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Phuket
Your Phuket guide for expats and tourists — since 2007
Some islands you visit. Phuket you get involved with. That difference is what this Phuket guide for expats and tourists has been documenting from the island since 2007.
Golden bays on one coast, mangroves and fishing boats on the other. Shrine smoke drifting past a beach club at sunset. A Sino-Portuguese shophouse under restoration three doors from a noodle stall that has not altered its recipe in forty years. Phuket resists a single description — which is why people arrive for a fortnight and quietly start extending.
This Phuket guide for expats and tourists has been published without interruption since February 2007 — first in print as Phuket Francophone Magazine, today online in French, English and Russian. Nearly two decades on the island, and still independent.
An island of striking contrasts
The west coast runs on energy. Patong does not sleep. Karon lays out three kilometres of sand made for long, aimless evenings. Kata curls into a bay that suits surfers and families equally. Rooftop bars, dive boats, night markets — the loud, alive version of the island.
Fifteen minutes north, the volume drops. Surin is quietly moneyed. Bang Tao stretches six kilometres and never feels crowded. Nai Harn holds water so clear that locals still outnumber visitors on a weekday.
The east coast is where residents go. Sheltered coves, mangrove channels, marinas full of masts and almost no beach tourism at all. This is the coast that changes people’s plans.
Our Phuket island guide covers each coast, beach by beach, so you can work out which one is actually yours.
From visitor to resident
Falling for Phuket is the easy part. The paperwork, the builder, the health cover, the boat berth — that is where people come unstuck, usually after taking advice from someone at a bar.
Our directory exists for that gap. Every listing is a business we know, in a category where getting it wrong is expensive:
- Real estate agencies — buying, renting, and the ownership rules that actually apply to foreigners
- Construction & renovation — builders and project managers who finish what they start
- Insurance brokers — health, home and vehicle cover that pays out in Thailand
- Medical & dental centres — international-standard clinics and hospitals
- Yachts, boatyards & marine services — sales, charter, refit and berthing across the island’s marinas
Not advertising dressed up as advice — a curated list built on nineteen years of knowing who does good work, and hearing about it when they do not. It is the part of this Phuket expat guide that readers come back to once the holiday becomes a move.
Understand the heart and the soul
The visitors who enjoy Phuket most are the ones who understand it a little. A wai returned correctly. Shoes left at the door. Why the whole island turns vegetarian and white for nine days each autumn. Why the two heroines on the Thalang roundabout still matter.
None of it is complicated, and all of it changes how the island responds to you.
- Local customs and traditions — the etiquette that opens doors
- Festivals and events — from Songkran to the Vegetarian Festival
- Beaches and regions — each one tells a different story
- Thai visa types explained — clear information for every situation
A good Phuket travel guide should leave you understanding the place, not just booking it. National tourism information is published officially by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Because the best Phuket story is not the one you read — it is the one you live.
Explore Phuket Your Way
Live & Stay
Explore & Play
Dine & Shop
Practical & Essential
In the Spotlight this month !
Le Celtique
Le Celtique is more than just a restaurant; it’s the story of Bertrand, a Breton passionate about cooking who settled in Thailand in 2000.
After eight successful years running their first restaurant in Kata with his wife Lek, they made the bold choice to move to Nai Harn, a peaceful neighborhood far from the tourist bustle.
This daring move paid off, as the loyal clientele from Kata, charmed by Bertrand’s warm hospitality and delicious cuisine, eagerly followed him.
Le Celtique has thus become a must-visit spot in Nai Harn, a welcoming meeting place for both regulars and newcomers. For your convenience, ample parking for cars and motorcycles is available.
Siam Bike Tours
Welcome to Phuket’s premier cycling adventure company, where nearly two decades of expertise transforms ordinary days into extraordinary memories. Since 2006, Siam Bike Tours has been crafting bespoke cycling experiences that showcase Thailand’s stunning landscapes, hidden gems, and authentic local culture.
Every detail of your cycling adventure is meticulously tailored to your unique desires and budget. Whether you’re seeking gentle coastal rides through tropical paradise or challenging expeditions across Southern Thailand’s most spectacular terrain, we deliver precisely what your cycling heart desires.
Banyan Living
Banyan Living offers a unique portfolio of private residences, meticulously chosen based on excellence criteria that reflect the prestigious heritage of the Banyan Group, renowned especially for its Banyan Tree hotels.
Each property, whether it’s a sophisticated urban condominium, a villa with a private pool, or an exceptional penthouse, embodies a philosophy where refinement meets local authenticity.
The Yacht Sales Co.
From the moment you cross the threshold, the cozy ambiance embraces you like a warm embrace. Our menu, a love letter to French culinary heritage, unfolds to reveal a delightful array of classic dishes, each prepared with meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for traditional techniques.
At Little Paris, we believe that the key to exceptional French cuisine lies in the quality of the ingredients. That’s why we source many of our key ingredients directly from France, ensuring an unparalleled taste of authenticity. Indulge in a selection of fine cheeses, carefully curated charcuterie, delicate oysters, rich foie gras, and of course, the finest butter and cream – all hallmarks of French culinary excellence.
Miscellaneous
Phuket: A Journey Through Time
Delve into the captivating history of Phuket, an island shaped by diverse influences and remarkable events.
From the lasting imprint of Chinese and Muslim cultures to the poignant legend of Mahsuri, uncover the stories that have forged the island’s unique identity. Relive the heroism of the Two Heroines of Thalang, symbols of courage and resistance. Finally, explore the evolution of tourism in Phuket, from a hidden paradise to a sought-after destination for travelers from around the globe.
Festival & Events
Loy Krathong in Phuket
Experience the magic of Loy Krathong in Phuket on November 15th and 16th, 2024, and soak up the richness of Thai culture during this unforgettable event. Imagine Phuket bathed in a soft light, the night sky illuminated by thousands of celestial lanterns, while flower-laden boats carrying prayers and wishes for renewal glide on the water. This is the magic of Loy Krathong, …
Songkran in Phuket
Each year, as the tropical winter surrenders to the warmth of spring, Thailand adorns itself in vibrant colors to celebrate Songkran, its traditional New Year. More than just a holiday, Songkran is a sensory and spiritual experience that plunges participants into a wave of ancient traditions and unbridled joy. And it is in Phuket, the jewel of the Andaman Sea, that this celebration reaches its most exhilarating heights …
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Every year, from October 2nd to 12th, 2024, the island of Phuket comes alive with the fascinating Vegetarian Festival. This unique nine-day event is rooted in Chinese tradition and celebrates the ninth lunar month, a sacred period dedicated to the purification of body and mind. The exact origins of the festival remain shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that a Chinese opera troupe, struck down …
