I feel infinitely safer in Thailand than I do nearly anywhere in the United States. I think the same would apply to the UK. Though the homicide rate here is high, 99.8% of it is Thai on Thai, and it involves young gangs, young thugs, and wannabe mafia types.

 

It's incredibly safe for expats, in all the years I've been here I've never had a single incident that's caused me to give this place a second thought. 

 

I have a friend who's visiting now from the San Francisco area, and he tells me that every night a car on his street either gets broken into or gets stolen. That's the nature of life in America right now. No thanks. 

Koh Chang has good nature. Ever been there? Big mountain on island too.

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I feel infinitely safer in Thailand than I do nearly anywhere in the United States. I think the same would apply to the UK. Though the homicide rate here is high, 99.8% of it is Thai on Thai, and it involves young gangs, young thugs, and wannabe mafia types.

 

It's incredibly safe for expats, in all the years I've been here I've never had a single incident that's caused me to give this place a second thought. 

 

I have a friend who's visiting now from the San Francisco area, and he tells me that every night a car on his street either gets broken into or gets stolen. That's the nature of life in America right now. No thanks. 

Sounds good, In the USA I found some incredibly welcoming people, but the gun culture has just got completely out of hand. Not for me, although Thailand does have it's own issues with firearms. I'm currently learning Thai so I think this will help. 

4 minutes ago, Hammerheads said:

 Thailand does have it's own issues with firearms. I'm currently learning Thai so I think this will help. 

 

 

Yes, I can see that understanding the difference between ยิง (shoot) and อย่ายิง (don't shoot) could be an advantage.....

1 hour ago, Hammerheads said:

Sounds good, In the USA I found some incredibly welcoming people, but the gun culture has just got completely out of hand. Not for me, although Thailand does have it's own issues with firearms. I'm currently learning Thai so I think this will help. 

A lot of these guys with guns are hotheads so I do agree that speaking some Thai would put you in a position where you are better able to diffuse a tense situation. I think a lot of these shootings are about simple misunderstandings and the loss of face. 

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Koh Chang has good nature. Ever been there? Big mountain on island too.

Done a lot of the islands but not Koh Chang. To be honest, a mountainous largish island with a bit to do and see would probably be the best compromise 😁