Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

BBB - Stable regulated state, there is a medium HSE risk. Worksite risk is deemed to be medium. Corruption risk is medium. Road deaths are higher than the EU average. There is a risk of crime against foreigners. Terrorism risk is medium.The country scores 85/175 on the corruption perception index, with a score of -0.33 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)

Genvisec advises that all  business and leisure travel should continue to Thailand. Certain categories of business traveller will require enhanced security. 

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Political situation

 

The political situation in Thailand is unpredictable and sometimes volatile. Over recent years there have been instances of civil and political unrest resulting in large demonstrations and in some cases violence.

 

Crime

 

Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by individuals and gangs in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (the Samui archipelago). In January 2013 a British national was killed in a shooting incident while at a beach party in Haad Rin on Koh Phanang and in September 2014, 2 British nationals were killed in Tao.

 

Violent sexual assaults and robberies against both men and women are reported regularly in the Koh Samui archipelago and Krabi province. These are particularly common during the monthly Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night near bars.

 

Tourists have also been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms. In some cases their drinks were drugged. Be careful about taking drinks from strangers and at clubs and parties, particularly in Koh Samui, Pattaya and at the Full Moon party on Koh Phangan, where date rapes have been reported.

 

Attacks have also occurred in other tourist districts in Thailand including Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Krabi. In light of the risk of unprovoked attacks you should be cautious and take care, especially at night.

 

Alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment resulting in accidents, injuries, robbery, assaults and lost travel documents. If you drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in your home country.. Some foreign nationals in Thailand have suffered severe psychiatric problems because of drug use, resulting in some suicides.

 

Be aware of the possibility of credit card fraud. Don’t lose sight of your card during transactions. There have been incidents of ATM skimming in Thailand. Where possible use an ATM within a bank and always protect your PIN.

 

Be careful to observe demarcation lines between shops and stalls, particularly in market areas and at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Taking items from one shop’s area to another may be treated as suspected theft.

 

Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. Foreigners have had items snatched by thieves on motorbikes when walking along busy streets or travelling in open transport like tuk tuks. If you travel by bus, make sure cash and valuables you have are kept securely. There have been incidents where passengers have had items taken from bags while asleep.

 

Gem scams are common. There have been reports of visitors buying gems for inflated prices from seemingly respectable establishments then later finding out the stones are worth a tiny fraction of the purchase price.

 

You should report any incidents of crime to the Thai police before leaving the country.

 

Burmese border

 

There are occasional clashes between the Thai security forces, armed criminal groups and drug traffickers along the Thai/Burma border. Outside the main towns, police and military checkpoints are actively manned and travellers may be asked to produce ID. See the Tourism Thailand website and seek advice locally before you travel to this part of the country.

 

Only cross into Burma at an official border checkpoint, and after obtaining any relevant permissions/visas from the Burmese and Thai authorities.

 

Cambodian border

 

The line of the international border near the Preah Vihear temple is disputed by Cambodia and Thailand. Since 2008 there have been occasional clashes. Hostilities occurred in February 2011 resulting in civilian and military fatalities on both sides. The situation remains tense and further fighting could occur without warning. We advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple and surrounding area.

 

Disputes also exist over control of the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which lie close to the Thailand/Cambodia border. Fighting broke out between Cambodian and Thai troops at Ta Krabey in April 2011 causing death and injuries on both sides, and further fighting may occur without warning. We advise against all travel to the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temple area.

 

Some other temples close to the border with Cambodia may be the subject of disputes over ownership.

 

Remain alert to the local situation when travelling anywhere near to the border with Cambodia, and at land crossings between the two countries.

 

Laos border

 

Not all land border crossings into Laos are open to foreigners and you may need to get a Laos visa before you arrive to cross the border.

 

Air travel

 

There are two airports in Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the city’s main international airport. Don Muang Airport is the former Bangkok international airport, which now handles mainly domestic and regional flights.

 

Rail travel

 

There have been a number of train derailments in Thailand. Some have resulted in deaths and injuries.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive in Thailand using an International Driving Permit or Thai driving licence.

 

124,855 people were killed in road traffic accidents between 2000 and 2010 meaning that on average there were over 12,000 deaths a year during this period. In the EU there have been on average about 3,000 deaths from road traffic accidents each year over the past decade. In any comparison of these statistics, you should also note that there is a difference in the method of calculating statistics for road deaths in Thailand (at the scene of the accident) and the EU (within 30 days of the accident). The risk of death or injury on the road increases if you travel at night.

 

With motorcycles so widely used in Thailand the majority of road traffic accidents involve motorcycles, contributing to around 70% of all road deaths. If you’re riding a motorcycle in Thailand take extra care. According to Thai law, safety helmets must be worn. We would advise against riding motorcycles in Thailand.

 

Serious accidents involving other vehicles including cars, coaches and mini-buses also occur. Many accidents are due to poor vehicle and driver safety standards. There have been a number of accidents involving overnight coach travel. In June 2011, 3 foreign nationals were killed in an accident involving overnight coach travel, in July 2012, 3 foreign nationals were injured in an overnight coach crash and in February 2013, 3 foreign nationals were injured in an accident involving overnight coach travel. Seek local advice if you are in any doubt about the safety of your transport provider.

 

Motorcycles or scooters for hire in beach resorts are often unregistered and can’t be used legally on a public road. Before you hire a vehicle, make sure you’re covered by your travel insurance and check the small print of the lease agreement. Don’t hand over your passport as a guarantee against returning a motorcycle or scooter. Unscrupulous owners regularly hold on to passports against payment for claimed damage to the motorcycle or scooter.

 

Riding ‘Quad-bikes’ can also be dangerous. It is illegal to drive these on the roads in Thailand even though they’re available to hire on the roadside.

 

Sea travel

 

There are numerous passenger boat services operating between the mainland and islands in Thailand. There have been some sinkings, usually due to overloading and/or poor maintenance but also due to rough seas. During the Full Moon party, speedboats to and from Koh Phangan are often overloaded. Take care at all times and avoid travelling on vessels that are clearly overloaded or in poor condition. Make sure life jackets are available.

 

Adventurous activities and swimming

 

Bungee jumping can be dangerous and accidents occur. If you undertake this activity you should satisfy yourself that the company is using the most up-to-date equipment and safety features, and that they are fully licensed and insured.

 

If you are considering jungle trekking use a reliable, licensed tour guide.

 

Take particular care when swimming off coastal areas, especially during monsoon season. Strong riptides have drowned people in several areas including Phuket, Koh Chang, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Rayong and Pattaya and the Koh Samui archipelago. Always comply with warning signs, especially red flags, and only swim from approved beaches.

 

Jellyfish can swim close to the shore, particularly during the rainy season. Their sting can be fatal. If in doubt take local advice from hotel management and dive centres.

 

Take care when swimming, diving, kayaking or white water rafting in rivers or close to waterfalls, particularly in the rainy season from May to October. Currents can be extremely strong.

 

If you rent Jet Skis or water sports equipment, satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. Rent only from reputable, licensed and insured operators, thoroughly check for damage before use and insist on training. Don’t hand over your passport as a guarantee against returning a jet ski. Unscrupulous owners have been known to hold on to passports against claimed damage to the Jet Ski.

 

The standards maintained by diving schools and rescue services are not always as high as in the EU. Check a dive operator’s credentials carefully before using them and make sure you’re covered by your insurance. If you’ve had no previous diving experience ask your dive operator to explain what cover they offer before signing up for a course. Make sure safety equipment is available on the boat, particularly oxygen.

 

You should also ask about contingency plans which should include the ability to call for help while at sea and to evacuate divers to the nearest hyperbaric chamber if necessary.

 

Local laws and customs

Conditions in prisons and other detention facilities in Thailand are harsh, with limited access to healthcare. There have been recent cases of detainees dying in custody.

 

Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment. If you are found guilty of being in possession of marijuana you are likely to receive a long prison sentence and a heavy fine. If you’re found guilty of being in possession of 20 grams of a Class A drug at a point of exit from Thailand you risk receiving the death penalty. Amphetamines and ecstasy are regarded as Class A drugs and possession or trafficking carries the same penalty as heroin.

 

It’s a criminal offence to make critical or defamatory comments in any format, including online,about the King or other members of the Royal family in Thailand. This is known as Lèse Majesté and is punishable by a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years, or longer. Foreign nationals have been convicted of Lèse Majesté.

 

It is illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand and this is enforced at customs at the airport on arrival; those who exceed the limit may be fined ten times the value of the items and face confiscation of the cigarettes.

 

By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times in Thailand. Tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passport on request. Make sure you complete the next of kin details section in the back of your passport.

 

Terrorism

There is a  threat from terrorism. Bomb and grenade attacks have been indiscriminate, including in places visited by expatriates and foreign travellers. There have been attacks in the past in the main cities of Thailand, including in Chiang Mai in 2010 and in Bangkok in February 2012. In February 2015 there were two explosions at the Siam station of Bangkok’s Skytrain (BTS) system, near the entrance to the Siam Paragon shopping mall. Police say they were caused by small improvised explosive devices. One person was injured. On 10 April 2015, a car bomb exploded in the underground car park of the Central Festival shopping mall in Bho Phut on the beach resort island of Koh Samui. Seven people were injured, including one foreigner. You should remain vigilant and keep abreast of local security advice and media reports.

 

Since 2004, there have been almost daily attacks in the far south of the country, including arson, bombings and shootings. Targets have included civilians and members of the security forces, government offices, tourist hotels, discos, bars, shops, marketplaces, supermarkets, schools, transport infrastructure and trains. Over 5,000 people have been killed and several thousand more injured. Foreign nationals have been killed in these attacks, others have been injured.

 

Martial law has been in place in the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and in the Sadao district of Songkhla province since 2006. The security authorities can detain suspects without charge, censor the media, conduct searches and seize documents. e advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

 

Health

There are excellent private hospitals in Thailand but they can be expensive. Public hospitals and clinics in Thailand are not always up to EU standards, particularly outside Bangkok and in the coastal islands. Many hospitals require guarantee of payment before they will start treatment. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 1669 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Medications which are only available on prescription in the EU like Viagra, Cialis and Valium are readily available in popular nightlife districts across Thailand. Medication sold on the street is unlikely to be genuine and may have been stolen. Taking medication without medical advice or a prescription can have serious health consequences.

 

Dengue fever is present in Thailand. You should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.

 

There are confirmed reports of hand, foot and mouth disease in 77 provinces across the country in the north, south, north-east, and central plains.

 

During March and April there is often smoke haze and resulting poor air quality across parts of the north and north-east of Thailand. This air pollution may aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthmatic conditions. Keep up-to-date with local information and seek medical advice on appropriate precautions. Regular air quality reports for Thailand (and the ASEAN region) are available from the Singaporean National Environment Agency.

 

Rainy season

 

The rainy season in much of Thailand runs from May to October, with September and October being the height of the monsoon season. The rainy season in Koh Samui and the south east of the Thai peninsula runs from November to March. Heavy storms during the monsoon can cause disruption and damage including flooding and landslides.

 

The Mekong River Commission posts official updates on the Mekong River on its website.

 

Lakes, caves and waterfalls are particularly prone to dangerous flash flooding during the rainy season.

 

Earthquakes

 

On 5 May 2014 an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck northern Thailand close to Chiang Rai causing some damage to buildings and roads.

 

Passport Validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand. Entry to Thailand is normally refused if you have a passport which is damaged or has pages missing.

 

The Thai authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

If you’re a dual national you must make sure that when you depart Thailand you have a valid passport of the nationality used to enter, otherwise you may have difficulty in leaving.

 

Visas

 

EU passport holders arriving by air or land can enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa - this is known as a visa exemption. It’s not possible to extend your stay beyond the 30 days granted by the visa exemption.

 

If you plan to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days, or you intend to work, you must get a visa before you travel. If you have entered Thailand on a visa, it’s possible to apply for an extension of stay but you must do this before your permission to stay expires.

 

If you overstay, you’ll be fined 500 baht per day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You also risk being held in detention, fined, deported at your own expense and black-listed from re-entering Thailand. The Thai authorities have stated that they will always enforce detention for overstays of more than 42 days.

 

The only legal way of getting a new visa, entry permit or extension of stay is from a Thai Embassy or Consulate, an Immigration Officer at a point of entry into Thailand or one of the Immigration Offices around the country. Visas issued by visa shops, travel agents or by any other means are likely to be illegal and lead to criminal proceedings.

 

If you have any queries about visas or entry requirements, check with the Royal Thai Embassy.

 

Proof of onward travel

 

Immigration officials in Thailand may ask you for proof of onward travel (e.g. a return or onward air ticket). You should make all reservations before leaving for Thailand. Some airlines have refused to board passengers without evidence of onward travel.

 

Employment

 

To work in Thailand you will need a work permit, which is difficult and time-consuming to get. If you enter Thailand on a tourist visa you’re not allowed to work. Failure to observe this rule can lead to arrest and deportation.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Thailand. If you’re planning to enter Thailand using an Emergency Travel Document you should contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate before you travel to seek advice about whether a visa is required.

 

Latest Update 02 March 2016

Thailand is experiencing ongoing transmission of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. All travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites. Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about implications.