its the same in any country, in tourist areas you get ripped off, go outside the city, you pay the same as the locals. I live here in Nan in the North. no rip offs, everyone is friendly if we go to Phuket or Pattaya, we know we'll pay more even though my wife is Thai. it's all about accents they know the out of towers 555
it must be you, I live here and I've never felt unsafe in Phuket even in the early hours of the morning, it's the same in any country, just keep your witts about you, don't do anything stupid to attract attention to yourself.