"Look at Bali for example - there is terrorism, child molestation, and wrongful drug arrests."
Now, Indian gurus for American pupilsPosted online: Monday, May 23, 2005 at 1308 hours IST Updated: Monday, May 23, 2005 at 1706 hours IST SILICON VALLEY, MAY 23: After high-tech industry, outsourcing of educational services...
There were person attacks in New York, London, Madrid, and Oklahoma City, so maybe you shouldn't go to America or Europe either.
Child molestation sadly occurs in First World countries as well as Third World. It's very easy to avoid the love trade if you aren't seeking it out, even in Thailand.
Wrongful drug arrests are very rare. There are ten million visitors to Thailand every year - how many of them are convicted of drug crimes that they are innocent of? The real reason hundreds of Westerners are doing time in Thai prisons is that Thailand can be very harsh on even minor drug crimes. Minor possession that in the US or Australia would probably not even be charged or get someone probation might result in a long-term prison sentence in Thailand. Lots of Westerners use drugs there anyway, ignoring the risks.
"I'm sick of privatesheads who say that if you don't need 10 vaccinations and an armed escort, it isn't real travel. That is just plain RETARDED."
Post that on the Lonely Planet website's Thorn Tree discussion board if you really want to get a response.
