuff.
I travel mainly by myself and I wasn't hit on but I had an uncomfortable feeling all the while I was there.
I was told there's lots of pick-pocketing but I didn't encounter any. I wouldn't keep valuables in the hotel room. Travel light.
Be safe and have fun
Bangkok - it's a cosmopolitan city and very modern with convenient skyway like a subway system but in the air. Convenient shopping - Robinson & May is there and mega theatre playing the lastest Hollywood film. Exercise common sense caution, then it's quite safe for female travelors.
Do agree with the othre answer, Bangkok was safer than some US cities.