Reader question: I met a Thai girl but she lives in Pattani (negative travel advice)

Thanks for your advice, Rick, but firstly I doubt she's on vacation and secondly our relationship is still so early - we haven't met outside of FB and Skype - that she'd rather meet me in her familiar surroundings . Sending her to Krabi or Phuket (or even Hat Yai) right away seems too big a step. She's a decent woman and I want to treat her like a decent man.

Dear danzig,
I cannot find anywhere on the embassy's website that a negative advice has been issued for the south. After all, that means that you go there at your own risk and are not insured for everything that can happen to you there. It has been advised against traveling to the south for 8 years if it is not absolutely necessary. So you have to decide that yourself.
At the moment it is quieter in the south than it has been in recent years. But there are still weekly attacks. You can easily check that on the website of The Nation and the Bangkok Post. Teachers were and are the targets of the so-called Islamic terrorist groups. Rick's advice to invite her to Phuket is not so crazy.
Keep in mind that good Thai women (Buddhist, Muslim or something else) think differently about a holiday with a man who is still relatively unknown than a Dutch woman. If you're serious, book two rooms in a hotel. That will also increase her trust in you. Thai women sometimes don't have a good image, but unfortunately that also applies to foreigners who come here on holiday, no matter how nice they seem via Skype.

Hello danzig,
In fact, you are asking for advice on whether it is wise to run an increased risk. No one will give you positive advice for that. Many Thais and expats wouldn't want to stay in Pattani for anything. Some Thai women who have met someone through a dating site go to another place with an excuse to meet each other. This is to prevent gossip from the immediate area.
But if your date has work commitments and it looks like she'll be staying there for a while, you can't avoid traveling there if you want to get to know her better. Northeast of the capital seems to be relatively the safest. So the choice is yours. Good luck and I want to give you this in advance: The most beautiful flowers grow on the edge of the abyss. 😉

Dear Danzig,

I would follow Rick's advice, you read all the above and for several this is the best solution.
The deep south is really dangerous and definitely not recommended.
Terrorists ride a motorcycle and just like that, unexpectedly shoot "someone", especially a foreigner is an excellent (it's about attention) target.

You are Farang (foreigner) and are highly regarded here in Thailand, she will certainly come to a suitable location such as Krabi, this is not too far by bus from the south and very doable.
She won't have the money for the bus, so ask her bank account and deposit 50 euros into it.
This is more than enough for her to get to Krabi by bus and have something to eat on the way and buy some new clothes (very important for a Thai) for his first visit.

Rent a hotel in Krabi, Ao Nang beach, there are many opportunities to have a nice meal (at sunset) and very romantic.

It absolutely can't go wrong.

greetings Nico

@Davis:

I had the same idea: invite a woman I've never met in person to share a room with me? No, that's really going too far and believe me: I've had enough bargirls in my room.

She has lived all her life in the city of Pattani, so not in the (unsafer) countryside, and I believe she knows where the riot is. safe neighbourhoods/streets. In addition, there is a large military presence and most hotels are located in the 'safe' zone, surrounded by checkpoints.

Statistically, you are undoubtedly more likely to die in Bangkok than in Pattani. Of course there are regular attacks, but the chance that you are just next to them is very small. Tourists are not a specific target for the terrorists, but teachers are. That's why I worry more about my girlfriend than my own well-being.