Better plan that holiday in Mogadishu, Somalia or the world’s newest capital of Ar-Raqqah.
A new book by an award-winning British journalist claims the Land of Smiles may be the most dangerous tourist destination on earth.
In “Thailand: Deadly Destination” by John Stapleton, Thailand scores badly in terms of tourist safety, and is a place where tourists must take caution as life-threatening incidents can easily happen.
“In 2014, just as in the years preceding it, there were train, bus, ferry, speedboat, motorbike and car accidents, murders, knifings, unexplained deaths, numerous suicides, diving accidents, robberies gone wrong, anonymous bodies washing up on the shores and a string of alcohol- and drug-related incidents,” he told the Telegraph.
He added those who know the country were less surprised by the brutal murders of British tourists David Miller and Hannah Witheridge in September, highlighting that the poor management of the tourist industry has been long known.
Stapleton said visitors are mostly troubled by less serious incidents.
“Thailand is still relatively safe to visit,” he said, “as petty crime is widespread but murders and assaults targeting foreigners are relatively rare. But tourists should be aware that this is a country where things can very suddenly go very wrong, and where there is no credible functioning justice system.”
Photo: Alexander Hotz
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