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Asia Bangkok, Thailand Tips, Advice, and Reviews
Grace Reveley
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Table of Contents
01 | Is Bangkok Dangerous?
02 | Is Bangkok Safe?
Is Bangkok Safe to Travel to in 2023?
06 Destinations
| Are Taxis Safe in Bangkok?
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Friendly Strangers
Petty Theft
08 | Staying in Bangkok
Bad Areas to Avoid in Bangkok
Dengue Fever
Air Pollution
Sex Tourism
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Are you having the same questions about the dangers of Bangkok?
Well, you’re in sheer luck!
I will answer every question you might have about Bangkok’s safety
and top it off with the latest Bangkok travel tips.
But first…
Is Bangkok Dangerous?
Bangkok is not dangerous, contrary to what many movies and
medias portray it to be.
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Is Bangkok Safe?
In short, yes!
Bangkok used to have a higher crime rate a few years ago, but the
city has a lower crime index now.
And like any other city in the world, there are always tiny nuances
like thieves and scammers who want your money! Police has
cracked down on this in recent years, but this issue plagues most if
not all tourist destinations as its a good but unethical way to make
money.
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Plus, every tourist destination in the city is open to all! It's a great Get started
city with very minimal violent crime, and I can confidently say I feel
super safe walking around at night alone.
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Thailand relies heavily on tourism as a major source of revenue, so
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I traveled to the country as a solo traveler a year ago, and the entire
experience was nothing short of magical. Of course, I felt scared
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before landing because I only knew a few Thai phrases and not a
single person.
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That way, we went out to every place at any time together and kept
each other safer than we’d be on our own!
Order your taxi from Grab instead of hailing one from the street.
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But, like any other city, you’ll have to keep an eye out for trouble.
The crime rate in Bangkok is low, but things like harassment, rape,
and kidnapping happen occasionally.
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And yes, Bangkok is safe to walk around at night! Many people will
explore Bangkok after the sun sets, especially tourists.
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When I went to Thailand, Bangkok was brightly lit, and I felt safe all
around. The best part was that I wasn’t just surrounded by Thai
people. I was more around tourists exploring the same paths, so I
never felt alone for a second!
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Emphasis on “mostly.“
up the meter. They'll also sometimes claim it's broken and charge
you an absurd amount. This is why I'll recommend you downloading
the Grab app, so you know how much you're paying for in advanced.
In general though, the best way to stay away from scammy Taxis is
to always ask "Meter?" If they nod or say okay, you can get on. Make
sure they actually turn it on, you should be able to see it clearly. If
they attempt to name out a price, they're almost always
overcharging you.
Never accept a taxi without a meter, it's not legal for them to do so,
and it's always to scam foreigners.
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Do not talk negatively about the Thai royal family and the Thai
government, especially the King. Thailand has strict Lèse-Majesté
law that constitutes defamation of any kind on the Thai royalty as a
criminal offense.
There may be some legit tailor and gem shops, but they're often
mixed up with shopkeepers that are scammers. But just between
you and me, it’s not worth it at all.
Many shops are known for taking your money and never producing
the ordered items. It's best to just stay clear. Or if you have a local
friend, get their recommendations.
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I'd also check their Google or Yelp reviews before approaching them.
Usually the really good ones local visit have tons of reviews on
Google.
Keep in mind this isn't true for all tailors and gem shops, most of
them are amazing. This is just prevelant in my personal experience.
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Here’s what you do to not let it happen to you. You flag a taxi on the
move instead of those that are sitting idle on the street.
Or, don’t flag taxis at all! Use an Uber-like apps like Grab to get an
upfront and honest rate. Apps like these became one of my best
friends throughout my traveling adventures in Thailand.
Local tip: If you doubt getting in a taxi, ask if it's "metered." All legit
taxis should be metered, and any that give you prices upfront are
usually there to scam you.
Local tip #2: Follow the taxi route on Google Maps or equivalent
route tracking apps. If the taxi goes off course or circles the
neighborhood, they're trying to run the meter up.
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There are many ways Tuk Tuk drivers can scam you, such as:
They’ll overcharge your fare when you reach your destination and
get inDestinations
a screaming contest
Guides if you refuse,
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Europe
Friendly Strangers
Picture this: you’re on the way to the Grand Palace when someone
strikes up a conversation and asks thoughtful questions about your
trip. You tell them you’re headed to the Grand Palace and that’s
where they tell you it’s closed for some reason.
Then they pull out a map and redirect you to another “unmissable”
destination. Before you know it, they’ve flagged down a tuk-tuk for
you, and you’re headed there.
And the nightmare doesn’t end yet. The tuk-tuk driver charges a lot,
and the destination you’re at will also extort a lot of money in the
name of the entrance fee!
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Ideally, you should remain polite and decline such offers. If they try
to hurl you in a taxi to take you there, be firm and walk away.
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Petty Theft
While violent crime and armed robberies are rare in Thailand, petty
theft is pretty common in places with large crowds.
Staying in Bangkok
During my travels, I found out there were many safe areas in
Bangkok and there were some places to avoid in Bangkok too. And
this blog would be incomplete if I didn’t tell you some of them!
I did some deep research into these bad areas of Bangkok and I
found 5 notorious ones:
Khlong Toey – slum area of drug dealers and drug users looking to
extort and harm you.
Most of these areas are still very safe to visit, but factors like sex
tourism and frequent bag snatching have made these areas
Destinations
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for bad activities. Experiences Search
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you're interested, just make sure you're cautious and alert when
you're there.
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Riverside,
Chinatown,
Siam,
Lower Sukhumvit,
Silom,
Rattanakosin,
Pratunam,
Khlong San
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Remember to bring a lock for your security locker with you on your
travels. You usually need to purchase these at the hostel, which can
be expensive!
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Try and learn these before you head off on your travels:
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If your trip is in the rainy season, running from May to October, you
can expect daily heavy rains, particularly in the afternoons and
evenings. This can lead to localized floods, especially in low-lying
areas.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitos,
commonly found in urban areas like Bangkok. Symptoms include
sudden high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, and a
rash.
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Air Pollution
Bangkok can experience high levels of air pollution. If you are prone
to respiratory issues, particularly asthma or other underlying health
conditions, you should check local air quality reports.
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The water quality can vary greatly depending on the region and even
within cities, and the local tap water may contain bacteria and other
contaminants that could cause stomach problems for those who
are not accustomed to it.
If you are in a situation where you must consume tap water, I would
recommend boiling it first or using a reputable water purification
method, such as a water purifier or purification tablets. This will
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reduce the risk of illness.
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And if you have a susceptible stomach, I'd avoid ice in your drinks
unless you know it's been made with purified water. Also, be
cautious with salads and fruits that may have been washed with tap
water.
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Sex Tourism
I wouldn't avoid red-light districts, in fact, I'd recommend if you're
of legal age to check it out!
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It's a safe destination filled with rich culture, history, and tradition.
Thailand is also known for their entertainment, such as premium
movie theatres, traditional Thai dances, and the famous Tiffany's
Show.
It's also a great place for travels to other popular Thai destinations
like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua-Hin, Phuket, and more!
🔥
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Events, such as the Full Moon Party, is also one of the most and
crazy parties I've been to. If you're into these events, I highly
encourage you to check them out!
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