Short answers to basic questions that people have when they arrive on the island. If you didn't find yours — write, I will add it.
Most nationalities can enter Thailand visa-free for 30-60 days (the exact period depends on your passport). Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Australia, and many other countries get a 60-day visa-free stay. A stamp is placed at the border — nothing needs to be obtained in advance.
You can extend for 30 days at immigration in Phuket — up to 90 days total. Don't forget to fill out the TDAC form (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) before arrival. Check your specific visa-free period on the Thai MFA website.
Usually — accommodation booking and return ticket. Rarely required, but it's better to have on hand. An electronic booking from Booking and a ticket on your phone is enough.
First — paid extension at the immigration office (+30 days). Then — either a "border run" to a neighboring country or an educational visa. Details — in the blog post.
Yes. Fill out the electronic form 1–3 days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th. It’s free. The QR code is sent to your email — show it at passport control. Paper migration cards are no longer issued.
A guideline is 1,500–2,000 baht per day per person. This includes food, transport, and basic entertainment. Excursions, shopping, and beach clubs are separate.
Dollars or euros — accepted everywhere. Dollars are accepted in bills up to and including 1996.
You can fly without any cash currency — through exchange office EX FM you can exchange rubles/crypto for baht right at the month. More details on the page Currency Exchange.
Value+ at Central Festival has the best exchange rate for the dollar. At the beaches, exchange offices offer about the same, difference ±0.1 baht. At the airport and hotels — the worst, do not exchange there.
Through exchange office EX FM convert rubles, get a code and withdraw baht at a Thai ATM. Detailed instructions — in blog post.
Visa and Mastercard from most countries work widely in Thailand — at hotels, malls, restaurants, and 7-Eleven. ATMs charge a 220 THB fee per withdrawal. For the best exchange rate, bring USD or EUR cash and use exchange offices like SuperRich or Value+. Note: some banks from sanctioned countries may not work.
Official taxi in the arrival zone — 1,000–1,500 baht to Kata. If you go outside the airport territory — InDrive or Bolt will cost 600–700 baht. Transfer through Trip.com — 700–800 baht, can be booked in advance.
InDriver — the most popular, bargaining on price. Bolt — new in Phuket, often cheaper. Grab — stable, but more expensive. Street taxis (red tuk-tuks) — 2–3 times more expensive than apps. Apps are definitely better.
Songthaews (minibus pickups) — 50 baht per trip (increased by 10 baht from April 2026). Phuket Smart Bus — 100 baht, runs from the airport to the southern beaches through the main areas. The schedule is unstable, better not to rely on it as the main transport.
Bike — 150–300 baht/day. Car — 1,000–2,000 baht/day. Details and tips — on the page Transport rental.
Main rules: DO NOT leave your passport as a deposit (only a copy or deposit), check the brakes before departure, take photos of all damages on video. Separately — bikes and car.
Use curbs as a guide: black and white — parking is allowed, yellow-white — short stop, red and white — no, they are evacuating. There are free parking lots near the shopping malls.
Yes. International driving license category A for bikes and B for cars. Without them — a fine from the police and insurance does not work if something happens.
Racha and Coral — the nearest islands, can be for half a day. Phi Phi — further away, for a whole day. Similan Islands — the best snorkeling, open from October to May. Khao Sok — national park on the mainland, lake, and jungle. Phang Nga — bay with James Bond island.
All options with prices — on the page Excursions.
No. In the low season (May–October), rains are more frequent in the evening and at night. During the day — variable cloudiness, often you can sunbathe and swim. In the high season (November–April), there is almost no rain.
Sometimes yes, especially on the western beaches from June to October. BEWARE OF RIP CURRENTS! Every year people die. If there is a red flag on the beach — do not go into the water. Even if others are swimming.
Sangchai, Tri Trang, Paradise, Merlin, bays near Nai Harn, Ao Yon (eastern coast). The east of the island is generally calmer — waves come from the west.
They appear after a storm, especially in summer starting from June. If you see jellyfish washed up on the shore — it's better not to go in. More common on the western beaches, almost never on the eastern ones.
High season — November to April. The sea is calm, less rain. Low season — May to October, but with windows of 3–5 sunny days. I live here year-round and each season has its own charm.
Nai Harn, Freedom, Mai Khao, Banana. Patong is the dirtiest but the most convenient. Each beach has its own character: details in the blog.
Yes! Hospitals in Phuket are excellent (Bangkok Hospital, Mission, Siriroj), but very expensive. One visit to a doctor without insurance — from 3,000 baht, hospitalization — tens of thousands. Get health insurance with coverage of at least $50,000.
They are everywhere, at every shopping center and on every street. Recommendation — pharmacy at Supercheap: a wide selection and reasonable prices. Antibiotics are sold without a prescription.
There are mosquitoes, especially in the evenings. Repellents are sold in any 7-Eleven. The risk of dengue is low but not zero. Symptoms: high fever, aches, rash. If suspected, go to the hospital immediately. Insurance covers treatment.
Ants, cockroaches, geckos (harmless lizards) — normal for the tropics. Don't leave food open, wipe down tables. If there are many in the accommodation — ask the owner to treat the place.
No. Buy bottled — it costs pennies at 7-Eleven. In hotels, filtered water is often available on the floors.
Three options:
7-Eleven — ready-made SIM for 200 baht with an internet package. The easiest way.
e-SIM on Trip.com — also about 200 baht. The most convenient if your phone supports e-SIM: no need to go anywhere, activates online.
Empty SIM 50 baht + tariff 170 baht — at AIS or TrueMove salons. A bit cheaper, but you need to understand the tariffs.
4G/5G works all over the island, speed is excellent.
Airbnb and Booking — for short stays. Facebook Marketplace and Telegram groups — for long-term. Caution: there are many scammers on Telegram, check the accommodation in person before payment. More details — Real estate.
Patong — convenient for 5–7 days, everything is nearby, but noisy. Karon/Kata — for families, quiet, beach nearby. Nai Harn — quiet south, my choice. Bang Tao — premium, villas. Rawai/Chalong — budget long-term, many expats.
For 1–3 months, take a condo or house. Must-have: working air conditioner (you can't survive without it), good Wi-Fi (check with a speed test before check-in). Rawai and Chalong are the most budget-friendly areas for wintering.
Phuket has a large and diverse expat community. Popular areas: Rawai and Chalong (Russian-speaking), Cherngtalay and Bang Tao (European), Kata/Karon (mixed). You'll find international schools, coworking spaces, expat meetups, and Facebook groups for every nationality. The island is very welcoming to long-term foreigners.
Briefly on landmarks: Patong — for partying and "everything in one"; Karon and Kata — for families and a quiet beach; Nai Harn — silence and my favorite south; Bang Tao — premium, villas and beach clubs; Rawai — cheap and for a long term.
The main tourist area. Lots of food, shops, massages, bars. Convenient if you're going for 5–7 days and want "everything in one place." Noisy at night, this is not a place for quiet sleep. Youth, couples, short stays.
Long wide beach, quieter than Patong. Good for families with children and those who value a beach nearby rather than bars. Convenient for 7–14 days — there’s plenty to do without overcrowding.
Between Patong and tranquility. Good waves from May to October, surf schools. Cafes, yoga studios. Great for those tired of Patong but wanting nearby infrastructure. Surfing, yoga, couples.
Nai Harn — a great beach with a lagoon behind, many expats, good restaurants, near Promthep and Yanui. Suitable for wintering and a quiet vacation.
Rawai — not a beach area, but close to the south. Cheap, many expats, fresh fish from boats in the morning. Accommodation is taken here for months — long-term, budget, community. These two areas are the best choice for those staying long-term.
Long beach on the west, beach clubs, villas, and 5*. Laguna complex with a golf course. For those who want service, premium accommodation, and an "Instagrammable" party. Expensive.
3–5★ hotel — if you are going for 5–10 days, want breakfasts and cleaning. Suitable for Patong, Karon, Kata, Bang Tao.
Villa with a pool — for companies and families of 4 or more, for 7+ days. Private area, chef on request. Bang Tao, Nai Harn, Rawai.
Condo or apartments — for a month or more. Cheaper than hotels, own kitchen, often a shared pool. Rawai, Chalong, Karon.