There's a Reason for the World: Holiday Security

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Holiday Security

Ho Ho Ho ... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

During the holiday season, normal concerns about personal safety and security can often take a backseat to the demands of the season. Maintaining an appropriate level of security, regardless of the activity you are in, is the key to remaining safe and secure during this holiday period.

It should also be noted that "parliamentary elections" are scheduled to be held throughout Thailand on December 23, 2007, and large-scale political demonstrations may increase as the scheduled elections grow closer. All demonstrations are unpredictable, and any demonstration can turn violent without warning. For this reason, I'd love to encorage all travellers to monitor local media for announcements of possible demonstrations and to avoid the areas where demonstrations might occur.

You should be careless in every step to the places, especially in locations where Westerners congregate, such as bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners. It is important to be aware of your surrounding, especially during the holiday season, and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police.

Specifically, I wouild like to remind everyone to be aware of their surroudings while frequenting Bangkok's and Chiang Mai's many tourist venues and nightspots over the holiday period. There has been a rise in reports of people's drinks being drugged, leaving the victim unconscious, and subsequently robbed. Do not leave your drink unattended, and if you do, buy a new one.

Also over the holiday period, please be aware the Royal Thai Police (RTP) will be targeting the local bars and nightclubs implementing drug tests, in an effort to curb drug use. This will go hand-in-hand with the RTP's campaign targeting drunk driving through the use of sobriety check-points around the country. It is important to remember that if you are stopped by the RTP, you need to identify yourself with ID card / Passport.

Be Good and Have a great holiday.

See you next Year (2008)

With Love by Nida N., on behalf of Backpacker House, Chiang Mai http://www.siambackpack.com/

Labels: All about Chiang Mai, Fancy holidays celebration, Reccomend all attractive places to go and things to eat and join, Thailand, Travel Safety on Earth