What not to do in Thailand

Backpacking? Take your wits with you, says Lindsay Bradbury

1. Don't get caught with drugs

Penalties for being busted for drugs in Thailand are severe. Two years ago a British man, Julian Gilbey, was arrested for possession of 4.5kg of heroin. He was initially given the death sentence. This has now been commuted life imprisonment.

2. Don't accept a drink from a stranger

There are an increasing number of cases of people who have been unknowingly drugged. It all starts innocently enough. A tourist is bought a drink by a stranger, which is then surreptitiously spiked. The holidaymaker wakes up 24 hours later to find that all of their money and possessions have been stolen.

3. Don't buy gems

There is an elaborate gem stone scam which swindles 15,000 tourists a year out of million of pounds. It starts with a taxi tour of Bangkok's temples and ends with tourists being duped into buying gemstones that are worth a fraction of the price. To avoid being conned, look for the Jewel Fest Club sign in jewellers which denotes that the jewels are checked for quality.

4. Don't go on a motorbike without a helmet

Every year the British Embassy in Bangkok deals with at least 200 near-fatal motorbike accidents. Of these, at least three-quarters are people who have hired motorbikes and not worn a helmet.

5. Don't outstay your welcome

A visa overstay has unfortunate consequences. You are required to pay a fine for each day you are overdue. Tourists who are unwilling or unable to pay are locked up in the Immigration Detention Centre. This jail has hot, cramped conditions of up to 80 inmates in one cell.

6. Don't travel without insurance

Healthcare is expensive in Thailand. The cost of medical expenses and assisted flights back to the UK could exceed £30,000 pounds.

7. Don't use your passport as collateral

Every year more than a thousand passports are reported lost or stolen in Thailand. A British passport is a valuable commodity on the black market. Never give your passport to anyone as any sort of guarantee.

8. Don't leave your valuables on the beach

If you are going to the largest lunar beach party in the world, at Koh Pang Gnan, make sure that your valuables are left in a safety-deposit box. The beach party is notorious for thieves stealing bags left on the beach.

9. Don't let your holiday romance know your bank details

If you find love in Thailand, keep your bank details private. There are hundreds of cases of people whose bank accounts have been plundered by their holiday romance.

10. Don't lose your cool

However disastrous your holiday is, never, ever lose face in Thailand. One of the worst crimes in South East Asia is to lose your cool, raise your voice and stop smiling.

The author is producer and director of 'Brits in Bangkok', which will shown on BBC1 at 9pm on Wednesday 16 April