Asia Travel Advice For Visitors From Western Nations

The ordinary Western tourist poking around in Asian cities is usually sorely in need of some Asia travel advice, especially as relates to local laws and customs. Apart from the language, the lack of knowledge about local culture is a big hindrance, and sometimes even a danger. Something that might be very common in New York or London may be a big crime in parts of Asia.

It's not something to be alarmed about, or worth spoiling the trip over. But tourists should know that these things change quite a lot based on the city and nation in question. A couple of examples might help clarify this some more. Take Dubai and Thailand, two places which Western tourists might assume have a lot in common.

Maybe it would be better to separate it out into two sections, one for 'Dubai travel advice' and the other one for 'Thailand travel advice.' Let's start with Dubai. In terms of local customs and laws that visitors need to be aware of, the most important ones are related to alcohol, indecent exposure and displays of public affection.

Drinking in Dubai is a very dicey issue and one which is confined to restaurants that have a permit for serving alcohol. Buying it from a store is also possible, but the alcohol has to be kept hidden from view inside bags. Never drink and drive, because even a minuscule amount of alcohol is enough to land a tourist into jail.

The second and third points about clothing (or lack thereof) and public displays of affection are interlinked. Visitors from the West can and do easily fall afoul of these laws with a kiss (or more) on the beach or in a mall, or making out in the car, and so on. Tourists have been jailed and put on trial in Dubai for offences of this nature.

Thailand, on the other hand, is a whole lot more open and liberal about these things. Tourists have total freedom to go wild and enjoy the urban fleshpots in Bangkok and other beach resorts. But this has its own dangers, especially when tourists go a little bit too far and experiment with drugs. A small quantity for personal use is enough to land a tourist in jail for a long, long time.

Also, never, ever burn or destroy anything that has the image of the monarch on it. Always carry identification (passport) because visitors have been jailed for not being able to produce passports on the spot. On a less grave level, it's considered bad form in Thailand to let others see feet soles or touch someone on the top of the head.

Due to time and space constraints, these kinds of tips for every city in Asia cannot be listed here. But it is vital for every tourist to know these customs and laws about each city and country before visiting it. That's the best Asia travel advice anyone will ever provide. That and the fact that Asians are generally much more friendly and warm towards tourists, but tourists should in turn take the effort to abide by local customs and laws.