How Safe Is Traveling in Thailand?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask, what you plan to do when you get there, and the precautions you’re willing to take while you travel. Some of the advice that you would give to a friend traveling in any U.S. city, including yours, would be the same advice you would follow when traveling around Thailand.

As is so often the case, some of your biggest fears—the threat of terrorism, for instance, or street crime—might be greater than your fear of crossing the road when the latter, statistically, would be a much more realistic threat.

Key Takeaways

• Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.
• Pedestrians don’t have the right of way—on busy intersections—without traffic lights, traffic is often controlled by the traffic police.
• Thailand has lots of fun activities to offer apart from spending lazy days on the beach.
• It’s a serious offense to defame, insult, threaten, or defile any image of the Thai royal family.
• Thailand will be safe as long as you exercise the kinds of cautions that are necessary anywhere in the world.

Informing Yourself Before You Travel

The State Department is one of the best and most thorough sources of information on how safe it is to travel to Thailand. It issues Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings for the parts of the world that pose any perceived threat to citizens traveling there.

As of July 24, 2023, the State Department issued a:

• Level 1 travel advisory to Thailand as a whole. This means that travelers should exercise normal precautions.
• Level 3 for the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. This means that travelers should reconsider travel to these areas because of civil unrest and violence largely directed at Thai government officials. Areas of particular interest include Chana, Thepha, Nathawat, and Saba Yoi.

Any U.S. traveler in Thailand can get in touch with the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy:

• In Person: 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok
• By Phone: +66-2-205-4000
• By Email: acsbkk@state.gov

The American Citizen Services Unit in Bangkok also had an X (formerly Twitter) account, @acsbkk, but it was deactivated in October 2024.

Important

Travel Alerts are meant for short-term threats such as demonstrations or health-related events; Travel Warnings are for more serious threats such as terrorist attacks or civil wars. Click here for a U.S. Embassy and Consulate warning. Read the Country Specific Information for Thailand.

Some Firsthand Observations

Amy Rinehart, a 28-year-old American who lived and worked in Bangkok for two years, says that she felt absolutely safe on the streets of that country wherever she went, including “the mountains in the north, the beautiful beaches in the south and even in the organized chaos that is the capital city of Bangkok.”

Just after Rinehart arrived, the military staged a coup in Thailand. She says that she hardly noticed: “In one part of Bangkok, there were military police everywhere; two stops away on the Skytrain, you wouldn’t know anything was going on. The Thais are used to coups.”

And that’s not just the opinion of young travelers. Jennifer Stevens, executive editor of International Living, knows the older market, specifically folks considering retiring in Thailand. According to Stevens, “We feel very comfortable sending our readers to the parts of Thailand we recommend for retirement living. Places like Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Phuket, for instance, we feel are quite safe. Thousands of expats living in Thailand are at once very happy there and indifferent to the political situation.”

The advice she’d give to travelers to Thailand, she says, is the same she would give to someone going to Rome: Don’t stay out late in seedy parts of town, don’t carry all your money and your passport on your person, etc. Some of the more likely dangers of traveling in Thailand are the traffic, local laws that are difficult for U.S. travelers to understand, and the risks inherent in the country’s many outdoor activities.

The Traffic

“Pedestrians don’t have the right of way in Thailand,” says Rinehart, “and motorcycles, the most popular means of transport, weave in and out of traffic at a dizzying rate.”

According to information passed on to us by Kathleen Peddicord, founder and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, the combination of heavy traffic and inebriated drivers in some areas, like Phuket, poses a real threat.

And, “from a foreigner’s perspective,” she says, “the main ‘danger’ is being overcharged by tuk-tuks (three-wheeled motor-powered bikes); metered taxis are a safer alternative.”

Outdoor Adventures

From zip lining to hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and diving, visitors to Thailand can choose from a dizzying array of outdoor sports. Which they should, says Rinehart—but not without exercising some caution.

Some of the safety features of the sponsored adventures may not be quite up to the standards that U.S. folks are used to seeing. For instance, equipment may not be as safe, and first aid capabilities may not be all that great.

“Just do a little digging before you sign on,” Rinehart says.

Note

If you want to hunt around for cheap goodies, stick to the markets or bargain shopping malls such as MBK and avoid the brand names.

Watch What You Say About the Royal Family

For travelers from the U.S. who are used to the First Amendment of this country, it is difficult to comprehend how dire the results can be if you are accused by a Thai court of saying something that insults the royal family. In 2024, a man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for social media posts deemed damaging to the king.

How Safe Is It to Travel to Thailand?

Thailand is a relatively safe country to travel to, according to the State Department. According to the agency’s website, travelers should take normal precautions when they visit the country on an overall basis. But there are certain areas that visitors may want to avoid. As of July 2023, the State Department suggests that travelers reconsider visiting the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla because of civil unrest.

Should I Register with the State Department If I’m Traveling to Thailand?

You should register with the State Department if you travel to Thailand or any other location. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with details of your trip. Doing so is free and voluntary, and can help the agency locate you when you need assistance in case of emergency. You can also register if you ever decide to live abroad.

Can I Use U.S. Currency While Traveling in Thailand?

Yes, you can use U.S. dollars while traveling in Thailand. You may also decide to use the national currency, the Thai baht, during your travels. Most merchants, including hotels, restaurants, retailers, and airlines, use major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. You can also use your debit card to withdraw cash, which will be in the local currency. Check with your card issuer if there are any fees associated with foreign transactions. Keep in mind there may be fees and additional charges if you use your card at automated teller machines (ATMs) in Thailand.

The Bottom Line

Be especially alert and careful, but the odds are that your trip to Thailand will be safe as long as you exercise the kinds of caution that are necessary anywhere in the world. Heed the warnings of the U.S. Department of State.

Sign up with the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that the embassy or nearest consulate knows where to send you up-to-the-minute safety reports for Thailand, how to contact you if necessary, and so that it can help your family and friends get in touch with you in case of an emergency.

Thailand has a lot to offer travelers, no matter your budget. You can backpack Thailand on a limited budget, or you can live the luxurious travel life in fancy resorts on the beach.