Be Safe in Phuket

Travel to Phuket presents very few problems for visitors in terms of health or safety. The tourist resorts are well-policed and do not present the numerous dangers found elsewhere in the country such as malaria and rabies. If however you are travelling deep in the jungle, you must be on your guard and stay away from any wild animals. Should you fall ill or have an accident, the medical facilities on the island are excellent.

Safety

For most tourists, Phuket is a very safe holiday destination and most people don’t experience any problems. However, like any popular tourist spot, pickpockets thrive. It is essential to always keep hold of your belongings, especially when visiting popular tourist haunts. Pickpockets target vulnerable tourists who have let their guard down. The Thais are generally very friendly and welcoming of all visitors.

The tourist police are in force in Phuket and are there to help you out should you fall victim to crime. They can all speak English and are generally very helpful.

Apart from crime, other safety concerns include the roads. Be very careful when crossing the road, as the Thais are renowned for being dangerous drivers. Also, think twice before hiring a motorbike. Many people travel to Thailand and hire one because everyone else does. This does not mean that you are safe, in fact, quite the opposite; Thailand’s roads are some of the most dangerous in the world.

If you are going to explore the thick forests, always take an expert guide with you. You do not know what you may come across and the guide will know what to look out for and how to get you to safety quickly should the worst happen.

Tourist Police: 1155

Health

Phuket sees millions of tourists visit its shores every year and the large majority will leave without experiencing any health problems. There are, however, a small number of things to be aware of. Tap water is not safe to drink and some of the food stalls are lax with their hygiene standards. Upset stomachs are fairly common among tourists as many visitors are not used to spicy food and some people may even experience food poisoning.

Visitors are advised to be up-to-date with standard vaccinations and use a good mosquito repellent to avoid being bitten. The worst time for mosquitoes is dawn and dusk. It is recommended that you cover arms and legs and smother yourself in repellent at these times.

Phuket’s hospitals are all very good and there are pharmacies across the island with trained pharmacists who can assist with minor ailments. Many drugs that are prescription only in Europe can be bought over the counter here.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket: +66 76 254 425