Thailand's Chiang Mai named Southeast Asia's safest city

Chiang Mai is Southeast Asia's safest city, narrowly ahead of Singapore, according to the latest Safety Index compiled by online database Numbeo.

The northern Thai city scored 78.1 out of 100 to Singapore's 77.7, according to the continuously updated table on Oct. 31.

Davao in the Philippines was third with 71.1 points, followed by Malaysia's Penang with 70.6.

Hanoi rounded out Southeast Asia's top five with a safety score of 66.4. Respondents reported feeling very safe walking alone in the capital during the day, while nighttime safety was rated "moderate."

Chiang Mai received "very high" safety ratings for walking alone, scoring 92.87 during the day and 81.09 at night.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple illuminated by lanterns during a festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo by Unsplash

The city had also topped Numbeo's annual rankings in 2025 and 2026 mid-year.

Numbeo's index covers 406 cities worldwide and draws on website users' responses about safety during daylight and after dark, concerns about theft, robbery, physical attacks, and other crimes.

Higher scores indicate greater perceived safety.

Numbeo classifies scores above 80 as very low crime (very high safety), above 60 to 80 as low crime (high safety), above 40 to 60 as moderate, above 20 to 40 as high crime (low safety), and 20 or below as very high crime (very low safety).