Phuket safety
Safety in Phuket, on the whole, needn’t be a concern. Thailand is a peaceful, non-violent place, and the good tourist infrastructure protects Thailand’s visitors. Phuket safety presents few risks to the traveller but there are several possible problems to be aware of.
Beach safety in Phuket: from May through October water conditions can become hazardous as the southwest monsoon rolls in. While there have been some improvements in beach safety such as the installation of lifeguard towers, these are manned only during the November-April high season, and every year there are drowning deaths in the surf off beaches along Phuket’s west coast.
Don’t go swimming if you see red flags flying, and check conditions carefully if no warning flags are present. Even if the waves look manageable, there may be strong ‘rips’ lurking under the surface. If you do get caught, don’t try to fight against it – swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, and let the waves bring you in. Fortunately the Andaman Sea is largely free of large surf.
Another danger when swimming off most of the main beaches is of the man-made variety: jet-skis and speedboats. Even though there are serious accidents every year, few beaches have marked-off swimmers-only areas. There is also no regulation on rental – anyone, it seems, can rent a jet-ski: children, drunks, whoever, so long as they cough up the cash. It’s not only annoying for swimmers to have to share the waters with these fume-spewing machines; it’s dangerous, and sometimes fatal.
Terrorism: aside from the localized violent acts carried out by a small group of radical Muslims in the deep south – more than 500 km from Phuket - Thailand has yet to see any terrorist acts hit upon its soil. Since terrorism has affected a wide swathe of nations across the globe, it’s impossible to declare for certain that the Kingdom is risk-free. That said, however, the Thai police have been effective in protecting tourist areas and were successful in finding and apprehending the Jamaa Islamiya JI leader, Hambali – the suspected mastermind of the first Bali bombing, in 2003.
In Phuket, measures have been taken to reduce the threat of terrorism through increased checkpoints and in the closing off of the popular bar strip, Bangla Road, to traffic at night. Don’t be surprised, also, to have your bag searched by security guards at the entrance to some nightspots.
Unfortunately an escalating terror situation in the South of Thailand from a small group of well organised and ruthless Muslim fundamentalist poses an increased risk to tourist magnets such as Phuket. They have become increasingly daring as 2005 progresses and the possibility of them targeting areas that are precious to the country has not been ruled out. However, their quarrel remains with the government specifically and not the international community or so called ‘coalition countries’ so a Bali type attack is less likely. Since the current government came to power, violence in the deep south, though it still happens, has abated significantly.
Road safety: driving in Thailand is an undertaking that is not for the faint of heart. The roads are full of aggressive, unskilled and intoxicated drivers, and casualty rates – especially among motorbike riders – are exceptionally high. If you choose to drive in Thailand, do so with extra care and attention, and always expect the unexpected. In Phuket’s rainy season, roads can become especially hazardous with slick conditions and flooding in some areas. Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
Pickpocketing and theft: is not a huge problem in Phuket, but it can and does happen. More violent acts of theft such as muggings are quite rare and probably less likely to occur here than in your home country. Many hotels provide safes in the guestrooms as an additional security measure.
While it’s unnecessary to keep your cash and valuables hidden away in a money belt, it’s best to keep watch of your bags and wallet in busy tourist areas. Thefts seem to happen most often to unsuspecting visitors gaping at the ladyboys on Soi Katoey off Bangla Road in Patong. Bag snatchers occasionally target lone motorbike drivers, so be sure to keep your valuables secure while riding.
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