Phuket Living & Travel 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

8 hours Small Group Phi Phi Maya Bay & Khai Islands Great snorkeling - The tour Small Group Phi Phi Maya Bay & Khai Islands Great snorkeling is around 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Maya Bay activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

5 hours Phuket Private Half Day Explore Tour at Sunset - The tour Phuket Private Half Day Explore Tour at Sunset is around 5 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Promthep Cape tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island, Thailand..

2 hours Phuket Small-Group ATV Tour with Transfers - The activity Phuket Small-Group ATV Tour with Transfers is around 2 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this ATV Tours activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

5 to 6 hours Phuket Half-Day Small-Group Tour - The activity Phuket Half-Day Small-Group Tour is around 5 to 6 hours long, has 3 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Half-day Tours attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island, Thailand..

8 hours Phi Phi Island Deluxe Package by Tour Hub Asia - The attraction Phi Phi Island Deluxe Package by Tour Hub Asia is around 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Honeymoon Packages activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

10 hours Racha Noi and Racha Yai Dive Trip from Phuket - The activity Racha Noi and Racha Yai Dive Trip from Phuket is around 10 hours long, has 5 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Chalong, Thailand, and this Snorkeling activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

11 hours Full-Day Freshwater Lake Resort Fishing in Phang Nga - The attraction Full-Day Freshwater Lake Resort Fishing in Phang Nga is around 11 hours long, has 85 Reviews, it's based out of Khok Kloi, Thailand, and this Fishing Charters tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

5 hours Phuket City Tour: Karon View Point, Big Buddha & Wat Chalong - The activity Phuket City Tour: Karon View Point, Big Buddha & Wat Chalong is around 5 hours long, has 596 Reviews, it's based out of ตำบลป่าตอง, Thailand, and this Big Buddha attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

8 hours Easy Thai Cooking and Coconut Oil Workshop in Phuket - The tour Easy Thai Cooking and Coconut Oil Workshop in Phuket is around 8 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of ราไวย์, Thailand, and this Cooking Classes activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

8 to 9 hours Maya Bay, Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Premium Trip by Seastar From Phuket - The tour Maya Bay, Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Premium Trip by Seastar From Phuket is around 8 to 9 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of รัษฎา, Thailand, and this Phi Phi Islands attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

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Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket

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.

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.

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.

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.

Green Harbor Hotel & Service Apartment In Patong, Phuket - Green Harbor Hotel & Service Apartment can be found in Patong on Phuket island. The Apartments has a 8.3 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Parking and 24 hour Front Desk Service.

Namphung Residence Phuket In Rawai, Phuket - Namphung Residence Phuket can be found in Rawai on Phuket in Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.6 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Laundry service and Swimming Pool.

Grande Elegance Serviced Apartment In Patong, Phuket - Grande Elegance Serviced Apartment can be found in Patong on Phuket, Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.9 star rating and amenities include: Swimming Pool, Wi-Fi and Parking.

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.

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.

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