In just a few days, I’ll be boarding a flight to Thailand.

It’s part of my slow-travel rhythm that brings peace, beauty, and a different kind of breath. Chiang Mai, in particular, offers me the kind of quiet that softens everything, from my nervous system to my to-do list.

But right on cue, the headlines rolled in: Clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border.

And suddenly people start sending me links about the conflict and asking, Are you still going?

It’s a fair question. And it’s usually asked from two places: genuine concern… and for some, a deeper fear that’s been simmering for a while, especially when it comes to traveling outside U.S. borders.

I get that. I do.

The Truth: Safety Isn’t Black and White

I take every trip seriously, especially now.

I live with a chronic illness. I travel solo. I carry prescriptions that aren’t easy to replace. Every journey requires more planning than it used to, and I don’t take that lightly. But I’ve also learned not to let worry run the show.

Just like the U.S., Thailand is a large, diverse country. What’s happening in one region, especially along a remote border, isn’t always reflective of life elsewhere. That doesn’t mean we ignore it. It just means we keep it in perspective.

I’m headed to Chiang Mai, far from the Thai-Cambodian border (think Atlanta to Miami 😊). It’s not anywhere near the conflict zones being reported in the news.

So yes, I’m still going. But I’m going with awareness, not blind optimism.

How I Stay Informed Without Spiraling

Earlier this year, during my trip to Mexico City, my niece casually asked, “Did you sign up for that STEP thing yet?” I hadn’t.

I had heard of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) but never bothered to use it. That day, I pulled out my phone, looked it up, and registered.

Now, before every international trip, including this one to Thailand, I take a few minutes to enroll. It’s free, takes less than 10 minutes, and connects you to the U.S. embassy in whatever country you’re visiting. If something changes on the ground—natural disaster, civil unrest, new safety protocols, you get notified.

But what matters to me is this: if anything major happens, they know I’m there.

You can sign up here if you haven’t already.

It’s one of those small steps that helps me travel with confidence, not false bravado.

I Don’t Just Look for Safety, I Look for Understanding

Signing up for STEP is one thing. But I also take time to research the area I’m heading to, not just to feel safer, but to feel more connected.

I want to understand what I’m walking into.

For me, travel isn’t about checking boxes or snapping photos for Instagram. It’s an immersive learning experience. I read about the culture, the food, the history, and the customs. I look up what’s happening locally, not just in government travel advisories but in local expat forums and news sources that show what daily life feels like on the ground.

I’m the one watching walking tours of the city I’m about to visit. Not one, but several. I want to see how people walk, how they gather, how much traffic or street noise I should expect (hello, Mexico City), and what the energy of a neighborhood feels like.

Back when I had that Facebook virtual mask (what was it even called? Oculus? Meta-something?), I’d take 360-degree tours through temples, markets, and everyday streets. I’d spin in my chair and pretend I was already there. That was me, fully immersed before I even stepped on a plane.

Yes, I’m that nerdy about my travel experience. And honestly, I love that about me.

And When Something Does Happen? I Pause, But I Don’t Panic

I’m not immune to headlines. When news of the Thai-Cambodian border conflict started making the rounds, I didn’t just brush it off. I read. I watched. I took a beat.

Then I zoomed out.

I asked myself the same questions I always do when a place (city, country, region) I’m planning to visit shows up in the news:

• Where exactly is this happening?
• Is it isolated, or is it affecting multiple regions?
• Are tourists or expats being impacted directly, or is this a local issue in a very specific area?

In this case, I’m headed to Chiang Mai, far from the Thai-Cambodian border (think Atlanta to Miami 😊). The clashes are real and ongoing, but they’re concentrated in provinces near the eastern edge of the country. Not near where I’ll be eating khao soi or strolling through night markets.

So I didn’t cancel. But I also didn’t ignore it.

I Don’t Ignore Risk, But I Don’t Let It Rule Me Either

I’ve lived long enough and traveled far enough to know that risk is everywhere. I’ve also lived long enough to know that so is beauty. So is peace. So is freedom.

So when something concerning pops up, like a protest, a natural disaster, or conflict in part of a country, I ask myself a few key things:

Is my gut reacting to real, current information, or old fear, past trauma, or sensational news?

Have I checked multiple sources? U.S. travel advisories, local English-language news, expat groups, and creators on the ground. If they all say “life is continuing as usual” in the area I’m heading to, I trust that.

Do I feel prepared? I’ve registered with STEP. I know where the nearest hospital is. My meds are packed in my carry-on, not my checked luggage. I have digital and printed copies of my documents. I know who I’d call if something felt off.

That’s not panic. That’s intention.

What the Stats Say About Safety in Thailand

While no country is completely risk-free, Thailand consistently reports lower levels of violent crime than the United States. According to World Population Review, Thailand’s homicide rate is about 2.2 per 100,000 people, while the U.S. rate is approximately 5.8 per 100,000. That means, statistically, violent crime, particularly murder, is significantly less common in Thailand.

When you look at city-level data, Numbeo shows that Bangkok and Chiang Mai score better on safety indices than many major U.S. cities:

• Bangkok: ≈ 38.6
• Chiang Mai: ≈ 24.5
• Boston: ≈ 40.0
• New York City: ≈ 51.0
• Chicago: ≈ 66.1

Most violent incidents in Thailand are local and rarely involve tourists or expats. That mirrors what I’ve experienced on the ground and what I’ve heard in expat communities for years. You’re far more likely to encounter kindness than conflict.

Fear Wants to Freeze You, But You’ve Got Moves

Look, I’m not out here trying to be bold for boldness’ sake. I’m a Black woman with a body that has been through things. I don’t have the luxury of being carefree when I travel, but I do have the choice to be careful and still free.

What I won’t do is let fear keep me stuck in a loop of what-ifs so loud I miss out on all the what could be’s.

Fear is loud. But your vision is louder if you let it be.

Final Thought

If you’ve been watching the news and wondering, “Should I even consider moving abroad right now?” I hope you know this:

You don’t need to ignore risk. You just don’t need to hand it the steering wheel.

So yes, take precautions. Do your research. Check in with yourself. Prepare wisely.

But also? Don’t let the noise steal your dream.

You deserve a life that feels like ease. That feels like possibility. That feels like you.

Wishing you location and time freedom forever!
Marcia Hylton, aka Marcia Unbound
Remote Income Solutions Coach

P.S. Need a question answered? Ask me anything here.