Safety Tips in Bangladesh

This happens every so often; the two main political parties clash and start street agitation and even fighting between themselves by proxy student organisations, labour unions etc.

Shy away from political rioting and violence as shots may be fired, stones thrown and general mayhem will almost certainly ensue. Sometimes general strikes are called by this or that group, and motorised vehicles may be prevented from travelling by violent actions and firebombing. Stick to rickshaws if this seems to be a scenario developing. And do not wave too indiscreetly with your camera. The word "bandh" may have been innovated in Bangladesh.

The mob characteristics that can be so dangerous also elsewhere in South Asia, may not hit any perceived foreign enemies in Bangladesh yet. Visitors are generally expected to have good intentions, so generally you will be left in peace.

I have travelled during fighting in CHT and violent general strikes in Dhaka and suffered no ill effects - apart from a bit of cynicism?

Major ferry capzises in Bangladesh is a perennial phenomenon, caused by a combination of events; one is overcrowding.
Also local boats can get extremely overcrowded.
The photo shows the local ferryboat from Cox' Bazaar to Maheskhali Island.
Learn to swim first, and then to control your panic, before setting out on these exciting tours of the Bangladeshi rivers and sea ways.

If your are a foreigner, you are almost safe in Bangladesh. Though we have some problems around the hilly borders of the country, but we have enough safty precausions. However, some common tips for the tourist:
1. Exchange your money from a safe place. Don't carry too much money with you at the time of exchange.
2. Do not show your precious things to the public, as the draw attention of the robbers.
3. Women should not wear exposing dress. There is no harm wearing western dress, but it should cover your body properly, or else people will stare at you.
4. It is better not to hang around late at night. If you are hanging around with a group then its okay. A group of minimum 5/6 people is safe anywhere, anytime.

If you are a trekker Bangladesh is a nice place for you..here there are hills with nice forests and bio diversity..you will find falls,lakes in the hills..Bamgladeshi hills are mainly located in Cittagong Division and the king of the hills is in the Bandarban..All the top 5 picks are in Bandarban..Trekking in Bandarban must be a great experience without any doubt because you will have to stay in tribal village with some great minded people..There is not any touch of urbanization yet in those place..you will have to stay without electricity and the only way to move is by foot...neverything is just perfect to meet your expectation..but the problem is only one which is Malarial Parasite..The only thing to do is to protect yourself before the mosquito bites you...If you love trekking do not go there from May-October,but if you are allert enough then this is the best time to go because there will be no fog and all the falls will be in highest flow...from November-April the fear for Malaria is significantly reduced...The temperature in that time is very much cold...If should always remember there is no snow fall in Bangadesh...Always try to cover most part of your body..keep a anty mosquito lotion and try to take a vaccin against Malaria....Best of luck to all of my felow trekkers........

Be careful what you eat during your trip to Bangladesh. The food at the 5 star hotels is fine BUT be very careful about what you eat when you are dinning at local restaurants.

I got sicker that one can imagine and ended up dropping about 20 pounds in a week.

Bangladesh itself is in alot political turmoil, the bridge between poor and rich is very large and there is alot of fighting.

1) If you must come to Bangladesh, Dhaka, you should have a friend in Dhaka or Family before coming, trust me!, Tourists get alot of hassle here. I advise you travel in a small group with your friend/s in Bangladesh, if you go by yourself, trust me, this is a trip your going to regret.

2) If you are from South Asia, or your skin colour is not far off from them, dress like them, like, dont wear anything fancy.

3) Wear plain clothing, no jewellery or anything to make you look like a tourist or rich.

4) Always have a translator or a friend who speaks both Bengali and English, because alot of the time everything is in Bengali.

5) In the market have your friend with you and get him to help you haggle, traders find tourist as an easy target to rip off.

6) There is alot of poverty in Bangladesh, avoid any conflict with them by not looking at them, and do what you are doing.

7) Keep your important belongings with you all the time

You will encounter poverty in its many ugly forms in Bangladesh. Statistically, Nepal, for instance, is quite a bit more worse off, but you don't see it in the same enormity as in Bangladesh. It can be overpowering for visitors to Bangladesh and hard to cope with (see my culture shock tip).
It may be useful to try to gain an understanding of reasons and roots of poverty in Bangladesh, and how it affects people. The best books I know about this topic is "Nectar in a Sieve" (from India) and the anthropological documentary book "A Quiet Violence" from Bangladesh (the latter is written by Hartmann & Boyce for Food First, Institute for Food and Development Policy, published by Zed Books, Avon 1988).

If there is such a word as "unquality" it could be used about Dhaka's air. The blend of particulate matter, sand, dust, disintegrating garbage, smoldering trash, diesel fumes, factories, furnaces, street kitchen ovens and general environmental mayhem is taking the better out of any oxygen-rich life-giving air.
The locals are increasingly becoming aware of this, too.
Don a dust mask before you hit the streets. It's no longer looking crazy.