When I moved from Holland to Pattaya back in 1997, people thought I was crazy.
“Is Thailand safe? Aren’t you worried?” they’d ask.
Truth be told, I felt safer here from day one than I ever did back home.
In the Netherlands, I had my car burglarized so often I practically considered it an annual tax. CD players, mobile phones, even cameras—gone. Walk through certain Amsterdam neighborhoods, and you’d be dodging drug pushers like potholes. Not exactly cozy.
Fast forward to Pattaya: I walk the streets without looking over my shoulder. No one’s trying to sell me cocaine on the corner. And drivers? Thais are, in general, gentlemen on the road. Try honking, flashing middle fingers, or engaging in road rage here—it’s rare.
So when clients ask me, “Is Thailand really safe?” I say, confidently: Yes.
Numbers Don’t Lie (And They Might Surprise You)
Here’s what the statistics actually say:
- Murder rate in Thailand: about 2.6 per 100,000 people (2024).
For comparison: USA? Nearly 7.
Translation: you’re about three times more likely to be murdered in the U.S. than in Thailand. - Crime perception: Thailand scores a Safety Index of 62 on Numbeo. Anything over 60 is considered very safe.
- Tourist protection: Thailand even has its own Tourist Police Bureau, created in 2017 just to look after foreigners. Find me another country that goes that far.
Yes, petty theft can happen in tourist zones (drunken Ibiza-style antics, anyone?), but violent crime against foreigners is exceptionally rare.
Why Does the Media Make It Look Worse?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting.
Ever notice that in Pattaya, if someone tragically jumps from a condo, the local media pounces? It’s all over Facebook groups, gossip circles, and even makes it into “clickbait” headlines. People start whispering: “Pattaya, city of jumpers…”
But here’s the truth: it’s not that suicides are more common here—it’s that they’re more visible.
Media Rules You Probably Didn’t Know
- In Norway, suicide should “generally never be mentioned.”
- In Turkey, publishing any suicide images is strictly forbidden.
- In the UK, journalists are told to avoid sensational words, skip the methods, and include helplines.
- In the Netherlands, studies show only 17% of suicide reports even mention support services—no wonder you rarely read about it when living there.
The reason? Psychologists discovered the “Werther Effect” centuries ago: sensational reporting on suicide can actually lead to copycats. That’s why most Western outlets under-report or bury these cases. Thailand’s media? Let’s just say they missed the memo.
So while the internet makes it look like Pattaya is the hotspot for condo jumpers, the reality is more about reporting style than actual danger.
So… Is Thailand Safe?
Of course, Thailand has its share of issues—what country doesn’t? But for expats and retirees looking for a place to live, it ranks as one of the safer bets.
The real danger? Probably the traffic (wear a helmet, please).
Otherwise, Thailand offers a safer, calmer daily life than I ever had in Europe. No yearly break-ins. No dodging drug dealers. No constant fear that someone’s eyeing your car stereo. Just sunshine, smiles, and the occasional Chang beer too many.
About the Author
KC Cuijpers is the Managing Director & CEO of Town & Country Property and has called Pattaya home since 1997. After leaving the Netherlands—where car break-ins and street pushers were part of everyday life—he found Thailand to be not only welcoming but remarkably safe.
With over two decades in real estate, KC has guided thousands of expats through the same question he once asked himself: “Is Thailand a safe place to live?” His answer is grounded in experience, not headlines. From luxury villas to modest condos, from cautious retirees to adventurous investors, he’s helped them all see beyond the clichés and discover the reality of living here.
If you want myths and scary media stories, look elsewhere. If you want the truth about life in Pattaya—delivered with honesty, humor, and hard-earned perspective—KC is your guy.
