There are no national emergency telephone lines, and operators do not speak English. For English-speaking help, call the Tourist Assistance Center, which will contact the appropriate service for you. Lines are open from 8am to midnight, after which you will have to rely on English-speaking hotel staff. During office hours, TAT may also be able to help. The Metropolitan Mobile Police cover general emergencies in Bangkok. All Bangkok’s hospitals have 24-hour accident and emergency departments.

Despite its size, Bangkok is relatively safe. Crime and violence do exist in the city, but the vast majority of travelers remain untouched by it. Usually discretion and sobriety are the best means of avoiding problems. Be on your guard at tourist sights, and at bus and train stations, which are rife with hustlers and pickpockets. Do not flash large amounts of cash or leave your luggage unattended. If you are leaving valuables in a hotel safe, make sure to get a receipt, and do not let credit cards out of your sight when paying for shopping.

The drugging, then robbing, of tourists on long-distance trains and buses has occurred, so politely decline food or drink from strangers. Thailand is an excellent place to buy gems, but do not be tempted into buying large quantities to sell back at home unless you are familiar with the market and its pitfalls. Extra care is necessary in remote areas of the country, or in poorer parts of cities at night, or if traveling alone.

Thai law prohibits the sale or purchase of opium, heroin, or marijuana. Charges for possession, smuggling, or dealing can lead to a 2–15 year jail sentence or, in extreme cases, the death sentence. Border areas in the north attract drug runners. Be wary of strangers in these areas, and do not leave baggage unattended, or offer to check in a “friendly” stranger’s suitcase at airports.

Border areas are sometimes precarious places. Changing political conditions, tribal skirmishes, and the haziness of border lines have made some areas of Thailand dangerous. Khmer Rouge insurgents are sometimes a threat along the Cambodian border, as are land mines and booby-traps.

There are frequent clashes on the Burmese border, and it is best to avoid traveling alone along remote roads in the region. In some parts of the Deep South, the militant Malay-Muslim group, PULO (Pattani United Liberation Organization) can present danger. Again, common sense should prevail and it is wise to stay away from the most remote border areas.

Female travelers are unlikely to be harassed in Thailand. Bangkok itself is not dangerous for women; hotels are safe, and taxis are readily available. If traveling alone it is a good idea to keep in touch with someone in Bangkok and let them know where you are going and for how long. Note that Thais perceive lone travelers as people to be pitied, and may offer to accompany you without any ulterior motive.

There are tourist police stations in the main tourist cities. Tourist police officers all speak some English and are attached to TAT offices. Set up in 1982 to deal with tourist-related crime, they are happy to help with anything from credit card scams to ludicrous bar surcharges. They are also helpful in emergencies, and can act as an English-speaking liaison. The Bangkok branch of the tourist police is located in front of the southwest entrance to Lumphini Park. The Tourist Assistance Center is also helpful in emergencies, and is experienced in dealing with complaints such as fraudulent business charges.

Some insurance policies cover legal costs, for example, after an accident. If involved in an accident when driving a rental car, it may be wiser to go to the nearest telephone and call the tourist police or the Tourist Assistance Center than remain at the scene. In Thailand there are no legal bodies specifically representing foreigners.

In an emergency, contact your embassy. At night there is an answering service, giving the number of the duty officer. If you are not insured for legal proceedings, then you should contact your nearest consulate for advice.

Medical insurance is advisable when traveling in Thailand. Some policies pay bills direct, while others refund you later. Hospitals in Bangkok, both public and private, are modern, clean, and efficient, although waiting times are longer at public ones. Some doctors are Western-trained and speak good English.

Outside the capital the best facilities are in the large towns: Khon Kaen in the northeast, Chiang Mai in the north, or Phuket in the south. Emergency care is available from military hospitals, which treat tourists in emergency cases. For dental or eye care, it is best to seek treatment in Bangkok. The Thai Red Cross on Rama IV Road does not offer medical treatment, but is able to deal with vaccinations and snake bites.

There is no shortage of well-stocked pharmacies in Bangkok – there will be several on every main street and shopping mall, and supermarkets will have drugstore kiosks. They are all supplied with up-to-date medications and can dispense antibiotics over the counter without a prescription.

Most pharmacies are open from 8am to 9pm. In the central areas of Bangkok, around Silom and Sukhumvit Roads, a few stay open until 10pm or 11pm. Pharmacy signs are the same all over the country. In small towns pharmacies are less prolific and have fewer supplies. For instance, disposable diapers and tampons can be hard to find in remote areas.

All hotels and many guest-houses have Western-style flush toilets. In general, paper is erratically supplied. Some toilets have a water spray, which is used instead of toilet paper. In some restaurants and at many major sights, you will encounter the Asian squat toilet. Nearby will be a ladle and a bucket of water, which are used to wash the body and to sluice out the toilet after use. Paper is disposed of in a bin.

Acclimatization to the sometimes oppressive humidity and heat of Thailand can often take longer than expected. In the first few days it is not advisable to exert yourself. Make sure you drink lots of fluids, take plenty of rest in the shade, and avoid being out and about in the midday sun. Once you are acclimatized, dehydration and salt deficiency can still be a problem – always keep up a high intake of fluids, especially bottled water, or special electrolyte drinks.

Minor fungal infections can occur due to the heat, especially if tight clothing or shoes are worn. Perspiration trapped beneath the skin can cause the itchy rash called prickly heat. The local remedy and prophylactic for this is a talcum powder that contains a tingling cooling agent. Clothing should be loose and light – 100 percent cotton is best.

The sun, especially at midday and on the islands, is very powerful; sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat are indispensable.

Although most first-aid items can be obtained from any pharmacy in main towns, when traveling to rural areas or quiet islands it is advisable to carry a basic first-aid kit. This should include the following: any personal medication; aspirin or pain killers for fevers and minor aches and pains; an antiseptic for minor cuts and bites; a digestive preparation to soothe upset stomachs; insect repellent; bandages; scissors, tweezers, and a thermometer. Tiger Balm, available at any pharmacist, is Asia’s miracle cure-all, relieving headaches, muscle pains, and insect bites.

Diarrhea, a common complaint for travelers the world over, is caused by bacteria in food and water.

Should diarrhea occur, eat plain foods for a few days and drink plenty of fluids. It is never wise to drink tap water – bottled water is readily available over most of the country. Ice should be fine in main hotels and restaurants, but avoid crushed iced drinks from street vendors. Eating in hotels and good restaurants is generally safe. It is when you venture into the street vendors’ moveable feasts that the danger of “Bangkok belly” can arise. Choose food stalls that are popular with locals, and watch how the dishes are prepared. It can take time for visitors’ stomachs to adjust to new foods. If your constitution is delicate, stick to unpeeled fruits and well-cooked foods, and eat dishes while they are still hot. Avoid eating spicy dishes on an empty stomach. Fried noodle or rice dishes and noodle soups are usually easy to digest.

Drugs such as Lomotil and Imodium can bring relief to diarrhea, but rehydrating solutions, available at pharmacies, are usually the best remedy. For immediate relief, a single 500 mg dose of the prescription called Ciprofloxacin is effective and safe.

Always take precautions in rural areas: wear boots and long trousers when walking through grassland or forested areas to protect against snakebites and leeches (in the rainy season). Few snakebites are dangerous. If you are bitten, apply an elastic bandage firmly to the bite, keep the limb immobile, and seek immediate medical help.

Jellyfish stings are painful – vinegar will soothe the wound. Coral cuts are slow to heal as coral contains a mild poison. Cuts should be treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection. Bandages keep wounds wet so should be used only sparingly.

Seven of Thailand’s 410 mosquito species carry malaria. Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, and violent chills. If you experience such symptoms, seek medical advice immediately. Pollution in the main towns and resorts keeps them largely free of malarial mosquitoes. The areas of greatest risk are the Burmese and Cambodian border regions and, to a lesser degree, some rural areas north of Chiang Mai. However, malarial zones are continually changing. For up-to-date information and advice on the most suitable prophylactic drug, call a travel clinic or, in the US, the Thai National Tourist Office , for information on health matters.

Mosquitoes have become resistant to certain malaria tablets. Prevention is by far the best defense against the disease. Malarial mosquitoes are active from sundown till sunrise, during which time you should spray on plenty of repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing in light colors (dark attracts mosquitoes), and use mosquito nets and coils. Another mosquito-borne disease – dengue fever – is a risk during the daytime. However, few mosquitoes are infected with the virus, and the symptoms, though intense and unpleasant, are rarely fatal. These include fever, headache, severe joint and muscle pains, and a rash. No preventive treatment or vaccination is available.

In Northern Thailand and some rural areas there is a risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis. Spread by night-biting mosquitoes and ticks, the symptoms are headache, fever, chills, and vomiting. Vaccination is advisable if your plans include traveling to rural areas (particularly during the rainy season), or trekking. Should any of the above symptoms occur seek immediate medical help.

As with malaria, the best way to counter the risk of dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis is to try to avoid being bitten in the first place.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is passed through bodily fluids. Blood transfusion methods in Thailand are not always reliable – it is safest to seek treatment in the main hospitals. The same goes for inoculations – make sure needles are new or bring your own supply. Be wary of any procedure involving needles, including tattooing, ear-piercing, and dentistry. The high turnover of clients in Thailand’s infamous and pervasive sex industry means that unprotected sex carries a serious risk. Not only AIDS, but other sexually transmitted diseases are commonplace. Some strains have become so virulent that they are penicillin-resistant.

Hepatitis B is also transmitted through bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, nausea, fatigue, and jaundice, and it can lead to severe liver damage. A prophylactic vaccine is available.

Rabies is carried in the saliva of infected animals and can be passed on by a bite or lick to a wound or scratch. Any bite from a dog, cat, or monkey should be cleaned immediately and checked by a doctor. If rabies is detected, treatment involves a long series of inoculations. A prophylactic vaccine is now available.

Tetanus is a potentially lethal disease transmitted through infected cuts and animal bites. The first symptoms are difficulty in swallowing (tetanus is also known as lockjaw) and muscle stiffness in the neck area, which can lead to convulsions. As with rabies, all wounds should be speedily cleaned and examined by a doctor. Effective vaccinations are available, and a booster is necessary every ten years. Tuberculosis is prevalent throughout Asia, but the visitor is not at serious risk. Vaccines are available, and unpasteurized dairy products should be avoided, particularly by children.

Bilharzia is contracted from tiny worms that infect some types of freshwater snail. They burrow into the skin and cause a general feeling of sickness followed by abdominal pain. Avoid swimming in untested rivers and lakes.

Dysentery is a severe form of food or water poisoning. Bacillary dysentery – characterized by stomach pains, vomiting, and fever – is highly contagious but rarely lasts longer than a week. Amebic dysentery has similar symptoms but takes longer to develop. It can recur and cause chronic health problems. Medical help should be sought without delay if you suspect you have either type.

Hepatitis A is passed on in conditions of poor sanitation – contaminated water or food – and can now be prevented with a vaccine. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, aching, fever, chills, and jaundice. Little can be done to treat the disease beyond rest.

Cholera is a water-borne disease, and symptoms include severe diarrhea, weakness, and cramps. A vaccination is available but is generally considered to be unreliable. Fluid replacement is the most important treatment, while the best prevention is to avoid unsanitary conditions and areas where cholera is present.

Typhoid is transmitted through contaminated water or food, so the same precautions apply. Symptoms are similar to those of flu but quickly accelerate to high fever, weight loss, and severe dehydration. Medical attention is essential as complications such as pneumonia can easily occur. Although a vaccination is available, it is not always reliable.