Is Bangkok safe to visit?

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Is Bangkok safe to visit?
The safest and unsafest areas in Bangkok
Usually, the most touristy areas in Bangkok are the safest, although, at the same time, these are the places where most tourist scams happen. Most pickpocket incidents happen at night markets, bus stops, shopping malls and tourist stops like the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Khao San Road - don't say we didn't warn you ;)
How to keep yourself safe
Here are some things you should keep in mind when it comes to keeping yourself safe:
- If you’re planning to visit Bangkok between May and October, know that you’ll be flying in during the rainy season, when rainfall is a daily occurrence. Be careful of floods and other monsoon-related incidents that might disrupt your trip.
- Look both ways when crossing the street. Motorized vehicles in Bangkok do not yield to pedestrians
- Around March and April is also when the air quality in Bangkok goes downhill. Pollution can be awfull so be carefull if you have astma or other respiratory conditions
- Wear your bags in front of you, or invest in belt bags to stash your money and valuables.
Most common scams and tourist traps in Bangkok
- The tuk tuk scam: Tuk-tuk drivers often pretend they don't speak any English. After your tuk tuk ride, they will pretend that both of you have agreed on another fare.
- The gem scam: don’t believe anyone who tells you to buy some gems. You’ll wind up buying invaluable gems, wasting lots of money in the process.
- ‘This is closed’ scams: if someone outside of an attraction is telling you that the place is closed, don’t believe them. It won’t be. They are just trying to get you to follow them to another (unspecial) temple and ask for ridiculous entrances fees
- Bracelet scam: this one is pretty 'popular' all over the world . If someone tries to put something on your wrist, don’t let them. They’ll try to charge an exorbitant fee, claiming that the ‘gift’ they’ve given you comes at a price.
- Ping pong show scams: if someone tries to take you to a ping pong show, don’t bother. If you do accept the offer, you’ll soon find yourself stuck inside a shady bar, where you’re forced to tip performers and end up paying thousands of Baht just to get away.
- Bird food scam: if someone tries to put a bag of bird food in your hand – instructing you to feed the on-street birds – walk away If. When you’ve finished feeding these furry friends, you’ll be hit with a hefty bill.
- Fake police scams: If you’re not a particularly brave person, this scam could be pretty scary. A “policeman” will walk up to you and request to check your passport and they will tell you something is wrong with your passport. Most tourists would simply agree to pay the fine in order to avoid more conflict.
Is Bangkok safe at night?
Just like pretty much any other place in the world, Bangkok can get quite sketchy at night. If possible, stick with a group instead of heading out alone and don’t go wandering off into small side streets. Opt for a taxi to get around, even if it’s just a short distance.
Is Bangkok safe for solo travelers?
Absolutely. Bangkok has long been a favored destination for solo travelers and it's a great place to consider if it is your first time traveling alone. If you take in consideration all the scams and areas to avoid, you'll have an amazing time traveling solo in Bangkok!
Is it safe to drive in Bangkok?
Not really, no. Thailand as a whole has some of the worst road traffic stats in the world. In fact, The World Health Organisation has reported that Thailand is home to the second highest road traffic fatality rate in the world. Especially during peak time, Bangkoks streets can be super busy and chaotic, which tends to be overwhelming and dangerous for inexperienced scooter drivers. Generally speaking, riding a motorbike in Asia is always a pretty sketchy experience because a lot of locals don’t stick to the traffic rules. It's better to take public transportation, get a driver or a taxi!
Is it safe to eat street food in Bangkok?
You definitely shouldn’t be afraid to try street food in Bangkok. Just make sure you eat at a busy, popular food stall and avoid food that’s been sitting around in the sun, uncovered, and on show all day. Instead, opt for meals cooked fresh in front of you. If you’re the sort of person who’s prone to a bad stomach, then you should probably be avoiding things like papaya salad or cut fruit and be careful of seafood and buffets.
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Other safety tips:
- If it feels to good to be true, it probably is. Overfriendly people walking up to you on the street in ANY city is sketchy
- Don’t give your passport over as a deposit – to rental companies for a bike, etc. You may never see it again.
- Try to use ATMs inside buildings to avoid skimming and fraud
- Before you hop in a tuk-tuk, agree on a price first – this will avoid any arguments
- Cover up and protect against mosquitoes – dengue fever is an actual threat in the city
- Bangkok taxis are notoriously bad – at directions and at turning the meter on
- Stay away from street dogs – rabies is a thing
- HIV is a real risk –be careful with needles when getting tattoos
- Don’t do drugs – They’re super illegal. Cocaine possession = death penalty
- Do not get involved in political protests
- Be respectfull of the Thai Royalty. It’s against the law to talk in a bad way about them.
- Don't drink water from the tap. Even brush your teeth with bottled water!
Conclusion:
When you finally decide to book that holiday and hit the city of Bangkok, you will see it has so much to offer along the lines of history, culture, traditions and architectural beauty. Your time in the city will be exciting and full of adventure as you visit temples, food vendors and shopping markets.
After reading this blogpost you will feel 100% confident and ready to explore the city of Bangkok. So pack your bags and get excited! Your Bangkok adventure awaits you!
So whether it is taking one of the many tours in Bangkok or you want to go island hopping and seeing all of the beautiful beaches, you'll be guaranteed to have the most memorable time!
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