About Phuket
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 FAQ
* Population: Phuket’s 2023 population is now estimated at 449,389. In 1950, the population of Phuket was 23,170. More than 115,000+ expats also reside in Phuket (pre-COVID).
* Tsunami: Phuket was heavily impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004. Around 250 people died on the island.
* Future Transport: The Phuket Light Rail Transit, or Phuket Tram, is currently under construction. The tram will have 24 stations and connect Phang Nga province with Phuket City. The tram is expected to start running by 2026, maybe.
* Time zone: Indochina Time (ICT), UTC +7 (No daylight saving time, same UTC offset all year)
* The IANA time zone identifier for Phuket is: Asia/Bangkok.
* Sunrise: 06:15
* Sunset: 18:05
* Day length: 11h 51m
* Solar noon: 12:10
* Population: 386,605 (2015)
* University: Phuket Rajabhat University
* ISO 3166 code: TH-83
* Alternate Names: Phuket, Phuket Island
* Time zone: The time zone id for Phuket, Thailand is Asia/Bangkok.
* Currency: Currency in Phuket, Thailand is THB (Baht)
* Elevation: 10 meters
* Nearby Airports: Phuket International Airport (HKT) offering both domestic and direct flights to Phuket
* Phoning Thailand: 0011 + 66 + area code + local number
* Thailand Country Dialling Code: +66
* Phuket’s Area Code: 76 (Or 076 for local)
* Location: Andaman Sea
* Coordinates: 7°53′24″N 98°23′54″E
* Latitude: 7.8833333
* Longitude: 98.4
* Area: 576 km2 (222 sq mi)
* Island Length: 50 km (31 mi)
* Island Width: 20 km (12 mi)
* Average Annual Rainfall: 315 mm
* Holidays: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Chakkri Day, 6 April; Songkran Day, mid-April; Coronation Day, 5 May; Queen’s Birthday, 12 August; Chulalongkorn Day, 23 October; King’s Birthday, 5 December; Constitution Day, 10 December. Movable holidays include Makabuja Day, Plowing Festival, and Visakabuja Day.
* Shopping Malls: Central Festival Phuket, Jungceylon, Tesco Lotus, Big C
* International Hospitals: Bangkok-Phuket Hospital, The Phuket International Hospital, and Mission Hospital.
* Land measurments (In Rai, Ngan and Wah). A) 1 Rai = 4 Ngan (or 1600 Sq.m.). B) 1 Ngan = 100 Wah (or 400 Sq.m.). C) 1 Wah = 4 Sq.m. D) 1 Acre = 2.5 Rai E) 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai
Charity
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.
Shopping
Here you will find an in-depth guide to Bangtao and 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
Eco-friendly
Being Eco friendly around Bangtao and the whole of Phuket means living in a way that is not harmful to the environment. While Bangtao and 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 Bangtao, 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 trees, using non toxic cosmetics or cleaning products, using solar panels or wind turbines, 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
Trending Activities
Below you can search through our online listing of Phuket activities and tours, or you can visit our Bangtao & Phuket Eco activities page for an indepth view of what to do while you are in Phuket.
Top 10 Trending Phuket island Activities
Tubing 10 hours Tour From Choeng Thale, Thailand - Choeng Thale Rice Fields, Jungle Trekking, and Tubing. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 18 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Rice Fielding Demonstration,Jungle Trekking to Waterfall,Tubing down the river 
Full-day Tours 8 hours Activity From Phuket Town, Thailand - Big Game Fishing Full-Day Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 12 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Big Game Fishing Full-Day Tour 
Lunch Cruises 8 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Racha Island + Coral Island Full day with Lunch. Snorkeling in Phuket. Check out 10 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Racha Island + Coral Island Full day with Lunch 
James Bond Island 8 hours Tour From Phuket Town, Thailand - James Bond Island by Speedboat with Canoeing. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 18 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's James Bond Island by Speedboat with Canoeing 
Phang Nga Bay 8 hours Tour From Bang Tao Beach, Thailand - Full-day Phang Nga Bay Cruise from Phuket. Day Cruises in Phuket. Check out 234 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's - Comfortable boat for cruising in Phang Nga Bay 
Phi Phi Islands 7 to 8 hours Activity From ตำบล เกาะแก้ว, Thailand - Phuket to Phi Phi & Rang Yai Islands: Private Speedboat Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 224 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Private Phi Phi & Khai Islands Snorkeling Trip w/ Lunch by Speedboat 
Scuba Diving 1 day Tour From Phuket, Thailand - Full-Day Racha Yai Private Scuba Diving Course from Phuket. Snorkeling in Phuket. Check out 76 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Full-Day Racha Yai Private Scuba Diving Course from Phuket 
Phang Nga Bay 11 hours Tour From Khok Kloi, Thailand - John Gray's Adventure Hong by Starlight in Phang Nga Bay. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 87 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's John Gray's Adventure Hong by Starlight in Phang Nga Bay 
Snorkeling 7 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Private Catamaran Charter Maiton and Coral Islands. Snorkeling in Phuket. Check out 21 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Private Catamaran Charter Maiton and Coral Islands 
Phang Nga Bay 7 hours Activity From Patong, Thailand - Phuket James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay Tour By Big Boat. Dining Experiences in Phuket. Check out 33 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay Tour By Big Boat From Phuket See all Phuket Tours
Trending Rentals
Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket
Ra Residence Phuket - Ra Residence Phuket is located at 10/113, Moo. 5, Soi Ta-iad, Muang, Phuket in Chalong on the island of Phuket. This Chalong Apartments has a guest rating of 9.0 and facilities including: Wi-Fi & Laundry service. 
Sirikul Mansion - Sirikul Mansion is located at 15/43 Soi Naiyang 13, Moo1, Sakoo, Thalang, Phuket in Thalang on the island of Phuket. This Thalang Apartments has a guest rating of 8.5 and facilities including: Wi-Fi & 24 hour Front Desk Service. 
Bangtao Corner - Bangtao Corner is located at 245/11Moo 2, Sri Soonthorn Road, Cheong Thale, Thalang, Phuket in Surin on the island of Phuket. This Surin Apartments has a guest rating of 8.8 and facilities including: 24 hour Front Desk Service & Restaurant/cafe. 
Kamala Cool Hotel - Kamala Cool Hotel is located at 73/100 Moo 3, Surin-Rawai Beach Rd., Kamala, Kathu, Phuket in Kamala on Phuket island, Thailand. This Kamala Apartments has a guest rating of 8.1 and facilities including: 24 hour Front Desk Service & Parking. 
Green House Phuket - Green House Phuket is located at 221/10 Moo.8 Thalang in Paklok on Phuket, Thailand. This Paklok Apartments has a guest rating of 8.3 and facilities including: Laundry service & Wi-Fi. 
Studio 77 - Studio 77 is located at 45/35, M.1, Soi Ta-eid, Chalong, Muang, Phuket in Chalong on Phuket, Thailand. This Chalong Apartments has a guest rating of 8.1 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Spa. 
Raya Rawai Place - Raya Rawai Place is located at 7/19 Moo5 Soi Ruamjai, Wiset Road, Muang in Chalong on Phuket in Thailand. This Chalong Apartments has a guest rating of 7.8 and facilities including: Laundry service & Concierge service. 
Rabbit Mansion2 - Rabbit Mansion2 is located at 133/9 Thanon Nanai in Patong on the island of Phuket. This Patong Apartments has a guest rating of 9.6 and facilities including: Parking & Wi-Fi. 
Ruan Mai Naiyang Beach Resort - Ruan Mai Naiyang Beach Resort is located at 90/24 Moo 5 Saku, Thalang, Phuket in Nai Yang on Phuket in Thailand. This Nai Yang Apartments has a guest rating of 7.5 and facilities including: Restaurant/cafe & Wi-Fi. 
Patong Rai Rum Yen Resort - Patong Rai Rum Yen Resort is located at 53/3 Hasib Pee Road, T.Patong, A.Kathu Phuket in Patong on Phuket island, Thailand. This Patong Apartments has a guest rating of 8.4 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Swimming Pool. See all Phuket Accommodations
Property Sales
Bangtao & Phuket Property For Sale
Phuket Real Estate and property guide. Here you can see some of our past and present Bangtao beach and Phuket properties for sale or resale, including Bangtao, Naithon, Kamala beach, Layan, Cherngtalay, Surin and Laguna beach houses, Villas, Hotels, Resorts, Guest Houses, and Apartments for sale.
You can search for Bangtao or Phuket area Villas, Apartments or other properties for sale or resale using the below link.
See all Phuket properties for sale
