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
ATV Tours 2 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Phuket ATV Riding Group Excursion to Big Buddha. 4WD Tours in Phuket. Check out 111 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's 2 Hour ATV Riding and Big Buddha From Phuket 
Phuket Old Town 4 to 6 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Phuket Full-Day Sightseeing Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 462 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Travstore Original Phuket Discovery Tour - Shared Half Day City Tour 
Phi Phi Islands 8 hours Tour From Phuket Town, Thailand - Phi Phi Snorkeling/Adventure Deluxe Day Trip, Gold Package, Limited Guests. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 4 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phi Phi Snorkeling/Adventure Deluxe Day Trip, Gold Package, Limited Guests 
Shore Excursions 8 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Private Speedboat Maiton, Racha, and Coral Islands Tour from Phuket. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 6 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Private Speedboat Maiton, Racha, and Coral Islands Tour from Phuket 
Cooking Classes 3 hours 30 minutes Activity From Tambon Karon, Thailand - Phuket Thai Cooking Class. Cooking Classes in Phuket. Check out 1276 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phuket Thai Cooking Class 
Phi Phi Islands 8 to 9 hours Activity From ตำบล เกาะแก้ว, Thailand - Phuket Full-Day Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands Tour. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 38 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Bamboo Island and Phi Phi Island Full Day Tour From Phuket 
Full-day Tours 7 hours 30 minutes Tour From Mai Khao, Thailand - Phuket: Full-Day Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Tour with Meals. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 35 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Full-Day Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Tour with Lunch and Dinner 
Phi Phi Islands 6 to 8 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Phi Phi Island Private Boat Trip from Phuket. Day Cruises in Phuket. Check out 491 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phi Phi Island Private Boat Tour 
Phang Nga Bay 9 hours Tour From Patong, Thailand - Small-Group Canoeing Day Tour with Lunch, Phang Nga Bay. Day Trips in Phuket. Check out 25 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Phuket-Phang Nga Bay: James Bond Paradise Canoeing By Luxury Boat 
Catamaran Cruises 7 hours Activity From Chalong, Thailand - Phuket Full-Day Luxury Boat Club Cruise. Day Cruises in Phuket. Check out 334 activity reviews and tour photos of Bangtao Beach Bar's Hype Boat Club: Phuket 's Most Stylish & Unique Catamaran Experience See all Phuket Tours
Trending Rentals
Top 10 tending accommodations and rentals on Phuket
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. 
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. 
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. 
Grande Elegance Serviced Apartment - Grande Elegance Serviced Apartment is located at 5/5 Sirirat Rd, Patong, Kathu in Patong on Phuket island. This Patong Apartments has a guest rating of 8.9 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Wi-Fi. 
The WIDE Condotel – Phuket - The WIDE Condotel - Phuket is located at 13/10 Sakdidej Road, Talad-Nua, Muang in Phuket Town on the island of Phuket. This Phuket Town Apartments has a guest rating of 7.2 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Business centre. 
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. 
Ban Elephant Blanc Apartment - Ban Elephant Blanc Apartment is located at 2/3 Kedkwan Rd.Karon Muang Phuket in Kata on Phuket island in Thailand. This Kata Apartments has a guest rating of 8.3 and facilities including: Wi-Fi & . 
Phuket Lagoon Pool Villa - Phuket Lagoon Pool Villa is located at 59/20 M.5 Kohkeaw, Muang, 83000 Kathu, Thailand TO 59/20 M.5 Kohkeaw, Muang, 83000 Thailand in Koh Kaew on Phuket, Thailand. This Koh Kaew Apartments has a guest rating of 6.9 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Low mobility guests welcome. 
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. 
The Title Beach Front - The Title Beach Front is located at 456/33 - 456/83 Moo 6 Viset Road, Muang, Phuket in Rawai on Phuket in Thailand. This Rawai Apartments has a guest rating of 8.6 and facilities including: Swimming Pool & Wi-Fi. 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
