SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR TRAVELLERS
Partying Overseas
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
Large numbers of Travellers get into trouble overseas as a direct result of partying too hard and forgetting about simple safety precautions. Parties and festivals like Full Moon Parties in Koh Phangan, Thailand and Oktoberfest in Germany can be fun experiences but drinking too much or taking drugs can put you in difficult and often dangerous situations far from home.
Travellers have had their drinks spiked, had their documents stolen, been assaulted, injured, arrested, imprisoned and even killed. If you are planning to attend a Full Moon or other party or festival overseas, think about your personal safety and take appropriate precautions so that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Plan before you go out: Decide where and when you are going and what your transport options are, particularly if you are not familiar with the location. If you are catching public transport home, make sure you know what time the last service runs. This includes private boats or ferries when travelling between islands, for example to attend a Full Moon Party. You should ensure that any vessel you intend to board is carrying appropriate safety equipment and that life jackets are provided and are worn.
You should avoid travelling in ferries and speedboats after dark. Try to ensure you will not be travelling alone, particularly at night.
Know your alcohol limits: If you are drunk your judgment is affected, and you are more likely to take risks and make dangerous decisions. Don’t drive or swim if you have been drinking. Being drunk may also increase your risk of being injured robbed, or assaulted. Limit your intake of alcohol so that you remain aware of your surroundings. The strength of alcoholic drinks may differ from Australia, NewZealand. Be aware that the alcohol content of drinks is not always marked or accurate. Insurance policies may not provide cover if your injury was sustained while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Don’t use drugs:The importation, purchase, possession or use of illegal drugs incurs severe penalties in most countries around the world. Each year many Travellers are arrested overseas on drug charges. Many countries have strict penalties for drug offences, including the death penalty, which apply equally to Australian, New Zealanders. In addition, drugs can reduce your ability to make considered decisions and can make you more susceptible to being injured, robbed or assaulted.
Stay in a group: Travellers frequently get into difficulty at Full Moon and other parties and festivals overseas after becoming separated from their friends. Don’t leave your friends alone – keep in regular contact and be aware of where people in your group are. Make sure you have your friends’ mobile numbers and organise a place to meet in case you get separated.
Remember, it could be dangerous to go home alone or with someone you have just met, particularly if you are unfamiliar with your surroundings.
CASE STUDY: A group of friends attended a Full Moon Party held on Koh Phangan in Thailand. One member of the group decided to return to the hotel early, as she was not feeling well. She left the party on her own. A man who was at the party followed the woman back to her hotel and sexually assaulted her. Her friends did not know what had happened until she told them the next morning. When attending Full Moon Parties with friends, it is important to stay together to ensure the safety of
everyone in the group. This may mean escorting a friend back to their accommodation, particularly if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs – don’t let your friends be the next victim of crime.
Protect your valuables: Avoid carrying your passport, large amounts of cash, multiple credit cards or other valuables to parties and clubs. Ensure these valuables are safely secured at your hotel before going out for the night so that you don’t have to spend valuable holiday time and money organising for a passport to be reissued or funds to be sent from home.
Check prices and services: Before entering or ordering services in a bar, restaurant or other establishment that you or your friends are not familiar with, check that it has readily available price lists for food, drinks and other services it may offer. If you don’t, you may find yourself with an unexpectedly large bill which you might be forced to pay under duress before you can leave.
Be aware that in some bars there is strong coercion to buy drinks for others, for example for bar girls, and these drinks may be very expensive. A good practice in unfamiliar establishments is to always pay for any drinks as they are purchased.
CASE STUDY:Two Australian men travelling in Europe accepted the recommendations of a friendly taxi driver and went to a downtown bar where they shared some light drinks and food. There were no prices on display, although the barman advised that beers were about AUD13. After an hour or so, when they were preparing to leave the bar, the friends were presented with a bill for the equivalent of thousands of Australian dollars. One person was held at the bar while the other was taken to a
nearby ATM by a number of ‘security guards’ and forced to withdraw large amounts of cash.
Beware of drink spiking: Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended. If you are unsure about whether your drink is safe, leave it. If you feel dizzy or sick, tell your friends or staff immediately, and ask someone you trust to take you to a safe place. Remember to keep an eye on your friends at all times. If someone collapses and is unconscious, seek medical care immediately and don’t leave them alone.
CASE STUDY:A young Australian traveller went into a local bar to sample the night life. He bought himself a drink and left it on the bar while he went to the toilet. He woke the next morning lying underneath an ATM in the street. He had been drugged, sexually assaulted and robbed.
Avoid getting into fights: Excessive alcohol or using drugs can increase the likelihood of being involved in violence. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to start a fight with you, avoid retaliating and remove yourself from the situation.
Stay in contact with your family and friends: Call or e-mail family and friends regularly and let them know where you are,particularly if you are travelling in a high risk area. You should also register your travel details on smartraveller.gov.au or theNZ version safetravel.gov.nz. Staying in regular contact means that it will be easier to find you in an emergency.
Be careful who you give your travel information to:When travelling overseas, it is important not to pass information topeople you don’t know about where you are staying or travelling. Giving strangers your contact or travel information canleave you vulnerable to theft or assault. Make sure you only give your information to trusted friends, and avoid broadcastingyour travel plans to the public on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.