With over 10 million international visitors every year, Bangkok trails only London in popularity. The financial, social and political heart of Thailand is a global city, with phenomenal attractions and cultural allure. From the oasis of calm that is Lumphini Park to the impressive modern skyline, Grand Palace complex and delirious nightlife, Bangkok is replete with choice. A desirable tropical climate ensures a heavy flow of tourist traffic throughout the year. People come to the Thai capital to party, revel in ancient Buddhist tradition and engage in a variety of pursuits that fall somewhere in between.

But is Bangkok dangerous? Forget the 1999 cult-hit film of the same name from Hong Kong directors the Pang Brothers and forgettable 2008 remake with Nicolas Cage. Is Bangkok a safe city to visit? The short answer is yes. The raw data over time shows that in comparison to other urban areas not only in Asia, but in Europe and North America, the level of violent crime is either at par or below. Of course, that is seldom the whole story.

While the hard math confirms that assaults, rapes and murders of foreigners are rare, they do occur on occasion. As a result, the normal rules of common sense apply in Bangkok, as they would in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Madrid or Moscow – any big city in other words. As everyone is well aware, a notorious sex industry gives Bangkok and Thailand a bad rap from time to time and is often at the root of violent crime. Bottom line: when travel plans in the city fall on the chaste and noble side, a happy holiday is in store. If however, seedy go-go bars dominate the itinerary, well … good luck.

The current travel advisory for Bangkok from the federal government of Canada underlines the recent mass political turmoil as a primary cause for concern. In late 2008, thousands of angry anti-government protesters shut down a joint session of the Thai parliament, two Bangkok airports and took over the office of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. The subsequent state of emergency was a deviation from the norm but it stands to reason that anyone going to Bangkok should take a read of the political climate before they leave home. That same logic works for any country with a malevolent military prone to the occasional coup d’?tat.

More ominously perhaps, both the U.S. State Department and Foreign Affairs Canada warn of a terrorist risk in Thailand. The predictable advice from both governments is to exercise caution in commercial, recreational and public areas. In other words, be prudent everywhere you go in Bangkok. The fact is however, that while there is a chronic terrorist threat in Southeast Asia and valid reasons not to venture near the Thai/Burma and Thai/Cambodia borders persist, there have been no specific caveats to avoid Bangkok.

Big picture, the principal menace to the safety and comfort of international visitors in Bangkok is petty crime. Like every big metropolis with a massive divide between rich and poor, crimes of opportunity run rampant. Wherever crowds gather – markets, train stations, major tourist attractions, nightclubs – so too do furtive thieves. The general rule of thumb is not to go mad with paranoia when out and about. Just be vigilant and hang on to your stuff.

Use your head too. Con artists are afoot and every foreign government seems to have a travel advisory on elaborate Bangkok jewelry scams. The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints every year from visitors who have been swindled on precious stone investments. The gem scam is somewhat complex and dull to report on but suffice to say, steer clear of sketchy jewelry hucksters who promise absurd resale windfalls.

Discover the best hotel rates in Bangkok.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7