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.
Bang Thao in Choeng Thale has numerous venues for live music, be it in restaurants, bars or nightclubs. You can find a variety of bands and genres, including reggae, blues, soft rock, and Thai music, with specific Bangtao live music frequently playing at certain venues, and many other clubs, bars and restaurants with Dj’s around Bang Thao, Choeng Thale in Phuket.
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
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.
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
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
3 hours Cooking Classes Tours From Phuket island by Bang Thao Tour Agency - The Thai Cooking Class in Phuket with Thai People takes 3 hours and has 599 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Cooking Classes departs from Tambon Karon, Thailand. The Cooking Classes can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
1 hour Scuba Diving Tours From Phuket island by Bangtao Tour Agency - The Scuba diving lesson for beginners (1 hour ) takes 1 hour and has 5 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Scuba Diving departs from Tambon Karon, Thailand. The Scuba Diving can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
8 hours James Bond Island Tours From Phuket by Bang Thao Tour Agency - The Phuket James Bond Island Day Trip takes 8 hours and has 4 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the James Bond Island departs from Patong, Thailand. The James Bond Island can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket island. 
7 hours 30 minutes Full-day Tours Tours From Phuket island by Bang Tao Tour Agency - The Phuket: Full-Day Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Tour with Meals takes 7 hours 30 minutes and has 28 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Full-day Tours departs from Mai Khao, Thailand. The Full-day Tours can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket, Thailand. 
3 hours Ziplining Tours From Phuket island by Bangtao Tour Agency - The Hanuman World 32-Platform Treetop Circuit with Transfers takes 3 hours and has 2 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Ziplining departs from Patong, Thailand. The Ziplining can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
5 hours Speed Boat Rentals Tours From Phuket island by Bang Thao Tour Agency - The Phuket to Koh Lipe by Satun Pakbara Speed Boat takes 5 hours and has 1 Review. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Speed Boat Rentals departs from tambon Rassada, Thailand. The Speed Boat Rentals can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
2 days Freediving Tours From Phuket island by Bang Thao Tour Agency - The Phuket Freediving 2-Day Course With Racha Yai Boat Tour takes 2 days and has 23 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Freediving departs from Rawai, Thailand. The Freediving can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
1 hour 15 minutes Phuket Simon Cabaret Show Tours From Phuket by Bangtao Tour Agency - The Simon Cabaret Show takes 1 hour 15 minutes and has 77 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Phuket Simon Cabaret Show departs from Kathu, Thailand. The Phuket Simon Cabaret Show can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket island. 
9 to 10 hours Sunset Cruises Tours From Phuket island by Bangtao Tour Agency - The Phi Phi, Maiton, Khai Island Sunset Romantic Trip By Phuket Seahorse Marine takes 9 to 10 hours and has 16 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Sunset Cruises departs from Tambon Pa Klok, Thailand. The Sunset Cruises can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket. 
1 hour 30 minutes Phuket Simon Cabaret Show Tours From Phuket by Bang Tao Tour Agency - The Simon Cabaret Show Phuket Entrance Tickets takes 1 hour 30 minutes and has 2 Reviews. Transport from the Bang Thao area the Phuket Simon Cabaret Show departs from Choeng Thale, Thailand. The Phuket Simon Cabaret Show can be booked online or you can book this tour, or any other tours or activities, when you arrive to Bangtao, or anywhee in Phuket island. See all Phuket Tours
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
