Bright lights, enticing nightlife, sumptuous food, breathtaking natural scenery are but some of the enticements that attract millions of tourists to this wonderful southeast Asian nation. From the allure of Bangkok to the mountains and stunning beaches, Thailand is a tourist magnet for many people from an enormous number of countries. For example, British tourists to Thailand during the period from 1 January to 30 September 2025, numbered 750,000, up 13.66% over the whole of the previous year.
That is a staggering number even when accounting for the total number of visitors, albeit universally down more than 7% over last year for all arrivals. There is one less savoury statistic, however, with which many back in Blighty might NOT be so familiar and that is the number of criminal related incidents involving British nationals. Our citizens have an especially bad reputation whence travelling in foreign climes for hooliganism and similar anti-social behaviour.
Some of our countrymen also fall foul of the law in places they visit by engaging in drug smuggling or other criminal offences. This is especially true in Thailand where there is a rightly zero tolerance policy towards those who commit such crimes. The consequences for a moment of madness and outright stupidity can be dire.
This past Monday saw a young Brit, George Wilson, 23, from High Wycombe, Bucks, arrested and accused of being in possession of 9.1kg of crystal meth in his hotel room in Bangkok, according to the Royal Thai police. He now faces the possibiity of the death penalty if convicted.
Drug smuggling is of course a global scourge, but in Thailand the incidence of drug related crimes pose an especially difficult challenge for the authorities. Geographically located near the infamous “Golden Triangle” where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) meet, provides access to where significant quantities of narcotics are produced.
Being British counts for zero under Thai law which is applied in the same as it would be to anyone else accused of a crime.
Though as a Brit I believe that one is innocent until proven guilty, so it would be improper to comment too much on Mr Wilson’s arrest.
Leaving it aside, what I can say as a resident in Thailand is that there are far too many instances of UK nationals engaging in criminal activities and anti-social behaviour whilst on “holiday” in the land of smiles.
Thailand has a unique and diverse cultural heritage that has stood the test of time and is understood and maintained by the people who matter the most, and those are Thai people themselves.
It is always a good idea to remember that when visiting Thailand, or whether you live there, that you do so as a guest in someone else’s country. You might not agree with many things viewing the country through your own distorted British centric prism, but that is of no consequence whatsoever.
If you don’t like your access to alcohol, for example, being blocked during Buddhist holidays then best you stay away. If you feel entitled to behave like a gormless oaf, then be prepared to suffer the consequences.
Thai jails are no picnic and conditions are rough, as many law-breaking Brits have found out. Don’t be tempted to risk being locked up in a hell hole by virtue of temporary insanity and then bemoan the severity of your circumstances. Because you’ll only have yourself to blame.
Enjoy Thailand. Embrace the culture. Make new friends and learn something different about the world at large. Or do you want to pay the price of breaking the rules? Don’t do it, Possums, it isn’t worth it.