Southeast Asia: Is visiting the stunning region worth the risk?

For many people, Southeast Asia is the perfect place to discover new cultures, cuisines and amazing sights.It has become a rite of passage forgap year students travelling solo for the first time.However, the region is not without its risks: from the longest running civil war in Burma; some of the world’s most dangerous roads in Thailand; Sharia law and the risk of terror attacks in Brunei and Indonesia;and of course the risks of travelling in general.

Fiona Macrae, head of Travel Insurance Explained,takes a look at how to stay safe in Southeast Asia.

Is Southeast Asia too dangerous to visit?

Absolutely not, it’s an incredible part of the world filled with stunning natural beauty, and the vast majority of tourists who visit the area will come out of it completely unscathed. The key to staying safe is doing your research, being aware of the dangers and avoiding them.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers regular safety updates and will advise against travel to certain destinations if they are deemed dangerous. Ignoring the advice of the FCO and travelling regardless of the restrictions will invalidate any travel insurance, so it is best to check before travelling.

What are the main dangers in South-East Asia?

Motorbikes

The most common cause of injury and death in the region is linked to traffic accidents. While countries like Singapore and Malaysia are relatively safe to travel, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam are very dangerous. In Thailand, 5,500 people die annually in motorbike accidents alone. It’s very easy to hire a motorbike or scooter in almost all of the 11 countries making up Southeast Asia, and very few will check your licence prior to hiring.

But unless you have the relevantmotorcycle licence in the UK, you will not be covered by your travel insurance if you’re involved in an accident. Sadly, this is how many touristsend up with eye-watering medical bills. With lax traffic enforcement and poor medical facilities compared to the UK, it’s a good reason to reconsider hiring a motorbike. If you do hold the correct licence and decide to go ahead with the hire, always make sure you wear suitable clothing and a helmet. Most travel insurance policies will not cover any claims relating to riding a motorcycle if you weren’t wearing a helmet – regardless of the laws in South-East Asia.

Alcohol

The risks of alcohol are well known, but in many Southeast Asian resorts there are well-documented cases of travellers inadvertently drinking bootleg alcohol that can cause serious illness.

Drinking can cloud your judgment and leave you vulnerable to being mugged, scammed or injured. In countries that follow Sharia law such as Brunei, alcohol is completely forbidden, while in Singapore, public drunkenness can result in fines, imprisonment or even physical punishment in the form of caning.

Again, travel insurance will not cover you if you’ve been drinking and injure yourself, or if you break the laws of the country you are in.

In regards to bootleg alcohol, you may find that in parts of Indonesia or Thailand there are suspiciously cheap drinks, but like all things, if it looks too good to be true that’s because it is. Some bars or vendors will buy bootleg alcohol or brew it themselves in unsafe and incorrect methods, which can lead to the presence of methanol, a potentially deadly substance.

Methanol poisoning can shut down your kidneys, cause permanent blindness and even death. If you’re drinking spirits, make them duty free. Alternatively, stick to wine or beer to avoid methanol poisoning, but remember your limits.

As mentioned above, travel insurance will not cover you if the reason for claiming is due to you being over their alcohol limit. Some policies will be more lenient than others, but there are a few that have zero tolerance, so be sure to check this.

What will travel insurance cover me for if I visit Southeast Asia?

Your travel insurance will not cover you in any instances that break local laws or if you are injured while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Your insurance will also not cover you if you do not have a valid UK license for riding your chosen motorbikes or if you find yourselves in locations listed as ‘no-go’ travel zones by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). That may sound a little alarming,however, a little research and a visit to the FCO website will give you the starting blocks required to plan your amazing getaway.

When buying insurance, it’s suggested you purchase one that is tailored for your trip. For example, if you are planning on any extreme activities, such as white-water rafting, it must be included in your insurance. Also, most travel insurance policies will not cover connecting flights, a common element for backpacking holidays, so make sure you look for a policy that offers this cover for all flights throughout your holiday. You can find specialist insurance for backpacking which may suit you – however always read the policy to ensure you’re adequately covered.