Frequently Asked Questions about Living on Phuket

• Where is Phuket?
• How did you get to Phuket?
• Do you like living on Phuket?
• What's it like on Phuket?
• Is it all tourists and tourism?
• Who lives on Phuket?
• Is it expensive to live on Phuket?
• What about jobs on Phuket?
• How about Internet access on Phuket?
• Do I need a visa to visit Phuket?
• Are there cheap places to stay on Phuket?
• Do I need a car on Phuket?
• What things are there to do on Phuket?
• How "Westernized" is Phuket?
• What about crime on Phuket?
• What about the schools on Phuket?
• How is the health care system on Phuket?
• Can I bring my pet?
• How can I find out more about Phuket?

Where is Phuket?

Phuket is in the south of Thailand. West of the mainland peninsula in the Andaman Sea and about 70 minutes flying time south of Bangkok, about 70 minutes north of Kuala Lumpur and about 90 minutes north of Singapore.  The island is joined to mainland Thailand by a couple of  short perhaps half-a-kilometer long bridges.  Phuket is in the tropics.

How do you get to Phuket?

Phuket has an international airport and can usually be reached directly from many major Asian and some European cities - but through Bangkok if not directly.  Though Phuket is only a short flight from Bangkok, it is a long 12-14 hour bus ride if you choose to take a bus from Bangkok (not recommended!).  Flights to and from Bangkok are not expensive, particularly now that several smaller regional airlines are competing for business.  Flights can be found for as low as US$30 or even less sometimes from Nok Air, Air Aisa, Phuket Air, Thai Orient and perhaps a couple new companies by the time this page gets posted on the website.  The standard carriers are, of course, Thai Air and Bangkok Air.  A new regional from Singapore, Tiger Air, also has inexpensive flights and Silk Air, Singapore Air's little sister, also has reasonably priced fares. 

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Do you like living on Phuket?

Absolutely, positively love it.  That said, there are good and bad things.  Infrastructure is not all it could be. Telephone lines can still be difficult to get in some areas, some roads are overcrowded and rough, and local driving skills could be politely termed "exciting".  Because there are elements of the developing world here, don't be surprised to hear chickens in the morning, to see mangy "soi" dogs wandering a neighborhood, and some rather rudimentary construction labor camps.  Good things abound though, the people are kind-hearted and gentle, the sea incredibly beautiful, the countryside magnificent, the cost of living inexpensive to reasonable if you live modestly - outrageous if you wish to go upscale.. 

Phuket is growing up fast though with major conveniences, big shopping malls, multiplex cinemas, and first world services are coming online daily.   Multi-million dollar neighborhoods and the services to support them are popping up all around the island.

The Living on Phuket web pages are designed to answer most of your questions in this area.

What's it like on Phuket?

The island is about 530 square kilometers - so not so small you'll get claustrophobic, but not so big you can get really lost.  In the neighborhood of 250,000 people live on Phuket, but the population varies with a workforce that grows and shrinks with high and low tourist season.  Tourism is the major industry here.  The larger cities, Patong and Phuket Town, can seem crowded in high season, but there are also many smaller communities that retain a rural sense to them and are very pleasant places to live - close enough to conveniences - far enough away from congestion.

Is it all tourists and tourism?

Thank goodness no!  There is normal - non-tourist life on the island.  Traditional Thai lifestyle persists in the rural areas and smaller communities away from the resorts - and often right on the doorsteps of the resorts.  You just have to avoid the heavily touristed areas. Many of us live in small towns and villages that have a few foreigners but are still probably 90-95% Thai. If you avoid the southern part of the island - and particularly the Chalong, Patong, Kata, Karon areas, you will avoid most of the mess. But . . . the tourism base does bring conveniences, services, and other things that can make life much more convenient - as well as a plethora of great international restaurants!

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Who lives on Phuket?

The vast majority of the population is Thai and a many of them have migrated from other areas within Thailand in search of good jobs in the tourism industry.  There is a also good size population of foreigners who work or are retired on the island.  Also present is a small group of wealthy foreigners who maintain vacation homes on the island.  The original make up of the island was of  Thai, Chinese and ethnic Malay peoples. 

Is it expensive to live on Phuket?

Quite a relative question - and it all depends on your lifestyle - but you can probably bring that lifestyle here and live much less expensively with it than you could in the Western world.  Check out the Cost of Living page and its links on this website.

What about Jobs on Phuket?

The hospitality industry here creates a wide range of possibilities for people who want to come here and work.  The Working on Phuket pages on this website covers the issues in more depth.

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How about Internet access on Phuket?

ADSL is available on almost all of the island these days and usually works well.  But the requisite phone line can sometimes be hard to come by - in some areas.  Far better to check this before renting or buying a home. 

Do I need a visa to visit Phuket?

Many nationalities may enter Thailand for 30 days without obtaining a visa prior to their arrival.  Check our Immigration page and it's link to Thailand Immigration to be sure.  Sixty-day tourist visas are obtainable before you leave your country and can be usually be renewed for up to 30 more days (at the discretion of the immigration officials of course).  So, an extended stay is easy to do if you want to thoroughly check the island out. 

Are there inexpensive places to stay on Phuket?

Of course!  And if you really want cheap - go to Patong Budget Hotels and Karon and Kata Budget Hotels pages where they have modestly priced hotels.

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Do I need a car on Phuket?

If you intend to live on the island, yes.  Transportation systems on the island are quite limited in availability, scope, and comfort.  Most songthaews (trucks with benches in the back - about B20+) run only from about 8am to 6pm and not on a regular schedule.  Motorcycle taxis can be cheap but you'll have to negotiate each ride and the driving is not always so safe.  Tuk uks cruise the tourist centers and are famous for charging outrageous fees (always negotiate before you get in).  Metered taxis are slowly becoming available, but you'll need to call and arrange in advance as they do not cruise for fares.

If you rent a car, be sure to check and mark on the form ALL dents and scratches and windscreen chips.  Some rental agencies make a good living bilking tourists on scratches and nicks that were already there.  If you rent - try using a name brand rental agency such as Budget Rent-a-Car - I've had good luck with them.  Their prices are competitive and they have good first-class insurance.

For more information check out the Transportation page of this website.  

What things are there to do on Phuket?

Just about anything that you could do at home and a whole lot more.  I confess though that opera and symphony concerts are few and far between.  Scuba, snorkel, para-sailing, go-carting, movies, fine dining, hanging on the beach, country drives -  just about everything and anything - can be and is done here.

Check the Things to do page on this website.

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How Westernized is Phuket?

Just enough and not too much.  Just enough to be able to find the services and goods you want and need, and not enough to be burdened with the crime and high-pressure lifestyle of the West.  The people still have an unhurried and pleasant charm (if you get out of Patong!).  And, btw,  most people speak English well enough that you can usually solve most problems easily. 

What about crime on Phuket?

No where near as bad as in most Western countries.  Check the Is Phuket Safe? page.  There can be some petty crime but most serious crime such as murder seems to come from a local "mafia" and as long as you don't play in those ranks, you are pretty safe.  Phuket still has a small town feel to it, where your neighbors will know who is coming and going and tend to watch out for each other - and you (particularly once you have proven yourself to be a good neighbor. Aren't we all a bit careful at first?). 

What about the schools on Phuket?

There are two "real" international schools on the island - QSI International School (an American style curriculum) and the British Curriculum School.  There are several "wannabe" international schools - that are not really.  There is a university of decent local reputation - Prince of Songkla University - which even has an MBA program in English.  Several lesser community colleges are around as is the Phuket Rajabhat University - which was originally a two-year teacher's college, now with expanded programs.

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How is the health care system on Phuket?

I think the services available here are quite good.  Check out the Medical Care page on this website for information on the local "international standard" hospitals and clinics. 

Can I bring my pet?

Of course!  Don't abandon Spot or Fido to make the move.  The requirements for bringing a pet are relatively straightforward.  Check with your airline for detailed information, they will know what is required for your to enter the country with your pet.   

How can I find out more about Phuket?

The best place to start is the Phuket Gazette - Phuket's English language weekly newspaper.  Check out their classified pages - you can go back 72 days - to check prices on cars, houses, jobs, and anything else you might want to know.

There really is a lot of good information out there.  You need not arrive and be surprised about anything here - except about how much you will love this beautiful island.

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