Is Chiang Mai Safe To Visit In 2025? (Ultimate Safety Guide)
Is Chiang Mai safe for tourists to visit? Here’s all you need to know about safety, crime levels and top tips to keep you safe.
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Ashley Metcalfe
February 2, 2025
Chiang Mai, Thailand is a city loved by millions of tourists, backpackers and digital nomads. Known for its delicious northern Thai food (eg. Khao Soi), stunning temples and rich culture, Chiang Mai is a popular destination for anyone visiting Thailand.
But is Chiang Mai safe to visit?
Chiang Mai is generally a safe destination for tourists, with low crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere.
Matthew and I have been visiting Chiang Mai since 2019, living in this wonderful city for a total of over 8 months since then. One of the main reasons we keep coming back is because of how safe we feel to live.

Like any city with a population over a million inhabitants, crime can still exist even if we don’t see it around. That’s why it’s wise to say aware and vigilant even if Chiang Mai feels like the safest city we’ve visited.
Don’t worry — with a few, simple precautions you can enjoy all that Chiang Mai has to offer with out stress.
In this guide, we share key safety statistics, common scams or crimes to watch out for, the safest areas to stay, advice to keep you safe during your travels and our personal experiences with safety in Chiang Mai.
Our Experience With Safety In Chiang Mai
We can speak from our own personal experience living in Chiang Mai. We always say Chiang Mai is the city we feel safest in out of all the Southeast Asian countries we’ve visited.
As a woman, I’ve walked around Chiang Mai during the day time and the night time — it was perfectly fine. Most streets are well-lit and it’s easy to get around.
The locals are so friendly and welcoming, it keeps you at ease. One thing that gives us peace of mind wherever we are is having travel insurance.
Things can happen when you least expect it. We always recommend travel medical insurance when traveling around Thailand. SafetyWing offers good coverage at affordable rates, and you can check it out here.
Travel Medical Insurance For Chiang Mai
Traveling to Thailand? Prepare for your trip and get travel medical insurance to stay protected. We suggest checking out SafetyWing for fellow travelers.
Overall, we have never personally experience any petty crime or violent crimes in this Northern Thai city. We can’t even imagine this happens — that’s how safe it is in Chiang Mai!
Chiang Mai Safety Statistics & Facts
Want to get into the numbers as to whether Chiang Mai is safe?
We’ve got you covered!
Looking at the statistics and facts helps you get an understanding of the bigger picture.
And it’s good news because Chiang Mai boasts impressive safety statistics.
According to Numbeo, the city’s crime index is a low 21.83, with a high safety index of 78.17. This puts it in the “very low” category for crime levels.
Here’s some statistics with a practical application to understand how safe it is:
Crime rates in Chiang Mai
Level of crime | Very Low |
Worries being mugged or robbed | Very Low |
Crime increasing in the past 5 years | Moderate |
Safety in Chiang Mai
Safety walking alone during daylight | Very High |
Safety walking alone during night | Very High |
How safe is Chiang Mai, exactly?
A way to understand it better is to compare these stats to other cities in the world. For example, in terms of feeling safe walking at night, Chiang scores 80.97 compared to London’s 37.73.
Another thing to consider in terms of safety in Chiang Mai is the burning season. Air quality can get very toxic and dangerous during burning season (February to mid-April). Lots of people leave during this time and return when the air quality is much better.
Most Common Scams In Chiang Mai
Let me reiterate this:
Chiang Mai is one of the safest places we’ve ever visited. We talked to a friend who had just been in Colombia prior to Thailand and it was interesting he said “I forgot how nice it is to just walk outside at night without thinking twice”.

In saying that, crime still does exist but it’s not as common as other places. We’ve heard of these common scam happening in places like Bangkok or the infamous Pattaya but not so much in Chiang Mai.
Regardless, it’s smart of you to be aware and stay alert for the common scams or crimes that can occur.
Petty Theft
Pickpockets are the most common crime in lots of place around the world. They tend to occur in bigger crowds, at events or at major landmarks. Sometimes, they work in pairs where on distracts and the other grabs your stuff.
Violent crime has increased slightly in recent years, but it remains uncommon. Petty crimes like pickpocketing do occur, especially in tourist areas but again — not super common in Chiang Mai.
Overpriced Tuk-tuk Drivers
Tuk-tuk scams are pretty common in Thailand. We’ve heard many stories of drivers overcharging tourists or taking them on long detours to try and sell extra stuff.
Some might even say landmarks are closed or overbooked which is often a lie to get you to go on other detours.
Be wary of tuk-tuk drivers that offer very low prices because then they take you to gem stores or other shops since they get a commission for bringing customers.

This usually happens more in Bangkok than in Chiang Mai, fyi. But still, something to be aware of!
Here’s the reality: Tuk-tuk drivers just cost more than a Grab ride.
Drivers usually don’t have a meter and you simply tell them your destination. They will choose a price — never accept the first price they give you. You can bargain with them, we always go 40% less than the first price they mentioned.
But tuk-tuks are an iconic and super fun form of transport if you’ve never been in one before.
We took a tuk-tuk once from Maya Mall to the Old City in Chiang Mai — and this driver totally overcharged us but we did agree on the price because we wanted the experience. And that’s okay sometimes!
Overpriced Goods At The Market
The Saturday night market, the Sunday night market and Gate Market are popular things to do in Chiang Mai. They are great to shop for souvenirs and eat some street food!
Some sellers try to rip off tourists but generally, they have fixed prices. For certain items, there’s no bargaining while others it’s almost expected.

For example, we bought a Muay Thai short and we got to bargain for most clothing items. However, for other items with a display price — we don’t typically negotiate.
Walk away if prices seem too high and a seller might call you back. We will say we found that most sellers didn’t want to bargain in Chiang Mai.
Who Is Safe To Travel To Chiang Mai, Thailand?
Chiang Mai welcomes a wide range of travelers — from laid-back backpackers to digital nomads to expats.
But is Chiang Mai safe for all kinds of visitors? Let’s find out!
Solo Travelers
The Northern Thai gem is a top pick for solo travelers. Chiang Mai is easy to navigate and locals are very welcoming. There’s plenty of hostels catering to the solo travelers.

Solo female travelers can feel at ease here. Whenever I’ve gone out all by myself as a woman, I haven’t felt worried or nervous about my surroundings. This city has a big community of women travelers and expats.
It’s smart to still take the same precautions as you would to watch your drinks or avoid dark alleyways late at night.
Digital Nomads
Chiang Mai is the OG hotspot for digital nomads. From the fast internet to the affordable cost of living, it’s the perfect mix for remote workers.
The nomad community is pretty strong with tons of networking events and meetups making it easy to meet new people.

We found it pretty safe to walk around with a backpack with our laptops and valuables.
Expats
Are you starting to see that Chiang Mai is loved by all kinds of travelers?!
Expats and retirees have called this city home for a while because of the laid-back atmosphere, friendly locals and high-quality life you can have.

Safety is a top reason expats choose Chiang Mai. The healthcare system is equipped with readily available English-speaking doctors.
8 Tips To Keep You Safe In Chiang Mai
Staying safe in Chiang Mai is easy with a few simple precautions. We’ve compiled essential tips to help you have a worry-free visit to this beautiful Thai city.
Avoid Bad Areas
Chiang Mai is generally safe but some areas do require extra caution. We recommend staying away from dark alleyways and isolated spots, especially late at night.
The Old City and Nimmanhein neighborhoods are safe, touristy areas to explore. If you stay within these areas, you should be fine.

While there aren’t necessarily dangerous neighborhoods in Chiang Mai, the further you get from the city ring — the more precautions you need to take. The mountains are more desolate which means its easier for crime to occur.
Trust your instincts and if you’re heading somewhere you’re unsure about — send your live location to a friend or just don’t go.
Get Travel Medical Insurance
Our best safety tip is to have travel medical insurance. If anything goes wrong, you’re protected!
Matthew and I don’t go anywhere without travel insurance. We always make sure we are covered before we go, this gives us peace of mind during our travels.
SafetyWing offers travelers flexible plans that can be bought if you’re already overseas. They cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
We’ve used them from the start of our travels and recommend them!
Buy an eSIM For Mobile Data
An easy way to keep safe is to have mobile data. I don’t go anywhere without it in case I need to text or call someone.
We use eSIMs now that I’ve got the newer iPhone. They’re easy to set up and you can get data as soon as you land. This means we can use Google Maps, Translate or Grab right away!

Holafly is a great choice if you want unlimited data during your trip. They have specific plans for Thailand and work throughout the country whether you go to Chiang Mai or fly down to the islands.
Share Location If Feeling Unsafe
Not feeling quite comfortable?
Sharing your location with a trusted friend or family can help put you at ease. You can share your live location through WhatsApp, Google Maps or Find My (iPhone) which allow you to share real-time location for a specific amount of time.
Join Local Facebook Groups
Connecting with other travelers, expats, or even locals is a great safety net.
These are some local Facebook Groups we’ve joined and found valuable:
These groups often share safety tips, warn about certain scams and offer general advice that are helpful. Don’t be shy to ask questions, most members are positive and give good insights.
If you’re looking for a WhatsApp community, there’s a big chat for travelers in Chiang Mai. You can message me on IG if you want the link!
Avoid Burning Season
The air quality in Chiang Mai can become a health concern during the burning season. The sky goes orange and it becomes harder to breathe.
Burning season is usually from February to April when farmers burn their crops.
If you’re sensitive to bad air quality, we don’t recommend going to Chiang Mai during burning season.

We have endured a burning season ourselves and I honestly found it difficult to breathe. We wore high quality masks (N95) once we realized that’s what we should do and still struggled to go outside.
The best thing to do is to stay indoors with filter machines cleaning the air if you stay in Chiang Mai. You can use this website to check the air quality in Chiang Mai.
Download Offline Maps
Downloading offline maps is easy and it can become a lifesaver! An offline map means it works without data, helping you navigate even if you lose signal.
Some remote areas near Chiang Mai have patchy internet or low cell signal.
This is a good thing to do while you’re at the airport to your next destination. That way, it’s ready to go before you even arrive! Make sure to keep updating your offline maps so you have the latest edition.
Be Vigilant Amongst Crowds
Keep your belongings safe especially if you visit any of the markets in Chiang Mai, festivals or busy landmarks like the Doi Suthep Temple.
Be extra careful at a bar or club. Zoe In Yellow is a popular club that gets very crowded! Make sure to use a belt bag (my fave is the Lululemon one) and keep it close to your chest if you’re worried.

No one has pickpocketed us in Chiang Mai, nor have we felt the threat that could happen. But that’s our experience and it could be different for others.
Emergency Numbers To Keep In Your Notes
Traveling to a new, foreign country?
Having emergency numbers handy is key. These are some important contacts to save for Chiang Mai specifically:
- Police: 191
- Tourist Police: +66 53-212147
- Ambulance: 1669
We recommend adding these to your phone Notes or contacts. It’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them!
If you want to take extra precautions, you can also jot down your embassy’s number.
Safest Areas To Stay In Chiang Mai
Where are the safest areas in Chiang Mai? These are the two most common and safe neighborhoods.
Old City
The old city is iconic and a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s our favorite area to stay while living in Chiang Mai. The streets are quiet, there’s temples and ancient walls all around that give it a unique charm.

The Old City is very walkable so perfect for any travelers that don’t want to rent a scooter. It’s well-lit at night to walk around even after dark.
Nimman
Nimman, short for Nimmanhaemin Road, is a trendy area where most digital nomads will stay. This has great cafes, restaurants and most meetup events.
This is generally a safe area to stay because most tourists stay here. There’s lots going, its well-developed, the streets are clean and well-lit to walk around.
So, Is Chiang Mai Safe Exactly?
We believe Chiang Mai is one of the safest cities we’ve ever visited (after traveling to more than 40+ countries).
While the question “Is Chiang Mai safe?” is totally reasonable, the statistics speak for themselves with a ‘Very Low‘ level of crime compared to other cities.
Other than the common scams like petty theft or being overcharged for something, violent crimes are quite rare in this Northern Thai city.
Be aware and take the necessary precautions. In our experience, Chiang Mai is just so safe — we don’t worry at all!
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