The good news is that anonymous, violent crime is not an issue in most countries in the region, but petty theft, pick-pocketing, and purse snatching are common. It is a good idea to carry a hidden travel wallet with your passport and documents, and keep an eye on valuables in public.
Road conditions vary throughout the region, but most large cities, from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh, are busy and chaotic. Even for intrepid travelers who push their limits out in the wilds, crossing big-city streets, even at prescribed crossings, can be the greatest risk on your trip; move slowly and exercise caution. Rural roads in places like Laos and Cambodia are often no more than dirt tracks. And even where the roads are good, Western visitors are often shocked at the seeming lack of rules and the fact that, on most roads, might is right: The biggest, fastest, and most aggressive vehicle takes precedence, and belligerent horn blowing is the rule. It is best to rent a car with a hired driver instead of trying to drive yourself. On some bus rides, you might want to just keep your eyes on the scenery and not the road ahead.
In places like the beach towns of Thailand, motorbike accidents are all too common and you're sure to meet one or two road-rashed victims. Exercise extreme caution on rented bikes, especially if you're inexperienced, and always wear a helmet.
Dicey political situations arise and pass with frequency; it's important to check travel warnings with the U.S. State Department (www.travel.state.gov) or the most up-to-date sources on the region. Places like Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand are known to flare with separatist movements and terrorism, while the September 2006 military coup in Thailand showed that even supposedly stable countries are susceptible to political turmoil. Stay abreast of any and all news before traveling.
Nancy Reagan's advice about drugs couldn't be more apt for a trip to Southeast Asia: "Just say no." Grown, produced, and shipped through the region, drugs like heroin, opium, and marijuana are readily available. There are island spots and mountain retreats where it might seem like the thing to do, but in all cases here, national laws are strict. Many visitors find themselves in an intensive language school of another variety (in other words, jail) in short order if they can't bribe their way out of it. It's certainly not worth it anywhere.
