Is Pattaya More Dangerous Than It Used To Be...?

[coralia]

I haven't been to Thailand in more than two years, but I keep hearing and reading that it's becoming more and more dangerous (Thailand in general, and Pattaya in particular)... is that really the case? Most incidents I read about seem to take place late at night in isolated locations. Is Pattaya any more dangerous than it used to be for people who just go to the beach, walk the streets in broad daylight, don't go out at night, don't go to bars etc....? This may sound like a silly question, but I'm planning to return to Pattaya next summer with my elderly mother, and if Pattaya has turned into some sort of jungle I may think twice about it...

Thank you.

[thenervoussurgeon]

Yes ,but not doing what you and your mum will be up to ,cant see you both getting pissed and causing a nuisance of yourselves at 3 in the morning ,come here and enjoy.

[Swiss1960]

Based on the purpose of your visit - no, Pattaya is not less secure. Just use basic common sense not showing expensive jewel, not wave wads of cash etc. and you'll be able to enjoy it as you did 2y ago.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

Nonsense.........Pattaya-Jomtien is far less secure (far more dangerous) than it used to be. While you can minimize the probability that you will be a victim of crime (or an assault) by not getting drunk and frequenting the bars late at night,k it does not necessarily matter what you are doing and when you are doing it. Innocent people who have not provoked an attack have been attacked by nut-cases. There are too many "crazy," aggressive, hate filled, violenc- loving people here now. I feel lucky that I never invested heavily in this place and can easily move. Also, I am lucky that my job allows me to take positions in various parts of the world that are much safer than Thailand. Yes, I know, "don't let the door hit you on the &^% when you leave."

[somtampet]

Been here 9 years and only got into a bit of bover twice,both farangs.Pattaya is not dangerous,but use your common sense and its fine.Dont do what the two farangs did to me,then u will have trouble

[brewsterbudgen]

Patta

Based on the purpose of your visit - no, Pattaya is not less secure. Just use basic common sense not showing expensive jewel, not wave wads of cash etc. and you'll be able to enjoy it as you did 2y ago.

I agree. Trouble tends to find those who go looking for it. If you don't draw attention to yourself it's no more dangerous than any other tourist resort.

[OMGImInPattaya]

No.

[yoslim]

Do you really want to spend holiday with your mom while being on the watch for a violent assault/robbery 24/7 ?

Locking yourself up in the hotel after sunset sounds like a good idea safety wise but won't it be boring to spend a holiday like a prisoner at nighttime ?

[DiNiro]

Just avoid the police and you should have a safe trip.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Like just about everywhere in the world, Pattaya is indeed a lot more dangerous than it used to be. I blame the hordes of mass-market tourists who dont seem to have a clue about money or anything else for that matter.

Not that it bothers me unduly as when I go out I never carry anything that I'm not prepared to lose. So no phone, no bling, no wristwatch and just enough cash for supper and a drink and my ride home.

[diddums]

Of course it is.

Just the rubbish alone on the beach and in the oceans will be enough to kill you.

[scotto]

No you will be fine if you do what you intend to do.

[Yahooka]

The only things that`s gotten MUCH more dangerous here is traffic !!!

[gamini]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

[diggerdo]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

I assume you can direct us to the source of your statistics so the OP can make an informed decision.

[mancub]

You must have your own reasons for re-visiting Pattaya , otherwise I'd suggest that there are so many much nicer places in Thailand that I would take my elderly mother to .

[BlackPuddingBertha]

We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world.

Not even close.

[Jingthing]

I think the crime rate has increased over the years but still better than most of the USA cities I have lived in. You can't really rely on statistics. I'm talking about the feeling on the streets. I have seen MUCH WORSE. Nowhere near the highest crime rate in the world.

Edited January 28, 2013 by Jingthing

[I Like Thai]

for people who just go to the beach, walk the streets in broad daylight, don't go out at night, don't go to bars etc....?

Why are you going to Pattaya ?

The beach itself is in a terrible state.

[coralia]

Do you really want to spend holiday with your mom while being on the watch for a violent assault/robbery 24/7 ?

Locking yourself up in the hotel after sunset sounds like a good idea safety wise but won't it be boring to spend a holiday like a prisoner at nighttime ?

Absolutely not. I wake up at 5 A.M. to practice Yoga and meditation, so going to bed early is always a good idea.

I have to say that I have always felt very safe in Pattaya (and everywhere in Thailand, for that matter), so I'm finding all this talk about safety issues very saddening... Thailand used to be such a safe and relaxing place for us western women, as opposed to other countries in the region... I hope that's not about to change.

Well, many thanks to all of you. I'll have to think more about it...

[coralia]

You must have your own reasons for re-visiting Pattaya , otherwise I'd suggest that there are so many much nicer places in Thailand that I would take my elderly mother to .

Well, a few years ago I would have preferred Chiang Mai, but it has become extremely polluted, and my mother hates it since she was hit by a car there some 7 years ago... Besides, she likes the sea. So I could almost say that I'm planning to go to Pattaya for her sake!

[Penangfreak]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

+1

[craigt3365]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

I think tourists to Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil and South Africa (among a few) would argue about this....though Thailand does have a high crime rate. It's nowhere near the worst. I've only had problems here from other farangs. Never from Thais.

My last trip to Europe included my wife's purse being snatched (Portugal), several pickpocket attempts (Madrid and Paris), numerous street scam attempts (golden ring, overcharging, short changed, etc), and viewing of a few pickpocket attempts on others, which were luckily thwarted by alert people nearby. The trip before included pretty much the same stuff in Italy/Greece.

Pattaya is growing dramatically. I think bigger cities who focus on tourists are prime spots for criminals. Unfortunately. Luckily, it's mostly petty crime.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Besides, she likes the sea. So I could almost say that I'm planning to go to Pattaya for her sake!

What with that and the yoga and the early nights, I suspect that you might find Jomtien more suitable than Pattaya. You can easily get from there to Pattaya for 10B on the bahtbus if you want to.

[brewsterbudgen]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

What absolute nonsense! But I'm assuming it was posted as a joke!

[rinteln]

I think like with many topics you have to distinguish between Pattaya and Thailand. They are very different things.

I have been here for 7 years now and in my opinion I would say yes Pattaya is more dangerous than a few years ago. For several reasons.

Thailand in general is a bit harder to say but from the travel I have done it seems to be roughly the same, fairly safe !

Edited January 29, 2013 by rinteln

[coralia]

Besides, she likes the sea. So I could almost say that I'm planning to go to Pattaya for her sake!

What with that and the yoga and the early nights, I suspect that you might find Jomtien more suitable than Pattaya. You can easily get from there to Pattaya for 10B on the bahtbus if you want to.

Having looked at the other thread about the famous "bahtbus" between Jomtien and Pattaya (the thread started by Jingthing), I would say that's not a good idea... We have a very nice place to stay in Pattaya, or else we wouldn't be thinking of going there at all.

Hua Hin would have been much nicer... but it's too expensive .

[coralia]

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

Pattaya apologists always make irrelevant comparisons like referring to other cities crime rate. We are only concerned with the crimes involving tourists and foreigners. And in this case Pattaya has undoubtedly the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the highest tourist involvement in crimes than the rest of Thailand put together excluding Phuket which is fast catching up. Or does Thai Visa only report crimes in Pattaya and Phuket.?

I think tourists to Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil and South Africa (among a few) would argue about this....though Thailand does have a high crime rate. It's nowhere near the worst. I've only had problems here from other farangs. Never from Thais.

My last trip to Europe included my wife's purse being snatched (Portugal), several pickpocket attempts (Madrid and Paris), numerous street scam attempts (golden ring, overcharging, short changed, etc), and viewing of a few pickpocket attempts on others, which were luckily thwarted by alert people nearby. The trip before included pretty much the same stuff in Italy/Greece.

Pattaya is growing dramatically. I think bigger cities who focus on tourists are prime spots for criminals. Unfortunately. Luckily, it's mostly petty crime.

Next time, go to Scandinavia!

[stailmanki]

Certainly Pattaya is more dangerous than it used to be ,I think the reason is simple: there are more people here now. Still crimes seem to be more of the surreptitious hand in the pocket variety rather than the gun in the face stick up (go to Manila for that)

In more than 25 years of coming here the only problems I have ever had were with foreigners, soccer yobs, & thankfully there are not as many of them anymore , hopefully the Baht will remain strong against their currency forcing them to go elswhere or stay at home.

[Crazy chef 1]

Do you really want to spend holiday with your mom while being on the watch for a violent assault/robbery 24/7 ?

Locking yourself up in the hotel after sunset sounds like a good idea safety wise but won't it be boring to spend a holiday like a prisoner at nighttime ?

Hey dude,even if I agree that the situation is turning to the dark side,but this is stillTHAILAND- it is not bloody Africa nor south America .shit can be happened everywhere and as I always say-play with fire and you will get burned.behave yourself well,respect the culture,smile ,don't take anyone's face and you are fine.in 20 years visiting and residing in TH I never encountered any problem.....