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There are a few things that you should be aware of that could land you in big trouble here, so take special note of the following.
Do not under any circumstances bring illegal drugs into Thailand, and do not take illegal drugs while you are here. Having illegal drugs in your possession usually leads to very long prison sentences, and even the death penalty. It’s just not worth it. You’re planning to come to Thailand for a better life, so don’t ruin it by spending the next 20 years in some of the toughest jails in the world.
There is a lot of HIV/AIDS in Thailand, as there is in many other countries, so always use a condom when having sex. Your life could depend on it.
Obey all motoring laws, as you do not want to end up on the wrong side of the law. It’s illegal to not wear a helmet while riding a motorbike, even though many people here don’t wear one. By not wearing one, you are risking a fine and risking your life. 80% of road accidents in Thailand involve people riding motorbikes, and many deaths occur because those people weren’t wearing helmets. Stay safe at all times.
Stay away from the four southern provinces of Thailand. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border, due to a high threat of terrorism.
There are some gem scams in Thailand that have duped many people. If offered gems by someone that you don’t know, then steer well clear. If it’s an offer that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If you want to buy gems in Thailand, then buy them from a reputable dealer.
There are many reports of jet ski scams in Thailand. What sometimes happens is that people rent a jet ski, and then when they return it they are asked for extra money for damage that has supposedly be caused. Things can get very ugly, so I’d advise only hiring jet skis from reputable operators.