Thailand is the most hazardous destination for British holidaymakers, according to a leading insurance provider's analysis of claims made by its globe-trotting clients.

The Southeast Asian nation — famous for its food, beaches and Buddhist temples — was the place where tourists were most likely to suffer food poisoning, theft, traffic accidents and lost belongings, Norwich Union said.

Travellers to South Africa were the most likely to suffer violent robberies or lose their belongings in transit, while Austria was the most likely place to suffer a skiing or snowboarding accident.

The Czech Republic had the highest number of claims from holidaymakers who had been pickpocketed, and the Caribbean was the worst place for insect bites and stings.

The safest place to holiday was Ireland, followed by Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France — all within the European Union, and just a few hours at the most from any British airport.

"The purpose of our research is not to worry tourists looking forward to their summer holidays, but just to make them aware of what can go wrong when they're away from home," said Norwich Union travel product manager Dawn McMullan.

The survey was based on more than 60 000 claims made to Norwich Union in 2005 — the calendar year after the December 24, 2004 tsunami that killed 5400 people in Thailand and ravaged many of the country's seaside resorts.

AFP