Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Pattaya at 55/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Thailand's national picture overall (67/100 vs 74/100).
City page · part of Thailand
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Pattaya report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside Thailand's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
45.1
Safety Index
54.9
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as Thailand's national page, with crime swapped for Pattaya's own Numbeo number above.
Legal status (national law)
Legal since 1956. Thailand is one of Asia's most LGBTQ-friendly destinations and legalized same-sex marriage in 2025.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B / C / O · 230V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 191 / ambulance: 1669 / tourist_police: 1155
Tipping
Not obligatory but appreciated; round up or leave 20-50 THB for good service.
SIM / Data
Prepaid tourist SIMs (AIS, dtac, True) are available at the airport and 7-Elevens; eSIM options exist for most major carriers.
Cash vs. Card
Cash still rules for street food, markets, and tuk-tuks; cards fine in malls and hotels. Carry small bills.
How this compares to Thailand
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Pattaya at 55/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Thailand's national picture overall (67/100 vs 74/100).
See the full Thailand page and all receipts →