Wehave been so looking forward to our trip - but after logging on today reading about the rain.....ready about money being stolen from rooms, from ATM's I am starting to have second thoughts.

We've paid in full for our holiday in October. 3 weeks at Graceland in Phuket and would hate to have these things happen.

Should we be looking at Bali instead?

Hi Oggie Doggie,
I think I speak for everyone here when I say that this thread is meant as a general travel warning, not to scare people.
Bad things happen everywhere. A relative of mine had all her jewellery stolen in Italy. I heard about someone being mugged and seriously injured in China. I'm sure other people could report bad things about lots of other places, including Bali.
These card scams (as well as phishing and other types of computer fraud) happen just about everywhere. These card gangs operate internationally so you can stay at home and have it happen too.

I believe it's a matter of doing all you can to protect yourself and if you wouldn't do a particular thing at home, don't do it while away. If something bad happens, you'll know you took all precautions but you were just unlucky.
Remember how we were all feeling just after the planes hit the twin towers??? people were cancelling flights and everyone I knew worried about me going overseas at the time and urged me to stay in Australia.
If I'd taken their advice I would never have had all the terrific experiences I've had through travelling to many countries.

If you live your life in fear and trepidation, always worrying about "what ifs" you'll never do anything.
Go for it and enjoy - just take normal precautions.

Stuff gets nicked from Bali hotels too... you only have to read the Bali forums to find this out.
Been to Bali and Phuket many times, always staying in reputable hotels without any problems.
Touchwood our trip in October will be problem free and yours too.
Cheers Geri

No need to change plans or anything, you just need to be extra carefull.
Most room robberies are due to an element of carelessness - leaving dosh in a bag while going outside or bringing dodgy birds back to the room. Keep cash & valuables with you at all times (in a moneybelt or inside clothing)
I don't know about using plastic now. Perhaps TCs are best after all.

I agree - don't let talk of things going wrong put you off.

Problem is that when on holiday, common sense for some people goes out the window. Just pack the common sense that you use at home and you will be fine.

__________________
Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

Thanks guys for your response. We haven't had a chance to go on a holiday for the last 3 years so we are really looking forward to this one.

We will be careful. We are staying at Graceland which seems rather nice and the travel agent did recommend it.

Thanks for the positive thoughts.

Phuket here we come. Can't wait....still lots of questions to ask, so thanks for all your input.

As everybody has been saying bad things can happen anywhere, even in your own secure home.

If anything I have been to Thailand so many times and I feel more safe there than in Bali . Of course common sense should prevail and take the necessary safety measures but all should be fine.



The sun and sea awaits you. You need a holiday to relax after 3 years !
Enjoy !

hi there, been back a week, 6 straight days of glorious sunshine then 2 day of solid rain. first rainy day went to phuket zoo (a must go), 9 of us, none of us concerned at all about the rain. second rainy day, shopping, ten pin bowling in new shopping complex (jungceylon), and then back to our accommodation (devana resort) about 10 minutes from beach, great, great place to stay. we all sat outside our rooms, a little bit of shelter, actually quite nice watching the tropical downpour. i wouldn't have liked to have rain for the full 2 1/2 weeks of our stay but the little we did get wasn't a problem. as for theft, nothing went missing, left money, jewellry in the rooms (3 rooms in all). the kids did shopping on their own occasionally and would eat at kfc, they didn't seemed to get ripped off at all, one even left his wallet full of notes in one of the shopping stalls and a local kids ran around looking for him till he found him and rhys tried to give him some money for being so honest and he wouldn't take it. we had the best time, all wishing we were still there.

I remember one night walking past some market stalls in the main drag BK a young deaf mute stall holder became very agitated gesticulating wildly at me.Luckly my friend is an interpreter for the deaf and was able to tell me that the young fella was stressing that my bum bag was unzipped and somebody may try to steal from it--iwas absolutley gobsmacked. I too tried to give him a reward for his honesty and concern but he told my friend to tell me that if I just bought something from his stall he and his "boss" would be most happy.I bought a couple of nice tops from him and was embarrassed at how little he chargerd me for them.
As for the rain --In Phuket (Sept) it rained most evenings from about 4pm until 5.30 pm but it did not detract from our enjoyment one bit after a hot day it was most refreshing..
Build on all the positives oggiedoggie and you will have a ball.
Cheers laurs

Thanks guys for your replies. Positive reinforcement and there is no way I would be thinking of cancelling or changing our trip.

My husband told me I was getting carried away about the negatives. The stories posted are fantastic - we can't wait and I am sure we will still have stacks of questions to ask.

Keep the stories coming from recent trips back - can't get enough