So why do I now live in Langkawi and not in Thailand? But many restaurants do have at least beer here on Langkawi, specially in the tourist places. So there will be no shortage at all. The food choices in Langkawi are much bigger: you have here Malay food, Chinese food, Indian food - AND a lot of Thai food too - all available in cheap stalls or cheap restuarants!
In this case it can cost you some money to strighten things out again - even if you are not the guilty part - as the police might charge you for 'helping' you. Langkawi: Corruption is not encountered by normal tourists, even if they should get into any difficulties. It is safe to go to the police here whether they can help you or not is an other question.
Taxi scams where tourists are even physically forced to pay a higher fare than agreed upon do still happen own experience in Patong! Be suspicious if an otrher man sits beside the taxidriver and joins the ride after a price discussion!
In Langkawi the taxis have fixed prices for fixed routes. Taxi scams are seldom or do not exist at all. But watch the high prices after midnight! Don't go alone to places you don't know - especially at night. Do not drink anything offered to you from an already opened can or bottle. Don't openly wear expensive watches or juwelery or show your money. Women are not safe alone at night even or specially in tourist places.
Langkawi: Safety is not anymore what it was one or two decades ago. Crimes do happen and are normally not made public not to scare the tourists away. Things get sometimes stolen and houses broken in. It is - it seems - seldom done by the local Malaysians themselves with the exception of drug addicts. Woman are safe alone at night nearly everywhere. Still listen to your own feelings!
