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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why were we told off in Thailand?

107 replies

TigeToo · 14/02/2023 21:14

Still trying to work this out …

We were staying in Krabi. DH and I decided to go for a walk one night and when we got back two of the hotel “night watchmen” were out looking for us with torches. We were escorted back inside, the receptionist told us off saying it’s very dangerous to walk around at night (it was a pretty rural area, not very populated). We were then escorted back to our bungalow and told not to leave again and if we wanted anything we should call reception.

Any ideas??! DH thought she said something about king kobra but I assumed that was a joke … !?

OP posts:
araiwa · 15/02/2023 01:21

I know why you were told off, hotel staff were pretty explicit when they told you about the king cobras.

No idea why op doesn't know and why others are talking about kidnappings

PyongyangKipperbang · 15/02/2023 01:53

Well I have never felt the urge to got to Thailand but now it is on my "no fucking way!" list! Snakes are amazing creatures, but they seriously scare the ever loving crap out of me, even the little ones.

Sparklybutold · 15/02/2023 01:56

I visited pattani for a wedding and was politely told not to venture out by myself especially at night. As a white western young woman, the risk of me being targeted was high.

YearoftheRabbit23 · 15/02/2023 02:20

If the receptionist mentioned a cobra, it's most likely because a cobra had been spotted in the area. Your biggest risk as a tourist in Thailand is getting in a road traffic accident, the statistics are dire and tourists hiring motorbikes and riding around with no helmets like locals don't help, also stay away from the public inter-city minivans. Your chances of getting mugged are pretty minimal.

YearoftheRabbit23 · 15/02/2023 02:22

@changeme4this your friend is having you on about kidnappings.

cakeorwine · 15/02/2023 02:34

Kidnappings?
Murders?

Thailand doesn't seem too bad compared to other countries

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security

Kinsters · 15/02/2023 02:48

Not going for a walk because there might be a cobra is nuts and I'm sure Thai people don't do that! We live just over the border in Malaysia and also have cobras. I've never heard of anyone not walking at night because of snakes! Snatch thefts yes but not snakes. As long as you're not creeping up on them or cornering them then you're fine.

Besides, if it was such a risk they should have informed guests in advance of precautions that should be taken.

wheelywheelynice · 15/02/2023 03:00

Highly unlikely you would be mugged in Thailand

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 03:02

Cobras are quite bold (I get them in my garden, SE Asia). Give me the heeby jeebies.

Depending how rural, I would not be wandering around in the dark where they were reasonably common.

endofthelinefinally · 15/02/2023 03:08

www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-17/4m-king-cobra-found-in-krabi-thailand/11611042

I know it was in 2019, but I wouldn't want to meet that on a walk at night!

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 03:10

They move around in the drains here too.

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 03:13

Not a king, but big enough when it’s pissing around near the house!

Why were we told off in Thailand?
PomsInOz · 15/02/2023 03:35

They were obviously trying to keep you safe and may either not have enough English to explain the threat or didn't want to say. As someone said if they were mentioning snakes one might have been seen nearby or even a local attacked by one. I wouldn't get offended tbh, it is sometimes hard to work out how not to offend the locals in countries like Thailand but they will definitely have had your wellbeing in mind.

changeme4this · 15/02/2023 03:44

YearoftheRabbit23 · 15/02/2023 02:22

@changeme4this your friend is having you on about kidnappings.

Maybe my wording isn’t correct but I would trust him over what is ‘approved’ as news coming out of Thailand.

emptythelitterbox · 15/02/2023 04:22

King Cobras nesting season is January through April and both the male and female guard the nests. So I'm guessing that is why they were upset about you walking on paths after dark.

Kinsters · 15/02/2023 04:25

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 03:13

Not a king, but big enough when it’s pissing around near the house!

Ooo where do you live? We are in Penang and I've never seen a snake in the garden even though my next door but one neighbour sees them quite often.

ThaiDye · 15/02/2023 05:29

I've lived in Thailand for 30+ years. I cannot recall a single instance of a tourist being kidnapped. It also doesn't seem to happen to rich locals either.

One tourist lady got raped and killed in Phuket 2 years ago when hiking alone. That's the most recent serious crime against a tourist I can think of. Otherwise the big risks for tourists are road traffic accidents, and extortion from corrupt police officers (don't vape in public!! e-cigarettes are illegal even though you wouldn't know it) or taxi mafias. You also hear about a surprising number of tourists falling off cliffs/waterfalls trying to take selfies, or getting lost in the jungle and needing rescue.

ThaiDye · 15/02/2023 05:30

Sorry forgot to tag @changeme4this above

liveforsummer · 15/02/2023 05:49

Maybe it was snakes, maybe king cobra is the boss of the local mafia - either way sounds safer to stay on resort!

Original poster
TigeToo · 15/02/2023 06:20

If you had met this woman you would understand why we didn’t press the issue. She was lovely but very … eccentric 😂

Example: we came back from a day out once and she shouted something at us, we turned around and she ducked down and hid behind the desk giggling to herself 😂

The one proper conversation we did have with her she continuously said “unusual” things and then put her hand over her mouth and ducked behind the desk. It was confusing but funny - however we never knew when to take her seriously as she was a joker

OP posts:
Campervangirl · 15/02/2023 06:46

If it felt like a telling off it was probably because they were worried about you.
I've spent time in Thailand and the Thai people are lovely, they really look after you so if she thought you were in danger she's obviously tried to get that across to you.
I'd talk to her today and thank her for caring and ask about the king cobra 😬 ( I need to know)
The hotel staff will be well aware of any dangers and let's face it you never know what's lurking in the dark 😉

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 07:25

@Kinsters Singapore. Very snakey where we are and also get monkeys getting into the house!

Visiting Penang soon - excited :)

Kinsters · 15/02/2023 07:29

Justforthissnippet · 15/02/2023 07:25

@Kinsters Singapore. Very snakey where we are and also get monkeys getting into the house!

Visiting Penang soon - excited :)

Oh god monkeys! We do get them here although lately the troupe has moved away from our neighbourhood. A slingshot was somewhat effective until they realised my aim was crap!

Oh have an amazing time in Penang, it's a lovely place. If you like coffee you should check out Ome, they are my favourite coffee place and their olive oil zucchini cake is fabulous (as are all their cakes but this one is my favourite).

cakeorwine · 15/02/2023 07:50

KarmaStar · 14/02/2023 21:38

Why not read up about destinations before travelling there so you don't come across as ignorant tourists ?

The travel guidance for Thailand doesn't say "Don't walk outside at night"

changeme4this · 15/02/2023 08:01

ThaiDye · 15/02/2023 05:30

Sorry forgot to tag @changeme4this above

I appreciate that’s what you know of. Doesn’t explain why our resort had checkpoints which were not newly installed… and what our Thai based friend suggested.

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