Thailand forum

Unlike Mexico, violent crime in SE Asia is infrequent. I haven't heard many stories of people being mugged while threatened with a stick, knife, gun or any other weapon. I'm from the States - have spent the good part of a year in SE Asia over three trips - and I feel safer in SE Asia, even the larger cities, than I do in many parts of the US. I think it's safe to say that muggings and other crimes based on violent intimidation are much more common in Mexico than SE Asia.

So, I don't think you should worry so much about being mugged, certainly not more than you would be in your home country. However, if carrying pepper spray would make you feel more secure, go for it. As far as I know, if you check it in your luggage it should be fine. Obviously you can't bring it in your carry-on or in your pocket on to an airplane. I've never had a bag searched at an overland border crossing in SE Asia, but my guess is that if immigration agents discovered the pepper spray they would understand why you have it, and would most likely let you keep it.

In regard to the expensive equipment, if you are careful with it you will be fine. While muggings are not common, cat burglary on trains/busses and in guesthouses/hotels is more common in SE Asia. So don't leave your equipment unattended on a train or in a hotel room, and if you take a nap on a train/bus make sure the equipment is very secure... There have been stories of people crawling beneath the seats and swiping bags from between unsuspecting traveler's legs, or even thieves cutting the bags open with a razor and taking out the contents without the traveler realizing it. Also don't hang your bag behind your back on a bicycle or motorbike, or leave it unfastened in the basket of a bicycle or motorbike... Sometimes thieves will ride up on a motorbike and snatch the bag, or cut the strap and grab it right off your back. Bear in mind, these are things to be aware of, but they never happen to 99.9% of travelers in SE Asia, and I personally have never seen it happen.

Be smart, keep your equipment as secure as you possibly can, don't get drunk and wander around at night by yourself, don't get in fights with the locals,,, and you'll be fine.

You might want to check with the airline before you put pepper spray in your luggage. Probably OK though.

Here in Thailand you can buy pepper spray.


But as DLeuk says, generally traveling here is pretty safe. Thailand has a lot of violent crime, but it's almost all Thai on Thai and it usually revovles around emotional issues. My motorcycle helmut was stolen off my bike once - that was it.

Hahaha :) no paranoic tendencies for me dude... I just want to be informed.

thanks very much to all for your comments and knowledge, I will certainly look into other insurance options since of course is the better approach, although loosing my camera would pretty much ruin my adventure, even if I can get the money back Im afraid. I agree with you shaydan, the photos should be secured first but I think I've got that covered.

Dluek, thanks a lot for the info man. I am more relaxed now I see everyone thinks thailand is a very safe place, just wondering what do you guys think about Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines? same case?

just a quick note, I realize I sounded like I thought Thais can be idiots. Im sorry I didnt mean that, I was trying to explain myself. I think the other way around actually, I admire their culture and spirituality. However, you never know right? anyways, thanks again.

I wouldn't come to Thailand with confrontation in your mind. You jump the gun and spray chemicals in someone's face and their buddies might beat the crap out of you. Thais are generally very peaceful friendly people, but they look out for their own and don't take threats lightly. Jai yen yen.

"Pepper gas against idiots in Thailand?" - anyone who titles a post in such a way has issues IMO.
and of MM is a gun-toting paid up member of the "i have issues" brigade.

...so you won't complain when it attracts opinions such as mine then will you?

I have to admit that at first I thought Mexi's post was a bit aggressive and paranoid too. But he's already said that he didn't mean it that way, so that should be the end of that.

I would definitely second Bob's comments above, however, not to show up in Thailand with confrontation in mind. That's very good advice. Cheers.