Health and safety on Koh Samui
Thailand is a relatively safe destination, and on Samui you can relax and feel comfortable with your surroundings. Of course, those new to the environment should be a little wary of health and safety in Thailand until they have become more familiar with their situation.
Most Thai people are very friendly and willing to help. Although there are scams waiting for the greedy or naïve, there is very little duress or violence to contend with. Apart from hustlers at tourist stalls, pushy girls in bars or irritating taxi drivers, you can enjoy a hassle-free holiday on Samui.
Health in Samui isn't a high-risk problem. The local health care system is quite advanced for a small island. Tropical diseases exist, but their incidence is small. Similarly, personal safety is not a major concern as theft is the only real risk. Incidences of petty stealing are naturally greater in tourist areas, and you should taker care of your personal belongings at all times. Tourist Police are on duty on the busiest beaches.
Risks to consider for health and safety in Thailand include: scams, reckless driving – a particular problem on Samui, irresponsibility towards risky activities, poor hygiene during food preparation, and sexually transmitted diseases. So far the Thai police have done a commendable job minimising the risk of terrorist activity. Although there is sectarian violence in the south of the country, this is limited to three provinces that attract little tourism. Safety in Samui.
Health Issues
Avian influenza (bird flu): is no longer a threat and was always most dangerous when receiving adverse negative-hype coverage in the press (particularly affecting the tourism industry). Although a few new cases have been reported, they are isolated and chicken products across Thailand are considered safe to eat. The only reported human cases have been from farms where the infected were in close contact with livestock. However, the situation across Asia remains a big concern for the world health community as a whole and we suggest you keep an eye on the press for news of new outbreaks and strains.
Dehydration: during the months of March, April and May, Thailand becomes extremely hot, with temperatures reaching 40°C/105°F. Those who are not used to such temperatures will certainly feel uncomfortable and should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially if out in the direct sun and engaging in activity. Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, breathing difficulty and a dry mouth. Rehydration salts/drinks or a trip to the nearest hospital are recommended.
Dengue Fever has similar symptoms to malaria and is spread by mosquitoes occupying stagnant pools of water in urban areas. Incidents have been isolated and also occur during rainy periods. There is no prophylactic available yet and if untreated the hemorrhagic form of the disease can sometimes be fatal.
Diarrhoea: is common among non-Asians and a mild bout of the infamous 'Bangkok belly' at least once during your trip is common. This usually results from eating unhygienically prepared food (roadside noodle shops are notoriously bad), too much chilli in your food, contaminated water or unfamiliar spices and herbs.
Anti-diarrhoeal medication is widely available in Thailand. The runs usually pass within 24 hours; be sure to keep well rested and rehydrate yourself. If you have been vomiting or suffer a severe case, then report immediately to the hospital.
Drinking water: in Thailand, the tap water is not drinkable, and bottled water is widely available and cheap. Be aware that mountain streams may also be contaminated as discharging waste into waterways is common in Thailand. Reverse-osmosis water purification systems are generally used, therefore ice and free water offered on restaurant tables is safe for drinking.
HIV: Thailand has generally been very successful in its campaign to limit the spread of HIV and AIDS in a country that has a reputation for its sex industry. Realistic estimates put the infection level at roughly five per cent of the population, however those mingling in the go go scene are obviously among a higher risk group. Condom usage is essential and widely practiced here; other methods of transmission are deemed to be low-risk in Thailand, with the exception of sharing syringe needles.
Malaria: Samui is largely malaria free, although there have been isolated cases and Suratthani province as a whole often affected during the rainy seasons, especially in July. Malarial strains here are considered immune to western prophylactics such as Larium. Soxycycline is recommended as an impromptu preventative medicine.
Rabies: there are many 'beach dogs' in Thailand and travellers complain of bites fairly regularly. A rabies vaccine is now available, if you have not had this treatment before coming to Thailand and are subsequently bitten it is advisable to report to a hospital for injections. The rabies infection can be fatal and is carried in the saliva, so even a dog licking an open wound can be dangerous. Immediately clean the wound with iodine if you are worried. Dogs infected with rabies usually display symptoms of dementia (madness), acting very aggressively and foaming at the mouth in the late stages.
Venereal disease: likewise there are higher incidences of diseases such as syphilis, herpes and gonorrhoea among prostitutes and their clients, however, the high publicity of AIDS has encouraged many people to use condoms, thus reducing the spread of venereal diseases in general.
Safety in Samui
Unfortunately Samui has earned itself a rather unwanted dirty reputation in recent years as a result of mafia types (both Thai and foreigner) who have found the island a nice haven. A number of negative press reports, from rape and murder to illegal land encroachment and taxi rip-offs have impacted the island. Some of it stems from a lack of control by local police over influencial forces on the island who find the whole tourist trade quite lucrative.
It adds up to lots of rip offs and ocassional danger due to poor law enforcement. Although most tourists never even notice the difference, this particular island comes with a mild warning to be aware, whether you are a girl alone at night on the beach, a guy getting into a drunken argument with some locals, or expat thinking of buying a villa on the island.
Similar to the rest of Thailand, your personal safety is seldom threatened, theft occasionally occurs in tourist areas but snatch and runs are uncommon, women needn’t feel insecure and there is no chance of tsunamis on this side of the coast. But you do need to be alert to taxi rip-offs, credit card abuse, irresponsible watersports, like jetskis and overcrowded ferries (particularly after the full moon parties) and very definitely reckless driving (both the locals and you on your rented bike!). There’s no need to choose a different destination in Thailand however.
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