http://travelsafeadvicetothailand.com/ Travel safety and security outlook for Thailand in 2011

2. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2011 Report
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................3
Thailand Outlook-2011 ...............................................................................................................3
Key Issues ...................................................................................................................................4
Advice..........................................................................................................................................7
Summary .....................................................................................................................................9
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3. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! !! 2011 Report
Introduction
If you want the most useful information to help you travel safely to Thailand
then you need to read this report. This report is the result of numerous
interviews and specialist analysis on the issues affecting Thailand travel safety
and security.
The main points covered in the report will be key issues affecting travel,
general travel advice and the most common mistakes that ruins business and
leisure travel to Thailand.
After reading this report you will be better prepared for your immediate travel
and a strategy for travel throughout the year to Thailand.
Thailand Outlook-2011
The year will continue to be overshadowed by unresolved issues around
political parties and past deeds on all sides. With the likelihood of an election
this year that at times will dominate the focus of many, including the various
news outlets. While these issues may
dominate the general media reports it
remains a relatively minor issue to the
overall safety and security of travelers to
Thailand. These issues are likely to spike
at times or even lead to demonstrations,
clashes and in some instances violence.
Should these events occur, the subsequent expected decrease in tourist and
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4. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2011 Report
business travel will place many tourist and service industries within the
country under duress. This will result in decreased travel options, poor
service standards and an increase in petty crimes targeting the vulnerable,
small group/s of first-time travellers, with criminals looking to offset this
local economic loss. Based on tourist volume in
2010, Thailand in general suffered very little from
internal disputes and negative reporting.
Continuous monitoring and assessment will be the
determining factor for successful business and
leisure travel to Thailand for 2011.
It should also be noted that the King of Thailand,
the longest serving monarch in the world has been
hospitalized frequently over the past two years. He is in his late eighties and
has been the main stabilizing influence in Thailand for more than 60 years.
The transition of power is likely to result in instability by various individuals
and groups with politically and commercially motivated agendas. This is a key
trigger that leisure and business travellers must monitor.
Key Issues
Thailand has many world-class medical service and support offerings (limited
none the less) which is in part a major motivator for increasing medical
tourism to the country. The discerning traveler can utilize these facilities to
more than compensate the costs of a holiday or business trip in one of the
World's greatest destinations. However, these medical facilities are not
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5. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! !! 2011 Report
matched by ambulance and emergency service response capability for
accident and illness.
Viral illness and insect borne disease continue to infect travellers. It is
unlikely there will be any major success in containing these natural hazards
throughout the course of the year.
While English is prevalent in major tourist and travel locations,
comprehension and application also remains inconsistent. In the event of an
urgent situation or emergency, this is likely to reduce even further. This also
applies to emergency services and law enforcement personnel.
Travel further afield from major cities and
tourist locations will result in further
decreased language support. Other
languages are even less prevalent in most
areas.
Thailand has a very high rate of motor vehicle accidents and resulting
fatalities in comparison to developed countries. Over half of these incidents
involve motorcycles. Local driving standards and conditions will remain a
major hazard for all independent travel using cars and group travel involving
buses of all sizes. Seat belts are not commonly used and may even be absent
in may taxis and public transport vehicles.
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6. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2011 Report
While the majority of petty and
violent crimes within Thailand
affect the Thais, many unaware
foreign travellers are also victims
of such crimes. The major
motivation for such crimes is
economic gain such as money,
valuables or goods. Money, cameras, handbags, credit cards and the like
remain highly prized items to thieves and opportunists. Violent encounters
and crimes usually result from resistance to a lesser crime or confrontation
with drunken, violent or armed offenders.
Seasonal and sudden weather events within Thailand often result in
disruptions to travel, both road and air. Flooding, changed pedestrian
conditions and heat all have an impact on travellers and those not yet
acclimatized to routine and extreme variances.
Families with small children and those with physical limitations are not
widely catered for in Thailand. Access to and from transport or
accommodation continues to present challenges and risk to individuals and
groups. Busy crowds and traffic locations add to this risk.
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7. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! !! 2011 Report
Advice
Many travellers, without any
preparation or planning, experience
event/trouble free travel to Thailand.
However, this is more luck than a
deliberate outcome. Moreover, it is
often this very group that suffer
considerable duress, disruption, loss
and injury when accidents do occur. It is highly recommend that all travel to
the country on either business or leisure be conducted only after some basic
planning considerations.
Reduce the risk of financial loss and disruption with appropriate insurance
products and services. If not inclusive in travel packages, ensure medical
support and coverage is taken out also.
Determine exactly where your travels
will take you and include connecting
travel options at all stages.
Consideration should be made to the
level of support and emergency
services available and any/all
variations considered. Contact numbers or designated response protocols
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8. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2011 Report
should be stored in phones, computers and in printed form. Scanned copies
should also be held in a public access email or document storage account.
Minimize the amount of cash or
valuables carried away from main
accommodation locations. Do not
carry passports and vital travel
documentation unless absolutely
necessary. Maintain an emergency
credit card or cash reserve at your
hotel or within your main baggage in the event of loss.
Avoid any-and-all demonstrations or
political gatherings. If you stumble
across a gathering inadvertently do
not move in the direction of either the
police/military or supporters. Move
away in a totally different direction in
a calm and deliberate manner. Do not
take photos or cross roads unless
absolutely necessary.
Circumstances continue to change in Thailand on a regular basis. Regular
issues and spontaneous events can have a significant impact on travel and
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9. Travel Safe Advice to Thailand! ! ! ! ! !! 2011 Report
travel activities. Travelers or travel managers should maintain an effective
and continuous monitoring program
to pre-empt, avoid or respond to
developing events. This process
should encompass multiple
communications mediums and
contain qualified or specialist advice
and not just open source media.
Summary
Now that you have read this comprehensive report for travel safe advice to
Thailand during 2011 you must act upon the advice given. You have been
shown the key issues affecting travel to the country for the year and provided
with valuable advice and tips to avoid most of the negative events affecting
travellers. Ensure you continue to monitor the events that affect the country,
your destination and travellers in general for changes and actively seek
further updates and advice.
Safe travels and enjoy your next trip to Thailand.
For further advice and support from our team of travel safety and security
experts, don’t forget to visit Travel Safe Advice to Thailand
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