Is Chiang Mai Safe to Visit?

Are there unsafe areas in Chiang Mai?

Some tips on how to stay safe in Chiang Mai

• Do NOT insult Thai royalty, this could get you in serious trouble. You should never, under any circumstances, say or mumble anything negative, or make jokes about the Thai royal family, as you might even get attacked!
• The air pollution can be bad. Between February and April is probably the worst to visit Chiang Mai if you are sensitive to smoke, as fields in the countryside around the city are burned off. Smoke from similar activities in Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia can also reach Thailand. It's often referred to as the "southeast Asian haze".
• Watch out for pickpockets and scammers: Whenever you’re in a crowded area, like the Chiang Mai Night market, pay special attention to your belongings. Don’t leave your phone in your back pocket or sling your purse over one shoulder. 
• Drinking in public is probably not the best idea. Certainly, don't do it around Tapae Gate, it's a 1,000 baht fine. 
• Floods: Monsoons are normal during the rainy months and some streets might get flooded and mud streams can occur outside of the city. Simply stay inside when the rain starts, don’t try to drive down flooded streets and use some common sense.
• Stay away from drugs: getting caught with drugs is SERIOUS in Thailand and drug trafficking actually carries the death penalty. The police are not to be messed with and they occasionally carry out raids on some of the most well known clubs and bars, so take our advice and just stay away as the risk is definitely not worth it!
• Protect yourself from pesky mosquitoes: mosquitoes are very much a thing in Chiang Mai (particularly in the greener areas) so remember to pack your bug repellent as you don’t want to spend your entire vacation fighting the urge to itch!

Most common scams in Chiang Mai

Chiang mai is known for its tourist traps and scams, so we've a listed some of the most common ones below so you can recognize and avoid them:

• Tuk tuk scam: Tuk-tuks are a fun form of transportation, but beware of a common scam—overcharging passengers. Be sure you agree on a price before getting in.
• Motorbike scam: This is a common scam throughout Thailand. If you rent a motorbike beware! The renter might find new “damages” on the bike once you return it, and insist you pay. 
• Gem scams: You may come across some beautiful gems in Chiang Mai. The seller will insist that they’re valuable but that they’ll cut you a good price. Don’t fall for it. The “gems” are likely just pieces of glass. 
• In Chiang Mai, also be careful with your credit card. Travelers have reported having their information stolen via card scammers installed in ATMs. 

Is Chiang Mai safe for solo travelers?

Absolutely, yes! The locals are friendly, the city shuts down fairly early in the evening, but as with any city, be sure to keep your wits about you and travel smart to avoid any problems during your trip. Lock your valuables away when leaving your hostel, keep your phone and wallet close when going out … you get the point. For no reason should any traveler feel as though they should not travel to Chiang Mai because they are alone!

Is Chiang Mai safe to drive?

We strongly recommend not to drive yourself when in Chiang Mai because it has the highest rate of road accidents in Thailand! Thailand roads are the place where many motorbike (and car) accidents happen, especially in the mountainous areas of Chiang Mai. These places have completely new traffic rules for tourists that they are not used to. And even though there are traffic laws in Chiang Mai, you will notice they are rarely followed nor enforced. As a tourist, it's better to rely on public transportation, taxis, ride share apps such as Grab or even better...a private driver!

If you do decide to tackle the Chiang Mai traffic, please take in the following safety measures:

• Make sure to invest in travel insurance! For more information you can check our blog post about Thailand travel insurances
• ALWAYS, and we mean, always wear a helmet! Even if the locals don't.
• Improve your driving skills at home before your trip. Rent or borrow a scooter and drive around your town. It is important to know the basics: how to use indicators and how to keep your balance.
• As a tourist you need an international driver license
• When you first drive on the road here, remember to stick to the left side
• Don’t park at white and red curbs
• Stay away from songthaews – red taxis, which in Chiang Mai are used as busses/taxis. Drivers stop without warning, even in the middle of the street, they don’t use indicators and change lanes whenever they feel like it.

Is it safe to eat street food in Chiang Mai?

You definitely shouldn’t be afraid to try street food in Chiang Mai. Just make sure you eat at a busy, popular food stall and avoid food that’s been sitting around in the sun, uncovered, and on show all day. Instead, opt for meals cooked fresh in front of you. If you’re the sort of person who’s prone to a bad stomach, then you should probably be avoiding things like papaya salad or cut fruit and  be careful of seafood and buffet

Conclusion

After reading this article, we hope we managed to ease your mind when it comes to safety in Chiang Mai and there's really nothing to worry about! Chiang Mai is an incredible travel destination - it’s gorgeous, affordable, and great for solo travelers, couples or families. As long as you take basic precautions to keep yourself safe and happy, you’ll have an amazing trip!

Another great way to ensure you have fun and stay safe is to book onto a tour. All of our tours in Chiang Mai include your own personal driver and tour guide for the day, a friendly local guide who will be happy to show you around their home and share their knowledge with you! What better way to experience the wonders of Thailand!