Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for decades, with countless visitors drawn to explore the exotic jungles, breathtaking beaches, and exciting culture.
While there are dangers to traveling there, the crime rate throughout Thailand is fairly low.
Most recent statistics put the country’s overall crime rate at 4.90 per 100,000 residents.
These safest cities in Thailand offer the chance to explore beautiful and family-friendly locations throughout the country.
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10 Safest Cities in Thailand
1. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a popular tourist destination in Thailand thanks to its beautiful scenery, rich culture, fun things to do, and low crime rate.
The city’s population is roughly 127,240 — 40,000 of which are citizens from outside the country.
Though Chiang Mai is a large city, it feels small and intimate.
There are many museums, restaurants, stores, and nightlife opportunities.
The lower crime rates and abundant entertainment have made it a popular alternative to larger cities such as Bangkok and Phuket.
Chiang Mai has an overall safety rating of 76.31, and the biggest threat is air pollution.
2. Phang Nga
Phang Nga is located nearby Phuket and is a popular tourist attraction because of its stunning national parks, underwater caves, islets, and bay.
Visitors come from all over the world to swim and dive here.
This city is quiet and nature-oriented, featuring several national parks that protect rare and endangered birds and other wildlife.
Phang Nga is an extremely safe city, though visitors should be aware of the danger of road traffic and pickpockets.
Similarly, be aware of strangers who may try to pull scams such as offering to bring you to a certain place of business in exchange for a commission.
3. Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a quiet, pleasant city in northern Thailand, nestled in the mountains.
It is surrounded by nature, and you’ll find beautiful forests, waterfalls, and scenic views across the hills.
While there isn’t a lot of shopping or nightlife, Chiang Rai is considered a pleasant retreat where you can enjoy nature, religious shrines, and markets.
The nearby mountains offer a cool breeze and crime rates are low.
Though official estimates are not widely available, the city has an overall safety index of 85.58, with equally low rates of petty crimes and scams.
4. Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a pleasant, family-friendly island that offers a lovely and safe tourist experience.
It is significantly quieter than many of the major cities but includes plenty of modern amenities and comforts.
You will find plenty to do here, from swimming and yoga to shopping and dining.
Outdoor sports are popular here, including spelunking and snorkeling.
While crime rates are low, Koh Samui does have a drug culture, and drug-related crimes do happen.
Theft is also one of the more common problems, so be aware of your surroundings.
However, daytime crime rates in Koh Samui are 91.67 percent.
5. Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is located north of Bangkok.
This family-friendly city is a wonderful combination of urban and rural experiences.
From here, you can easily access many of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions, including caves and jungles.
You will find tourists enjoying local hiking, birdwatching, and boating throughout the year.
The city is also home to some wonderful historical attractions, including spots you may recognize from the film Bridge on the River Kwai.
Additionally, the crime rate in Kanchanaburi is quite low, and the city may be one of the safest in Thailand.
6. Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a beach resort that is just south of Bangkok.
Despite its beauty and popularity with local residents, you are unlikely to find too much tourist activity here.
The beaches are clean and beautiful and the whole city enjoys a reputation as a vacation spot for people of all kinds.
In fact, the Thai royal family once vacationed here! Local attractions are not limited to the pleasant beaches — you can also stroll the market and visit the nearby Monkey Mountain.
Crime rates are generally quite low, with petty theft and illegal drug use rating the highest.
7. Krabi
Krabi is a small beach town located on Thailand’s southwest coast.
While there are not the dining and nightlife options that you will find in bigger cities, this peaceful place is community-oriented and still has a lot to do.
Tourists come here from November to April for outdoor sports such as kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, and snorkeling.
Krabi is widely known as one of the safest places in Thailand, especially for tourists.
Though there is some danger of falling prey to a scam, rates of violent crime are extremely low and rarely affect visitors.
8. Bangkok
As Thailand’s capital city, there is plenty of crime that happens in Bangkok.
So why is it on our list of safe cities?
Because for most people, it is!
The community is extensive and diverse, which means women and people of different gender identities and sexual orientations are likely to find acceptance.
There is also plenty of cultures here, along with resources galore, from doctors and hospitals to community support.
So while there are some places in Bangkok you will not want to explore — and while you should always practice caution while traveling — the overall safety index falls at 59.62.
9. Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen is close to the border between Thailand and Laos.
This city has undergone extensive development in recent years, revitalizing the retail, lodging, and nightlife offerings.
These days, Khon Kaen is known far and wide as an excellent place to celebrate festivals.
It is also cleaner and more affordable than Bangkok.
Crime rates are low across the board, with an overall safety index of 72.06.
The most prevalent is the illegal drug trade, which is still quite low.
10. Pai
Pai is a city in northern Thailand, close to the Myanmar border.
This popular tourist spot is known for its beautiful natural vistas and natural hot springs.
There is also an enormous canyon nearby that is a popular place for hiking, as well as waterfalls galore.
Tourists also enjoy strolling through the local market.
Though official statistics aren’t widely available, this quiet, beautiful place is known for its extremely safe community.
As with many places throughout the country, you’ll find some illegal drug use, but violent crimes are essentially non-existent.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Thailand
1. Practice Safety in the Street
Drive-by thefts are becoming increasingly common in Thai cities.
This happens when thieves ride by on motorbikes or mopeds and snatch bags off of pedestrians.
To prevent this, walk further away from the street and keep your bag on your far shoulder.
Alternatively, wear a cross-body bag or a money belt.
2. Never Give Your Passport Away
This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but it is a common scam in Thailand.
Some places, including taxi services, car rentals, and bike shops, might claim that tourists need to leave their passports as insurance.
Many tourists have lost their passports this way, so keep yours on your person at all times.
3. Diversify Your Money
It’s a good idea to carry cash in Thailand for more reasons than one.
For one thing, you will not find bank cards accepted everywhere, especially in places like open-air markets.
But this also gives you another option if your card is missing or stolen, ensuring you have money on hand.
4. Don’t Display Valuables
Though it’s a good idea to carry cash in Thailand, do not display it in public.
Do not take out large wads of paper bills or let others glimpse the inside of your wallet.
Similarly, avoid wearing expensive jewelry or technology and stow your cell phone and other electronics on your person.
5. Stay With Others
Just as with any other country, it is better to stay in crowded areas in Thailand.
Do not explore abandoned streets, isolated alleys, or remote beaches, especially if you are traveling on your own.
While violent attacks are rare throughout the country, they do happen, so avoid making yourself an easy target.
Thailand Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Thailand Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Avoid in Thailand?
There are a few things to avoid in Thailand for your own safety.
Do not attempt to touch or interact with any exotic animals, including elephants and monkeys.
Avoid help from pushy or overly friendly strangers and do not accept any illegal drugs.
You should also make sure to be respectful of Thai culture and etiquette.
How Safe is Thailand for Female Tourists?
In general, Thailand is a safe place for female tourists, even those who are traveling on their own.
Like any other place, it is important to stay smart and be aware of your surroundings.
While women are unlikely to be catcalled or harassed in the street, it is a good idea to dress conservatively, as some Thai men see revealing clothing as an invitation.
What is the Most Dangerous City in Thailand?
The most dangerous areas in Thailand tend to be red light districts in larger cities such as Phuket, Bangkok, and Pattaya.
These tend to have high instances of illegal drug use and prostitution as well as sex trafficking.
Many drug dealers and sex workers target foreign tourists, so be aware of your surroundings.
Thailand offers a diverse and exciting travel experience, with low crime rates and beautiful destinations.
I’ve lived in Thailand for years and couldn’t agree more with this list. Safety is definitely a priority here.