I'm not sure it is all that easy to compare. Do you think people in the West in the West are routinely targeted for their watches or jewelry? I don't think I know anyone ever who had their watch stolen off their arm in a hold up in Europe or USA or even heard about that.

I have however in Thailand seen a few times a westerner get the crap beat out of them by the local Motorsi mafia. Normally I think they deserved it, but the beating was merciless, like a jail beating, but in public. Plenty of kicks to the head while they were on the ground.

I think too often we don't know what we don't know. We assume things are fine, because nothing happened to us.

How many times have intl clients been told in Thailand it is find to do 30-30-30 leases, or buy house in a company name. It's all fun and games until the crackdowns begin.

Just because you walked down a dark ally and still have your $5000Baht Chain or $100,000 Piaget and you survived, doesn't mean the next guy doesn't have it all stolen by a ladyboy and then a heel stabbed in the side of his head.

17 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Still frequenting Soi Buakhao then.🙃🙃

No shortage of drunk idiots there but it does not have a monopoly ...phuket comes to mind as well.

18 minutes ago, newnative said:

Can't speak for all of southeast Asia but I feel much safer in Thailand than when I lived in the US. Since my arrival in 2010 I have never had a problem. You can do things here you would never think of doing in the US. Example: The other day my spouse and I were eating at a local restaurant, sitting by the window. Busy street outside. Farang drives up on his motorcycle, which has packages in the basket. He gets off, takes off his helmet, leaves the helmet on the seat, goes into the restaurant, and proceeds to sit well inside, facing away from the window. He wasn't even observing his bike--which remained undisturbed. In the US, the helmet and the packages would likely be gone in no time.

In the US, could you have an open stall selling merchandise and, when you have to leave it for a few minutes, put a string across the entrance saying back in 10 minutes? In the US, you'd likely come back to an empty, looted store.

We were in KFC the other day and there was a Thai man sitting alone at a table with his laptop and dinner--we were at a nearby table. He gets up and exits the restaurant, leaving his laptop at the empty the table. Comes back 5 or 10 minutes later, and the laptop is still there. Likely lifted in a New York minute in the US. We see examples like this all the time.

Yes. I am actually quite surprised by the lack of "casual opportunistic crime" in Thailand. I rather think that as a society (of course there are exceptions) at a personal level Thais are rather honest.

12 minutes ago, TexasCowboy said:

I'm not sure it is all that easy to compare. Do you think people in the West in the West are routinely targeted for their watches or jewelry? I don't think I know anyone ever who had their watch stolen off their arm in a hold up in Europe or USA or even heard about that.

I have however in Thailand seen a few times a westerner get the crap beat out of them by the local Motorsi mafia. Normally I think they deserved it, but the beating was merciless, like a jail beating, but in public. Plenty of kicks to the head while they were on the ground.

I think too often we don't know what we don't know. We assume things are fine, because nothing happened to us.

How many times have intl clients been told in Thailand it is find to do 30-30-30 leases, or buy house in a company name. It's all fun and games until the crackdowns begin.

Just because you walked down a dark ally and still have your $5000Baht Chain or $100,000 Piaget and you survived, doesn't mean the next guy doesn't have it all stolen by a ladyboy and then a heel stabbed in the side of his head.

Emmanuel Odunlami was killed by robbers for a (fake) designer watch. In London, near St Paul's Cathedral. The guy didn't put up a fight, he was trying to run away and was knifed through the heart.

Danny Pearce was killed when walking home from a jazz club in Greenwich, London. He was chased, shot at, and repeatedly stabbed for his Rolex.

These are just robberies that ended in a killing. London Police stats show over 2000 "luxury" watches (value greater that B125,000) were stolen in London in 2023. Does that constitute "routine"?

I wear a B99 watch from Mr DIY. It keeps good time, but the best thing about it is that it looks like a B99 watch. As yet I have not encountered anyone who wanted to steal it.....

I generally feel much safer in SE Asia (except for The Philippines) than I do in the West.

30 minutes ago, JAG said:

Yes. I am actually quite surprised by the lack of "casual opportunistic crime" in Thailand. I rather think that as a society (of course there are exceptions) at a personal level Thais are rather honest.

I find crime about the same worldwide (using common sense), and can't say I've don't anything different here, TH, than in USA. Certain don't lock my doors all the time, even when away for a week or 2. Or my car, when in USA, or rental on holiday.

Actually in TH, I leave my car in 'running' mode, as the dog is in it, with AC on. You could literally drive away with it, if wanting.

Risk assessment of course, on location for any security measures. I don't think most of us live in high crime areas. Leaving things out, on display all the time, and they may walk away, sooner or later.

I assess my hotel accommodations, how secure are the doors, CCTV, how many foreigners staying, to decide whether to leave any valuables in room. Staff never a concern. I usually do leave in room, camera gear & laptop (฿200+k worth). If not, laptop goes in camera bag (holds 2 kits). Which then goes in the car.

47 minutes ago, TexasCowboy said:

I'm not sure it is all that easy to compare. Do you think people in the West in the West are routinely targeted for their watches or jewelry? I don't think I know anyone ever who had their watch stolen off their arm in a hold up in Europe or USA or even heard about that.

I have however in Thailand seen a few times a westerner get the crap beat out of them by the local Motorsi mafia. Normally I think they deserved it, but the beating was merciless, like a jail beating, but in public. Plenty of kicks to the head while they were on the ground.

I think too often we don't know what we don't know. We assume things are fine, because nothing happened to us.

How many times have intl clients been told in Thailand it is find to do 30-30-30 leases, or buy house in a company name. It's all fun and games until the crackdowns begin.

Just because you walked down a dark ally and still have your $5000Baht Chain or $100,000 Piaget and you survived, doesn't mean the next guy doesn't have it all stolen by a ladyboy and then a heel stabbed in the side of his head.

True. There are daily crimes of all types in this country and back in the US. Most of them of course happen in the cities.

Country crime both here and back home involves petty theft, neighbors stealing more here than back home because it being a poor country and it's usually food. Like you mentioned, a person can walk down a dark road every day and never encounter a problem, but the next person might get robbed.

All life is about bad or good timing. A few seconds before or after and all accidents and deaths are avoided on the roads, and a few minutes mean you don't see the criminal coming but are already past that place. There is gang activity in both countries and it usually involves gangs against gangs, with occasional collateral damage to innocents. Foreigners and Thais alike are the victims of beatings, where it's usually 5 or more against one here. This doesn't happen nowhere near as much back home, besides with gangs.

Murder rate is higher in Thailand but they happen in both places.

It seems there are more situations here where a parent kills a child or vice -versa but the only way to know is research on yearly stats. School shootings happen much more back in the US, but it's started here.

I lived in the NYC area 30 years and then in the San Antonio area 32 and never saw much crime at all, with none against me or anyone I know. The same here. 8 years and all I ever see is petty things, as I live in the country and go to a larger city weekly, and most of what I see daily are bad driving habits, and petty theft around my village.

The one thing I do see and hear about countrywide here is the poisoning of animals in an out of control amount, especially around my village, and I'm sure I know who's doing most of it. I only had it happen 2 times back home and heard it happens a little more, but nowhere near the amount I both see and hear about here. Also how many girls are molested here by the age of 17 in their schools a huge percentage compared to back home.

Stay away from bad areas and you won't see much if any crime. Tourist areas are a lot more prone to violence and theft as they know people carry cash, get drunk, and make themselves out to be an easier target.

One thing I do know, and see here, is that you can leave your things on a bus bench and go to the bathroom, and then come back and they're still there. back in the cities in the US, they might disappear a lot more. of course never leave anything personal around, as some things you can't afford to lose.

One thing that's a fact, is that there is a lot more crime here than most realize. Many rarely watch the TV news, and many can't understand what they're saying, but even watching the daily news you can plainly see what types of crimes are happening, if only a fraction of the amount reported to the newscasts. It is easy to look up yearly stats online.

On 2/24/2026 at 6:22 PM, KhunLA said:

I find Thais & TH no different than any other place I've lived or visited. Simple common sense keeps people safe. Avoid areas you are not familiar with, and avoid strangers.

Rule #1 ... never argue with strangers

Only rule anyone needs to know & follow. Almost all physical confrontations, started with a verbal argument. Don't start one. If you do .... oh well

Wise advice.

Was having beers with friends at a place called The Crab Phuket when some guy just sits down at our table." I heard you guys speaking English". Hello? Were you invited? Guy had a black eye and a bump coming up on his head, from his previous stop. Muay Thai knucklehead, Throws his crusty feet up on the table!

I made like getting a drink, outta there, texted my buddies next stop. Goofball was a walking confrontation.

42 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

True. There are daily crimes of all types in this country and back in the US. Most of them of course happen in the cities.

Country crime both here and back home involves petty theft, neighbors stealing more here than back home because it being a poor country and it's usually food. Like you mentioned, a person can walk down a dark road every day and never encounter a problem, but the next person might get robbed.

All life is about bad or good timing. A few seconds before or after and all accidents and deaths are avoided on the roads, and a few minutes mean you don't see the criminal coming but are already past that place. There is gang activity in both countries and it usually involves gangs against gangs, with occasional collateral damage to innocents. Foreigners and Thais alike are the victims of beatings, where it's usually 5 or more against one here. This doesn't happen nowhere near as much back home, besides with gangs.

Murder rate is higher in Thailand but they happen in both places.

It seems there are more situations here where a parent kills a child or vice -versa but the only way to know is research on yearly stats. School shootings happen much more back in the US, but it's started here.

I lived in the NYC area 30 years and then in the San Antonio area 32 and never saw much crime at all, with none against me or anyone I know. The same here. 8 years and all I ever see is petty things, as I live in the country and go to a larger city weekly, and most of what I see daily are bad driving habits, and petty theft around my village.

The one thing I do see and hear about countrywide here is the poisoning of animals in an out of control amount, especially around my village, and I'm sure I know who's doing most of it. I only had it happen 2 times back home and heard it happens a little more, but nowhere near the amount I both see and hear about here. Also how many girls are molested here by the age of 17 in their schools a huge percentage compared to back home.

Stay away from bad areas and you won't see much if any crime. Tourist areas are a lot more prone to violence and theft as they know people carry cash, get drunk, and make themselves out to be an easier target.

One thing I do know, and see here, is that you can leave your things on a bus bench and go to the bathroom, and then come back and they're still there. back in the cities in the US, they might disappear a lot more. of course never leave anything personal around, as some things you can't afford to lose.

One thing that's a fact, is that there is a lot more crime here than most realize. Many rarely watch the TV news, and many can't understand what they're saying, but even watching the daily news you can plainly see what types of crimes are happening, if only a fraction of the amount reported to the newscasts. It is easy to look up yearly stats online.

From Google:

Based on 2024–2026 data, Thailand’s homicide rate is generally lower than that of the United States. While some reports from early 2026 suggest comparable or slightly higher figures in specific datasets, most long-term data indicates a lower homicide rate in Thailand, typically ranging between 2.6 and 3.5 per 100,000, compared to over 5–7 per 100,000 in the U.S..

Just now, newnative said:

From Google:

Based on 2024–2026 data, Thailand’s homicide rate is generally lower than that of the United States. While some reports from early 2026 suggest comparable or slightly higher figures in specific datasets, most long-term data indicates a lower homicide rate in Thailand, typically ranging between 2.6 and 3.5 per 100,000, compared to over 5–7 per 100,000 in the U.S..

Yes, the homicide rate is close. I got one source from this link..............https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Thailand/United-States/Crime

Interesting, with TH having a slight uptick of recent. From AI ...

On 2/25/2026 at 2:22 AM, KhunLA said:

I find Thais & TH no different than any other place I've lived or visited. Simple common sense keeps people safe. Avoid areas you are not familiar with, and avoid strangers.

Rule #1 ... never argue with strangers

Only rule anyone needs to know & follow. Almost all physical confrontations, started with a verbal argument. Don't start one. If you do .... oh well

I agree- and try to learn about local culture so that hopefully you will not cause upset or annoynace.

Of course it goes without saying that if you are under the influence of substances/alcohol you really are skating on thin ice

10 hours ago, Sigmund said:

As for Thailand, yes it's very safe. Provided you keep to yourself, never enter any argument with a local or some falang high under drugs or some falang real estate developper with ties to local criminal gangs.

Homicide rate Thailand 4.8
France 1.3
Germany 0.9

Not all as peaceful as it seems

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

6 minutes ago, K2938 said:

Homicide rate Thailand 4.8
France 1.3
Germany 0.9

Not all as peaceful as it seems

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

2011

Offensive remark removed. Keep it civil please.

4 hours ago, JensenZ said:

You're judging the quality of a lady by the unfortunate tragedy of having a brother murdered randomly on the streets of Bangkok.

The lady you're referring to is a very good woman.

The way you wrote the sentence, “I was dating a woman who had a brother murdered in the streets of Bangkok,” could be misunderstood as meaning that she arranged for her brother to be killed.

I suspect the other poster was making a sarcastic remark based on that possible interpretation, implying that she was responsible for her brother’s death and joking about wanting to meet her sister.

I am not sure whether English is your first language, but your sentence could have been phrased more clearly to prevent confusion. To avoid any misunderstanding, the sentence could have been rewritten as:

“I was dating a woman whose brother was murdered in the streets of Bangkok.”

i feel unsafe on a mc on the roads in LOS, and STD when coupling with any girl, but otherwise its the best

4 hours ago, newnative said:

Can't speak for all of southeast Asia but I feel much safer in Thailand than when I lived in the US. Since my arrival in 2010 I have never had a problem. You can do things here you would never think of doing in the US. Example: The other day my spouse and I were eating at a local restaurant, sitting by the window. Busy street outside. Farang drives up on his motorcycle, which has packages in the basket. He gets off, takes off his helmet, leaves the helmet on the seat, goes into the restaurant, and proceeds to sit well inside, facing away from the window. He wasn't even observing his bike--which remained undisturbed. In the US, the helmet and the packages would likely be gone in no time.

In the US, could you have an open stall selling merchandise and, when you have to leave it for a few minutes, put a string across the entrance saying back in 10 minutes? In the US, you'd likely come back to an empty, looted store.

We were in KFC the other day and there was a Thai man sitting alone at a table with his laptop and dinner--we were at a nearby table. He gets up and exits the restaurant, leaving his laptop at the empty the table. Comes back 5 or 10 minutes later, and the laptop is still there. Likely lifted in a New York minute in the US. We see examples like this all the time.

I have had one bicycle stolen in Thailand (not tourist area) and one very close

Seems safer here, but you can get yourself killed anywhere in the world being in the wrong place at the wrong time or pi**ing off the wrong person.

On 2/25/2026 at 1:36 PM, spidermike007 said:

That is definitely not what I'm told by my friends who live in the Philippines and have been living there for many years. I'm told that level of desperation is much greater there, as the poverty can be quite grinding. No thanks, the place just reminds me too much of Tijuana.

I agree, i was there a few times and i was always told not to go certain places after dark.

Do not go to an ATM alone after dark,lock you taxi door and be very aware of your surroundings.

There are guns and armed guards every where.

I was lucky to know the right people ,had a great time but Thailand is much better!

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

2011

By far the most murders are amongst Thai people, the amount of foreigners killed by Thai is very low.

So as far as the safety of foreigners is concerned not to much to worry about.

17 minutes ago, jvs said:

By far the most murders are amongst Thai people, the amount of foreigners killed by Thai is very low.

So as far as the safety of foreigners is concerned not to much to worry about.

I feel very safe in TH, almost as safe as USA. Safer in USA, only because allowed to own & carry firearms, though never needing.

Stay clear of tourist (farang) areas, and alcohol establishments. Rarely out after sunset. Biggest dangers in TH for me are mozzies & pastries 🙄

7 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

The way you wrote the sentence, “I was dating a woman who had a brother murdered in the streets of Bangkok,” could be misunderstood as meaning that she arranged for her brother to be killed.

I suspect the other poster was making a sarcastic remark based on that possible interpretation, implying that she was responsible for her brother’s death and joking about wanting to meet her sister.

I am not sure whether English is your first language, but your sentence could have been phrased more clearly to prevent confusion. To avoid any misunderstanding, the sentence could have been rewritten as:

“I was dating a woman whose brother was murdered in the streets of Bangkok.”

Thanks for the English lesson, but informal writing here is often ambiguous; however, the idea that a lady I was dating had commissioned her brother to be murdered by armed robbers on the streets of Bangkok would not be considered remotely possible by anyone. Even if she did, she'd hardly be admitting it to anyone, and then even if she did murder her own brother and told me, I wouldn't be writing about it on a public forum.

Context can help solve the mysteries of ambiguous sentences.

English is my first language, but I don't often proofread my comments on this informal forum. Your analysis of my grammar was correct, and I should have worded it differently.

You might want to consider Muphry's Law, a deliberate misspelling of Murphy's Law. I'll let you look it up.

21 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Thanks for the English lesson, but informal writing here is often ambiguous; however, the idea that a lady I was dating had commissioned her brother to be murdered by armed robbers on the streets of Bangkok would not be considered remotely possible by anyone. Even if she did, she'd hardly be admitting it to anyone, and then even if she did murder her own brother and told me, I wouldn't be writing about it on a public forum.

Context can help solve the mysteries of ambiguous sentences.

English is my first language, but I don't often proofread my comments on this informal forum. Your analysis of my grammar was correct, and I should have worded it differently.

You might want to consider Muphry's Law, a deliberate misspelling of Murphy's Law. I'll let you look it up.

Quite a bit of what people post on here is fiction. And much of what people write is for effect, to conjure a reaction, or to be sarcastic or humorous. Windups, as they are known. So I never believe any of it, nor do I ever spend a moment trying to work out whether something someone wrote is fiction or not. Some people also have strange senses of humor that I often do not understand, so I cannot always judge whether someone is trying to be funny or serious based solely on written words. In fact, whether it is fact or fiction does not even matter to me. It is the meaning that I focus on more.

So for me, it was never about whether your story about a girlfriend who had her brother murdered was true or not. I did not give that a second thought, and I have no way of knowing whether it is true. What caught my attention was how you worded it, and that is why I pointed out that I can understand why another poster could misinterpret the meaning.

You have already said that wording the sentence differently would have prevented any ambiguity, so we are past that. My only real point is simply not to assume everyone will automatically recognise something as too incredulous to be true, especially if it is not worded clearly. It is better to be more careful with one’s words if you do not want them to be misinterpreted.

Cheers...

10 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

The way you wrote the sentence, “I was dating a woman who had a brother murdered in the streets of Bangkok,” could be misunderstood as meaning that she arranged for her brother to be killed.

It may have been street talk, as in "I had a brother taken out, he wuz pimpin' in my soi..."

On 2/24/2026 at 8:36 PM, spidermike007 said:

That is definitely not what I'm told by my friends who live in the Philippines and have been living there for many years. I'm told that level of desperation is much greater there, as the poverty can be quite grinding. No thanks, the place just reminds me too much of Tijuana.

My Filipino friends in Manila also say the same thing. There are places that even many locals stay away from.

On 2/25/2026 at 3:23 PM, soi3eddie said:

He looks like Herman Munster

5 hours ago, Hawaiian said:

My Filipino friends in Manila also say the same thing. There are places that even many locals stay away from.

I think anyone can say the same about any metro area. We got pulled over coming out of a shady area in Philly. PoPo was curious what we were up to, since only whiteys to venture into. Told us not to go in there, as if they get a call, they won't be responding very fast. Post Rizzo days obviously.

42 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I think anyone can say the same about any metro area. We got pulled over coming out of a shady area in Philly. PoPo was curious what we were up to, since only whiteys to venture into. Told us not to go in there, as if they get a call, they won't be responding very fast. Post Rizzo days obviously.

If I'm not mistaken this is about Southeast Asia.

5 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

If I'm not mistaken this is about Southeast Asia.

with comparisons to cities outside of SEA ... from OP:

... "I was thinking about this recently. If you compare many of the larger cities in Southeast Asia, perhaps with the exception of Manila, to major cities in parts of Europe or the wider West, Southeast Asia often feels noticeably safer. Random street violence is pretty uncommon." ...

I think there's another thread with some misspelling and misgrammer use that may need policing. Better check 'em out.

27 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

with comparisons to cities outside of SEA ... from OP:

... "I was thinking about this recently. If you compare many of the larger cities in Southeast Asia, perhaps with the exception of Manila, to major cities in parts of Europe or the wider West, Southeast Asia often feels noticeably safer. Random street violence is pretty uncommon." ...

I think there's another thread with some misspelling and misgrammer use that may need policing. Better check 'em out.

You're right about the comparison, but not misgrammer (sic).