Phuket Travel, Life & Living Guide

Phuket, which is 867 km or a one hour flight from Bangkok, is Thailand’s largest island and the country’s only island province.

Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket derived much of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production, which dates back over 500 years.

Today, Phuket is Thailand’s major tourist destination. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the island itself is blessed with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.

Phuket Town also has some wonderful examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture. The dream of escaping to an idyllic tropical island becomes a reality on Phuket; Thailand’s island paradise in the Andaman Sea.

Shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately 21 km wide by 48 km long, the island has excellent roads and infrastructure whilst still retaining most of its original natural beauty. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves, rubber plantations and a coastline dotted with a dozen or more spectacular beaches.

Unspoiled stretches of fine white sand are found along the entire west coast of the island. Each sun-drenched beach has a character and charm of its own, and is separated from its neighbours by picturesque headlands and backdrops of wooded hills. Lapping the shore are the sparkling warm blue waters of the Andaman Sea which are perfectly safe for swimming for much of the year.

Phuket charities, Orphanages and animal welfare rehabilitation centres on Phuket, and in Asia. You can also help, donate and contact directly by visiting our supported charities on our ‘Tsunami Day‘ page.

Besides the above we also bring awareness to all credible charities and volunteer organizations on Phuket and Thailand. To see a full list please visit our Thailand and Phuket charities and volunteer organizations guide page.

Here you will find an in-depth guide to Phuket’s shopping. From Phuket boutique shops and shopping centres to the vibrant night markets and your daily mini market needs.

Bottom line is that Phuket island is a shopaholic’s paradise! The island has a great variety of shopping, from bustling open-air village food markets, noisy night markets, street stalls and local shops to western-style department stores and up-market specialist boutique shops. Prices naturally vary, going from amazing bargains to credit card-melting designer labels. More details

Being Eco friendly around Phuket means living in a way that is not harmful to the environment. While Phuket homes and Hotels may not pollute or cause massive deforestation as much as the world’s logging, mining and beef cattle ranchers do, Palm plantations, over construction and population increases on Phuket has stripped away the natural habitat, polluted the streams, rivers and ocean, and the diesel and petrol cars, motorbikes and coaches have filled the air with massive amounts of of CO2 emissions. This must change.

As of 2000, 60% of Phuket was tree cover. From 2001 to 2021, Phuket lost 7.50kha of tree cover, which is the equivalent to a 23% decrease in tree cover since 2000. This lost, or deforestation, is due to over tourism, palm / rubber plantations, logging and population increases, which intern brings a massive increase in over construction, loss of habitat and wildlife, and the ever increasing amount of vehicles on the roads.

The Eco-friendly way of life is becoming increasingly important, as we need to protect Phuket, and the rest of our planet from more human-made damage, and respects the environment and wildlife, and not destroy it.

Our comprehensive guide covers all aspects in our life, including; Planting a LOT more tree, using non toxic cosmetics or cleaning products and renewable energy sources, to help locals, expats and tourists make a contribution to reducing climate change effects, and being more eco friendly in our daily life. Read more

Top 10 Trending Activities On Phuket

9 hours James Bond and Khai Island by Speedboat Including Lunch - The activity James Bond and Khai Island by Speedboat Including Lunch is around 9 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Kayaking Tours tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket in Thailand..

9 hours Phang Nga Bay Canoeing Tour from Phuket by Speedboat - The activity Phang Nga Bay Canoeing Tour from Phuket by Speedboat is around 9 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Phang Nga Bay tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket in Thailand..

10 hours John Gray’s Cave Canoeing Tour in Phang Nga Bay - The attraction John Gray's Cave Canoeing Tour in Phang Nga Bay is around 10 hours long, has 15 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Kayaking Tours attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

4 hours Phuket Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Blue Elephant - The attraction Phuket Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Blue Elephant is around 4 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต, Thailand, and this Markets tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

6 hours Skip the Line Admission Ticket for Carnival Magic Phuket - The attraction Skip the Line Admission Ticket for Carnival Magic Phuket is around 6 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of ตำบล กมลา, Thailand, and this Skip the line Tickets activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

9 hours Phi Phi Early Bird Premium Tour by Speed Boat - The attraction Phi Phi Early Bird Premium Tour by Speed Boat is around 9 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Speed Boat Rentals tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

3 hours Bangkok Private Pub Crawl with Music - The tour Bangkok Private Pub Crawl with Music is around 3 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Patong, Thailand, and this Nightlife Tours tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

8 hours 30 minutes Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners (Non Certified Divers) - The attraction Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners (Non Certified Divers) is around 8 hours 30 minutes long, has 82 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Chalong, Thailand, and this Scuba Diving attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket in Thailand..

40 minutes Phuket Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel - The attraction Phuket Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel is around 40 minutes long, has 45 Reviews, it's based out of Mai Khao, Thailand, and this Private Transfers activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

8 hours James Bond Island by Speedboat with Canoeing - The tour James Bond Island by Speedboat with Canoeing is around 8 hours long, has 4 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this James Bond Island attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

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Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket

Mountain Seaview Luxury Apartments In Kata, Phuket - Mountain Seaview Luxury Apartments can be found in Kata on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 8.9 star rating and amenities include: Pets allowed, Wi-Fi and 24 hour Front Desk Service.

Patong Rai Rum Yen Resort In Patong, Phuket - Patong Rai Rum Yen Resort can be found in Patong on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.4 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool and Gym.

Ocean12 Chic Hotel In Chalong, Phuket - Ocean12 Chic Hotel can be found in Chalong on Phuket in Thailand. The Apartments has a 6.1 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, Spa and Gym.

The WIDE Condotel – Phuket In Phuket Town, Phuket - The WIDE Condotel - Phuket can be found in Phuket Town on Phuket island. The Apartments has a 7.2 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Business centre and Gym.

The Park Surin Serviced Apartments In Surin, Phuket - The Park Surin Serviced Apartments can be found in Surin on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.5 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Spa and Gym.

Kamala Cool Hotel In Kamala, Phuket - Kamala Cool Hotel can be found in Kamala on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 8.1 star rating and amenities include: 24 hour Front Desk Service, Parking and Wi-Fi.

Casuarina Shores Apartment In Bang Tao, Phuket - Casuarina Shores Apartment can be found in Bang Tao on Phuket island in Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.9 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Spa and Gym.

Ozone Condotel Apt 716 In Kata, Phuket - Ozone Condotel Apt 716 can be found in Kata on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 9.4 star rating and amenities include: Parking, Gym and Wi-Fi.

Lotus Bleu Resort & Restaurant In Nai Harn, Phuket - Lotus Bleu Resort & Restaurant can be found in Nai Harn on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 9.5 star rating and amenities include: Laundry service, Bar and Restaurant/cafe.

Kata Pool Apartments In Kata, Phuket - Kata Pool Apartments can be found in Kata on Phuket island. The Apartments has a 8.0 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, Laundry service and Parking.

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