THE deaths of two young travellers in Thailand last month will have sent alarm bells ringing in the ears of parents, as yet another gap year season begins.

The details of what happened on the night of September 14 are still being unravelled through grainy CCTV footage of the last moments of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24.

But whatever the facts may turn out to be, their deaths will lead to further worry for parents of other young travellers setting out on what has become a rite of passage prior to settling down for study or employment.

Hundreds of thousands of teenagers and graduates set off travelling every year, and hundreds of thousands return home safely - but high-profile reports of what happens when it all goes wrong are enough to send parents into a panic.

More than 800,000 British nationals visit Thailand every year. Most visits are trouble-free, but incidents of crime, sometimes violent, can affect visitors. A total of 11 British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January, 2009.

Western tourists have been victims of vicious, unprovoked attacks by gangs in Koh Phangan. These attacks are particularly common around the time of Full Moon parties and generally occur late at night. Violent assaults and robberies have been reported in the Koh Samui archipelago and other tourist districts in Thailand. There have been sexual assaults against foreign men and women, especially in the Koh Samui archipelago and Krabi province.

Joanna Cooke, marketing manager of Tourism Authority of Thailand, says: "The same practical travel tips apply for coming to Thailand as they do for any country - we remind travellers to maintain common sense and courtesy when in a foreign country, respect local culture and law, drink responsibly and safeguard their valuables."

Louise Clark of Baildon went travelling after university 20 years ago. She enjoyed a trouble-free trip to Thailand but recalls a terrifying incident near Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island. "My friend and I were walking to our hostel when we were approached by three young men. They tried to block our way and one of them produced a flick-knife and demanded our valuables. We gave them our wallets, cameras and watches. They wanted to look in our rucksacks, but a car approached and they ran off. I still shudder to think what might have happened if that car hadn't appeared," says Louise.

"Half-way into our gap year we were stranded with no money, and our families had to help out. We travelled light back then, and it was before the days of mobile phones, but today's young travellers have all kinds of gadgets, making them very vulnerable. You think you're a free spirit when you're travelling but in reality you're surrounded by danger and can be a sitting duck."

Tourists have been robbed after bringing visitors to their hotel rooms, and in some cases their drinks were drugged. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns tourists to be careful about taking drinks from strangers and at clubs and parties, particularly in Koh Samui, Pattaya and the Full Moon party on Koh Phangan, where date rapes have been reported.

When it comes to alcohol, the advice is to know your limit. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.

Young travellers are also warned to be on their guard against pickpockets and bag snatchers. It is not uncommong for tourists walking on busy streets to have items snatched by thieves on motorbikes.

Stu Morris, head of operations at schools expedition provider World Challenge, says: "When it comes to general safety, the rule is to blend in and look confident. Check on the dress code. Breaking cultural conventions, looking wealthy in the way you dress and the gadgets you have are a mistake. Always know where you are and where you're going - travellers who are targeted are those looking lost and unconfident. To get to know local lives better, use a reputable agency to organise trips."

A spokesman for Kiwi Experience, a hop on-off bus tour company in New Zealand, advises to pick a reputable company for gap-year trips. "Worried minds are put at rest knowing children will be in the safe hands of certified driver guides, rather than taking off with inexperienced drivers in rental cars or camper vans," he adds.

Research by mytravelcash/com reveals that almost one in four Brits has been stranded abroad without access to cash, with 30per cent reporting it as a result of crime.

Chief executive Myles Stephenson says: "High ATM charges mean travellers often opt to withdraw lump sums of cash, which could make them vulnerable to loss or theft. Use a prepaid currency card instead."