Thailand is one of the safest-feeling countries I’ve traveled to in Asia. In fact, the “Safety Index” rating for Thailand is ~61/100. That’s better than many western countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., Ireland, and France.
However, Thailand still has some safety issues—including one category in which it ranks as the #1 most dangerous country in the world (I’ll address that below). And when you consider everything, some cities are definitely safer than others.
So today, let’s look at the main safety issues for foreigners in Thailand. Then I’ll share 7 cities that are generally safe and loved by many expats. Lastly, I’ll talk about the areas you should probably avoid in Thailand.
Biggest Safety Concerns in Thailand
In my experience, and from my research as well, Thailand is remarkably safe overall. Compared to the other low-cost countries of SE Asia, it seems to be the safest.
Referring to that “Safety Index” ranking again, Thailand is ranked above Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The only place in SE Asia with a higher ranking would be Singapore (which is way more expensive).
Compared to Vietnam, Thailand seems to have less petty theft. Compared to the Philippines, Thailand has far less exposure to destructive typhoons and tropical storms.
But let’s look at some safety concerns that do exist in Thailand:
- Traffic Safety. This is the big one. Based on 2016 data, Thailand has the #1 traffic death rate in the world. This is why I personally do not advise foreigners to drive in Thailand, but rather, ride with experienced Thai drivers via taxis or an app like Grab. Even then, riding Grab Bikes with no helmet, there is risk involved.
- Bag snatching, pickpockets, and petty theft. Thailand seems to have less of this than most developing countries—but I’ve still heard stories of motorbike thieves snatching bags or phones in Thailand. It does happen.
- Sexual safety. Thailand is known for its crazy nightlife. But when a lot of strangers are having casual sex, paying for sex, and the like, there can be high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In one study, ~20% of female sex workers in Bangkok were tested as HIV positive.
- Air quality. Some parts of Thailand have really bad air quality for parts of the year. Once in Bangkok I experienced this myself, with government advisories being issued to stay at home. The worst air quality experienced by expats is usually in Chiang Mai during “the burning season.” More on that below.
- Civil unrest in southern states. Thailand doesn’t have a lot of terrorism or political conflict. That said, the US Travel Advisory to Thailand does have a Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) warning for the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. More on this below in “places to avoid.”
While it’s worth being mindful of all these concerns, remember that every country has safety risks. On balance, Thailand is a safe place. So now, let’s look at 7 of the safest cities that are loved by foreigners in Thailand.
Disclaimer: The following list excludes many of the islands, like Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Lanta, which are popular but lacking in safety data besides personal anecdotes. Also, the data for less popular cities on this list (like Udon Thani) is based on a smaller data pool and may be less precise.
1. Ko Samui
The Safety Index rating for Ko Samui is ~66/100. For context, that’s 43% safer than London and 90% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Ko Samui is 10% safer than Bangkok, 38% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 78% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Ko Samui is one of the top island destinations in Thailand and Southeast Asia as a whole. If you live here, you’ll be living in a vacation paradise, potentially with beaches right outside your door.
All together, the Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look good for Ko Samiu:
- Level of Crime: 32/100 (Low)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 30/100 (Low)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 93/100 (Very High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 64/100 (High)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Good
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Great
2. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai had the second highest Safety Index rating of any city I checked in Thailand, at ~76/100. For context, that’s 65% safer than London and 124% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Chiang Mai is 27% safer than Bangkok, 58% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 105% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Chiang Mai is famous among digital nomads. It’s an affordable city surrounded by mountains in northern Thailand. It’s full of nice cafes and co-working spaces, perfect for working online and exploring Thai culture.
The Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look very good for Chiang Mai:
- Level of Crime: 18/100 (Very Low)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 17/100 (Very Low)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 94/100 (Very High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 79/100 (High)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Great
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Okay
However, if you want to live in Chiang Mai year-round, there is one big downside for safety and health. That would be the air quality.
For a few months every year, Chiang Mai’s air gets really bad. It’s called the burning season, as it’s caused by farmers burning crops. It usually starts in February, with the worst parts in March and April.
On some days during the burning season, the air quality index (AQI) reaches the 200 to 300 range (“Very Unhealthy”) in Chiang Mai.
Many foreigners’ response to the burning season is simply to leave Chiang Mai for those months. The other cities on this list are generally not affected by the burning season to any significant degree.
3. Hua Hin
The Safety Index rating for Hua Hin is ~64/100. For context, that’s 39% safer than London and 88% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Hua Hin is 7% safer than Bangkok, 33% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 73% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Hua Hin is a small city on the beach in Thailand. It has much less of a party vibe compared to Pattaya. It makes for a nice and relaxing place to settle in Thailand for many.
The Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look good for Hua Hin overall:
- Level of Crime: 34/100 (Low)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 29/100 (Low)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 79/100 (High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 63/100 (High)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Great
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Okay
4. Udon Thani
Udon Thai actually had the highest Safety Index rating of any Thai city I checked, at ~78/100. For context, that’s 70% safer than London and 129% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Udon Thani is 30% safer than Bangkok, 63% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 111% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
The reason I didn’t list Udon Thani higher on this list is because it’s not the most famous destination among foreigners. That said, it’s still one of the “Big Four” cities in Isaan, the northeastern part of Thailand.
Since it’s less popular with foreigners, you can find some great deals in Udon Thani for sure. Indeed, Numbeo says rent prices are ~75% cheaper in Udon Thani than in Bangkok.
The Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings are also top notch for Udon Thani:
- Level of Crime: 18/100 (Very Low)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 16/100 (Very Low)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 78/100 (High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 63/100 (High)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Good
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Good
Considering all this, Udon Thani seems like potentially a hidden gem of Thailand. Particularly if you want an authentic Thai destination with fewer tourists, and if you like smaller cities, it might be interesting to check out.
5. Bangkok
The Safety Index rating for Bangkok is ~60/100. For context, that’s 30% safer than London and 76% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Bangkok is 21% less safe than Chiang Mai, but still 25% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 62% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Bangkok is the New York City of Thailand, even nicknamed “The Big Mango” by some. For a city this large, it’s remarkably safe. I’ve stayed in Bangkok for over 6 months myself with no safety issues at all.
One time, a Thai woman told me that she would feel comfortable walking alone at night anywhere Bangkok. Of course, that’s just one woman’s perspective—I’m sure not all would agree. But I still think that speaks some to the safety in Bangkok.
Indeed, the Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look pretty good for Bangkok:
- Level of Crime: 40/100 (Moderate)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 37/100 (Low)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 79/100 (High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 56/100 (Moderate)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Good
- Food Safety: Good
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Great
6. Phuket
The Safety Index rating for Phuket is ~57/100. For context, that’s 24% safer than London and 68% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Phuket is 5% less safe than Bangkok, but still 19% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 54% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Phuket is the most popular island vacation destination in Thailand. You’ll be dazzled by the beautiful beach sunsets. Personally I’ve stayed over 3 months in Phuket, and I never felt unsafe.
Overall, the Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look decent for Phuket:
- Level of Crime: 44/100 (Moderate)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 43/100 (Moderate)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 81/100 (Very High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 61/100 (High)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good, too:
- Safety: Good
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Okay
7. Pattaya
The Safety Index rating for Pattaya is ~55/100. For context, that’s 20% safer than London and 62% safer than Chicago.
Compared to other cities in SE Asia: Pattaya is 8% less safe than Bangkok, but still 15% safer than Ho Chi Minh City, and 49% safer than Kuala Lumpur.
Pattaya is probably the craziest party city in Thailand. It’s been said that Pattaya doesn’t have a red-light district—Pattaya is a red-light district (like the whole city is). So, its safety ratings are actually kind of impressive, for that kind of city.
The Numbeo Crime and Safety Ratings look, well, moderate, for Pattaya:
- Level of Crime: 50/100 (Moderate)
- Worries about being mugged or robbed: 42/100 (Moderate)
- Safety walking alone during daylight: 77/100 (High)
- Safety walking alone during night: 54/100 (Moderate)
And the Nomad List Scores are pretty good:
- Safety: Great
- Food Safety: Bad
- Lack of Crime: Good
- Peace (No Political Conflict): Okay
- Traffic Safety: Bad
- Friendly to Foreigners: Great
Places to Avoid in Thailand
The only place I’d recommend avoiding in Thailand are the southern provinces of Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. The U.S. government has advised against travel to these states due to civil unrest with Muslim separatists in the area.
The provinces at risk include Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. As far as popular destinations, this area includes the city of Hat Yai.
Here is what the U.S. Travel Advisory to Thailand says about civil unrest in these provinces:
“Periodic violence directed mostly at Thai government interests by a domestic insurgency continues to affect security in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. In Songkhla, the insurgency is most active in the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawat, and Saba Yoi. U.S. citizens are at risk of death or injury due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in public places.” (source)
As with most places in the world that have terrorism or civil unrest, the majority of visitors and residents there will be fine. Issues like bombings, arson, and other public attacks are not everyday occurrences.
Realistically, the traffic deaths across Thailand are far more numerous than the terrorism deaths in these southern states.
That said, if you want to heed the government warnings, then I would avoid these southernmost provinces of Thailand, including the city of Hat Yai.
So, Is Thailand Safe For Foreigners?
Overall, Thailand is a very safe country for expats, digital nomads, and tourists alike. Compared to other countries in the region, it has less risk when it comes to natural disasters and political conflict, and even less petty theft.
As long as you use common sense, there are many safe, beautiful, affordable places to live in Thailand. Hopefully the above list has been useful as a jumping off point in your exploration of the Land of Smiles.