In room safe vs. Reception safety boxes - what's your preference?

[moof]

I never use the hotel safe, I'm not going to know if it's actually secure or easy to get into and if it's shut someone is going to know exactly where to look. I end up locking stuff in my bags, not all in one place inside. If it's a LT, should have ID at front desk anyway (and if they are doing their job they check it matches the person) so at least I can check before she leaves.

[KanoMike]

On 27/02/2026 at 09:01, J1066 said:

I have a credit card laminated copy of my passport details page. Obviously doesn’t have Thai entry stamp, but fits into wallet easily and I have never been declined at money exchanged booths. 
I got it done on photo/ copy shop on Soi Buakhow near junction with Soi Lenkee

I have. Just turned around and gave to the TG of the day and they converted it for her.

[andy_0]

Hands down the room safe. I can deposit my stuff in it privately. One has to accept a safe is only a basic theft obstacle. It can not prevent it if you get knocked out or such.

However it can reliably prevent petty theft. What does not lie around cannot be stuffed in a hand bag.

[bobbyg]

Stayed at Sutus Court a couple of times and they had no in room safes. Just behind reception.

Absolutely no issues for me. Doesnt bother me either way tbh

[Carlos Danger]

I am paranoid so divide my cash and cards into roughly thirds then put into hotel safety box, in-room safe, and my pickpocket resistant pockets.

I always have a photo copy of passport and have photo on phone; keep my passport in hotel safety box.

[riccy]

room safe.. had hotel without safe last time.. then laptop and 50 bills envelope in suitcase

(rigid suitcase with number lock)  ..one time had 1000+ euro floating in a vitamine jar inside

the porcelain toilet reservoir..  (i like movies)

[evilbeing]

Paranoid team here, I have my own mini-safe with a cable. 

Passport, don't keep it on you, just keep a picture on your phone, main page and the entry stamp. Or ask your hotel to make a copy for you.

Staying a few days in Sutus Court 4 next time, and I trust reception safes even less than the in-room ones...

[bobbyg]

1 hour ago, evilbeing said:

Paranoid team here, I have my own mini-safe with a cable. 

Passport, don't keep it on you, just keep a picture on your phone, main page and the entry stamp. Or ask your hotel to make a copy for you.

Staying a few days in Sutus Court 4 next time, and I trust reception safes even less than the in-room ones...

I stayed at Sutus Court 1 and had absolutely no issues

[riccy]

i need some kind of safe to stash my load of cash.. i dont use ATM but 'western union'

a stack of 1000 baht bills to myself ..  W.U. transaction costs only 2 bucks

(when my euro bills are depleted..)

Edited April 1 by riccy

[DouglasFunee]

I always prefer an in room safe. I wouldn't leave a guest alone in my room long enough to do anything with a safe so the only people I would realistically have to be concerned with tampering with it would be the staff, in which case is a safety box really that much safer?  Maybe if it requires 2 keys or has surveillance cams I guess but I'm too lazy to go to a security box every time I need my things.

[sebd10000]

I use the in room safe. Cash, passport and cards all stay in there. I take a laminated copy of my passport that I use at TT to exchange money, never had a issue. 

I always leave a daily tip for the cleaner, the better you look after them, the better they will look after you and your belongings. I'm not saying it can totally deter theft but I think it helps. 

I would however stay in the room if I'd reported anything for maintenence in the room. The maintenence guy on a low salary with a master key for the safest is just too much to risk. 

[readyforthai2026]

In wealthier countries I'll keep it in the safe, but I imagine in Thailand I'll lock the safe as a decoy and then have the actual valuables hidden somewhere else. 

Never behind the front counter. Efff that...

[D-low]

Never bother with the safe, just lock everything in my suitcase. Stealing is very, very rare - I've never experienced any in thousands of girls -  and certainly not an entire suitcase. 

Passport I've never taken out ever, don't do that. Until recently I never had a copy on my phone either. Never been asked in 25 years to provide it. If I was a phone copy would be fine I would think. 

[Pinoydave]

I have my own small travel safe on a chain, and always use lockable luggage……generally split my cards and money . Never open either when someone else is in the room.

I’m more worried about room cleaners than short time companions. hotels will always defend their staff to avoid losing “face”. They have much longer time to go through your things when you’re out of the room.

[Steve1981]

I use the in-room safe when I stay at hotels, and my lockable suitcase when at an Airbnb condo. For my cash, I'll keep in an envelope in the safe and write the exact amount of currency on the envelope - this way I'll know if any skimming was done.