Phuket, Thailand
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Phuket.
Where expats live. Safe, local prices, residential feel. Not a beach destination but good for local life, meeting people, and island hopping base. Safe with welcoming expat community.
Rawai is where long-term expats live, so it feels like a real neighborhood instead of a tourist area. The beach is rocky with boats, not good for swimming, but the promenade has sunset views over nearby islands. People here do billiards tournaments, diving clubs, hiking groups, expat meetups - not beach stuff. Restaurants serve Thai food at local prices plus expat food. Eating alone is normal since lots of expats live alone. English is common in established places. Safe area with low crime and local police around. No beach resort experience - this is for community feel and as a base for boat trips to nearby islands. Minimal nightlife, just expat bars, no clubs. You need transportation to get to swimming beaches, but you can arrange island boat trips easily. Good if you want to see how expats actually live in Phuket or test out long-term stay life. Bad if you want beaches.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
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"Safe with expat community feel"
"No beach but good for seeing local life"
"Easy to meet people at bars and activities"
"Cheaper than tourist beaches"
"Good base for boat trips to islands"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Quiet and family-oriented, away from tourist crowds but still has beach and basic stuff. Safe but not much nightlife or restaurant variety. Good for relaxing, not socializing.
Quiet and family-oriented with a long beach. Safe but limited nightlife and restaurants. Good for relaxing, not for socializing.
Prettiest beach on Phuket with protected natural area. Very safe. Good for peaceful escape and swimming. Almost no nightlife or restaurants, isolated from other areas. Better for relaxing than exploring.
Help other women stay safe in Rawai
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.