Is Koh Samui A Safe Place to Visit and Live?

No this isn’t Samui, it is back in our home town of ChCh, it just seemed appropriate for this post!!

Is Koh Samui Safe? What Expats and Buyers Should Know About Security on the Island

When people ask about life on Koh Samui, one of the first questions we get is:
“Is it safe?”

The answer is yes… and no.

From a day-to-day living perspective, the short answer is yes — especially compared to many places.

While nowhere is completely risk-free, Samui is one of the more relaxed and secure places we've lived. Violent crime is rare. Most locals are friendly, helpful, and take pride in their community. It’s not uncommon to see scooters parked with keys left in the ignition, or people leaving bags on café tables while they duck into a shop.

That said, like anywhere, it still pays to use common sense — especially in busier tourist spots or if you're renting property that doesn’t have a gate or secure access.

⚠️ Where the "No" Comes In

There are two main areas where safety can be a concern — and both are worth being aware of:

🛵 1. Scooters and Roads

One day I counted fourteen ambulances in a single trip.
Accidents involving serious injuries — and sadly, deaths — are a regular occurrence on the island. The causes? A combination of reckless locals, zero road rules, and tourists who rent scooters (or worse, powerful motorbikes) and ride like they’re invincible.

Samui is not the place to learn to ride.
If you value your skin, either ride extremely cautiously or don’t ride at all.

🏚️ 2. Property and Business Deals

This is a big one. There are dodgy deals, shady developers, and foreigners who end up completely out of pocket — or worse.

I know of one couple (not my clients!) who had just moved in when, on their first night, the perimeter wall collapsed onto their house and bedroom. The wall turned out to be a retaining wall with no proper foundations.

Another build from the same developer had a toilet installed that wasn’t even connected to plumbing.
Yes, really.

So, if you’re thinking of buying or investing, please:

• Do proper due diligence

• Work with professionals who actually know what they’re doing

• Get good legal and financial advice

This is where someone like Jane (and our network of trusted advisors) can make a real difference.

🔎 A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Property Crime:
  Petty theft is rare, but it does happen — more often in high-tourist areas and surprisingly, often committed by foreigners rather than locals.

• Nightlife & Party Areas:
  Chaweng after dark has its own rhythm — lively, vibrant, and usually safe. But like anywhere with drunk crowds, stay alert.

• Natural Events:
  Flooding can occur during the rainy season in low-lying areas. It’s not unsafe, but worth investigating before buying.

• Emergency Services:
  There are police and decent medical services. But private hospitals can be seriously expensive — and if you crash a scooter, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands (and I’m not talking Baht!) in medical bills.

😊 So, Is Samui Safe?

For us, the everyday vibe is friendly and chilled.
We often leave doors unlocked when we go out (though we do have an electric gate), and I can honestly say we’ve never felt unsafe.

Our clients often say the same — once they’ve had a few weeks to settle in, any concerns melt away.

If you're thinking about relocating to Samui or buying property, don’t let outdated myths about Thailand put you off — just come with your eyes open, do your homework, and maybe have a chat with someone who’s already here (like me 🙂).