Phuket Travel, Life & Living Guide

Hotel Deals Phuket area guide to travel, life & living. From Phuket shopping, local FAQ and charity to being Eco-friendly in Thailand, visa’s and business tips, and property for sale on Phuket.

About

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.

FAQ

* Phuket province: Phuket consists of the main island of Phuket plus 32 small islands off the coast. Including all these smaller islands, Phuket province has an area of 576 km2 (222 mi2).
* Population: Phuket’s 2023 population is now estimated at 449,389. In 1950, the population of Phuket was 23,170. More than 115,000+ expats also reside in Phuket (pre-COVID).
* Tsunami: Phuket was heavily impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004. Around 250 people died on the island.
* Future Transport: The Phuket Light Rail Transit, or Phuket Tram, is currently under construction. The tram will have 24 stations and connect Phang Nga province with Phuket City. The tram is expected to start running by 2026, maybe.
* Time zone: Indochina Time (ICT), UTC +7 (No daylight saving time, same UTC offset all year)
* The IANA time zone identifier for Phuket is: Asia/Bangkok.
* Sunrise: 06:15
* Sunset: 18:05
* Day length: 11h 51m
* Solar noon: 12:10
* Population: 386,605 (2015)
* University: Phuket Rajabhat University
* ISO 3166 code: TH-83
* Alternate Names: Phuket, Phuket Island
* Time zone: The time zone id for Phuket, Thailand is Asia/Bangkok.
* Currency: Currency in Phuket, Thailand is THB (Baht)
* Elevation: 10 meters
* Nearby Airports: Phuket International Airport (HKT) offering both domestic and direct flights to Phuket
* Phoning Thailand: 0011 + 66 + area code + local number
* Thailand Country Dialling Code: +66
* Phuket’s Area Code: 76 (Or 076 for local)
* Location: Andaman Sea
* Coordinates: 7°53′24″N 98°23′54″E
* Latitude: 7.8833333
* Longitude: 98.4
* Area: 576 km2 (222 sq mi)
* Island Length: 50 km (31 mi)
* Island Width: 20 km (12 mi)
* Average Annual Rainfall: 315 mm
* Holidays: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Chakkri Day, 6 April; Songkran Day, mid-April; Coronation Day, 5 May; Queen’s Birthday, 12 August; Chulalongkorn Day, 23 October; King’s Birthday, 5 December; Constitution Day, 10 December. Movable holidays include Makabuja Day, Plowing Festival, and Visakabuja Day.
* Shopping Malls: Central Festival Phuket, Jungceylon, Tesco Lotus, Big C
* International Hospitals: Bangkok-Phuket Hospital, The Phuket International Hospital, and Mission Hospital.
* Land measurments (In Rai, Ngan and Wah). A) 1 Rai = 4 Ngan (or 1600 Sq.m.). B) 1 Ngan = 100 Wah (or 400 Sq.m.). C) 1 Wah = 4 Sq.m. D) 1 Acre = 2.5 Rai E) 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai

Charity

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.

Shopping

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

Eco-friendly

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

Trending Activities & Tours

Top 10 Trending Activities On Phuket

Phuket Small-Group City Tour with Rum Cocktail - Phuket Old Town Phuket Small-Group City Tour with Rum Cocktail By Bangtao Tours - The tour Phuket Small-Group City Tour with Rum Cocktail is around 5 hours long, has 4 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Phuket Old Town tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket, Thailand..
Phuket Afternoon Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Khai Island Tour - Maya Bay Phuket Afternoon Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Khai Island Tour By Bangtao Tours - The attraction Phuket Afternoon Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Khai Island Tour is around 6 to 7 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Ratsada, Thailand, and this Maya Bay tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket island in Thailand..
Half Day Tour to Phi Phi Islands - Half-day Tours Half Day Tour to Phi Phi Islands By Bangtao Tours - The attraction Half Day Tour to Phi Phi Islands is around 7 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Half-day Tours tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket in Thailand..
Full-Day Island-Hopping Tour of Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands - Phi Phi Islands Full-Day Island-Hopping Tour of Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands By Bangtao Tours - The tour Full-Day Island-Hopping Tour of Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands is around 7 to 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Phi Phi Islands attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket island, Thailand..
Nang Yam Thai Cooking Experience Full Day Tour, Museum & Samet Nangshe Viewpoint - Full-day Tours Nang Yam Thai Cooking Experience Full Day Tour, Museum & Samet Nangshe Viewpoint By Bangtao Tours - The tour Nang Yam Thai Cooking Experience Full Day Tour, Museum & Samet Nangshe Viewpoint is around 10 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Kata Noi Beach, Thailand, and this Full-day Tours activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket island, Thailand..
Phang Nga Bay Sea Canoe Tour with Lunch and Dinner - 4WD Tours Phang Nga Bay Sea Canoe Tour with Lunch and Dinner By Bangtao Tours - The attraction Phang Nga Bay Sea Canoe Tour with Lunch and Dinner is around 9 hours long, has 15 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this 4WD Tours activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket island in Thailand..
Phuket Racha and Coral Islands Full Day Tour By Sailing Catamaran - Sailing Phuket Racha and Coral Islands Full Day Tour By Sailing Catamaran By Bangtao Tours - The tour Phuket Racha and Coral Islands Full Day Tour By Sailing Catamaran is around 9 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Sailing activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket, Thailand..
Phuket - Hight-Light City Tour - City Tours Phuket – Hight-Light City Tour By Bangtao Tours - The attraction Phuket - Hight-Light City Tour is around 5 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this City Tours attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket island in Thailand..
4-Waters Eco-Adventure Trip from Phuket Including Lunch - Adventure Tours 4-Waters Eco-Adventure Trip from Phuket Including Lunch By Bangtao Tours - The attraction 4-Waters Eco-Adventure Trip from Phuket Including Lunch is around 10 hours long, has 152 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Karon, Thailand, and this Adventure Tours activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket..
From Khao Lak : Full-Day Private Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Charter - Phi Phi Islands From Khao Lak : Full-Day Private Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Charter By Bangtao Tours - The activity From Khao Lak : Full-Day Private Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Charter is around 11 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of ตำบล เกาะแก้ว, Thailand, and this Phi Phi Islands activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Bangtao, Surin or Phuket, Thailand..

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Trending Rentals

Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket

OYO 303 Phoomjai House in Chalong OYO 303 Phoomjai House In Chalong, Phuket - OYO 303 Phoomjai House can be found in Chalong on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 9.1 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, Laundry service and Parking.
The Title Boutique Phuket in Rawai The Title Boutique Phuket In Rawai, Phuket - The Title Boutique Phuket can be found in Rawai on Phuket island. The Apartments has a 8.7 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Restaurant/cafe and Low mobility guests welcome.
Lotus Bleu Resort & Restaurant in Nai Harn 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.
Tharawalai Resort in Rawai Tharawalai Resort In Rawai, Phuket - Tharawalai Resort can be found in Rawai on Phuket island, Thailand. The Apartments has a 6.1 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Laundry service and Gym.
Dlux Condominium Phuket in Chalong Dlux Condominium Phuket In Chalong, Phuket - Dlux Condominium Phuket can be found in Chalong on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.4 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Wi-Fi and Gym.
The Unity Patong in Patong The Unity Patong In Patong, Phuket - The Unity Patong can be found in Patong on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.4 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, 24 hour Front Desk Service and Gym.
Baan Rosa in Bang Tao Baan Rosa In Bang Tao, Phuket - Baan Rosa can be found in Bang Tao on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 9.3 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, Bar and Restaurant/cafe.
Ra Residence Phuket in Chalong Ra Residence Phuket In Chalong, Phuket - Ra Residence Phuket can be found in Chalong on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 9.0 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, Laundry service and Parking.
Nice Bangtao Beach in Bang Tao Nice Bangtao Beach In Bang Tao, Phuket - Nice Bangtao Beach can be found in Bang Tao on the island of Phuket. The Apartments has a 6.1 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Spa and Gym.
Royal Kamala Phuket in Kamala Royal Kamala Phuket In Kamala, Phuket - Royal Kamala Phuket can be found in Kamala on Phuket island, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.7 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Laundry service and Gym.

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