UK Foreign Office issues latest Thailand Travel Advice

Thailand Travel Advice: Thailand is popular with backpackers and holidaymakers alike and welcomes over one million British nationals each year.

But The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to areas within the provinces on the Thai-Malaysia border Travel advice includes:

 No, go areas

 Air quality

Urban areas across Thailand, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, can experience poor air quality and high PM 2.5 counts, occasionally entering the unhealthy and hazardous levels.

This may aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions.

 Cigarettes

It is illegal to import more than 200 cigarettes per person into Thailand. This is enforced at customs on arrival.

Those who exceed the limit may be fined ten times the value of the items.

 Marijuana

If you are found guilty of possession of marijuana you could receive a long prison sentence and/or a heavy fine.

If you’re found guilty of being in possession of 20 grams of a Class A drug on exiting Thailand you risk receiving the death penalty.

 Social media

Be aware that posting images on social media of people drinking alcohol or wearing inappropriate clothing can result in fines and/or imprisonment both for the person who uploaded the images and the people in them.

 Crime

Violent sexual assaults and unprovoked attacks have been reported in tourist destinations across Thailand.

Drink spiking and date rapes have been reported in tourist destinations, with both male and female victims.

Be on your guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers, especially from thieves on motorbikes or when travelling in open transport like tuk-tuks