Is Phuket Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you planning to travel to or live in Phuket and wondering how safe the city is?

In short, Phuket is a pretty safe place. The majority of people who visit Phuket never get into any trouble. Many even say that Phuket feels safer than their home country in the West.

However, that doesn’t mean you can visit Phuket without any concerns. There are a few safety issues, especially related to the road and the sea, that can be life-threatening if you’re not careful. Here’s a good news: these risks can be easily avoided.

In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about safety in Phuket: what to watch out for, the biggest threats, and how to stay safe while enjoying your time here.

Safety Overview

Phuket is generally a very safe city to visit and live in.

According to Numbeo, Phuket has a Safety Index of 60.00, which is considered high. This means it’s still safe to walk alone at night, even for a woman traveling alone.

Around ten million people visit Phuket every year. This shows how safe the city can be.

The two biggest safety concerns in Phuket are:

• Riding a motorbike: Many people have serious motorcycle crashes in Phuket. Some accidents even lead to death
• Rough sea conditions: On a bad day, the sea can be rough, and news about boats sinking is often heard

Other than that, crime rates are low. Petty theft, like pickpocketing, is uncommon but can occur in crowded areas.

More details can be found below.

Riding a Motorbike in Phuket 

In my opinion, riding a motorbike is the biggest safety concern in Phuket, and I strongly do not recommend you ride a motorbike here unless you are an experienced driver due to many reasons:

• Traffic in Phuket is heavy almost all the time, especially in city areas
• Phuket is hilly. Many roads are narrow, curvy, and steep
• Since Phuket rains a lot, roads can be slippery
• Driving regulations are not well respected. Many people don’t care much about the right of way
• There are many inexperienced drivers. Remember, Phuket is one of the most visited countries in the world with around 10 million visitors each year. (Source: Wikipedia)

Because of these reasons, there are reports of fatal accidents, many leading to death, from motorcycle crashes almost every month. And most of the time, it’s from tourist drivers.

Therefore, while renting a motorbike is a very affordable and convenient way to get around Phuket, it should only be an option for experienced riders.

Safety tips if you want to ride a motorbike in Phuket

• Always wear a helmet, even for short rides
  
• Avoid riding during or right after heavy rain
  
• Study the route well. Certain routes, such as to Patong or Kata Beach, can be hilly with sharp curves, making it a challenge to ride
  
• If you need to ride inside a small soi, watch out for street dogs. They may chase you by surprise
  
• Get a proper license. I’ve heard many stories of people who had an accident here but their insurance wouldn’t pay because they didn’t have a license

One more thing: If you plan to ride a motorbike, make sure you have travel insurance that actually covers riding one. Many plans don’t. Genki Traveler does, as long as you follow local laws and wear a helmet. You can check it out here.

Related article: My Motorbike Accident in Thailand: Experiences and Lessons Learned

How’s about driving a car?

It’s quite safe to drive a car in Phuket. While there are some road accidents, in many cases, they’re just minor since traffic in Phuket moves slowly.

Find out more: Driving in Thailand: Rules, Regulations, and How to Drive Safely

Sea Safety

Phuket is a beach paradise. Most people come to Phuket to enjoy their lives by the beach. In general, it’s quite safe. But there are certain safety reasons you should be aware of.

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Rough Sea

Another big safety threat in Phuket is the sea during monsoon season. From around May to October, rough seas and strong winds are common. If you come to Phuket during this time of the year or when the sea is rough, there are a few things you should be especially careful about:

• Avoid a boat trip, especially on a small boat, even if the boat’s captain tells you it’s good to go. While it’s not common, accidents still happen a few times every year. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry
• Avoid sea activities, even if it’s just simple swimming
• Don’t go into the sea at night at all costs, even on a calm day
  

Jet Ski

One of the most well-known scams in Phuket involves jet ski rentals. Sometimes, it’s hard to say that it’s a scam. Based on my observation, there are two main problems when renting a jet ski:

• You use too much fuel
• You damage the jet ski

Other than that, it’s normally fine. However, there are some reports about “fake scratches” that were already there but hidden underwater or covered with water-soluble paint that washes off during use. Then, they demand an excessive amount of money for “repairs.” It doesn’t always happen, but it’s something you should be aware of, as it still exists.

Here are a few tips to protect yourself if you still want to rent a jet ski in Phuket:

• Take clear photos or a video of the entire jet ski before using it, including the underside if possible
• Ask clearly about fuel, time limits, and what the process is when returning the jet ski
• Never hand over your passport, hotel key, or valuable items as a deposit
• If there’s a dispute, involve the Tourist Police (dial 1155). They’re generally helpful in these cases
  

Tip: Before renting a jet ski, you can observe the jet ski operator first. If other people return the jet ski without any problem or argument, it’s normally safe to rent from that operator.

Find out more: Thailand Scams – Tuk Tuks and Touts and Taxis, Oh My!

Jellyfish

Certain times of the year bring increased jellyfish activity in Phuket, especially during the rainy season from July to October. This includes the dangerous box jellyfish.

While jellyfish encounters aren’t common, they do happen. And when they do, you may see millions of jellyfish in the sea. Unless it’s a box jellyfish, it’s not life-threatening. However, the sting can be very painful and may leave scars for weeks.

Here’s what you should do:

• When you’re at the beach, always look out for warning signs. If there’s a jellyfish flag or notice posted, avoid going into the water.
  
• Wear protective swimwear like a long-sleeve rash guard or leggings to reduce the risk of stings. These don’t guarantee 100% protection but can help a lot, especially if you’re snorkeling or spending time in the water.
  
• Also, you might want to carry a small bottle of vinegar. You can buy it from any convenience store for less than 20 THB, and it can significantly help neutralize jellyfish venom.
  

If you get stung by a jellyfish, here’s what to do:

• Contact a lifeguard or hotel. In many cases, they have vinegar on hand.
• Visit a nearby clinic or hospital and get treatment.

Crime and Petty Theft

Phuket is generally very safe when it comes to crime and petty theft. In most cases, you can walk around the city and enjoy your life in Phuket without having to worry about these two safety concerns at all.

However, it doesn’t mean you can leave your bags, gadgets, or expensive items unattended.

Also, petty theft, particularly pickpocketing, may still happen in crowded areas like night markets.

Tip: Phuket isn’t a place where someone will snatch your phone while you’re using it. It’s more like a place where a petty thief may quietly steal your items. So, keep your belongings close when walking in a crowd.

Nightlife

Again, the nightlife scene in Phuket is generally very safe. So, you can safely party here. Still, you should take the usual precautions:

• Watch your drink at all times
  
• Don’t leave with strangers
  
• Don’t drive after drinking
  
• If you want to try a liquor bucket, only get it from a legit shop, not street sellers

Most problems I’ve seen are just drunk tourists getting too wild.

Food Safety

Food in Phuket is generally safe to eat.

The only thing you should be careful of is when eating street food. Like everywhere in Thailand, you never really know how long the food has been sitting out. If you want to avoid food poisoning, just make sure it’s served hot.

Also, when eating seafood, especially in raw dishes, your stomach might react. It may not always mean it’s food poisoning. It’s more like your stomach may be sensitive to it, and it’s usually just mild discomfort.

Related article: Is It Safe to Drink Water in Thailand? Let’s Find Out!

Getting Around

Getting around Phuket is generally safe, but there’s one common issue: taxi overcharging. Many taxis in Phuket don’t use a meter and will quote you a flat rate instead. You need to have a great negotiation skill in order to lower the price. 

And this doesn’t just happen to foreigners: Thai tourists get overcharged too.

If you want to avoid the headache, renting your own car is a great option and is actually my recommended way to get around Phuket. It’s the method I used most of the time when visiting Phuket. You’ll have more freedom and won’t have to deal with negotiating fares. And in many cases, it’s cheaper. 

Another good option is to use a ride-hailing app like Grab or Bolt. Prices are more transparent

Good to know: While Phuket is a major tourist destination, public transportation is surprisingly limited. In many cases, you’ll need to rely on private transportation to get around.

Natural Disaster 

The main natural disaster in Phuket is the tsunami.

It happened once in December 2004, caused by a major earthquake in the Indian Ocean. In Phuket alone, it resulted in 259 deaths, 1,111 injuries, and 700 people missing. (Source: Wikipedia – Effect of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on Thailand)

This number is only for Phuket.

While tsunamis are extremely rare in Phuket, when they do happen, the impact is devastating.
If you ever feel an earthquake while in Phuket or notice a sudden and significant drop in sea water level, it’s highly recommended to move to higher ground immediately.

Other than that, Phuket also suffers from regular flooding. It rains frequently here, and when it rains, it often rains heavily. The good thing is that most of the time, the water drains within a few hours. It’s usually not dangerous, just causes heavy traffic and some inconvenience.

Neighborhood-Specific Safety

Here’s a quick overview of the safety in different parts of Phuket:

• Patong: Busy, vibrant, and touristy. Safe overall, but watch for pickpockets on Bangla Roa. Traffic here can get chaotic. Also, roads to Patong can be stiff and challenging to drive. 
• Kata / Karon: More laid-back than Patong but still lively. Great for families and couples, and feels very safe day or night.
• Phuket Old Town: Very safe, especially during the day. At night, some streets are quiet, so use caution if walking alone late.
• Rawai / Nai Harn: Quieter and more residential. Very peaceful, but you’ll need your own transport. Fewer tourists, fewer scams.
• Kamala / Surin: Upscale beach areas with beach clubs. Safe and popular with families and retirees. Just beware of higher prices and taxi overpricing.

Emergency Contacts in Phuket

Here’s an emergency contact in Phuket that you might want to save in your phone.

Emergency Services

• Police: 191
• Tourist Police (English-speaking): 1155
  Ambulance: 1669
  

Major Hospitals

• Bangkok Hospital Phuket: +66 76 254 425
  Mission Hospital Phuket: +66 76 237 220
  Dibuk Hospital: +66 76 681 681
  Vachira Phuket Hospital (Public): +66 76 361 234
  

Final Thoughts on Safety in Phuket

If you’re thinking about coming to Phuket and are worried about safety, please don’t be. Phuket is very safe. Just be careful when riding a motorcycle or going into the water during bad weather, and you’ll be fine.

Remember: around ten million tourists visit Phuket every year. Many also choose to live or retire here.

That said, you should still buy health insurance or travel insurance. It’s always better to be safe and not sorry. In case you plan to move to Phuket, you can check out our detailed guide here.

If you’re just visiting Phuket, Genki Traveler is a solid travel insurance option. It’s affordable, easy to buy, and covers common risks tourists face here, including accidents, hospital stays, and lost luggage.

If you plan to move here or stay long-term, you’ll need something more comprehensive. Cigna Healthcare offers international health insurance plans that work both in Thailand and abroad. They’re great for expats who want full protection.