Thailand attracts many expats — the Thai education and healthcare systems are constantly improving, there are many international schools, and the locals are friendly to foreigners.
Obviously, a lot depends on where you live: provinces and even towns of one region can be rather different. The level of safety may vary significantly. In general, it is pretty high. The Numbeo website evaluates Thailand as a country with a low crime rate and a high security level.
The index of certain crimes is low as well. For instance, it is highly unlikely you will experience any theft or robbery, including car thefts. The index for these delinquencies is between 20 and 30 points out of 100. There is a bigger chance, but no more than 50%, to meet vandals or drug dealers.
However, there is one issue which is rather a big problem: corruption and bribery. There is a 76% probability you will encounter it.
Clearly, these are only average numbers, which differ from one Thai province to another. For example, the crime rate in Pattaya is 45.2%. It is a bit lower in Bangkok, but not less than 40%. Chiang Mai has a lower crime rate, at 18.32%. Chiang Mai is one of the best cities for tourists and residents.
Read on to learn about the safest cities in Thailand and their advantages.
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is most famous for its beautiful beaches and water activities. Everyone who has visited this small city, with a population of just under 60,000 people, notes its peaceful atmosphere. There are fewer tourists than in other provinces, which makes it a perfect place to relax and enjoy the silence and privacy.
Hua Hin.Photo: Ian Gratton
Hua Hin hosts the current summer residence of the King of Thailand, so the security level is at a good level here. The safety indexes are quite high in general.
- The overall crime rate is at 33.73% and the safety level is 64.18%, respectively.
- The safety index of moving around the city alone in the daytime is 78.92%, while the same index for the night time is a bit lower, 63.77%.
Of course, this is not official data. The rate is based on a public
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand, located near Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai is less popular with tourists. Most people come here on a one-day tour, so noisy crowds of people will not disturb you from relaxing.
Chiang Rai.Photo: Peter Borter (Unsplash)
The population of Chiang Rai is not big either, there are just 136,000 residents. However, the security level is quite high — 85.72%.
Numbeo website users rated the ability to move around the city in both day and night time pretty highly: 97.22% and 97.44%, respectively.
Phang Nga
Speaking of the safest places in Thailand, it would be wrong not to mention Phang Nga, a town near Phuket. First of all, it is famous for the marine national park stretching over 400 square kilometres. Many tourists come to Thailand just to visit it. However, many people are also interested in the local islands, such as Khao Phing Kan, also known as James Bond Island. In 1974, it was one of the shooting locations of The Man with the Golden Gun. The island was the base of the main villain.
Phangnga.Photo: Erik Karits (Unsplash)
Tourists from all over the world come to Phang Nga to swim and dive. The safety level is one of the reasons why they choose Phang Nga, it is a very quiet, peaceful place.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a nice family island known to millions of people. It is much quieter than big cities, but boasts the same level of comfort and entertainment. Everyone is sure to find something to their taste in Koh Samui, from yoga and swimming to nightlife and dance clubs.
Koh Samui.Photo: Yavor Punchev (Unsplash)
On the whole, the crime rate in Samui is low. It's slightly over 30%.
However, drugs are quite a big issue on the island, so pay attention to the people around you.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is one of the most ancient Thai cities. Located near Bangkok, it lacks the capital's hustle and bustle.
Ayutthaya.Photo: Alice (Unsplash)
In ancient times, Ayutthaya was a real metropolis with a population of over 1,000,000 people. Today, there are barely 100,000 local residents.
It was once the residence of more than 30 Thai kings, so now you can visit three royal palaces: the Grand Palace, the Chandra Kasem Palace, and the Wang Lang Palace.
Other sights of Ayutthaya include the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple and one of the largest Buddha monuments in the country.
Ayutthaya has two parts: the modern one and the ancient one. The former has many hotels, shops, and other facilities, while the latter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sights mentioned as well as the current royal palace in Ayutthaya bring special attention to the place, in terms of safety, too. So, the city is very peaceful and quiet.
Udon Thani
Udon Thani is another safe place in Thailand on our list. One of the reasons for this is the lack of tourists here. This may even be an advantage. Apart from a high level of safety, Udon Thani boasts affordable real estate for renting or buying.
Udon Thani.Photo: Stefan Fussan
Udon Thani is a typical small Thai town with low-rise buildings and many motorbikes. There are not many sights in the town, but there are some in the nearby areas. For instance, you may visit the Prajak Lake, the beautiful Nong Prajak Park, the Thai-Chinese Cultural Centre, the town museum, or the Red Lotus Lake.
We decided to include this location on our list based on its security level. It is at 77.41%. Numbeo users voted that it is quite safe to walk in Udon Thani alone during the day. This figure is at 80.56%. The index of going around the town at night time is a bit lower, 66.67%.
Safety Measures to Follow in Thailand
Obviously, you still have to be careful in Thailand. Here are some tips to follow.
- Stay up to date. Reading news on holiday does not feel very relaxing, but do not ignore local events, especially if you stay in Bangkok or other big cities. Check the news not to miss major political protests and government responses. The protests do not happen often, but they can be unpredictable.
- Take precautions when crossing the border of Thailand and Cambodia. Tourists love going there, but this is not the safest destination.
- Keep an eye on your belongings. Do not leave them unattended on the beach or in your hotel room. Put money and other valuables in a safe box.
- Check all online transactions. Malaysia, Thailand's neighbouring country, is considered to be a centre of credit card fraud. This is not as big of an issue in Thailand, but you should stay alert. Use credit cards only in places you trust and do not go to unknown banks.
- Avoid fraud with public transport. Local tuk-tuk drivers often take tourists on a long route to charge them more. If you do not want to be part of this scheme, work with respectable companies and guides.
- Carefully select cafes and restaurants. Do not avoid local street food, but choose it wisely. For instance, a good sign is seeing many locals queuing to eat at a certain cafe. They usually know the safest, tastiest, and cheapest places. Remember to wash your hands, use sanitisers, and do not eat anything that has not been cooked in front of you.
A trip to Thailand will be more enjoy able if the tourist does not visit questionable establishments and does not leave his drinks unattended.
The Most Dangerous Areas in Thailand
There are some areas to avoid in Thailand if you are a tourist. For example, be extra careful when visiting Preah Vihear Temple. Although this place is popular with tourists, it is the subject of a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
Other areas to steer clear of are the three southernmost provinces in Thailand: Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. These are areas with strong separatist movements and many armed attacks.
In a Nutshell
In general, Thailand is a very safe country. Based on a public survey of users and a complex calculation system, the Numbeo website estimates the Thai security level at 61.78%. However, the figures differ a lot in various provinces. Some places are more dangerous than others.
If you are looking for a calm and peaceful atmosphere, avoid popular tourist areas, big islands, and cities. The best places to visit are Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phang Nga, Hua Hin, and others.
On the whole, Thailand is not dangerous, but it is always a good idea to follow basic safety measures.
Cover photo: Steven Wilcox (Unsplash)
