Jingjok
Staying safe: what actually goes wrong
kwaam-bplàawt-pai
Violent crime against foreigners is rare in Thailand. The things that really hurt residents are more ordinary. Roads come first: helmets, no drink-driving (เมาแล้วขับ), extra care at Songkran and New Year. Then water: rip currents on Andaman beaches in the monsoon, so respect the red flags. Then fire: old wiring and overloaded extension leads (ไฟไหม้, call 199). Petty crime is mostly bag snatching from motorbikes and pickpockets in crowded markets. If you are arrested, stay calm and polite, ask for an interpreter and your embassy, and don't sign anything you can't read. Carry a copy of your passport.
Try this today
Write 191, 199, 1155 and 1669 on a card in your wallet.
Learn this in “Law, safety, scams” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.