Joanna James
The question regarding Thailand's safety for women is one that often comes up. Thailand is definitely a safe place for a woman to travel to but there are a few things you should look out for.
Hostels in Thailand are quite safe and are a great place to meet fellow travellers and find travel partners; travelling in a group is always safer. Hostels are generally preferred by younger travellers and can at times be a bit unclean and you will be required to share a room with other people, though this may be a bit annoying sometimes it doesn't make it unsafe and hostels are a great source for travel information. There are different kinds of hostels some which are considered party hostels and some, where women and men share rooms. But you can easily find something that suits you.
For female travellers, concerns about safety are paramount though in some cases more than safety it's the scams you have to look out for. If you travel by tuk-tuk try, always give the exact amount of the hire because most tuk-tuk drivers in Bangkok refuse to give change back as if it was some kind of unspoken tourist tax. If 'helpful' locals try to take you to temples for a fee always politely say no 'thank you', it is usually a scam.
The airport rail link operates from 6 am till midnight and is extremely safe to use even at late hours. And it costs nearly 10 times less than a taxi would. The underground MRT system and the Skytrain (BTS) are easily the best way to get around Thailand. Taxis are the next best option and are quicker and cheaper than tuk-tuks because they are metered. Taxis also have air conditioning which makes travelling in the humid weather much easier. Tuk-tuks can be overpriced and it is sometimes difficult with the drivers and buses can be hard to read and understand the stops. Trains are however the best way to travel from one city to the other as it's both affordable and quite comfortable.
Thailand is a country of many Buddhist temples and they are all open to tourists but there is a certain code of conduct to adhere to. It is customary that women dress conservatively in a manner in which their shoulders and knees are covered. It is also required that you remove your shoes or footwear before entering a place of worship.
Well, apart from hostels it might be best to avoid the seedier hotels. Thailand has many amazing luxury resorts and hotels that are quite affordable. Hotels in Chiang Mai like the renowned and well-reputed Anantara Chiang Mai Resort are on par with hotels in Bangkok and safety is never a concern when staying at such places. As a woman, if you are travelling alone in Thailand and you are uncomfortable sharing a space with strangers it would be best to opt for accommodation in a better-known hotel.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
