Phone Safety in Thailand, Dubai and Bali: A Guide for Indian Travellers

Thailand, Dubai and Bali are among the most popular trips for Indian travellers, and each has its own way of separating you from your phone: a passing scooter in Bali, a longtail boat in Krabi, a taxi seat in Dubai. A phone lost abroad is harder to recover and harder to replace, and it usually holds your boarding pass, hotel booking and payment apps.

To keep your phone safe in Thailand, Dubai and Bali, hold it on the side away from the road where scooters pass, tether it when filming on boats, piers and viewpoints, never leave it on a taxi seat or beach towel, and set up Find Hub or Find My, a backup of your travel documents and a way to block your Indian SIM before you fly.

Before you fly

• Save both IMEI numbers (dial *#06#) and your operator's international customer care number outside the phone.
• Turn on Find Hub or Find My and the anti-theft settings.
• Email yourself copies of your passport, visa, tickets and hotel bookings.
• Note two-factor backup codes, and keep one card or some cash separate from the phone.
• Decide on roaming or a local SIM or eSIM, and keep your Indian SIM safe if you swap it out.

Thailand

• Water is the big risk: longtail boats, island ferries, piers and floating markets. Tether the phone or keep it in a waterproof pouch on boats.
• Busy markets and nightlife areas attract pickpockets; carry the phone in a front zipped pocket.
• Keep the phone away from the roadside when walking, especially where scooters pass.

Dubai and the UAE

• Street theft is less common than in many cities, but phones are often left behind in taxis, malls, metro stations and on desert safaris.
• Note the taxi or ride details so you can trace a phone left in a cab.
• Report losses to the local police; Dubai Police has an official app and website for reporting.
• Viewpoints and observation decks are high and windy: hold the phone firmly or tethered when filming.

Bali

• Scooter snatching is a known risk in busy tourist areas: hold the phone on the side away from the road, and do not ride with it loose in your hand or a basket.
• Beaches, cliff viewpoints and swings over drops are classic phone-loss spots. Tether it when filming.
• Never leave the phone on a towel or sunbed while you swim.

If your phone is lost or stolen abroad

1. Use another phone or hotel Wi-Fi to lock it with Find Hub or Find My.
2. Call your Indian operator's international helpline to block your SIM, and call your bank to secure UPI and cards.
3. Report to the local police and get a written report for insurance.
4. Back in India, you can also block the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi so it cannot be used on Indian networks.

Travelling to Europe instead? See Phone Safety on a Europe Trip.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep my phone safe in Bali?

Hold it on the side away from the road where scooters pass, tether it when filming at beaches and cliff viewpoints, and never leave it on a towel or sunbed while you swim.

Is phone theft common in Dubai?

Street theft is less common than in many cities, but phones are often left behind in taxis, malls and on safaris. Note your taxi details and report losses to the local police.

What should I do if my phone is stolen in Thailand?

Lock it with Find Hub or Find My, call your Indian operator's international helpline to block the SIM, secure your bank and UPI, and get a written police report.

Can I block my phone in India if it is stolen abroad?

Yes. You can block the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi so it cannot be used on Indian networks, though it may still work on networks abroad.

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Related reads

• Phone Safety on a Europe Trip for Indian Travellers
• Phone Overboard: Boats, Backwaters and Ferries
• Phone Theft and Snatching in India: The Complete Guide