Most people, especially single men, are guaranteed a great stay in Pattaya. With its wonderful nightlife and laid-back atmosphere, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself, but there are a few safety tips to bear in mind whilst visiting.
Pattaya Beach
Late at night, from 1am onwards, try not to travel alone in secluded areas. On second Road, between Soi 7 and 11, exercise caution, as there have been muggings along this stretch. The pier from Walking Street and the beach are known not to be particularly safe areas after dark. Also, be alert for pickpockets in the heavily congested tourist areas.
Ladyboys are infamous in every major Thai city for robbing farangs. If these exotic creatures are your kettle of fish, and you decide to take one back to your hotel, keep your wits about you. Some male tourists have woken up in the morning with a sore head from being drugged and found their wallet and belongings have gone.
Many ladyboys make a career out of this, or at least enough to finance their gender-changing operations. Many of them hang around the beachfront in the early hours of the morning and can be quite forward and aggressive if you’re on your own.
No matter how tight-fisted you may be, always try to take a girl from a bar, rather than a freelancer on the beach or in the street. Many are illegal aliens, and should they rip you off they’ll be harder to track down.
The traffic can be quite hazardous if you don’t keep your wits about you. If you’ve had a few too many Sangsoms try to remember to look both ways. 2nd Road and Soi Diana are particularly busy.
Don’t be talked into going to a gem shop – really old scam this one – you’ll just pay a fortune for coloured glass. “Mai ow krap,” is a phrase that comes in very useful in Pattaya. “No thank you,” is often not enough to deter the sellers of pirate DVDs and fake Rolexes, but if you say it in Thai they think you’ve been in the country awhile and are not so gullible.
Don’t start a fight with a Thai. They may look smaller than you, and easy prey, but it won’t take long before you’re tackling four or five of them. Never disrespect Buddha or the Royal family, and the majority of Thais will treat you warmly.
If you’re offered drugs, no matter how light the penalties may be in your own country, refuse outright. Just one joint of marijuana can result in a six-year prison sentence. Thai prisons are notoriously harsh.
Probably stating the obvious this one: always wear protection. HIV has become very prevalent in Thailand over the last decade.
Now enjoy and have a sabbai dee time.
No comments:
Post a Comment