Asia Travel FAQ: Traveling tip Around Asia

Answer : Put you mind at rest, but keep your wits about you. While it does indeed happen that drugs are planted in people's luggage etc., it's not an everyday occurrence out here and nothing you should really get too worried about as long as you use your common sense. To be on the safe side keep your bag as close to you as you can when you are traveling and safely locked away when you are not. Before you cross any borders, repack your bag carefully just to put you mind at ease and obviously don't do anyone any favors like taking over their excess talcum powder!

In the very unlikely occurrence of a shake down (that is, someone's planted drugs on you or in your room and then informed the police) obviously what they are after is money. Give it to them. As quickly as possible. The more people who become involved the more money has to be spread around. But as I've said as long as you use the spongy thing inside your head this is very unlikely to happen. Don't sweat it.