Survey: Thailand 'among top 20 most dangerous countries' to visit

[buksida]

THAILAND has been ranked as one of the 20 most dangerous countries in the world for tourists, with high rates of crime and violence and low reliability of police services, according to a recent survey.

Of the 136 countries around the world covered by the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, which was released last month, Thailand sits at 118th with a 4.0 score for safety and security for tourists.

The index indicates a country’s exposure of tourists and businesses to security risks, considering serious harm such as violence and terrorism.

While a score of seven is considered the best for visitors, Finland is ranked No 1 with a score of 6.7, while Colombia, regarded as the most dangerous country for travellers, is the lowest with a score of 2.6.

Among Asean countries, the Philippines is the most dangerous, placed 126th with a score of 3.6, and Singapore is at the top (6th and 6.5).

The violence that flared in Thailand’s deep South in early 2004 took more than 6,800 lives.

The southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, bordering with Malaysia, are the trouble hot spots.

While historical and ethno-religious grievances are behind the bloody unrest in the predominantly Muslim region, the causes of the occasional attacks in Bangkok, notably since the 2014 military coup, are largely unknown. Authorities have no clear explanation.

The latest bombing at the military-run Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok took place on May 20, wounding more than 20 people.

Investigations on that case and previous explosions have made little progress.

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30317678

[PeteC]

Are they talking crime and related violence, or terrorism and insurgency? There is a big difference but it seems they lumped it all together. Concerning the former, sure, Khun Megabaht making the equiv of 10,000 USD per month fights tooth and nail not to give Khun Sukabaht an increase from 300 USD per month to 400 USD per month. I would steal too to support my family. Yes, much more too it but the magnitude of the above and the population it applies too is huge.

[oakdale160]

if you get killed it doesnt really matter whether it was a mugging or a political terrorist--- you are dead either way.

[oakdale160]

Thai has a much higher number of foreign retirees than other countries--retirees are by defintion old--old people tend to die. Are these deaths factored into the report.

[RCer]

Love reports like this one. They are so full of BS and people actually believe them.

This report ranks right up there with the obe from the WHO about motorbikes in Thailand.

[Jimbob]

Looked at a comparative report from Global Peace index 2017. Surprised how the USA is not so cosy. Of course weighting on various surveys can be very variable
44 Thailand 2.286
45 Turkmenistan 2.27
46 Tajikistan 2.263
47 Guatemala 2.245
48 China 2.242
49 El Salvador 2.239
50 United States of America 2.232

[laphanphon]

Yes, USA, we let the scum kill each other. Cheap and effective way of taking out the trash.

[europtimiste]

A survey...statistics based on what ??? The dangerousity of a country must be based on number of aggressions. Not accidental deaths or suicides. Actuall there is another danger, that's terrorism, but this is another factor. The regional danger as South Thailand or Part of Philippines is a regional danger based separatism.

[Spitfire]

Actually, Thailand is a dangerous place to visit really.....for the unsuspecting, regardless of these sort of silly reports. There are so many ways to come into harm's way here, especially for those holiday hero types that want to blow off steam but forget where they are.

Safety first here, remember, as cynically always. The cops are nothing more than a mop-up squad....and it's a free-for-all for everyone else.

It would be interesting to actually have real figures released about how many foreigners of all types perish here in one way or another. Never gonna happen though as I bet it is way too high.

[buksida]

It would be interesting to actually have real figures released about how many foreigners of all types perish here in one way or another.

This rather morbid site has a few stats ... https://www.farang-deaths.com/statistics/

[laphanphon]

Brits, about one a day, Aussies, one every other day, Yanks one every 10 ish days die here.

BE SAFE

[oakdale160]

STATS--I looked up the UK F.O stats they say 267 British people are admitted to hospitals in Thai in a year. That is about 5 per week. B'grad or BKK Hospital BKK each have that many.

[stretch]

try walking the streets of Britain beheadings stabbings terrorists on every street corner bombs guns knives and a stupid government telling you its safe I know were I would rather be

[laphanphon]

[Dannie Boy]

Interestingly (although not in a good way) the last two years when the number of visitors fell by roughly 50%, the number of reported incidents remains roughly static!!