To prepare for your next stay in Thailand, you want to know if Phuket is dangerous, if there are neighborhoods to avoid and where is the best place to stay?
Indeed, Phuket being the largest island in Thailand, it is better to learn about the places to avoid when choosing your hotel. However, choosing the best place to stay in Phuket is the guarantee of a successful stay in Thailand.
This is the purpose of this article on the safety of Phuket neighborhoods. In addition to some useful advice, you will find the map of Phuket neighborhoods to better identify the best areas to stay.
Is Phuket dangerous?
NO, in 2025 Thailand as a whole is considered to be a safe country even though the country has changed in recent years in some regions (See Thailand ranked among the 20 most dangerous countries in the world ).
On the other hand, if we consider the figures from the Numbeo world ranking , Phuket, with a crime index of 39.51, is less crime-ridden than cities like Paris , Rome , London , Miami or Cancun.
However, this same ranking also indicates that Phuket's crime rate has been increasing over the past three years. This is confirmed by the Phuket.fr newspaper article: Concerned about rising crime, Phuket Police launch a new campaign.
On the other hand, one can wonder if this increase in the crime rate affects tourism or simply territorial, political, terrorist conflicts or trafficking of all kinds?
Is Phuket Safe for Tourists?
YES the island of Phuket is safe for tourists but on condition that you remain cautious as on all very touristy sites.
Indeed, just as in Bangkok , if tourists don't take certain precautions, they expose themselves to the risk of theft, scams, assaults, or street harassment, especially women traveling alone. See the press article: Killed for 7 euros, the Swiss woman's killer confesses in Phuket, Thailand
On the other hand, the risk of insecurity in Phuket will depend on the geographical location (see the areas to avoid in Phuket below).
Are there any dangerous areas in Phuket?
There are no truly dangerous areas for tourists in Phuket. However, there are some more isolated areas that are less safe than others.
As is the case everywhere in the world, poor neighborhoods with high unemployment and social deprivation are places where drugs and trafficking are gradually taking root. While not particularly dangerous, these are still places to avoid for tourists.
Areas to avoid in Phuket
The Thaiger newspaper ( Phuket officials identify risky tourist spot ) reports that Thai authorities have identified the 6 least safe areas for tourists in Phuket.
By clicking on the links below, you can geolocate these 6 areas to avoid in Phuket :
- the Pru Mai Khao forest to the north of the island and to the north of a deserted beach,
- The beaches banana beach et Naithon Beach,
- the panoramic viewpoint of Bang Thao mountain,
- the waterfall Wang Khee On,
- the mangrove Khlong Mudong which is an uninhabited area,
- the waterfall Namtok Ton Ao Yon,
These six areas of Phuket should be avoided by tourists due to a lack of CCTV and their isolation. See also the article: Phuket authorities identify 6 high-risk areas after tourist murder
Patong Red Light District
Just like in Amsterdam or Bangkok , Phuket has a red-light district. It's located in Patong. It runs along and surrounds Bangla Street and boasts numerous lively nightlife spots with bars, clubs, and other less reputable establishments. This is where tourists go to party, meet prostitutes, consume alcohol, and use drugs. In fact, it's Phuket's red-light district, and it's not advisable to choose a hotel in this area.
To avoid choosing your hotel in this disreputable area, here is a map of Patong's red-light district: Bangla Road
Best Areas to Stay in Phuket
It's hard to choose the best place to stay in Phuket because the island has many beaches and more than 1 hotels!
For those who want to enjoy a beautiful beach but crowded and very lively with its music bars, its restaurants, its shops, Patong beach is the busiest in Phuket. There are hotel complexes with the best value for money.
See, for example, the Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach :
But, according to my own tastes, the most beautiful places to stay in Phuket are located on the 2 most beautiful, less touristy beaches on the island:
Prettiest beach in Phuket: Kata Beach
Kata Beach is Phuket's picture-perfect beach. This white sand beach with turquoise waters is located on Phuket's southwest coast. It's a magnificent, secluded, and tranquil paradise beach, ideal for swimming. See where this area is located .
It contains some of the most beautiful resorts in Phuket such as the Beyond Resort Kata or the Boathouse Phuket.
Best beach in Phuket: Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao Beach is the most beautiful and luxurious beach in Phuket. It is on this beach that we find the most chic and expensive hotels in Phuket.
In Bang Tao Bay, the beaches are idyllic, long, and more secluded than Phuket's more popular beaches. But it's also a lively area with numerous night markets, restaurants, and vibrant clubs. See where Bang Tao Beach is located.
Far from the areas to avoid in Phuket, this is a hotel very well located on Bang Tao beach and right next to good restaurants, shops, bars and the small village of Bangtao.
