| Before coming to Thailand you might have many | | | | It is dangerous to be inside Bangkok during times |
| unanswered questions about this mysterious | | | | of intense political turmoil. It is not uncommon for |
| country, and have a very hard time coming up | | | | bombs to be going off in public places during |
| with the answers you need before you arrive. | | | | these times. Foreign visitors have not been |
| One of the most often considered questions | | | | targeted, but at times have been injured, |
| about Thailand is whether or not Thailand is safe | | | | sometimes severely. |
| to visit. | | | | Muslim Extremists |
| In short, I would say that mostly whether or not | | | | In the south of Thailand there have been over |
| Thailand is a safe place for you, depends on you. | | | | 3,000 deaths attributed to a small group's quest |
| There are many dangers in Thailand, but you can | | | | for independence from Thailand. These are a |
| prepare for the majority of them if you know | | | | group of Muslim extremists that randomly shoot |
| what they are first. I'll cover some areas below | | | | and sometimes murder in heinous ways, both |
| briefly and offer a resource that can prepare you | | | | Buddhist and Muslim alike. It is not recommended |
| for nearly anything you will face in Thailand at the | | | | that visitors go to the deep southern provinces |
| end of this article. | | | | because at any time the extremists could up the |
| Thai Culture | | | | ante by going after foreigners, hoping to force |
| Thailand has a royal family. Unlike some other | | | | the Thai government to take a more active |
| countries with royal families, Thai people treat | | | | posture on the situation. |
| their royal family with the utmost respect. There | | | | Besides the political and other violence in Thailand |
| are very strict laws about what can and cannot | | | | there are a number of dangers visitors will need |
| be said about Thailand's royal family. You would be | | | | to be aware of while visiting Thailand. Thailand has |
| wise to study this in some detail before arriving | | | | 45 species of poisonous snakes, scorpions, |
| because there is little leeway given to citizens or | | | | centipedes, and other biting beasts - some of |
| foreigners on this matter. | | | | which come right into the kitchens of people living |
| Thai Politics | | | | in Bangkok. |
| Thai politics over the past thirty years or so have | | | | Electrical hazards abound here. The same care |
| been filled with power struggles between | | | | taken with electricity in your country is not |
| power-hungry people that are not currently in | | | | followed in Thailand. |
| charge, with the power-hungry people that are | | | | The Thai concept of "face" is a cultural |
| currently holding office in government. There has | | | | phenomenon that you should spend some time |
| been a lot of violence, mostly centered in | | | | understanding because it guides Thais behavior. |
| Bangkok, as a result of politicians fighting with | | | | Face is an underlying component of all Thai |
| each other - and whole groups of the population | | | | behavior, and if understood, can help you stay |
| seeking change - often times, through violence. | | | | clear of inciting someone to anger while you are |
| Attempts to control Thai protesters are often | | | | here. Thais fight to kill and it would be better if |
| heavy-handed and result in numerous deaths and | | | | you never saw that side of Thailand during your |
| serious injuries to participants. The military and | | | | trip. |
| police are often caught between two sides, and | | | | The key to having a safe vacation in Thailand is |
| must choose which side to support. At times the | | | | knowing everything you can about Thai people, |
| military steps in with a coup and puts the fighting | | | | their behavior, and their culture. There is only one |
| on hold for a while until elections are held and the | | | | guide that focuses on having a safe visit to |
| fighting begins again. | | | | Thailand. |