Thailand 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Bangkok enjoys a relatively low overall crime rate when compared to its urban counterparts in the U.S. and Europe. Generally speaking, it is a safe place for those wishing to conduct business as well as those taking part in the myriad of tourist activities. Most criminal activity is limited to non-confrontational street crimes such as pick-pocketing, purse snatching, jewelry and tourist frauds (gems, ivory, souvenir shopping, or taxi scams) and credit card theft. The local police are generally effective in assisting with minor crimes, but are continually hampered by a lack of funding and adequate training.

Although there are no known indigenous terrorist or rebel groups directly hostile to the United States in Thailand, violence directed at Thai government interests, and more recently public places, continues to plague Southern Thailand. For this reason, American Citizens are currently urged to defer all non-emergency travel to Thailand's three southern-most provinces. The State Department is concerned that in general, there is an increased risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia (to include Thailand). American citizens traveling to Thailand should therefore exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate and remain vigilant with regard to their own personal security.

On December 23, 2007, the Government of Thailand (GOT) held their first democratic legislative election since the coup in September of 2006. The Peoples Power Party (PPP) won a plurality of parliamentary seats and assembled a governing coalition, which held office from February 2008 until December 2008, when a new coalition formed with the Democratic Party at its core. There have been and continue to be frequent, relatively large political protests both for and against the government. There have been shootings and detonations of small explosive devices in connection with these protests. The People's Alliance for Democracy occupied the Government House compound for a period of months in late 2008 and occupied both of Bangkok's airports for eight days in late 2008, significantly disrupting commerce and air travel. To date, protests, while disruptive, have fallen short of the level of intensity we would believe to be defined as civil unrest.

Crime Threats

Although the crime threat in Bangkok remains lower than in many American cities, non-confrontational crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and burglaries have become more common in recent years. Travelers should be especially wary when walking in crowded markets, tourist sites and bus or train stations including the Skytrain and underground subway lines. In the past year, American citizens have reported passports, wallets, and other valuables being stolen in Bangkok's popular Chatuchak Weekend Market. Purses, wallets, back and fanny packs should be worn to the front in crowded areas. In the event of a loss or theft of these items, travelers should report the loss to the police. Thailand has an attentive Tourist Police Division comprised of English-speaking personnel designed specifically to address crimes committed against foreigners in Thailand. The Tourist Police Division of the Royal Thai Police can be reached throughout Thailand by dialing 1155.

Cities outside of Bangkok experience even lower crime rates. Nonetheless, visitors to Thailand should remain vigilant regarding so-called non-confrontational crimes. Though violent crimes against foreigners are rare, they do occur when people do not follow logical safety and security procedures.

More recently, travelers to Thailand have experienced criminal activity targeting their credit cards and passports for identity theft. There have been several reports of criminals using skimming devices on legitimate ATMs to ascertain valid credit card numbers and pin numbers for debit cards. There are well-organized credit card fraud rings that have international connections. It is highly recommended that the use of credit cards and debit cards be restricted to well-established businesses. Travelers should take special care in safeguarding all items that could be used for identity theft. The typical Lotto Scams and fake money-wash greed scandals are also prevalent.

Reports of serious crimes involving taxis or "tuk-tuks" (three-wheeled taxis) are also relatively rare, although attempts to charge excessive fares occur regularly. Americans should not hesitate to ask to be let out of a taxi immediately if the driver is acting suspiciously or driving erratically. When riding in taxis, make sure that the driver turns on the meter. Visitors should exit the taxis immediately if the driver stops to pick up additional passengers. It is recommended that visitors coming to Thailand do not enter a taxi that has someone in it besides the driver. When arriving at either of Bangkok's airports, travelers should use only taxis from the airport's official taxi stand, cars from the airport limousine counters, or airport buses. Visitors can have major hotels in Bangkok arrange for a car and driver to meet incoming flights.

Visitors should be aware of several commercial and merchant-based scams operating in Thailand. These scams involve precious gems, tours, and entertainment events. Travelers should be wary of any implausible sale featuring precious gems and/or jewelry. Americans frequently encounter taxi drivers and others who advertise for particular gem stores or entertainment venues. Often-times kickbacks or commissions are involved. Some unscrupulous merchants may drive up the prices of the goods or services because they are dealing with Americans or foreigners. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives over 1,000 complaints each year from visitors who have been cheated on gem purchases.

Safety: Road Conditions and Road Hazards

Traffic moves on the left in Thailand, although motorcycles and motorized carts often drive (illegally) against the traffic flow. Traffic in Bangkok is a major safety problem with a mixture of motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, and three-wheeled tuk-tuks. Accidents, involving pedestrians and vehicles is the greatest safety/security concern for visitors. Accidents involving motorcycles can be particularly deadly. Motorcycles tend to weave in and out of traffic and the skill and proficiency of these drivers is poor. Motorcycle-related deaths in Bangkok are a daily occurrence and the use of motorcycle taxis is not recommended. The embassy has sent a notice to Embassy staff and family members strongly recommending that they refrain from using motorcycles (especially motorcycle taxis), mopeds, and tuk-tuks in Bangkok. Buses and taxis are abundant and generally safe. In addition, both the over ground Skytrain and underground subway (MRT) are clean and safe and are recommended to save time and prevent frustration regarding Bangkok's notorious traffic conditions.

For safety, pedestrians are encouraged to utilize overhead walkways/pedestrian bridges whenever possible, especially in metropolitan Bangkok. Pedestrians should look carefully in both directions before crossing streets, even when using a marked crosswalk with a green "walk" light illuminated.

American citizen motorists should consider that it is customary during a traffic accident in Thailand for the more affluent driver, even if not at fault, to be compelled to pay the expenses of the other party. Thai police authorities determine fault in accidents and frequently, for major accidents, those involved are brought to the local police station where senior officers will discuss the accident with those involved, including drivers, insurance representatives, and the police officers in an effort to determine where the fault lies.

The accident rate in Thailand is particularly high during long holidays when alcohol use and traffic are both heavier than normal. During the Songkran (Thai New Year) holiday in April, the problem is further exacerbated by people throwing water at passing vehicles as part of the traditional celebration.

Paved roads, many of them four lanes wide, connect Thailand's major cities. On the country's numerous two-lane roads, however, slow-moving trucks limit speed and visibility. Speeding, reckless passing, and failure to obey traffic laws is common in all regions of Thailand, as is the consumption by commercial drivers of alcohol, amphetamines, and other stimulants. Serious bus crashes occur frequently, especially on overnight trips, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Congested roads and a scarcity of ambulances can make it difficult for accident victims to receive timely medical attention.

Political Violence

Historical Perspective

In the months prior to September 2006, Thailand experienced a number of large, public demonstrations of up to 100,000 persons, primarily in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The protests were directed toward the ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin and his government and were sponsored by many factions opposed to its policies and practices. During this time, several small improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were detonated in areas frequented by the protesters, but the devices were detonated during early morning hours and not designed to maximize injuries, thus indicating a desire to send a message as opposed to cause mass casualties. This year witnessed similar demonstrations, IEDs, and political unrest and instability that led to many injuries and some deaths.

The far south of Thailand experiences frequent incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence, including incidents attributed to armed local separatist and extremist groups. These incidents frequently include drive-by shootings, ambushes, and small bomb attacks of Thai security patrols. These groups seek increased autonomy in furtherance of a separate state related to the partitioning of the Thai/Malaysia border in the early 1900s. There has been sporadic separatist violence over the last one-hundred years relating to this struggle.

The latest round of violence, generally identified as beginning in January 2004, has been a series of incidents in the far southern provinces. This includes arson attacks directed at schools and other buildings associated with the government; the placement of bombs in public areas and near local government offices; killings of police and other officials; and the theft of weapons and explosives. Attacks in the area have increasingly been targeted against commercial areas where foreigners might congregate. In 2005, two American citizens were injured when a bomb detonated in the Hat Yai International Airport. On August 31, 2006, a series of 22 bombs exploded inside commercial banks in Yala Province, injuring 28 people. On September 17, 2006, a series of bombs detonated in the commercial district of Hat Yai, killing one American citizen and injuring another. Travelers should be aware that Thai authorities have, on occasion, instituted special security measures in affected areas, such as curfews, military patrols, or random searches of train passengers. 2007 and 2008 also witnessed dozens of bombings and periodic attacks and shootings.

The State Department's Country Specific Information Sheet for Thailand advises American Citizens to defer all non-emergency travel to Thailand's five southern-most provinces. Americans are also encouraged to use caution and remain vigilant in areas with large public gatherings. Embassy Bangkok requires all official travel to the southern regions of Thailand to be approved in advance by the Regional Security Officer and Deputy Chief of Mission.

For a number of years, Thailand has also experienced limited violent incursions in the areas bordering Burma and Cambodia. Continued fighting between the Burmese Army and Karen separatist groups has led to numerous incidents of banditry inside Thailand in years past. Heavily armed drug smugglers have also had deadly clashes with police in border areas near Burma. Persons wishing to travel to the border areas should check with Thai Tourist Police or visit www.travel.state.gov for the most up to date travel warnings for U.S. citizens traveling to the region.

Regional Terrorism and Organized Crime

Following the 2006 New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok, the State Department released a Public Announcement on January 3, 2007 advising U.S. citizens to remain alert to their surroundings while in Bangkok and to avoid large public gatherings. According to the Thai Government, the bombings, which killed three and wounded 55 (including several foreign nationals but no Americans), were the product of political rivals' attempts to discredit the interim government. There has been no claim of responsibility and the Thai Government continues to investigate.

As noted above, Southern Thailand continues to experience daily attacks directed at anything perceived to be associated with the Thai Government. Although these groups primarily target Thai Government entities (police, military, etc.), some of the recent violence in the area has targeted public places, including areas where tourists may congregate. While there is no information indicating that these groups have targeted Westerners, American citizens have been victims of this indiscriminate violence. The Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Thailand urges U.S. citizens to defer non-emergency travel to the far south of Thailand: Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala Provinces, including the town of Hat Yai. If U.S. citizens must travel to these areas, they should exercise special caution and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.

There are numerous international and indigenous organized crime elements operating throughout Thailand, but they are mainly concentrated within the major cities. Their activities include drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, document fraud, etc. The Royal Thai Police actively investigates these crimes, but due to corruption, resource limitations, and bureaucratic inefficiency, the apprehension rate is extremely low. The embassy is currently unaware of any U.S. businesses operating in Thailand that are experiencing problems associated with organized crime.

International Terrorism or Transnational Terrorism

Persons with known transnational terrorist associations transit through, and visit, Thailand with relative ease through legal and illegal means. In 2003, senior Jemaah Islamiyya/al Qa'ida (JI/AQ) leader Hambali was captured just north of Bangkok. These travel routes include not only the Burmese and Cambodian borders but also the Malaysian border. Soft target vulnerabilities exist throughout the country - a situation that could easily be exploited by transnational terrorist elements if they begin operations here.

Currently there are no threats directed at American citizens within Thailand. The State Department has issued a series of Public Announcements (www.travel.state.gov) cautioning travelers against traveling in locations where there are continued threats of terrorist actions and anti-American violence.

U.S. citizens are warned against congregating or visiting facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate, as such places may be attractive targets to terrorist groups. This includes clubs, restaurants, residential areas, places of worship, hotels, schools, business offices, outdoor recreational events, resorts and beaches in some southern regions of Thailand.

Civil Unrest

Thailand has been the scene of several violent demonstrations this year. All demonstrations are unpredictable, and any demonstration can turn violent without warning. For this reason, the embassy encourages all Americans to monitor local media for announcements of possible demonstrations and to avoid the areas where demonstrations might occur. If a demonstration is expected to pass near U.S. Embassy facilities, embassy entrances and functions may be restricted, depending on circumstances.

Post-specific Concerns

Earthquakes and Floods

Thailand has several earthquake fault lines which run through it. In December 2004, a major underwater earthquake off the coast of northern Indonesia caused one of the deadliest tsunamis in recorded history, resulting in over 200,000 deaths in the region. Thailand's popular Andaman Sea coastline, including the popular tourist island of Phuket, was affected by up to a ten-meter tsunami wave which devastated the western coast and caused several thousand deaths of citizens and tourists. Small earthquakes continue throughout the region, all of which cause little to no damage.

Thailand can experience serious flooding during the rainy season (usually July through October) both in major cities and in the rural countryside.

Industrial and Transportation Accidents

Ferries and speedboats used to transport tourists and local nationals to and from the many islands off the Thai mainland are often overcrowded and carry insufficient safety equipment. In January 2005, three U.S. citizens died when the over-crowded speedboat they were in capsized and sank off the coast of Koh Samui. The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens to avoid travel on overcrowded boats and to ensure that proper safety equipment is available before boarding any boat or ferry.

On September 16, 2007, One-To-Go flight OG 269 crashed at Phuket International Airport, killing 90 people, including five American citizens.

Kidnappings

Thailand has not seen kidnappings happen within its borders, but given the number of organized crime elements in Thailand, the potential threat of kidnapping, albeit small, does exist.

Drugs and Narcoterrorism

Thailand strictly enforces drug laws and penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs. Thailand's enforcement efforts include the death penalty for drug smuggling. Convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences under harsh conditions, and often-heavy fines as well. Several Americans currently in Thai prisons were arrested for trafficking illicit drugs. Some Americans have been duped into carrying a package with illegal drugs by the promise of a vacation to Thailand. Lack of knowledge of the contents of a package is not a legal defense.

Thai police occasionally raid discos, bars, or nightclubs looking for underage patrons and drug users. During the raids, they typically check the IDs of all customers in the establishment, and then make each person provide a urine sample to be checked for narcotics. Foreigners are not excused from these checks, and anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs is arrested and charged. Although some Thai civil libertarians have questioned the constitutionality of these forced urine tests, the embassy is unaware of any successful challenge to the practice, and customers can be jailed if they do not cooperate.

The Royal Thai Government continues to fight drug smuggling along its border with Burma. Heavily armed drug smugglers routinely have deadly clashes with Thai border and narcotics police in these areas. Persons wishing to travel to the border areas should check with Thai Tourist Police, or visit www.travel.state.gov for the most up to date travel warnings for U.S. citizens traveling to the region.

Police Response

Response to calls for service are better in larger cities than in smaller towns and provinces. Police effectiveness and their ability to conduct follow-up criminal investigations is hampered by both a lack of funding and limited training. Tourist Police are stationed in popular tourist areas and are typically multi-lingual. They are generally very helpful in assisting tourists with minor crimes, scams, or other problems.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

Remain calm and ask for an English-speaking officer. Tourist Police generally speak English with many metropolitan Police having some English-speaking ability. Police officers outside the major tourist destinations frequently do not speak English. Since Thailand is not a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the U.S. Embassy frequently does not learn of the arrest of U.S. citizens for minor drug offenses, particularly in southern Thailand, until several days after the incident. Please ask to contact the US Embassy or Consulate General for assistance if detained or arrested by police.

The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help arrested American citizens understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Emergency/Police Numbers

Bangkok

Police Emergency (Metro): 191

Police Routine (Metro): 02-280-5060

Tourist Police: 1155

Fire Emergency: 199

American Embassy: 02-205-4000

Chiang Mai

Police Emergency (Local): 191

Police Routine (Local): 05-327-6040

Tourist Police: 1155

American Consulate General: 05-325-2629

Phuket

Police Emergency (Local): 191

Police Routine (Local): 07-621-2115

Tourist Police (Local): 1155

Medical Emergencies

The general police emergency number throughout Thailand is 191. Contact the police in a medical emergency and they will summon an ambulance to your location. Individual hospitals have ambulance services. However, in Bangkok, these services should not be relied upon due to severe traffic congestion. Taxis are commonly used to transport patients to hospitals.

Medical treatment is generally adequate throughout Thailand. In Bangkok, excellent facilities exist for routine, long-term, and emergency health care. Smaller towns and outlying facilities lack the facilities, expertise, and various medical personnel resident in major metropolitan areas.

Contact Information for Local Hospitals and Clinics

Bangkok

Bumrungrad Hospital: 02-667-1000

BNH Hospital: 02-686-2700

Samitivej Hospital: 02-711-8000

Bangkok Hospital: 02-310-3102

Phuket

Phuket-Bangkok Hospital: 07-625-4425

Air Ambulance Services

Helicopter Medevac service is available. Bangkok Hospital (02-310-3102) advertises that it can assist in Medevac situations throughout Thailand. International SOS also maintains a presence in the country, with offices based out of Bangkok.

Travel Precautions

Although petty crime is most prevalent, violent crimes involving Americans and foreigners do occur. Personal security measures and common sense should be exercised at all times. At night, travel with someone and avoid walking on poorly lit streets and alleys. The most common crimes are purse snatching, pick pocketing, and petty theft. Credit card fraud and identity theft schemes are active in Thailand. Travelers should be careful to safeguard their valuables at all times. Travelers to Thailand should carefully review the Safety And Security sections of the State Department's Country Specific Information sheet for Thailand available at www.travel.state.gov for additional information.

How to Contact the U.S. Embassy

U.S. Embassy Contact Numbers

Regional Security Officer: 02 205-4333

Embassy operator: 02 205-4000

Medical Unit: 02 205-5508

American Citizen Services Duty Officer: 081 173 0144

Marine Post 1: 02 205-4108

NOTE: If calling from outside Thailand, add the country code for Thailand (66) and drop the first zero in the number being called.

OSAC Country Council

The Thailand OSAC Country Council is part of the American Chamber of Commerce based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Council meets on a monthly basis and can be contacted through the Chamber of Commerce at 66-2-254-1041 or www.amchamthailand.com.