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
Extreme Sports 5 hours Tour From ตำบล ป่าคลอก, Thailand - Phuket Jet Ski Tour. Extreme Sports in Phuket. Check out 46 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Jet Ski Tour Phuket 
Racha Island 8 hours Activity From Patong, Thailand - Racha & Coral Island Day Trip by Speedboat - Lunch Included. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 43 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Racha & Coral Island Day Trip by Speedboat - Lunch Included 
Private Sightseeing Tours 6 hours Activity From Patong, Thailand - Private Sightseeing & Photographer Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 10 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Private Sightseeing & Photographer Tour 
James Bond Island 7 to 8 hours Activity From Patong, Thailand - Full-Day Tour to James Bond Island - Phang Nga Bay - 5 in 1 Canoe. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 16 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Full-Day Tour to James Bond Island - Phang Nga Bay - 5 in 1 Canoe 
Jet Boat Rentals 8 hours Activity From Phuket Town, Thailand - Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 15 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phi Phi Islands - Earlybird 
Fishing Charters 11 hours Activity From Khok Kloi, Thailand - Full-Day Freshwater Lake Resort Fishing in Phang Nga. Fishing Charters in Phuket. Check out 289 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Full-Day Freshwater Lake Resort Fishing in Phang Nga 
Sightseeing Tours 8 to 9 hours Tour From Tambon Patong, Thailand - Krabi Islands Tour by Big Boat and Speedboat from Phuket. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 15 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Krabi Islands Tour by Big Boat and Speedboat from Phuket 
Water Parks 7 hours Tour From Kathu, Thailand - Phuket Andamanda Waterpark Ticket. Water Parks in Phuket. Check out 47 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Andamanda Water Park in Phuket by Thailand Tours 
Phuket Simon Cabaret Show 1 hour 10 minutes Tour From Kathu, Thailand - Skip the Line: Phuket: Simon Cabaret Show Admission Ticket. Cabaret in Phuket. Check out 24 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Skip the Line: Phuket: Simon Cabaret Show Admission Ticket 
Phang Nga Bay 8 to 9 hours Tour From Tambon Patong, Thailand - Phang Nga Bay National Park Tour from Phuket including Amazing Sea Cave Canoeing. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 14 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phang Nga Bay National Park Tour from Phuket including Amazing Sea Cave Canoeing See all Phuket Tours
Trending Rentals
Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket
Ocean12 Chic Hotel - Ocean12 Chic Hotel is located at 54/22-23 Moo1, Soi Ta iad, Chalong, Mueang, Phuket in Chalong on Phuket island in Thailand. This Chalong Apartments has a guest rating of 6.1 and facilities including: Wi-Fi & Spa. 
Nice Bangtao Beach - Nice Bangtao Beach is located at 8/88 M.5 Chrengtalay Bangtao Thalang, Bangtao Beach in Bang Tao on the island of Phuket. This Bang Tao Apartments has a guest rating of 6.1 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Spa. 
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. 
The Title Boutique Phuket - The Title Boutique Phuket is located at 456/54 Wiset Road, Muang, Phuket in Rawai on the island of Phuket. This Rawai Apartments has a guest rating of 8.7 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & 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. 
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. 
Namphung Residence Phuket - Namphung Residence Phuket is located at 184/10 Moo 6, Soi Jitprasan 2, Muang, Phuket in Rawai on Phuket island, Thailand. This Rawai Apartments has a guest rating of 8.6 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Laundry service. 
Sea Dream Patong - Sea Dream Patong is located at 14 Thaweewong Rd. Patong, Phuket, 83150 in Patong on Phuket island in Thailand. This Patong Apartments has a guest rating of 7.7 and facilities including: Laundry service & Wi-Fi. 
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. 
The Park Surin Serviced Apartments - The Park Surin Serviced Apartments is located at 128 Had Surin Soi 8, Srisoonthorn Rd Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket in Surin on Phuket island, Thailand. This Surin Apartments has a guest rating of 8.5 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Spa. 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
