It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of being on holidays in a new place and be tempted to throw caution to the wind. Festivals and parties are popular throughout the region and can be great fun, but travellers should keep their wits about them to avoid exposure to danger. Drink spiking, theft, assault, and injury are all more likely if travellers let their guard down too much when partying.
Advice
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Stay in a group: There is truth to the old adage "safety in numbers".
- Be aware of who the people in your group are
- Never leave anyone in your group by themselves or with people they don't know
- Arrange a meeting place if you get separated
- Understand that going home with someone you don't know could put you in a very dangerous situation
- Get the mobile phone numbers of everyone in your group, and program them in (with the country code) so you can inexpensively keep in touch via SMS
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Be careful who you give information to
- By saying where you are staying, or discussing your travel plans, you are potentially putting yourself at risk of theft or assault
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Beware of Drink Spiking
- Where possible consume drinks that are sealed in a bottle or can
- Avoid accepting drinks from someone you don't know and trust
- Keep your drink in your hand and keep a close watch on it
- If you start to feel sick or dizzy tell a friend or staff member immediately and get to a safe place.
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Be a responsible drinker
- You are likely to be in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar people. Whilst you are there to have a good time it is important to ensure you remain aware or what is happening around you. Enjoy yourself without drinking to excess.
Safe Sex
Asian countries provide a fantastic holiday experience with food, drinks and great nightlife. Most travellers take the right precautions to avoid diarrhoea, keep their valuables are safe, and visas in order.
People also need to ensure they take precautions around safe sex, especially as HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often more prevalent in Asian countries than they are in Australia.
Condoms are the best protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. It's important for travellers who think there is a possibility of have sexual contact while on holidays to take the appropriate precautions and pack condoms.
Drug Laws and Penalties
Drug laws are generally much stricter in South East Asia than at home and harsh penalties, including lengthy jail terms and even the death penalty, can be imposed for drug-related crimes.
