Phuket

Air Quality

Source: Smart Air 2025 rankings and IQAir's Phuket live page. Phuket wins the annual comparison, which is why the island keeps showing up as the cleanest of these three cities. See the full city comparison in our pollution comparison article.

Getting Around

• Scooter300–400 THB (about USD 9.19 to 12.26, £6.83 to 9.1, and €7.9 to 10.53)/day. The standard way to get around. Get an IDP before you arrive.
• Grab / BoltApp-based rides, no haggling. Most trips 60–150 THB (about USD 1.84 to 4.6, £1.37 to 3.41, and €1.58 to 3.95).
• Songthaew (red trucks)30–60 THB (about USD 0.92 to 1.84, £0.68 to 1.37, and €0.79 to 1.58) per person on fixed routes. Cheap for regular commutes.
• Car rental800–1,500 THB (about USD 24.51 to 45.96, £18.2 to 34.13, and €21.06 to 39.49)/day from local shops. Worth it for families or rainy season.
• Airport (HKT)Taxi to most areas 600–900 THB (about USD 18.39 to 27.58, £13.65 to 20.48, and €15.79 to 23.69) fixed fare. Avoid touts — use metered or app.

Where to Work

• Grind Time RawaiBiggest network on the island. Rawai and Chalong branches, gym at Chalong.
• Let's WorkBeachfront on Rawai road, best sea views. The one people recommend first.
• Place CoworkingOpen 24h on weekdays, multi-floor. Chalong — reliable for late workers.
• The Project RawaiSmaller, community feel, good for heads-down days.
• Wilson's CafeRawai village. Good wifi, works well as a remote office most mornings.

Eat & Drink

• Rawai seafood marketPick fresh seafood, pay to cook at nearby stalls. Best value on the island.
• Nai Harn villageLow-key cafes and local restaurants, walkable from the beach.
• Phuket Town (Old Town)Best Sino-Portuguese architecture, local eateries, Thalang Road scene.
• Chalong circle areaPractical mix of Thai and expat restaurants. Central for the south.
• Kamala / SurinUpscale beach clubs and better dining if you want it.

Stay Healthy

• Bangkok Hospital PhuketMain private hospital. Most expats' first call. Two branches (Chalong, Sirirach).
• Bangkok-Phuket HospitalSecond large private option, Patong area.
• Mission HospitalMissionary-founded private. Good reputation, Phuket Town.
• Vachira HospitalPublic hospital. Significantly cheaper for non-emergencies. Phuket Town.
• Soi Ta-iad (Chalong)Street of Muay Thai camps and gyms. Tiger Muay Thai is here. Best fitness strip on the island.

Immigration Offices

• Phuket Immigration OfficePhuket Town. The main provincial office for visa and extension work.
• Patong OfficePatong Beach area. Useful for western side of the island.
• Blue Tree OfficeThalang / Si Sunthon. Handy for the north and central island.

Beaches

• Nai HarnBest all-rounder. Clean, swimmable, less crowded, beautiful bay.
• Kata NoiSmall, sheltered, beautiful. Gets busy in high season but worth it.
• KamalaLong, low-key, good for families. Strong expat residential area nearby.
• Mai KhaoLong remote stretch in the north. No vendors. Sea turtles nest here.
• PatongBusiest beach on the island. Bars, jet skis, nightlife. Know what you're in for.

Schools

• BISPBritish/IB, ages 2–18. Koh Kaew and Kathu campuses. Boarding available. Top of the range.
• HeadStart InternationalBritish-based, two campuses. More affordable than BISP, still well-regarded.
• British Columbia International (BCIS)BC curriculum. Bang Tao. Strong sports programme.
• Thalang English ProgrammeSemi-bilingual Thai/English. Budget-friendly. Thalang area.