Is Thailand safe? The travel advice, and the numbers to call
What the UK and Canada advise, where travellers run into trouble, and the numbers to call.
By the Local SIM Thailand team, checked October 2, 2026
The short answer
Both the UK and Canada advise care in Thailand. Canada's level is exercise a high degree of caution, due to ongoing political tensions, and the UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of the far south and within 20 km of the Cambodian border. In the tourist areas the common risk is petty theft. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
- Canada's level: exercise a high degree of caution, due to ongoing political tensions.
- Regional warnings: the UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of the far south near Malaysia and within 20 km of the Cambodian border.
- The common risk: petty theft and bag-snatching in tourist areas; keep bags and phones secure.
- Roads: accidents are frequent, motorbike crashes cause most road deaths, and helmets are required.
- Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance, 199 fire, 1155 tourist police.
Checked October 2, 2026
What the advice says
Petty crime
- The advice
- Common in tourist areas and on transport; bag-snatchers often work from motorbikes, so keep bags on the side away from traffic.
Roads
- The advice
- Traffic accidents are extremely frequent; motorcycle crashes are responsible for most road deaths, and helmets are required by law.
Water
- The advice
- Riptides have caused drownings, and jellyfish appear in the rainy season; follow the flag system and local advice.
Regional
- The advice
- The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of the far south near Malaysia and within 20 km of the Cambodia border; check the maps before routing.
Where travellers run into trouble
Bag-snatching
Thieves on motorbikes snatch bags and phones; keep them on the side away from the traffic, and take care in open transport like tuk-tuks.
Nights out
Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are reported; keep your drinks in sight, buy your own, and seek medical help if you feel unwell.
Taxis and rentals
Use licensed taxis, an official stand or a ride app, and never leave your passport as a rental deposit.
The bottom line
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Is Thailand safe for travellers?
The official advice is to take normal care: Canada's level is exercise a high degree of caution because of political tensions, and the far south carries stronger warnings. In tourist areas, petty theft is the common issue; keep bags and phones secure, use licensed transport, and save the emergency numbers.
Which parts of Thailand should I avoid?
The UK advises against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla in the far south, and to within 20 km of the Cambodian border, where crossings are suspended; Canada advises against all travel to the border area and those southern provinces.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from.
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