Is
Phuket Safe?
Tsunamis,
Crime, Thailand's Deep South: What to know about safety in Phuket
The
island is has long been back to normal after 2004's Boxing Day tsunami.
Rest assured that
tsunamis are relatively rare events and the island and Andaman Sea area
have an alarm system that has regular tests.
Thailand's Deep South
It is
easy to see news reports of problems in the deep south of Thailand in the
three provinces that have significant Muslim populations. There,
yes, significant problems exist and you should not travel to that area
unless you have good reason and have someone who knows the area with you.
But, the truth is that those three provinces are a hard day's drive south
of Phuket - and sit right on the border with Malaysia. What is
happening there is not likely to affect Phuket.
Crime in General on Phuket
There
is some crime on the island, though most of it seems to be criminal or
"mafia" related crime where the bad buys are fighting it out with each
other. There is also some theft and robbery. Be careful, as
you would back home - but don't be overly concerned.
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