I live in the south of Thailand, and I meet travelers all the time who are backpacking around; some have also chosen to live here. But back home, in Canada, so many women seem to think that Southeast Asia is a scary place where you'll get kidnapped and sold on the black market. I understand that the reason for them thinking this is the media - TV shows, movies, the news, etc. So I'm wondering what women in this forum think about Southeast Asia: what is your general impression of the place, and do you have any desire to go there? If not, why not?
That really made me laugh The reason why so many women in the West are afraid of traveling to South East Asia, particularly on their own, is because of quite a few incidents of British women being raped or assaulted in Thailand. Because media coverage of these incidents is quite wide, almost all women become aware of them and consider it an unsafe place to holiday on their own. I have been to Thailand quite a few times, but never alone. I may be hesitant to go there on my own though, and certainly not backpacking. I might not feel as unsafe in say Malaysia, Singapore or Hong Kong though.
I believe that it is common for people to look for and believe the worst about places they know little or knowing about. I read a book called, "Four Hour Work Week," where the author talked about a mom who was fulfilling a life-long dream traveling abroad with her kids. I think it was SouthEast Asia where the mom said she was the most worried about going by herself - mainly for some of the same reasons you talked about. Turns out it was a place she needed to worry about the least. The moral of that story is that you shouldn't believe anyplace in the world is any more dangerous than your own home city. The author also wrote an interesting tidbit in the book on the thoughts of the people from the village in which the lady traveler was living. They told her that they would never go to New York because they "saw those buildings blow up on tv."
People in countries like Singapore, Malaysia , Indonesia and Philippines are peace loving people too. Its media that really make the place worse. Just like Afganistan, they don't have war everywhere, its just in some areas like in their capital city.
If one looks at official crime rates...the west is far far more dangerous than the east, including south east asia. In fact, in parts of Seoul...the only area that is dangerous and dodgy is the area that the American soldiers inhabit - called Itaewon. Unfortunate but true. As for Thailand...again, it is westerners that bring a lot of the crimes there. I have been to South East Asia, yes, and LOVE it. Much prefer it to most places in the west. I went there alone on the way to be with my partner in Australia and in fact, it is the only part of the world that I will visit alone as a female. There is a lot of RESPECT there...lacking in most other parts of the world.
I have no problem traveling in any countries in SouthEast Asia. I think countries like Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore are home of paradise islands. Both of these countries have an entry to the new 7 wonders of the world and that makes their tourism rich and still improving. You just have to be sure of your safety so you have to prepare. You can do things that could make you more safe there like hiring for an escort security right?
I've always loved the Eastern cultures so I'd love to travel to Asia one day, go to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, and anywhere else where I can!
I love S.E. Asia!!! and have gone traveling there.. with friends and alone. I was just in Bali, on my own, for a few weeks this past January. I do have to say, I didn't feel totally safe the one time I was in Thailand. I was also with my cousin. We didn't trust any of the tuk tuk drivers because they were way too flirtatious to the point where it was very uncomfortable. Our cab driver got into a fight with someone and nearly ran him over - on our last day!!! I think, when visiting anywhere, you just need common sense. Other than the creepy men, we stayed out of 'trouble'.. we never stayed out too too late, didn't get very drunk, etc. I did go to Laos a couple of years ago, and had no problems with the tuk tuk drivers there. Maybe because they're too shy to flirt. But I still love S.E.Asia!
I visited South East Asia with family and friends a few years ago and we never had any issues. We traveled in groups because it was our first time visiting Asia not because of any attacks on women and whenever we visit a country for the first time we always travel in groups of 3-4 people. I love the culture and the people. I will be visiting South East Asia next year with my sister.
I think SE Asia is quite safe as compared to Western countries, you just have to avoid the places where the terrorists reside. Apart from that, Asia is a safe place. I think you just have to watch out for dishonest cab drivers that may overcharge you, so you have to know the correct rates.
I'm from the Philippines but living in the UK now. And trust me, I would rather go back and live there than be in this country! It's just that hubby can't live there because he needs the NHS here. Anyway, it's always the media that gives most of the bad impression of the countries in the SEA. you wouldn't know how good/bad a country is unless you've tried living there. I have also lived in Singapore for a few months and my friends and I can walk safely in the streets even at 3AM! The trouble always comes when someone who visits these countries and loose all their common sense!
It's not really just in Asia. I think that anybody male or female all have reservations traveling alone because of all the news you see and hear about people disappearing. From a male college student in Spain to a female student vacationing in the Bahamas its just more sensible to have someone with you who knows where you are and can sound the alarm ASAP should you fail to show up.
My opinion for Southeast Asia, it's the place where heaven and hell both exist. But if i have the chance, i would rather to go there for traveling. Still attractive to me.
