traveling safely with camera to Thailand

[ninesixtwo]

I'm taking a small Nikon DSLR with me to Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chiangmai. I will have a courier bag with me at all times, probably (weatherproof, thick nylon fabric) and I should be able to keep things securely in here and close to my body.

However, anyone have experience with walking around in Thailand with a camera on the strap, on the body? I've been there several times when I was younger with my family and my father always kept money in a waistbelt and never carried anything of value. That's obviously the best way not to get stuff snatched, but I'm determined to really get some good pics of me and my sister and our spouses having fun on this trip.

Is it best to keep the camera around the neck, or maybe on a Rapidfire-type strap and always in-hand? Maybe in-hand using a handstrap?

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[Leica All Day]

I live in Bangkok and I walk around everyday with my camera....just use common sense when you are out and about.....if you are walking on a sidewalk and the street is on your left, you might want to carry the camera on your right....and yes, there are motorbike thieves that will drive by and try to snatch your bag if it looks easy.....just use your common sense...when in doubt, I wear my camera across my shoulder (bike messenger stlye)...Bangkok is no worse than any other place that I have been as far as theft is concerned.....My Thai friend just had her bag snatched and she had her Ricoh grII along with a phone and some money in it....it happened in front of her house (good neighborhood)...I think it comes down to opportunity, if it looks easy, then they might try to snatch it......dont make it look easy.....and yes, rainy season is here, be prepared...cheers, michael

 

[payasam]

Thailand is a well known haven of thieves. They are everywhere, they snatch everything. Sensible people stay in Civilised California and photograph their sisters at their homes, which are of course equipped with burglar alarm systems linked to satellites and to missile silos.

 

[bwcolor]

I just purchased my new Mamiya 7 outfit (pre 7ii) and had just awoken after my first night in Bangkok. I visited the McDonalds just across from my hotel and after a great cup of coffee, I went my way. Two minutes out of Micky-d, an employee ran me down and handed me my new camera. I can't remember what I tipped, but boy was I surprise. Yes, there are many honest folks in Bangkok. Then again, I can also tell you many not so nice stories. Keep the flash and cash low key. I wish that I had the time to go back. I had a great time finding what wasn't on the tourist maps. Fewer tourists.. fewer bad guys.. I think. Anyway, after many visits I can say that I use to get out of Bangkok rather quickly.

 

[ninesixtwo]

thanks for the practical advice. I like the idea of some kind of heavy over-the-shoulder strap (and when not in use keeping it in my over-the-shoulder courier bag with truck load webbing strap).

 

[ninesixtwo]

Thailand is a well known haven of thieves. They are everywhere, they snatch everything. Sensible people stay in Civilised California and photograph their sisters at their homes, which are of course equipped with burglar alarm systems linked to satellites and to missile silos.

yeah, you know, I'm asking questions on the internet because the burglar alarm gets in the way of actually talking to people.

 

[arseniii]

It's like everywhere in the foreign country if you are a tourist... You can get in trouble by being careless. Just use common sense, have good bedside manners and befriend some locals... You can even get robbed or have your stuff stolen in Paris, France if you behave careless and have your 10000 equipment hanging all over your neck at 2 am...

Good luck, keep safe!

 

[gilpen123]

I worked and live in Thailand for a year and had many trips to Bangkok last of which was 2 weeks ago. As advised, don't tempt would be thieves with carelessness. Any where you go there are always dangers of being robbed. Thailand is relatively safe and I can walk with a camera and feel secure. I walked thru Pratunam, Patpong, Nana and those flea market areas with my camera and had no problems so far. The key here is be aware and always on guard wherever you go. Have a nice trip and enjoy picturesque Thailand.

 

[Mablo]

I've travelled all over Thailand and have visited all the neighbouring countries, including Burma. For me Thailand has always been a safe haven where I feel myself home. I know there are thieves around in Bangkok but Paris or London are much more unsafe in my books.

 

[Eddie SAKAMURA]

Thailand is a well known haven of thieves. They are everywhere, they snatch everything. Sensible people stay in Civilised California and photograph their sisters at their homes, which are of course equipped with burglar alarm systems linked to satellites and to missile silos.

😀 I like your sarcasm 😀

I live since a few years in Thailand and I can assure you, it is no longer and less safe than L.A, Paris or Berlin. Except you own an Epson R-D1 and tell me where you stay in Thailand .🙄.

Have a nice trip.

Greetz

VELVET


http://www.oceanic-tours.com/

 

[baader]

The place I´ve been most frightened that someone is going to snatch my gear, is St Petersburg, but all major European and US cities are the same.
The places that live on tourism, usually do everything they can to make visitors feel safe.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I've travelled all over Thailand and have visited all the neighbouring countries, including Burma. For me Thailand has always been a safe haven where I feel myself home. I know there are thieves around in Bangkok but Paris or London are much more unsafe in my books.

I completely agree with this. It may have been unwarranted on my part, but I felt less safe during a recent trip to Rome than I have ever felt while travelling anywhere in Asia. Though I'd probably rate Laos as even safer than Thailand. The Laotians are just so laid back 🙂

Crime in Asia is generally more snatch and run or stealing by stealth rather than direct confrontation or violence. As others have said, don't present thieves with opportunities, don't stand out, be aware of your surroundings, and take the usual precautions and you should be fine.

 

[oscroft]

I pretty much agree with everyone else on this thread who has experience of Thailand. I've spent a fair bit of my life over the past 20 years or so there, and I've carried cameras all over the place - sometimes on a neckstrap over my shoulder, sometimes on a wriststrap, sometimes in a camera bag. And I've never had a single problem with theft (of anything - not just camera gear).

On the whole, I generally feel safer in Bangkok than I do in, say, London - but do follow Michael's advice about carrying valuable stuff around cities in general.

As a couple more points, take extra care in popular tourist resorts, like seaside places, because there will be more tourist hangers-on there. And, of course, never leave your gear in a hotel or guest house, even in a safe deposit box (unless your hotel is seriously upmarket).

Cheers,

 

[Benjamin]

EDIT ............. is a well known haven of thieves. They are everywhere, they snatch everything. Sensible people stay in Civilised California and photograph their sisters at their homes, which are of course equipped with burglar alarm systems linked to satellites and to missile silos.

I agree, entirely.

 

[Ben B.]

Thailand is a well known haven of thieves. They are everywhere, they snatch everything. Sensible people stay in Civilised California and photograph their sisters at their homes, which are of course equipped with burglar alarm systems linked to satellites and to missile silos.

😀


I went to Thailand in 2000 for 3 weeks. I had a really great time there! Nice people... I felt really comfortable and "safe" for lack of a better word. But then again I brought an old battered OM2 that didn't get too much attention!

Anyway, have fun and don't forget to post some photos. I'd really like to go back there soon and/or visit other countries in that area (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia).

 

[ninesixtwo]

Thanks for the responses and perspectives about Thailand in general! I really appreciate it.

 

[ninesixtwo]

BTW I'll be carrying a Nikon D90 and a 35mm f/1.8 lens (53mm effective)—should be fun to take available-light photos whenever, wherever we are.

I might get a 11-16mm f/2.8 for during the day and for snapping photos of the temples and downtown buildings such.

 

[ethics_gradient]

I think one of the more common kinds of theft in Bangkok is leaving a bag out of your line of sight at a cafe. It's best to have it where you can see it, take it with you if you're going to the bathroom or something (and don't have anyone else at the table to watch it). You get bonus etiquette points resting it on an empty chair rather than on the ground anyways!

I heard a lot about thieves on motorbikes snatching bags but anecdotally it doesn't seem that common. I still kept my camera on the sidewalk-side of my body anyways as a precaution.

Also, don't go to the Night Bazaar in Lumphini. It's a tourist trap and pickpocketing is a realtively more common occurance (well, this information is about a year+ old).