I suppose that's the risk one takes in S.E Asia in general. My Liverpudlian friend ,married to a Philipina has told similar tales.
I'd still do it in a heartbeat, but my old boyscout "be prepared" motto haunts me, and as a result I'd have to go armed with spare cash and cards just in case.
When I go abroad on a motorbike, people laugh at the amount of tools I take...