Phuket
Entertainment Quality: 3 / 5
Safety: 3 / 5
Nightlife: 4 / 5
Walkability: 3 / 5
Living Standards: 4 / 5
Free WiFi: 4 / 5
Phuket in Prices & Facts
$3.7 $3.7
Quick Lunch for One
Spoken Languages
Thai, English, Russian
$1.1 $1.14
Public Transport Ride
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Getting Around
Tuk-Tuk
Tuk-tuks in Phuket are available all day and typically charge between 300-500 THB for short trips around busy areas like Patong and Kata Beach, with negotiation being essential before you hop in. Always agree on the fare beforehand to avoid surprises and consider sharing a ride to save money!
Car
Phuket's Grab app is widely available, offering rides from as low as 100 THB for short trips around Patong Beach and beyond, making it economical and convenient for tourists. Insider tip: use Grab to avoid haggling with tuk-tuk drivers, who often charge inflated rates, especially at night.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
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Songkran, or the Thai New Year, is one of the most joyous and beloved festivals in Thailand. It falls during the night from April 12 to 13 according to the astrological lunar calendar, though it’s celebrated for several days in conjunction with tourists. During the festivities, one of the common practices is to splash water on each other — the more, the better! This leads to its second name, the "Festival of Water."
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In translation from Sanskrit, "Songkran" means "movement," referring to the change of seasons. The hot season transitions into the rainy season. Historically, a good wet season ensured a rich rice harvest, so it was an important time. The festival dates back to Ancient India but spread throughout Southeast Asia over time.
In Thailand, the festival has gained a spiritual element: people visit temples, make merit, and pay homage to their ancestors. Water has become a symbol and means of blessing, so it is traditionally meant to be pure and definitely not salty seawater. The idea is that water cleanses people of negativity accumulated over the year.
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How the festival unfolds in our days 🌊
Thais, children, and the youth take to the streets with large buckets of water, squirt guns, and all things that can provide a good drenching. In tourist areas, barrels of water are set up for anyone who wishes to "arm themselves," sometimes for a small fee.
💧 The phrases "Sawasdee pi mai!" (Happy New Year!) or "Happy Songkran" accompanied by cheerful smiles from participants splashing water on everyone, including tourists.
If you decide to hit the streets during these days in Pattaya and partake in the communal joy, make sure to do the following:
- Wear something quick-drying, with a swimsuit underneath;
- Bring dry clothing and a bag to protect your belongings;
- Safeguard your documents and tech — at this time, water-resistant bags are sold at every turn;
- Stay dry if possible, avoid main roads and highways, choosing narrow streets and alleys instead — although that might not always help 😉
Friends, have any of you experienced Songkran in Thailand? How was it? Fun? Or are you planning on making it this time? »
📋 First and foremost, the Thai people are incredibly welcoming. I had a delightful experience with the locals during my visits!
📋 It was a bit nerve-wracking to ride a motorcycle, especially after witnessing a scary accident involving a Thai participant. I opted for a rental bike and quickly got the hang of it on the road, never exceeding 40 mph for my own safety.
📋 In stores, I often encountered attempts to overcharge me, but I remained vigilant and always negotiated. The staff were ultimately friendly and accommodating. The last incident happened at the airport, though it escalated to involving the police 😱.
📋 I stayed at a lovely Airbnb run by an adorable Thai couple who also had a small coffee shop. They made the best breakfast and were so friendly!
📋 Many locals casually enjoy cannabis 🌿, as it’s become a popular way to relax without the need for alcoholic drinks, which can lead to unexpected situations.
📋 One of my trips was to a massage parlor, and I unintentionally ended up with a rather interesting masseuse – let's just say it was quite an experience 😄!
📋 Thailand boasts numerous reggae bars, but keep in mind that narcotics remain illegal here.
📋 The cost of medical procedures in Thailand is considerably lower than in many other countries, making it a favored destination for those seeking affordable healthcare.
📋 Due to the periodic loss of life from falling coconuts, locals often take precautions.
📋 The calendar in Thailand is different from the rest of the world, as they currently use the year 2566. »
There's also a winter garden where you can see plants that thrive in continental climates. Among the flora in the botanical garden are waterfalls, ponds, and a bamboo house designed in Thai style, various sculptures, and so much more that is intriguing.
I found it strange that there were very few flowering orchids in the garden; perhaps they are currently out of season. 🌸 In the pond, by the palm trees, golden carp are swimming, and for a small fee, you can buy food for them. However, after feeding fish in the Red Sea of Egypt, I’m content just to watch and admire the scene. 😄 I simply took selfies with them! 🤳 »
While in Thailand, we visited a famous theatrical show 🎭. It's a captivating performance featuring three acts that immerses you in the history, culture, traditions, and celebrations of ancient Thailand. Honestly, I enjoyed it dearly—especially the banquet 😂😂 with dishes like Thai 🍜, Indian 🍚, Chinese 🥡, European 🍰, Muslim 🥙, and Japanese 🍣, along with options for vegetarians 🌱 and kids. It filled my soul with joy 🌈🍴.
Before the show, they have a traditional performance ☯️ showcasing local dances 🎶, Thai boxing, soap opera excerpts 🥋 set to the sound of traditional instruments 🎶, and a small light show with fire 🔥.
During the performance, capturing some photos 📵📷 is already a no-go. Throughout the show, there are some surprise elements 💥 that create an even more realistic atmosphere: flying angels 👼🏽, real fog 🌧️ with pouring rain ☔, thunder and lightning ⚡️, and the river 🌊 right on stage...
How do they do it? 😅 What incredible costumes (I've always been fascinated by the décor) are hidden behind this striking design? They mentioned there were more than 500 of them! 🧳🌟
This show fills you with positivity and kindness 🤗, making you want to embrace the whole world 🌍. When the performers finally exit through the hall, at the exit (for example, around $4-5) stand the show’s heroes in their magnificent costumes, ready for anyone wishing to snap a photo together. Nice 👌🏽 »
There are so many people on all the beaches, and the taxis are ridiculously expensive. It's a bit annoying, especially when you realize how high the prices for housing are compared to other places like Pattaya 🚀
The cost of a room just a 20-minute walk from the beach, in a small, unremarkable hotel, equals the price of two-bedroom apartments with a larger base and a gym around the beaches in Pattaya. Plus, we already have familiar spots here, including a very nice kids' garden ❤️🧡🧚♀️
In general, we’re flying to Bangkok soon ✈️ and hopefully won’t come back here 😆
By the way, in the last photo, you can see that people are only going to the beach on a chain to swim on the right side. That’s because there are no rocks there, and you can just walk into the sea. It’s the only paid beach we found, which we reached with two transfers because we really wanted to swim in the beautiful water 🤣 »
As for the food, we were afraid it’d be quite spicy, but my husband and I are lovers of all things hot – the food seems pretty standard to us! 😜 »
This is tied to an old property tax system that was calculated based on the building's width, while the length and number of floors were not taken into account — hence the Thai locals came up with this economical option. With this, the area of shophouses became vast, yet the tax remained manageable. A downside to such architecture might be the absence of side windows, but honestly, this hardly distracted me at the time.
The main distinction of local shophouses from those found elsewhere, particularly in Southeast Asia, is the beautifully adorned facades. Historians explain this phenomenon through the blend of Chinese and Portuguese architectural styles that you can clearly see here. 😊 »
Here we are leaving so many things unfinished and promising to come back, maybe not in the nearest future, but definitely in the not-so-distant future 😉
I still haven’t checked out the slides 🤣 »
Also, there were great views from the top where the Big Buddha statue is located. The sight of the half of the island from there is unforgettable, and the temple itself is truly magnificent. »
Enjoy the little things! 😍 »
❗️On the small island beaches, you can have such a great time, whether on land or in the water. At any moment, you can gaze at something beautiful while enjoying yourself 🤩
Such scenery captures my soul 🌅🍹🍃 »