Because security is also an essential factor to take into consideration before traveling to a foreign country, most solo travelers who haven’t been to Hua Hin often wonder if it is a safe city to be in. In this article, we will shed more light on this subject topic and also offer some precautionary measures and best practices to travel safely to Hua Hin.
Is it Safe to go to Hua Hin Alone?
According to most travelers who have been to Hua Hin, it is a safe place to be in, some say they weren’t aware of any danger throughout their stay, and some who traveled alone say they enjoyed their stay, engaged in the nightlife and always felt safe, however, they were cautious with the environment and took precautions to stay away from risks.
The crime rate in this resort town (Hua Hin) is very low, especially when compared to other bigger and major cities in Thailand. Lots of ex-pats who have lived in Hua Hin for many years say they’ve never been affected by crime and as such have always felt safe.
Because Hua Hin is also a holiday destination for royal families, police checkpoints are mounted in several locations whenever a royal family member is in town. There’s always enhanced security at this time and more reason for you to feel safe.
Aside from the security in Hua Hin, there are other things worth noting before dashing to the resort city as a foreigner or even a local. All of these things contribute greatly to the safety concerns in Hua Hin. Below are some of them.
Hua Hin Has Good Amenities
Being a very popular travel destination for tourists, Hua Hin has a lot to offer and great places to go to. People who find themselves there have the liberty of visiting night markets, golf courses, beaches, seafood restaurants, malls, parks, and enjoying the nightlife. All of these amenities and activities are very easy to access due to the city’s increase in tourism. This means that you get to meet like-minded individuals in Hua Hin as you begin to foster relationships.
A Lot of Expats Live in Hua Hin
Hua Hin is filled with foreigners who live and work there. If it wasn’t that safe there wouldn’t be a substantial amount of ex-pats in the city. This has also thought the locals how to live with and accept the difference in culture and lifestyle. Visiting and staying in Hua Hin isn’t that hard at all as you will be visiting a community with like-minded people which makes interactions and blending in easy.
The ex-pats in Hua Hin are from different parts of the world, with English being the most commonly spoken language among them. There are also ex-pats from non-English speaking countries, however, the majority of them choose the English language as their preferred method of communication.
Accessible Medical Centers
Hua Hin is home to three major hospitals and a handful of clinics. Two of these hospitals are privately owned and there are; San Paulo Hospital, and Bangkok hospital. The other is the Hua Hin Hospital which is run and managed by the government.
All of these hospitals can be easily accessed as they all have direct bus services en route to them, this allows quick access in cases of emergency without having to wait for a taxi. Furthermore, a substantial amount of the staff at these medical centers speaks good English which makes communication easy. So in terms of medical attention, Hua Hin is a great place to be as your medical needs will be attended to without stress.
Police Checkpoints
Hua Hin police force is your friend, they are ever-ready to attend to your security needs and offer assistance in every way possible. A handful of them speak really good English, but if you ever find yourself in a situation where language is a barrier to effective communication you can always find a tourist police to help you out.
The security in Hua Hin is tight, and not just whenever a royal family is in town, but because patrols are conducted by the Hua Hin police force 24/7. These police officers move around on motorcycles, in cruisers, and some on foot. There are also policemen in regular clothes always on the lookout to maintain order in public spaces and also at checkpoints, these checkpoints can be seen in almost every part of the city. Furthermore, regular inspections are carried out on the beach to maintain law and order, as well as ensure the safety of the people who go there.
Whenever festivals are held in Hua Hin, the traffic police department is always on duty, they set up checkpoints around the city for vehicles and motorcycles. They are usually after IDs and helmets inspection except for days when they have a particular agenda. You should be fine so long as stay legal and drive smart while on the road.
Although the emergency police number (191) is available to everyone, foreign visitors are recommended to reach out to Tourist Police for reports and other reasons for effective communication as they are fluent in the English language. The emergency number for the Tourist Police is 1155. Both of these emergency response numbers are available 24/7.
What are the Safety & Security Measures to Take When Visiting Hua Hin?
Because the crime rate in Hua Hin is extremely low, it does not rule out the possibility of being a victim of a crime or other unforeseen circumstances just as it is in every part of the world. Below are some precautionary measures to take when visiting Hua Hin, Thailand to ensure safety.
Safety and Security in Political Situations
In situations where you find yourself in Hua Hin when there is political unrest in Thailand, you are expected to avoid political gatherings and stay away from protests of any sort, marches, or demonstrations. Furthermore, criticism of Thailand’s monarchy is a crime and is punishable by long-time jail sentencing.
There are reports of foreigners as well as Thai locals who have been publicly charged for crimes such as sedition, defamation, and also computer crimes for making political comments, sharing content, and raising concerns online perceived as negatively portraying Thailand, individual accusations.
Being a Victim of Crime
If unfortunately, you become a victim of crime do endeavor to report it to the authorities before exiting the country for proper investigation. It would be in your best interest to note that way crime is being reported in Thailand is different from other countries. The victim of the crime can be identified and faced prosecution from the authorities for defamation.
Because pickpockets and bag snatching are very minimal in Hua Hin does not mean they do not exist. Always be on the lookout for bag snatchers and pickpockets whenever you find yourself in public spaces or using public transportation systems such as tuk-tuks. A safer approach would be to leave behind your valuables at your hotel or keep them out of sight and secure. Stay awake when in trains or buses to prevent missing items from your bag or purse.
Although tourists and travelers are rarely affected by violent crime which includes gun crime among others, one ought to take care when visiting unfamiliar destinations and avoid venturing into lonely or less visited areas, especially during sundown.
On no account should you hand over your IDs (like international passports) as collateral or guarantee to third parties in return for services, such scenarios are common with jet ski and motorcycle businesses, they are likely to seize passports against damages.
Date rapes and drink spiking is still a thing and can happen anywhere, especially in tourist destinations. Both females and males can be victims of such crimes and as such one should be careful when in bars and festivals. Do not collect open drinks from strangers or leave yours ignored. Drugs and alcohol consumption can lead to being less vigilant, and not minding your environment which can result in robbery, accidents, injuries, and misplaced important travel IDs or documents.
Safety Measures When Traveling by Air
When traveling to Hua Hin or any other part of the world by air, it would be in your best interest to seek advice on the safety of your choice of airline. To do so you can visit the official website of the International Air Transport Association to see the list of qualified airlines that have been examined and met the operational safety criteria and best practices. However, this is not an all-inclusive list and as such it does not necessarily mean that airlines you can’t find there are not safe. You can also check the website of the Aviation Safety network for a list of accidents and incidents that have taken place recently with these airlines.
Safety Measures When Traveling by Road
Thailand is one of the countries with the highest amount of road traffic accidents. According to World Health Organization, the country accounts for the world’s deadliest fatalities in motorcycle accidents, with over 5,500 deaths yearly. Although Thai law demands the use of helmets when riding motorcycles the majority of motorcyclists do ride without one, so whenever you are in Hua Hin and you decide to use a motorcycle always request a helmet.
Thai law demands having the appropriate license and insurance for different types of vehicles. Riding a motorcycle or driving a car in Hua Hin will require having these documents with you at all times so as not to be found wanting in the eyes of the law. If you have a driving license belonging to your home country you’re expected to have an international driving permit.
Riding a bike without a helmet in Thailand is reckless, driving a car or riding a motorcycle without proper documentation is breaking the law, and if eventually, you sustain any injury or accident your travel insurance may become invalid. Furthermore, if you engage in overnight coach traveling and you aren’t certain about the safety of the transportation provider do seek advice from the locals.
It would also be in your best interest to inspect the lease agreement as well as ensure you are covered by your travel insurance when hiring a car in Hua Hin. Also, the majority of scooters or motorcycles for hire in Hua Hin are often not registered and as such aren’t public-road worthy. Again, do not under any circumstances offer your passport as a guarantee for renting and returning a scooter or motorcycle. You can also find quad-bikes for hire in Hua Hin, do be advised that these bikes can be dangerous and aren’t allowed by law to drive on the roads.
Safety Measures When Traveling by Train
Traveling to Hua Hin by train from Bangkok can be fun, especially for first-timers. Your arrival destination would be the historic and elegant train station situated in the heart of the Hua Hin town center. Before boarding a train to Hua Hin, take a minute to make inquiries about the safety of the train station as reports indicates there are several train derailments in Thailand with some resulting in injuries and even deaths.
Safety Measures When Traveling by Water to Hua Hin
You can find many passenger boat services to Hua Hin from other cities in Thailand, especially from Koh Samui Thani, and Pattaya. As much as this could be a fun-filled journey, it is also not free of fatalities. Always make sure the ferry or boat you are boarding is not overloaded or poorly maintained. If possible avoid traveling by water during the monsoon season as the sea will be extra wavy during this period.
Be cautious when visiting Hua Hin during the festival season, especially for festivals like the full moon party. Speed boat services are usually overloaded during this period those from Koh Phangan boat terminals. Take extra care or avoid traveling on overloaded or poorly maintained vessels, or when the sea condition is rough. Endeavor to check the weather conditions of the area before traveling and also ensure live jackets are provided.
Safety Measures When Engaging in Swimming & Adventurous Activities in Hua Hin
Before engaging in activities while in Hua Hin, endeavor to ensure the company or service provider is using the most up-to-date safety features and equipment as some of these activities can be dangerous and could lead to serious fatalities. If you must go to a zoo, make sure the one you are visiting has handlers who have absolute control over the animals as there are reports of tourists being seriously injured.
If you find yourself in Hua Hin during the monsoon season, take extra care or avoid swimming in coastal regions. Reports indicate that a handful of persons have drowned in Hua Hin during strong riptides. Such casualties have been also been seen in areas such as Pattaya, Koh Chang, Cha-am, Rayong, and Phuket. Such casualties can be avoided by only swimming on approved beaches, being on the lookout for red flags, complying with warning signs, and listening to the local weather forecast.
During the rainy season is when jellyfishes do swim close to the shore, be careful when swimming as their sting has countless times proven to be very fatal. If you are not sure of the best times to go swimming during the rainy season do seek advice from local dive centers and hotel managers. Also, take extreme caution when diving, kayaking, white water rafting, or swimming in rivers with proximity to waterfalls during rainy seasons as the water currents can be extremely high.
With all of these safety measures in mind, Hua Hin is a great travel destination even for a solo traveler, there are lots of fun-filled activities to engage in to make your trip a memorable one.
Conclusion
Hua Hin is absolutely a safe travel destination for solo backpackers. Being a town that depends on tourism for economic growth, the safety of tourist travelers is a priority to the authorities. There are about two emergency response numbers that are functional around the clock should in case you run into some difficulties or life-threatening situations, although it is advisable to always reach out to the tourist police for such situations and they do understand and speak good English.
There would be no need to worry about insecurities if you intend to travel to Hua Hin during the festive season, this is because the Hua Hin Police officers set up checkpoints at several intervals and also send out other officers into the masses to tighten the security in Hua Hin.
Because Hua Hin is generally a safe place to be, it does not warrant wandering off without proper caution. It would be wise to note that just as it is with other major cities in Thailand and the rest of the world there are traces of crimes such as petty theft, pickpocketing, rape, etc and as such on no account should you let your guard down. The above-mentioned safety measures should always be adhered to.
