Known as the largest island in Thailand, Phuket is one of the favorite destinations for many tourists. This island has tons of spectacular mountains, rainforests, beaches, and other natural and manmade attractions. However, when visiting this island, one of your major concerns will probably be your safety.
Overall, Phuket is a safe island for both the locals and tourists. Although some locations are dangerous and must be avoided, most of the places in the city don’t pose any risk to people. Of course, everybody has to use common sense and take precautionary measures to prevent some safety issues.
Given this, if you are traveling to Phuket, you don’t have to be afraid or live in fear. The island is just as safe as many other popular holiday destinations around the world. Notably, you should also respect the Thai royal family and locals and don’t go against any rules for entering the temples and other places.
To help visitors navigate the city safely, we will shed more light on the safety of Phuket, Thailand.
Is Phuket Thailand Safe?
According to Holidify, Travel Safe, and many other platforms, Phuket is a safe destination to go. You can walk around the city without the fear of any issue as long as you are mindful of some important safety considerations. Tourists and locals in this well-known destination hardly experience any sort of safety challenges.
Based on the assistance of the locals in Phuket, Travel Safe has put together some safety concerns you should be aware of when you are on the island. These concerns are:
- Scams
When you are in Phuket, you should note that you can encounter different forms of scams. The majority of the scams are targeted at swindling tourists of their hard-earned money. The most common scams in Phuket are motorbike rental scams, tuk-tuk scams, Jet Ski rental scams, ping pong show scams, family help scams, gem scams, timeshare scams, etc.
Generally, you want to avoid being greedy when dealing with anyone as most of these scams capitalize on the victim’s greediness. Also, you must never follow anyone to places where you don’t know. In addition, don’t be convinced or talked into rendering any help that will hurt you.
- Pickpockets
Without mincing words, there are pickpockets in Phuket, but the risk is quite low if you are careful. Although these criminals can be found in many popular tourist centers on the island, it is usually difficult for them to operate. As long as you secure your belongings, none of them will be able to come close to you. Also, you need to stay vigilant when you are in any densely crowded location in the city of Phuket.
- Transport issues
Basically, transport issues are some of the common safety concerns in Phuket. Primarily, lots of taxi/tuk-tuk drivers will be looking for ways to scam you of your money. So, you should pay attention to this as you move from one place to another in Phuket.
Another transportation issue you can encounter in Phuket is an accident. Like many other places in Thailand, lots of drivers in Phuket are reckless and pay no attention to traffic laws. Therefore, if you are going to drive a car or ride a bike on the island, you need to be extra careful to avoid becoming victims of accidents.
- Natural disasters
When traveling to Phuket, you should be aware of the possibility of some natural disasters. Generally, the island has low risks of severe storms, tsunamis, and rare earthquakes. Notably, these things may not be experienced for several years. While you should know about these natural disasters, it is very unlikely that you will encounter them regardless of how long you stay in Phuket during your tourist visit.
Is it safe to walk at night in Phuket?
The answer to this question depends on the specific areas you want to walk at night. In many areas of Phuket, it is safe to walk at night as there are no security concerns. However, other areas can be menaces when it is dark, so you need to be quite cautious with walking around at night.
Like other places, most criminals like operating at night, and Phuket is not an exception. Don’t walk around back and dark streets and alleys at night, especially if you are alone or with just one person. Be vigilant and avoid any circumstances that may lead to safety issues for you.
Is Phuket safe for girls?
According to Travel Medium, Phuket is a relatively safe place for girls/women. In general, the majority of Thai men respect women a lot. As a result of this, no one will harass you because of your mere presence or dressing.
Also, it is unlikely that anyone will give you any unpleasant attention throughout your stay in Phuket. However, you may receive amorous approaches which you can rebuff without any issue. Besides, women are not usually the victims of violent crimes in the city. Therefore, women can walk around freely on the island without any fear.
Nevertheless, Worldnomads.com notes that two security threats are targeted at girls on the island of Phuket.
- Drink spiking
The first threat is drink spiking. There are reports that some locals often slip sedatives into the drinks of unsuspecting female tourists. This usually happens at nightclubs and bars. Therefore, if you are going to nightclubs and bars, you must keep your eyes on your drinks.
- Scams
The second safety concern is a form of scam. Many criminals in Phuket target victims who may not react to crime with violence or anger. As a result of this, girls are usually some of the major victims. To prevent any issue, you should avoid areas known for violence and crimes on the island.
What places to avoid in Thailand?
It is worthwhile to understand that every country in the world has some security/safety concerns, and Thailand is not different. Although the country is generally safe for locals and tourists, some locations in Thailand are notorious for criminal activities and other social vices.
In view of this, we will suggest that you avoid the following places in Thailand:
Pattaya
While Pattaya is a relatively developed location in the Land of Smiles, the city has been burdened with sex workers and sex activities. Basically, Pattaya is considered the sex capital of Thailand. So, if you are traveling to Thailand with your loved ones or just want to explore the country without any sexual disturbances, you need to avoid Pattaya like a plague.
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is undoubtedly one of the most visited destinations in Thailand. This beautiful island has tons of natural attractions that have continued to bring more people to it. However, it is worthwhile to note that Phi Phi Island is notorious for a waste disposal issue. This particular problem has led to air pollution which is a major source of health issues for lots of individuals.
Therefore, if you don’t want to be exposed to pollutants, it is crucial to avoid Koh Phi Phi.
Khao San Road in Bangkok
According to the readers of Southeast Asia Backpacker, Khao San Road is one of the worst locations to visit/stay in the whole of Southeast Asia. This ghetto in Bangkok is famous for its cheap accommodation, food, Thai massage, etc., it is brash, dirty, loud, and ugly. As a tourist, you can visit Khao San Road during the day, but you should never stay in or around it.
Some areas in South Thailand
Terrorisms and other related incidents have plagued some areas in South Thailand. Therefore, when you are in Thailand, you are advised to avoid going to the Deep South. Some of the most notorious areas in South Thailand for insurgency include Yala Province, Pattani Province, and Narathiwat Province.
While the insurgent incidents were sporadic, they led to the deaths and injuries of scores of individuals. In May 2017, a shopping mall was bombed in Pattani which injured more than 50 adults and children. In addition, tons of teachers and policemen have been assassinated in the region.
If you are a tourist, you are unlikely to be the target of the assassination or bombing. However, to stay safe during your stay in Thailand, you should avoid visiting the deep southern part of the country.
Some parts of Phuket
As mentioned earlier, Phuket is safe, but some places are hubs of crimes. According to Holidify, these are the places to avoid or be cautious of when you are in Phuket:
- Patong
Patong is a popular location in Phuket. Although you don’t necessarily need to avoid the area, you should be extra cautious when you are there. This is because it is filled with lots of illegal sex workers, rowdy crowds, scammers, drunk locals, etc. Since the area is rough, you are advised to avoid staying in Patong.
- Ko Rang Yai
When you are on Rang Yai Island, there are loads of things you can do. Unfortunately, mosquitos, sand flies, and other dangerous insects have turned this island into their home. Consequently, you can come down with dengue fever, malaria, etc. if you are exposed to these insects in Koh Rang Yai. These diseases can mar your whole experience in Phuket and Thailand. Therefore, you should not go to Rang Yai Island.
- Kata Viewpoint at night
During the day, Kata Viewpoint is a nice place to visit to have fun and view other areas on the island. However, once it is dark, you should realize that it is a risky place to be. It is often patronized by pickpockets, scammers, and sexual offenders, so you should avoid this area at night.
- Chian Wa
Dirty, slummy, and tacky are the right words for describing Chian Wa. Due to the nature of this area, it is a common location to find lots of pickpockets, thieves, and other criminals. Therefore, if you don’t want to lose your belongings to these notorious criminals, you should not go to Chian Wa during your visit to Phuket.
- Saphan Hin
Saphan Hin is found in southern Phuket and is infamous for being the hub of many gangs and criminals. Whenever these gangs are fighting, Saphan Hin is often a bloody place for anyone. If you are truly concerned about your safety in Phuket, you should never visit Saphan Hin.
Even though we cannot avoid you to avoid Phuket City Market, roads, and nightlife areas, you should be careful whenever you are there. Criminals are often found in nightlife areas and markets, so be cautious. The roads, on the other hand, usually witness reckless driving. So, be careful when standing beside the road or trying to cross the road on foot. When driving, you should also be careful.
Is Phuket safe to visit in 2022 in regards to Covid-19?
Today, the world is still dealing with the menace of Covid-19. Therefore, it is normal for you to be bothered about the safety of Phuket concerning the coronavirus pandemic. Thailand is still open to tourists from different parts of the world. However, some restrictions must be observed by tourists and locals to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
So, if you are going to Phuket or other areas of Thailand in 2022 and beyond, you should be ready to deal with these restrictions. Also, you may need to observe some days of quarantine, show your proof of vaccination, etc. Furthermore, the US Government has also advised travelers to be vaccinated before traveling to Thailand or other countries for holidays or other purposes.
In addition, you should observe all the precautionary measures for preventing the spread of Covid-19. In other words, you should always wear a face mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands regularly, etc.
Conclusion
If you want to visit Phuket, you should not be afraid as the place is generally safe. But like other places around the world, you should be cautious and avoid areas notorious for crimes. Besides, do your research to know safety concerns associated with Phuket and other places in Thailand.
