Exploring Chiang Mai's Safety vs. the West 

You’re right. I retired in 2013 and living here in Orlando (LOL) I am always on alert. Sense of safety is always important for me. Thank you

I am retired Houston police officer, a month or more every year in Thailand for 30 years, when in American I always have a gun I feel very uncomfortable without one....in Thailand I've never felt uncomfortable without one.....bad things can happen anywhere in the world but extremely rare in Thailand ( I often spend time in poor area's of Bangkok but I do speak thai)

When I went to live in China for a couple of years on business years ago, my views on gun ownership and the actual safety it brings changed forever. I was staying in a big city. Upon arrival, I was met by someone who drove me to my apartment. It was like about 11:30 at night and I was still on U.S. time. I asked him if the neighborhood was safe to take a walk in. He enthusiastically said "Oh, yes...its absolutely safe." Then, he surprised me by saying "Don't worry...we don't have guns in China." We both laughed a bit at this. I set out and walked several block and I was really surprised in many ways. The Chinese cities are very modern, but they don't have the amount of street lighting that we do everywhere. There were dark sections that you would have avoided in the U.S. This spooked me a little, but I kept walking. I soon learned that I had nothing to worry about. There were as many/few cops around, as I would find back home. The difference was that people just walked the streets with the knowledge that crime was punished severely and there were NO GUNS. The place I lived was nothing special, but at night the amount of people out taking casual walks was at the level you'd find in some fancy pedestrian mall. These were a mix of working class and middle class people. It was real nice. After a while, I realized that safety really wasn't the result of me defending myself. It was mostly about living in the right place. In the U.S., this means a gated community or high-class area. In some parts of the world, this means almost any decent neighborhood. I recently decided not to retire in a certain part of Panama because apparently a lot of the American expats there take advantage of the lax Panamanian laws on gun ownership. Leave it to Americans to spoil paradise. So, I can totally understand what you're talking about here. I've traveled the world (mostly on business) for the past 30 years and what you say is true in most places. Stay away from sketchy people and places. Make friends with the right people. Great video. Thanks!

Well done. My first trip to East Asia was a conference In Japan. Jet-lagged I couldn't sleep the first two nights and just wandered the neighborhood. Time after time, a lone woman would walk past and smile and nod hello -- completely confident in her safety. Since then I've been in China, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, and now I live in Thailand. It seems to be the same everywhere (as you say avoid the dicey areas in towns). No need to sit facing the door anymore. I think you are right: The Buddhist mindset and the expectation of respectful interactions make a huge difference here.

I’m retired from 26 year career LE in California…love seeing my brothers living their best life in retirement..I too am looking hard at Thailand..thanks for your content..

I agree 100%. I had plenty of guns when I lived in the USA. While I had a concealed carry permit and did work as armed security for a while, I rarely carried a gun unless it was needed for work. You are correct about "weight" that accompanies carrying a firearm, and I was usually happy to not deal with that. On the other hand, I really enjoyed Trap and Skeet shooting and 100-yard target shooting and did that frequently. There are gun clubs here where foreigners can go and pay to participate in shooting sports, but I have not yet done so (it seems pretty expensive to me). In terms of safety, I have not yet felt unsafe anywhere in Chiang Mai. When I walk down the street in the USA, I feel people looking at me the way a cat looks at a mouse; I think we all know what that feels like. I've never felt that in Chiang Mai. There are other parts of Thailand where the news reports problems with Russian mafia, and in other tourist areas (specifically Pattaya and Phuket) somebody has offered me drugs within 10 steps of leaving the hotel or resort. That doesn't happen here. Marijuana is legal and easily accessible, and despite being so close to the Golden Triangle (the Thai-Lao-Burmese border, an area known for opium production) I have not seen any evidence of opioids here (no needles in the gutters, no strung-out tweakers talking to themselves in dark doorways). Thai culture is very laid back, very live-and-let-live. It is such a welcome change from the USA where everybody is all up in your business, judging everything you do and don't do, and criticizing your every move. I agree that it really feels like many Americans are LOOKING to be offended. Whatever activity you like, somebody else doesn't like and can't accept that you enjoy it. Whatever you don't like, somebody else can't accept that and is COMPELLED to try to change your mind. You can't even like or not like food without somebody vehemently disagreeing and looking to fight you over it. Here nobody cares! They may ask if you like spicy food, and if you say yes then they will serve it to you and if you say no they will warn you about every spicy dish on the menu. They are being polite and respectful of your preferences. As a foreigner, I understand that I am a guest here. Just as I would feel a need to be very respectful when visiting a friend's home in the USA, I feel an extra obligation to be respectful and kind to the Thai people and the Thai nation who have extended their hands to me in friendship. Above all that, this is a beautiful country, an honorable and ancient culture, and the Thai people are some of the most beautiful, sweet, friendly people I have ever met. This isn't the USA, and anybody coming here thinking their life here will be the same as it was in America will find that isn't true. There are many culutural differences to get used to, but as long as you come here with an open and inquisitive mind, you should love Chiang Mai!

As Thai people, I am happy to hear that and welcoming you to stay here as long as you want. 😊

As a Veteran who did 5 trips to Iraq with Marine Infantry, EOD, and Support units I have a healthy sense of self preservation. My wife and I have been going to Chiang Mai since 2018 and you hit the nail on the head Fred, I just ‘Feel’ safer there, hell we lived there 2022-2023 and were on a education visa doing ESD at Core Combat and even in martial arts class talking with other expats they have never had any issues in CM. Now Megan and I have some rules we follow to increase our safety, i.e. never getting drunk in public, being in the house by 2200, and generally minding our business helps allot. But I think the best statement you made is I don’t feel uncomfortable letting my wife go out alone, and that is something I cannot agree with more and I understand the reasoning behind that feeling too. Hope y’all are good after all that flooding, be well Boss🤙

I'd say the only threat you have living there is finding a 3mt snake winding down your home 😅. I believe that Buddhism is very much the reason. The approach to inner peace and actual belief in karma makes the whole difference. Btw I only recently discovered your channel but watching a few videos I thought these places look familiar then realised you live in Doi Saket. It's is a great district. Had some friends from Australia living there for 5 o 6 years and we went to visit them. When we did they had just moved to a new home so we had the privilege of assisting to a house blessing ceremony from the local monk and village chief. Really enjoyed the experience. My spouse and I live in Asia too, lived in Hong Kong, then Vietnam now back to HK and I get everything you say about safety. It's priceless having that peace of mind.

Well said,from a Brit living outside of Pattaya,a lot of what you say makes sense,best of health mate.

Great Content and the Way of your Approach, Fred. After 15 Years in Thailand I can say, the Thai People are very friendly, open minded and helpful. One Danger I see almost every Day - it’s called ON THE ROAD. After many aggressiv Races, I slowed down, because I knew only the be on the wrong Side. Some Years ago a German lost his Patience on the Road in Chiang Mai and showed another Driver (Thai Man) the Middle Finger. He ended up dead with a Bullet in his Head😢

Fred, appreciated your talk about safety in Chiangmai. I would like to bring up another kind of safety, which is road accidents. Be very careful as people could drive carelessly, just because they are careless. So, when on the roads, be careful.

Good to hear you found peace of mind in Thailand. I wish you many happy gunless years, being able to sit with your back to the door. In the Netherlands we cannot begin to feel how frightening it must be to live in the USA and be so tense all the time. I have to say that I know what it feels like abit, having visited Memphis, Miami and St. Louis. but it is not normal in the biggest part of the world luckily. Glad that you found a safe place too.

Interesting video and take on safety from your perspective. Subscribing from South Africa. 😊

Hi Fred. First time I have seen your channel. Thank you for creating this video. I’m from the UK but lived 16 years in Thailand. I have never even held a gun, let alone discharged one. I have no fascination whatsoever with them. First time I even saw a gun was when I went on a school trip to Barcelona, Spain. I’m so sad that you don’t feel safe with your back to the door. Astonished that you feel that leaving your door unlocked with just a mosquito screen is something out of the ordinary. You have a very natural, engaging delivery on camera. Thanks again Fred.

I to was a Certified Nursing Assistant and thanks to my mother encouragement I advanced to a Licensed Practical Nurse, and managed to make my way to Florida where I thought this would be my retirement home….. Crime, taxes, politics and the insurance is killing us… Definitely looking to retire outside the USA… Thank you for sharing your journey… I greatly appreciate it… your honesty and kindness is very nice to hear… Keep up the great work…. Blessings to you and your wife….

I have lived in Chiang Mai, for the last 14 years and have never been concerned about the need to carry a gun. You are 100% correct about CM, being a safe place to live. You have an interesting channel Fred. 🥰🥰

Hello, new subscriber here. I’m 58 years old and plan Retirement in the Philippines, but I come across your content and it has me reconsidering. Me and my wife are coming to the Philippines this coming November for a boots on the ground type thing and a vacation of course. The only thing that I come across on RU-vid about Thailand is seedy, so your channel is refreshing. I’m a continue watching your content.

New sub here. Good videos buddy, your channel is under appreciated, but you’re on the right track. Just keep regularly posting interesting quality videos like this. And doing interesting interviews like you have (especially try collabs with other YT’errs) , and the viewers will find you

Much appreciated perspective! (Newly Subscribed) I very much relate, as a US citizen. The time I've spent in CM and all over the Northern Providences, i always had a very noticeable sense of at ease. And, like you, I've always been very much attuned to my surroundings and situational awareness! *I will be in CM in November, looking to retire there in a few years.

Hello Fred. Thank you for your service. I am a brother in blue myself , just retired from a Sheriff Dept. as a Reserve Deputy. I am also a Thai who live in the US for the past 40 yrs. I can relate to you about don't sit with your back to the door. When we eat out , my wife know to pick a table that I can sit facing the door and back to the wall LOL. As far as guns goes in Thailand even if you can own one my advice to you not to carry it please. Thailand is like any country in the world if you looking for trouble you'll find trouble. There are places that even the loco's will not go to. Avoid the bar's , night life entertainment places. You will be fine. BTW if you come back to the state you still cover under HR218 but you probably have to requal. Stay safe , wacth your 6 . Jesse

Just happened to stumble on your page and happy to have. Awesome to have another brother out here (I've been here in CM on and off for the past 9 years). Also great bc I am actually from Orlando too. Look forward to keeping up with your channel!

Yes Fred, once again an insightful bit of video. Thank you

Thank you for this video, Fred. I think you said that you live in a community that is east of the city of Chiang Mai. How are things where you live during the burning season?

Thanks for the information and conformation on safety in CM

Spot on with your observations, Fred. We're so lucky to live here. Thank you. From another ex Cop

Funny how fellow law enforcement officers think alike. I completely agree with your thoughts. I too am former law enforcement. I worked 20+ years for the state of NJ. I retired as a Sergeant. I am thinking about moving my wife and I to Panama. Not easy to get a gun. I probably wouldn’t buy one. Stay safe and enjoy.

Great video this week and informative.

Where are you walking? Looks like a nice park, and always looking for a new place to walk :)

So glad to hear you found peace in Thailand. It was interesting to listen to your story about guns and never sitting with your back to the door 🚪 I am from Australia and when i travel i tend to take that sense of security with me to other countries. I felt very safe travelling through the whole of Thailand. Enjoy the beautiful Buddhist culture, chang mai does have a different feeling i agree 😊

We get so ingrained in our mindset that change happens slowly. Over time I'm sure you'll find loud verbal arguments are even rare here. As a US expat like yourself I've never had the need to defend myself or wife in 10 years. It's super safe here. I'm sure some of your uneasiness is probably from your career as well. Thank you for your service as a police officer.

Hey Fred I totally understand I live in the Philippines and feel safe also. I’m not worried of my car getting breaking into. I also feel safe in Thailand. My wife and I travel together and never see in Asia what’s going on in the U S. Chiang Mai is beautiful we visit there every year.

Great video, Fred, and it was WONDERFUL to see my Second Home again (very much looking forward to flying from Boston back to Chiang Mai in December) but as far as weaponry in the kingdom goes: yes, Thailand IS Very Safe for Western folk (unless you're on a motorcycle--Been There/Survived That) but there ARE criminal elements in the kingdom and of course border problems with Burma, sometimes Laos and Malaysia. Still, I DO agree with your outlook on Chiang Mai and the kingdom in general--I've been going there since 1987 and can't wait to get back home again. Thanks for your video and choke dee! 🙂

I have visited the poorest sections of cities like Bangkok, Pattaya and Chonburi. I never for an instant felt apprehensive for my safety, even walking at 3am one time. There are now places in Switzerland where I wouldn't do that. Every village has a scoundrel or two, even a local Mafia and I can tell a few tales. As soon as they know who and what you are, you're OK. Thanks for an interesting report..

Thailand has many places for liveing, many pretty small cities , beauty views, good food and nice locals

Good stuff! A somewhat different safety concern for many expats is the prevalence of stray dogs in the streets. You didn’t mention this, but I’m wondering if that is a concern of yours, especially at night?

I have not lived in the US in over 10 years, so no sure what it's like now, but when I lived in rural Minnesota, it was as safe as anywhere I ever lived. Fun fact, we never locked our doors. When the snow was super heavy and leaving packages on the front porch meant they would get wet, and possibly ruined, we would come home, and the package would be sitting on the coffee table. The UPS driver would just bring it into the house for us, so it wasn’t ruined. We didn’t need to worry, his wife worked down as the school, and would be highly upset if he ever took anything. Of course, he never would have, I just mean everyone knows everyone, and people look out for each other. Those kinds of communities are amazing, and I hope they still exist in the US.

As a Thai, I'm feeling sad with some Thai people want the free gun law in the country. And I've seen news about gun violence almost every day And they blame they want a gun. But half of the gun violence is the family problem.

Fred, I’m an expat from Chicago living in Kyoto for thirty years. Chiang Mai is my favorite city in Thailand! Your videos have the highlights of travel vlogs but also offer a deeper look into society and comparisons with the US that are well researched and insightful. So appreciate you! Looking forward to more!

I've lived in Orlando since 1976. It's only gotten worse! Thanks for the video.

and additionally, you’d find the same friendly and safe environment in Taiwan where I’m at. Japan is the same as well, spent time there, and in Thailand too

I have two children here with my Thai wife and I in CM. One is 16, the other 21 years old. Ive never felt concerned for them in terms of being exposed to gun violence. I am probably more concerned with either of them being in a road accident to tell you the truth. However, when we did live down in Rayong and my daughter went to Pattaya on the weekend with her high school buddies, I did worry about her personal safety. But hey, that’s Pattaya! On another note, from what you are saying here Fred I cannot feel but empathy for you and Dana from what you must have been exposed to carrying out your professional duties in law enforcement. I am so glad to hear you are now at a point where you feel safe and, as you said in the video, sit with your back to the (restaurant) door. ❤

Good video my friend.

As an Australian I do not understand the idea of needing or wanting to carry a gun. Yes there are unsafe areas and gun violence here but in general I feel safe in a lot of areas including cities. I’ve been to Chiang Mai a few times and remember walking back to our (my friend and I and 4 girls between us) hotel at 11pm without any fear of anything happening. Felt so safe there. Now to get my hubby there and show him why we need to move there now our kids are grown up.

A good balanced approach to the subject as ever Fred. It was also good to hear some more of your history

First time viewing your content, good job. My wife and I travel full time and spent two months in Thailand. While in Chiang Mai we spent the day at the Elephant Nature Park and was so impressed that we want to come back and volunteer for a week. We love everything about Thailand, even loved the mayhem of Bangkok. You e been there for a year now, did you stay for the burning season, or go away on “holiday” at that time? If you did stay, how was it? And do you think that there would be long term health concerns?

I enjoy your videos, we’re visiting Thailand in February and currently learning Thai to get us started. We’re a very English couple so have no idea about guns!

You mentioned losing power, so my question is, can you purchase a generator? I don’t mind being hot but when I come home I want nothing but comfort lol

I agree. I started coming to CM the month before 9-11. There have been tremendous changes but it remains a remarkably safe place. Will it remain that way with the relaxation of visa laws and the influx of people from other cultures, particularly Chinese and Russian? I am not sure but we will find out soon enough. It definitely bears watching.

Thailand is deeply Buddhist, so the people don’t like confrontation, or look for it and go out of their way to avoid it. Being dominant over others is not in their nature, as much as it is in western countries. Living in America you encounter so many people on power trips, but over here not many people are like that. CM is as safe a place you will find. It is much easier on your mental health when you can pretty much disregard random shootings and violent crimes where you live.

Hate crime is outrageous in the US, I saw the news recently a 19-year old Asian got hit in Korean town and died few days later. The white hate black, the black hate Asian 😔 Anyway you should keep normal safety precaution.

Thailand and indeed Chiang Mai is to be my new home for many reasons but the safety aspect is one of them. I am coming from Adelaide South Australia which would have one of the lowest gun related crime rates not only in Australia but in the world ( my unresearched opinion ). I feel very fortunate because of this, so I dont want to move anywhere where those statistics would increase, hence my move to Chiang Mai. I understand your ( the U.S. ) 2nd amendment right, but it would be unheard of for Australia to consider this as an option. We do have guns here but for what we would consider legitimate reasons; farming and sport would be the main reasons. When we have any gun related instance of crime here, it becomes national news. I am certainly not saying we Australians are any better than anyone else, because I am not. I am probably saying that I may understand your thinking better because of the contrast. I am truly grateful that you have found a safer place to live and would love to have more of this discussion face to face one day to better understand. These are only my thoughts and opinions stated with respect. 🙏

I think the biggest difference here is that if there is violence, it is not random violence but between people who know or have business dealings with each other - I used to have NY radar but here for many years, I never watch my back. I have helped people retire here who were afraid living in Florida... good job on the vlog.

Having lived in Thailand for a few years, I feel quite safe. Especially, as a Queer gender-fluid person.

Reason you carry a gun off duty is because you’re a highly trained and God forbid something happened around you that you could’ve prevented so you are a protector of the community even off duty. God bless.

You are safe as long as you don't breathe the air.

You should try police volunteer job in Chiangmai

Sharing from your lived experiences ✨powerful reflections to hear how your sense of safety in CM so different than in the US.

Nice one Fred ! Thanks for your emails my friend, hope to be part of your coffee group one day soon Mike

From everything I see it’s the farang themselves that cause the most danger in Thailand.

Hope you have a good retirement time and stay healthy.

In Chiang Mai you don’t need to think of the gun and not even talk about the gun.

I appreciate your story but how can you be affirmative towards the second amendment when you are experiencing the peace without guns in Chang Mai ?

Hey Fred , Great video . Question : If you guys have children . How do you deal with living overseas . We have 2 boys and once they are old enough we want to retire in Thailand . Is it hard to leave the children ?

Greetings Fred, I agree with most of your points, there is an unraveling of structures in the west, a lot of us are looking for a solution, being British I just can’t agree with your 2nd amendment rights!✌🏾🍷

Guns are next to impossible for normal citizens to purchase, while criminals and teenage gangs have an ample supply. This is just another example of the government denying guns to law-abiding citizens while 1000s of weapons and explosives stream across the border with Myanmar.

Thanks for the video! It was very informative and I agree. I work at the schools here in the states in a fairly small community but, I still feel very aware of my surroundings at the school, movie theaters, mall or other places. Thankfully no school shootings and I really hope it never happens especially while my kid is in school. The only act of violence I have heard about was in Bangkok where a 14 year old with mental issues shot and killed a few people last year. Thailand seems very safe even in the bigger cities.

It does not get any more safe than Chiang Mai

Well,said! I have the same feeling in Japan. Having taught Martial Art in the States for many years. When looking to teach here o notice the attitude/reason about learning a marital art is not from the fear factor like in the States. i get that same no fear vibe in Chiang Mai

If you were to look at those statistics do you think the results would be skewed from the different culture and documentation? Sleeping with your door open or not locking anything is still common in a lot of places. It seems like your using a 3rd world war zone as a base line. A smaller city in Japan, NZ, Australia, Sweden, Norway etc all seems reasonably safe. Although the world is changing in small cities down south in NZ hard drugs or day time crime wasn't a thing 20-30 years ago.

In the UK and probably the the rest of Europe we find American gun culture off the scale weird - glad you've managed to escape it.

Im from London England, and in my 60s have never seen a hand gun. There would be fighting on the odd occasion, growing up, but the worse injury would be cuts and bruises..When I visited the Florida U,S, with my wife and kids, It had different vibe. We were told,not to stop in rest areas when driving,or we might get robbed and shot, Iv been coming to Chiangmai for a few years now, and always feel safe. There's only one reason to have a gun. Guns are made to kill people. The world would be a much better place without guns..

" Next to impossible to get a gun" ? I have been offered guns by tuk-tuk drivers ! 15% of the population are registered gun owners - the highest of the ASEAN countries. This is not taking into account the amount of unregistered guns and owners. You need to be here a bit longer maybe .