Last Updated on 04/06/2024

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Thinking about solo female travel in Thailand?

I have been a solo female traveller in Thailand for the last 6 years. I have lived in Bangkok twice and travelled solo many times around Thailand and other parts of Asia. I adore travelling alone and find it really easy to meet people, even in post pandemic Thailand where there are less fellow travellers than before. I updated this post in 2022.

Thailand Solo Female Traveller: Is it safe to travel Thailand alone?

I think it’s a fantastic place for solo travel, particularly as a woman. I think South East Asia generally feels safe as a solo traveller and I felt much safer travelling alone in South East Asia than other countries like Sri Lanka and India.

Female Solo Travel Thailand: Is Thailand safe for solo travel?

Yes, absolutely. If it’s your first solo trip, then Thailand is a great place for first time solo travellers. I think Thailand is actually one of the best destinations for solo female travel, especially for first timers going it alone. Thailand welcomes millions of travellers every year and so things are well set up for travelling around that it feels very easy and convenient. I did my first solo trip to Koh Chang in Thailand many years ago and since then I have visited many Thailand destinations and other places in Asia solo as well, such as Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. Backpacking Thailand alone female has been done many times and there are many other Thailand travel women waiting to meet you!

Thailand Travel Women: Is Thailand safe for solo female travellers?

I cannot speak for everyone but I have always felt confident enough travelling solo here. Thai people are extremely helpful, crime is not common and there are so many backpackers around that it is easy to meet people. I have had unpleasant incidents here, all of which could have happened and have happened in other countries as well. I feel the main concerns that we worry about when travelling solo are crime, scams, feeling lost or not in control, sexual harassment, assault and rape. While these incidents occur everywhere, I feel that there are some steps we can take to feel safe in Thailand.

Is Thailand Safe for Single Female Travellers – Where to stay when travelling solo in Thailand?

For me this is one of the most important factors of making sure I feel safe when travelling solo particularly as I always do independent travel in Thailand rather than a package tour.  When in a group or with a partner, I have been very relaxed about accommodation and not always booked in advance. I love the feeling of just showing up somewhere, negotiating a price, and finding a place to sleep for that night. However, when I travel alone, I always book in advance. I always choose accommodation that is in the main area/street so that I won’t be walking alone at night time. I prefer staying in hostels as it’s so easy to meet people but have also booked beach bungalows for myself before and made sure that these are along the main beach area and not too isolated. I always book using Agoda and read reviews to see people’s comments about location and how convenient it is for other places. I always take a card from the hotel so that I can show it to people or taxis to help me get home.

Travel Thailand Alone Female : Solo in Bangkok

Bangkok has been my home for 4 and half years and I can say it is one of the safest cities that I have visited. It’s a city that never sleeps so even if I come home at 4am from clubbing and enjoying Bangkok’s nightlife, there are always people around, streets are busy and the bustle of city life continues. The exception to this is down quiet “sois” or alleys in Bangkok. I therefore recommend staying in accommodation on main roads in Khao San backpacker area, or Sukhumvit road near crossroads where there are always people around.

Thailand Travel Women : The Best Places for Solo Travel in Thailand

The best destination for solo female travellers in Thailand are Bangkok and Chiang Mai for city lovers. The best islands for solo travel are Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket and Krabi – Ao Nang because these are the main tourist destinations. They will always be busy with backpackers and tourists on holiday, even in post pandemic Thailand. Visitors are returning and you can always find new people to meet. Travelling in Thailand alone is easy because Thailand is so well set up, whether you are taking airplanes or sleeper buses. If you visit quiet islands, or smaller towns there will be less people around, they can be harder to get to and not so easy to find accommodation. I recommend meeting people in hostels, day tours or dive boats and travelling with them to the quieter islands or smaller towns.

Is Thailand Safe for Female Travellers: Transport – Trains

Night trains were one of my big concerns when travelling alone as you hear horror stories and I wanted night train travel in Thailand to be a good experience and not feel too worried or scared to sleep. Luckily, I always feel really safe on night trains in Thailand. Book a top bunk as I feel these are harder to access and always go second class, that way you are in a compartment with lots of other people – not just 3 people in your own cabin. I always feel there is safety in numbers. I normally chat to the people near me and get to know them and I sleep with my little backpack with my valuables near my head. I love ones about this size and think they are great for travel, you check them out on Amazon.

Read here for my 20 travelling essentials for Thailand.

Thailand Solo Female Traveller : Transport – Meter Taxis

Unfortunately Thailand has a terrible record for road safety, but not much we can do about that. If you’re lucky, your taxi will have a seatbelt. If there is nothing to plug the seatbelt in to then just loop it around your body. My top tips for taking taxis in Bangkok would be to always ensure they go on the meter. It’s illegal for them not to but they will try anyway. Always sit in the back seat, never in the front. If you’re travelling alone in Bangkok then taxis can be very convenient but keep your guard up. I’ve been harassed by two taxis drivers while living in Bangkok and when I told people everyone asked me if I was sitting in the front. I wasn’t but apparently if I had I would have been asking for it. People’s attitudes suck and so do some taxi drivers but don’t let that stop you from living your life or enjoying your holiday. In Bangkok, many taxi drivers don’t always know where they are going so keep your phone out to check where they are going via GPS. Sometimes they are trying to scam you, but more often than not, I find they just don’t know the quickest route. Have your money ready so you can get out the moment the taxis pulls up.

Solo Trip to Thailand: Transport- Grab Taxis and Bikes

It is now easier than ever to use Grab or Bolt to order taxis and bikes in Thailand, especially in Bangkok and busier tourist destinations which I really recommend if you are travelling Thailand alone female. Please note Phuket does not offer Grab. I generally feel safer using Grab taxis because you can track where you’re going. As I live here, I also use meter taxis because I can give directions and know the area well.

Travelling to Thailand alone Tips: Don’t be too polite. If you feel like a guy is being over-friendly, close down the conversation, avoid looking at him and get out of the taxi at the nearest busiest place. 7/11 convenient stores can be good as there are many of them and they are open 24 hours a day.

Is Thailand safe for tourists: Transport – Night Buses

Super cheap and super cold, night buses are a very useful way of backpacking around Thailand. I frequently take them alone and have rarely encountered any problems. I keep my valuables nearby and try and get a seat downstairs. Large backpacks will often be stowed under the bus so keep all your valuables with you. I often loop an arm or a leg through my small backpack so that I might wake up if someone tried to steal it. Night buses can arrive in the early hours of the morning to random destinations so make sure you get off at your stop (the conductor can tell you) and know where you’re going if you are off the beaten track a little bit. You can book buses with 12go Asia in advance.

Solo Travel to Thailand: Transport – Boats and Ferries

Generally speaking, Thailand has a good reputation for sea safety and I have rarely felt scared. That said, some ferries depart early in the morning which has left me with needing to be at a pier at 4am when it’s still dark. In these situations I try to make sure I’m staying near the pier so I can get there easily. You can also book ferries in Thailand with 12go Asia.

How safe is Thailand for tourists: Walking

Walking around at night time in Thailand I have rarely felt afraid. I think there are often many people around, even late at night and I live on a main road in Bangkok. I always use a crossbody bag with a zip like this one from Amazon to make it harder for someone to grab it. I feel that walking confidently can give you the appearance of knowing where you are going (even if you don’t) and can make you less of an easy target (just a personal feeling).

How to stay safe in Thailand: Money & Documents

Thailand is a developing country and the minimum wage here is 300 baht a day. I have found Thai people to be extremely honest and I have friends who have even had expensive smart phones returned to them. However, I still think it wise to not flash around a lot of cash. I keep cash in various different places when I’m travelling and separate it into different purses or bags. You should always carry a copy of your passport with you in Thailand. Many people don’t, but if you ever had a run in with the police then this is useful to have on you.

Safety in Thailand Information:

Emergency Police Number 191

Tourist Police (eg for scams) 1155

For my advice about your health in Thailand, read more here.

For more useful information for travelling Thailand, read this post