Phuket, Thailand 🇹🇭
#390
7.88479, 98.38915
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Phuket is Thailand's largest island, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 460,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 30-100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 THB ≈ 0.029 USD; major cards widely accepted |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | AIS, DTAC, TrueMove; data plans are affordable, starting around 299 THB/month |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | K Bank, Bangkok Bank; international cards accepted widely |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local rentals available; average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is around 15,000-25,000 THB/month |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, a wide range of establishments accept cards and mobile payment apps |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agencies offer plenty of options |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel and guesthouse options like Bodega Phuket Party Hostel and The Memory at On On Hotel, starting at around 500 THB/night |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Café del Mar and The Hive Phuket are popular coworking spots |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Rainforest Cafe offers reliable Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly digital nomad meetups organized by Phuket Expats Club |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Phuket Expats Community on Facebook for gatherings and activities |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most reliable ride-hailing service in Phuket |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Several locations in Patong and Kata offer scooter rentals; prices around 200-300 THB/day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Kata Beach is highly recommended for its scenic beauty and amenities |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Thai Lion Air operates many regional flights |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Singapore Airlines and Emirates offer services to Phuket |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Phuket is accessible via Route 402 and 403, connecting to major areas on the island |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Phuket lacks a train system; buses serve as the main public transport |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses operate on fixed routes; no advanced passes but fares typically around 30-50 THB |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect Phuket with nearby towns; 300 THB to Krabi, 600 THB to Surat Thani |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Bangkok Hospital Phuket offers quality healthcare and is well-equipped |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Republic in Rawai offers various classes for all levels |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Thailand in Patong offers both monthly memberships and pay-per-visit options |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Many laundromats available; prices around 40-60 THB for washing and drying |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood is widely used for food delivery |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pad Thai and Massaman Curry are must-try local dishes |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Vegan Table and Smoothie Blues offer excellent plant-based meals |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Krispy Kreme and Gelato Factory for sweet treats |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Banzaan Fresh Market offer budget-friendly options |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee for a wide range of products available online |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Foodpanda includes grocery services; Tesco Lotus also offers delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bangla Road in Patong is the nightlife hub with numerous bars and clubs |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Phuket Beer Factory produces popular local brews |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Connection offers a great selection of wines and tapas |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors at Banzaan Fresh Market provide delicious affordable meals |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Da Mario serve excellente Italian food |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Big Buddha and Wat Chalong are famous cultural landmarks |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Phuket Trickeye Museum showcases interactive art |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Town Phuket features Sino-Portuguese architecture and history |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Wat Phra Thong is a notable temple known for its legend |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Vegetarian Festival held every October is a popular cultural highlight |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Thalang Road is famous for its Sunday Street Market |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Siam Niramit Phuket features cultural performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Phuket Weekend Market is a great place to experience local shopping and food |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at venues like Rockin' Angels and Catch Beach Club |
| 🎨 Street Art | Old Town has several murals and street art pieces to explore |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Baipai Thai Cooking School offers hands-on cooking experiences |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Phuket Art Village showcases local artists and their works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Sino-Portuguese buildings in Old Town reflect Phuket's heritage. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Phuket's blend of cultures influences its festivals and cuisine. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Phang Nga Bay and National Parks offer beautiful landscapes for exploration. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sirinat National Park is great for nature lovers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Laguna Phuket has scenic bike paths and walking trails. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Promthep Cape provides stunning sunset views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are excellent spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Nai Harn Beach allows designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Thai Post and international courier services are available. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | IT shops in Patong offer phone and laptop repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers and hotels have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools like AUA offer English and Thai language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Phuket International Academy has a nice study area. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Phuket Community Center hosts local events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | PlayStation cafes offer gaming experiences in Patong. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos on the island, but some resorts offer gaming facilities. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 100,000 THB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 4,000,000 THB) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 70,000 THB per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 2,800,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 85,000 THB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 5,100,000 THB) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 60,000 THB per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 3,600,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 70,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 5,600,000 THB) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 50,000 THB per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4,000,000 THB) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial tax system; taxes imposed on income generated in Thailand |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% |
| 🧾 VAT | 7% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to certain foreign-owned entities |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on appraised value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% transfer fee and 1% stamp duty |