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 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..

1 hour 30 minutes Private Thai Temple Ceremony in the Morning - The activity Private Thai Temple Ceremony in the Morning is around 1 hour 30 minutes long, has 21 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Chalong, Thailand, and this High Tea activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket, Thailand..

7 to 9 hours Phang Nga Treasures Sunrise Trekking and No-crowd James Bond by longtailed boat - The tour Phang Nga Treasures Sunrise Trekking and No-crowd James Bond by longtailed boat is around 7 to 9 hours long, has 62 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Phang Nga Bay tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket..

7 hours Phang Nga Bay By Long Tail Boat with Canoeing Trip - The attraction Phang Nga Bay By Long Tail Boat with Canoeing Trip is around 7 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Phang Nga Bay activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

8 hours Phuket to Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat - The activity Phuket to Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat is around 8 hours long, has 135 Reviews, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Phi Phi Islands activity can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

8 to 9 hours Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing Tour by Longtail Boat from Phuket - The tour Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing Tour by Longtail Boat from Phuket is around 8 to 9 hours long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Tambon Patong, Thailand, and this Phang Nga Bay attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

6 hours Private Sightseeing & Photographer Tour - The tour Private Sightseeing & Photographer Tour is around 6 hours long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this Private Sightseeing Tours tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island in Thailand..

6 hours 30 minutes Phi Phi Island Afternoon Tour by Speedboat - The tour Phi Phi Island Afternoon Tour by Speedboat is around 6 hours 30 minutes long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Day Trips attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket in Thailand..

1 hour Phuket Airport Shared Return Transfers - The attraction Phuket Airport Shared Return Transfers is around 1 hour long, has 2 Reviews, it's based out of Phuket Town, Thailand, and this Airport & Hotel Transfers tour can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket island..

30 minutes Phuket ATV Riding 30 Minutes - The tour Phuket ATV Riding 30 Minutes is around 30 minutes long, has 1 Review, it's based out of Patong, Thailand, and this ATV Tours attraction can be booked online here, or when you arrive to Phuket in Thailand..

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Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Raya Rawai Place In Chalong, Phuket - Raya Rawai Place can be found in Chalong on Phuket island in Thailand. The Apartments has a 7.8 star rating and amenities include: Laundry service, Concierge service and Wi-Fi.

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.

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.

Ban Elephant Blanc Apartment In Kata, Phuket - Ban Elephant Blanc Apartment can be found in Kata on Phuket in Thailand. The Apartments has a 8.3 star rating and amenities include: Wi-Fi, and .

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