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

1 to 5 hours Phuket Big Buddha ATV Tour - The activity Phuket Big Buddha ATV Tour is around 1 to 5 hours long, has 34 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this ATV Tours activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

8 hours Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch - The tour Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch is around 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Tambon Patong, Thailand, and this Adventure Tours attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

8 to 9 hours James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay with Canoeing By Big Boat From Phuket - The activity James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay with Canoeing By Big Boat From Phuket is around 8 to 9 hours long, has 10 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Pa Klok, Thailand, and this James Bond Island tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

2 hours Phuket to Ao Nang by Ao Nang Princess Ferry - The tour Phuket to Ao Nang by Ao Nang Princess Ferry is around 2 hours long, has 12 Reviews, it's based out of tambon Rassada, Thailand, and this Ferry Services activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island, Thailand..

7 to 8 hours Phuket Hype Luxury Boat Club - The tour Phuket Hype Luxury Boat Club is around 7 to 8 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Khok Kloi, Thailand, and this Day Cruises activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

8 hours Private Full-Day Speedboat Tour of Phang Nga Bay from Phuket - The attraction Private Full-Day Speedboat Tour of Phang Nga Bay from Phuket is around 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Jet Boat Rentals tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island, Thailand..

3 hours Phuket: Fine Italian Dining Experience with a View at La Gritta - The activity Phuket: Fine Italian Dining Experience with a View at La Gritta is around 3 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Patong, Thailand, and this Dining Experiences attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island, Thailand..

8 hours Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island) & Monkey Cave · by Long tail Boat - The tour Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island) & Monkey Cave · by Long tail Boat is around 8 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of tambon Rassada, Thailand, and this James Bond Island tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

8 hours Phuket Private City Tour - The attraction Phuket Private City Tour is around 8 hours long, has 9 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Phuket Old Town attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

5 hours 30 minutes Banana Beach, Koh Hey by Catamaran Phuket - The activity Banana Beach, Koh Hey by Catamaran Phuket is around 5 hours 30 minutes long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Rawai, Thailand, and this Catamaran Cruises attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

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Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket

Banhalawee In Koh Yao Yai, Phuket - Banhalawee can be found in Koh Yao Yai on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 7.0 star rating and amenities include: Restaurant/cafe, Wi-Fi and Parking.

Mala Apartment In Kata, Phuket - Mala Apartment can be found in Kata on Phuket island. The Apartments has a 7.7 star rating and amenities include: Restaurant/cafe, Wi-Fi and Concierge service.

The Title KR Beach Condotel In Rawai, Phuket - The Title KR Beach Condotel can be found in Rawai on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 9.5 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Gym and Wi-Fi.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surin Loft by Holiplanet In Surin, Phuket - Surin Loft by Holiplanet can be found in Surin on Phuket island, Thailand. The Apartments has a 7.9 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, and Gym.

The Deck Condo Patong In Patong, Phuket - The Deck Condo Patong can be found in Patong on Phuket in Thailand. The Apartments has a 6.1 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Wi-Fi and Gym.

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