Thailand is a wonderfully unique country, littered with tropical islands, adorned with sparkling coastlines and towered over by dramatic limestone cliffs that attract several million tourists to its shores throughout the year. It also has a long established reputation as a vibrant party location, and all too often it’s this fact, rather than the beauty and culture it possesses, that entices travellers to visit. It’s perhaps the fault of its cheaper currency – something us Westerners are always keen to take advantage of – the freely flowing and potent alcohol that’s often produced locally, and its dependence on tourism to keep a stable economy, that make it a very attractive location for budget conscious travellers to choose if they’re looking for an inexpensive getaway to tropical climes. But although the full moon parties on Koh Phangan and the late night revelry in Bangkok’s neon-lit Siam Square might seem like a good reason to visit, the party lifestyle in Thailand has been known to get a good number of travellers into trouble every year, either with the authorities or with the locals themselves.

Now, I’m not suggesting boycotting the country completely – Thailand is far too beautiful and dramatic to miss out on – but I am suggesting that well-prepared and sensible travellers can have a fantastic holiday in Thailand without picking up anything more than a few souvenirs at the departure gate on their way home.

Say No to Drugs

Without wanting to sound like a government public safety infomercial on the abuse of illegal narcotics, there are several reasons why steering clear of illicit substances abroad is advisable. The obvious problems come when you don’t speak the language, so you’ll never really have any idea what you’re taking. Don’t forget that while you’re under the influence of a pill or two, you’re at an increased risk of becoming a victim of crime, with pickpockets (and worse) on the lookout for unsuspecting victims at popular party locations.

Travel Solo

One of the best things about travelling is often meeting new people on the way. Real travellers can find friends in any country, whether they’re locals or like-minded adventurers, and sharing stories over a beer or two is all part of the experience. But in a country like Thailand, where liberal attitudes can get unsuspecting travellers into trouble, it’s probably best to leave blossoming friendships at the bar. It’s not unheard of for new ‘friends’ to lead newcomers to gambling dens or ask them to carry items through customs for them, and naïve travellers who make the mistake of trusting their new companions could find themselves owing lots of money or smuggling drugs. Thailand isn’t the only country where tourists fall victim of these practices, of course, but the days are gone when innocent victims could bribe their way out of trouble with a fistful of Thai Baht – in an effort to clamp down on such practices, the authorities are considerably stricter than ever before.

Local Laws

Many laws in Thailand are similar to western rules, but it’s important to understand that the legal system is particularly harsh when people are found guilty of flouting them here. Before you head off, take some time to read up on what’s illegal and what’s not, so you can avoid mistakenly taking part in criminal activity. Here are just a few to get you going:

*WARNING: Under Thai law traffickers caught with more than 20g of heroin can face the death penalty*

600 GB Pounds Buys The Following Amount Of Thai Baht:



Written by Fiona Galloway
Chief travel writer – Currency Today