After having to remove one from a rental, I would never plant one. The thorns are so sharp and strong they go straight through leather gloves.
Surely there is something else? What about passionfruit as mentioned?
Lizzie, at least with Bougainvilleas the spikes are solid and easy to get out from your hands,Cactus spikes are worse they go in that deep I had to go too the Doctor to have them removed..