panorama destination

panorama destination

Common Problems & Solutions
Written by Chris Alexander

Common Problems & Solutions

Travelling in Thailand is an unforgettable experience; the majority of visitors to the Land of Smiles leave with only positive stories to tell. However, as with all travel in far-flung places, things can occasionally go wrong. To ensure you remember your holiday for all the right reasons, it’s good to be aware of potential risks and take steps to avoid them; hope for the best, but prepare for the worst just in case.

We’ve put together a few of our clients’ most common concerns about travelling in Thailand, and offered some suggestions for what you can do to stay safe, remain healthy and be prepared. Hopefully, you won’t need to answer any of the following during your adventures!



1. “What if I get food poisoning?”

One of Thailand’s best bits is the local cuisine. With hundreds of dishes and flavours to choose from, a world of culinary wonders awaits! However, travellers’ dreams of exotic degustation can quickly become a nightmare if they’re unlucky enough to get food poisoning. To avoid wasting your holiday trapped in the toilet, it’s a good idea to take some precautions when sampling the local fare. Here’s a few handy tips to help keep you off the porcelain and on the crockery:

  • • Look for restaurants that are already filled with diners – this is usually a good sign
  • • Check your meat – especially chicken – is piping hot and cooked all the way through
  • • Look for reviews online and health and safety / hygiene certificates on site
  • • Wash your hands before and after eating
  • • When it comes to spicy food, pace yourself –aim below local thresholds for the hot stuff
  • • Steer clear of salads and ice drinks, as the water used may be contaminated
  • • Stick to local foods – it’s invariably the more unfamiliar western dishes that cooks struggle with

If you do get food poisoning during your travels in Thailand, it’s essential to stay hydrated, so stay out of the sun, drink lots of fluids, avoid alcohol and stick to plain foods like bread, bananas and porridge. Papaya will help settle your stomach, as will turmeric in water. Both are ubiquitous local staples. You can buy hydration packs and saline solutions at most pharmacies and convenience stores too.

1. “What if I get food poisoning?”

One of Thailand’s best bits is the local cuisine. With hundreds of dishes and flavours to choose from, a world of culinary wonders awaits! However, travellers’ dreams of exotic degustation can quickly become a nightmare if they’re unlucky enough to get food poisoning. To avoid wasting your holiday trapped in the toilet, it’s a good idea to take some precautions when sampling the local fare. Here’s a few handy tips to help keep you off the porcelain and on the crockery:

  • • Look for restaurants that are already filled with diners – this is usually a good sign
  • • Check your meat – especially chicken – is piping hot and cooked all the way through
  • • Look for reviews online and health and safety / hygiene certificates on site
  • • Wash your hands before and after eating
  • • When it comes to spicy food, pace yourself –aim below local thresholds for the hot stuff
  • • Steer clear of salads and ice drinks, as the water used may be contaminated
  • • Stick to local foods – it’s invariably the more unfamiliar western dishes that cooks struggle with

If you do get food poisoning during your travels in Thailand, it’s essential to stay hydrated, so stay out of the sun, drink lots of fluids, avoid alcohol and stick to plain foods like bread, bananas and porridge. Papaya will help settle your stomach, as will turmeric in water. Both are ubiquitous local staples. You can buy hydration packs and saline solutions at most pharmacies and convenience stores too.



2. “Should I be worried about theft? How can I stay safe?”

Thailand is one of the world’s favourite holiday locations, bringing people from far and wide to spend their hard-earned savings on a special getaway with friends and family. This makes the tourism industry a major source of income to Thai people, the vast majority of whom would prefer to get their hands on your dollars and baht through fair means rather than foul. However, for the predators in Thailand’s urban jungle, this influx of wealthy westerners can look like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Those on the hunt will look for easy pickings, so to avoid falling victim to theft, follow these simple steps:

  • • Don’t flash the cash! Advertising your wealth can make you an irresistible target for thieves
  • • To make life harder for pickpockets, use a money belt under your clothes for cash and passport
  • • Carry a fake wallet in case you are mugged and need to hand something over
  • • Use hotel safes and locked rooms for valuables; don’t carry large amounts of cash with you
  • • Make a note of your credit card provider’s number, so you can call them immediately to cancel

If the worst happens, then you will need to contact the local police to file a crime report. Your insurance company will need this document to process your claim. Panorama Destination can help you with this process, so in case of emergency, get in touch.

2. “Should I be worried about theft? How can I stay safe?”

Thailand is one of the world’s favourite holiday locations, bringing people from far and wide to spend their hard-earned savings on a special getaway with friends and family. This makes the tourism industry a major source of income to Thai people, the vast majority of whom would prefer to get their hands on your dollars and baht through fair means rather than foul. However, for the predators in Thailand’s urban jungle, this influx of wealthy westerners can look like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Those on the hunt will look for easy pickings, so to avoid falling victim to theft, follow these simple steps:

  • • Don’t flash the cash! Advertising your wealth can make you an irresistible target for thieves
  • • To make life harder for pickpockets, use a money belt under your clothes for cash and passport
  • • Carry a fake wallet in case you are mugged and need to hand something over
  • • Use hotel safes and locked rooms for valuables; don’t carry large amounts of cash with you
  • • Make a note of your credit card provider’s number, so you can call them immediately to cancel

If the worst happens, then you will need to contact the local police to file a crime report. Your insurance company will need this document to process your claim. Panorama Destination can help you with this process, so in case of emergency, get in touch.



3. “What should I do if I lose my passport?”

This little book we carry with us on our travels can seem to be of little consequence at times, and it’s unassuming enough to be easily lost. But when it’s gone, it can be a real headache to get it replaced; the kind of drama that can really put a dent in your holiday. There are certain precautions you can take to avoid the problem, and some important steps to follow in case the unthinkable happens. See below:

  1. • Keep track of where your passport is at all times
  2. • Store a digital copy in your phone and email account, so you can show it to authorities
  3. • Make multiple colour copies and keep them separate
  4. • Lock up the original in your room safe, or leave with the hotel for safe keeping
  5. • Don’t hand over your passport to anyone that will take it out of your sight

If you do lose your passport, try to remain calm. You’re certainly not the first person to go through this, so rest assured that protocol is already in place to help resolve the issue. Simply head to your nearest embassy and they will take care of it for you. Panorama Destination is also on-hand to help.

3. “What should I do if I lose my passport?”

This little book we carry with us on our travels can seem to be of little consequence at times, and it’s unassuming enough to be easily lost. But when it’s gone, it can be a real headache to get it replaced; the kind of drama that can really put a dent in your holiday. There are certain precautions you can take to avoid the problem, and some important steps to follow in case the unthinkable happens. See below:

  1. • Keep track of where your passport is at all times
  2. • Store a digital copy in your phone and email account, so you can show it to authorities
  3. • Make multiple colour copies and keep them separate
  4. • Lock up the original in your room safe, or leave with the hotel for safe keeping
  5. • Don’t hand over your passport to anyone that will take it out of your sight

If you do lose your passport, try to remain calm. You’re certainly not the first person to go through this, so rest assured that protocol is already in place to help resolve the issue. Simply head to your nearest embassy and they will take care of it for you. Panorama Destination is also on-hand to help.



If you have any problems while travelling in Thailand and need our help, feel free to contact the Panorama Destination 24-hour hotline on +66 (0) 91-787-6956 (When in Thailand dial: 091 787 6956).
You can also find a list of useful emergency numbers and services here.

If you have any problems while travelling in Thailand and need our help, feel free to contact the Panorama Destination 24-hour hotline on +66 (0) 91-787-6956 (When in Thailand dial: 091 787 6956).
You can also find a list of useful emergency numbers and services here.