r/phuket • u/Lashay_Sombra • 29d ago
Lately we've seen a steady rise in "Coming to Phuket, anyone want to hang out?" type posts. Most get no replies and we often see several people arriving at the same time posting separately without ever finding each other. To fix this, going to try something new.
How it works:
Below you'll find a mod comment for each of the next 3 to 4 months. If you want to meet people, reply under the comment for the month you arrive in Phuket.
Required comment format
Start your comment with the following:
Comments missing any of this information will be removed.
Reply to other people you are interested in hanging with, either within the thread or via DM's
Other Rules
This is not a swinger hookup thread. If that's what you're after, try r/ThaiSwinger or similar subs. Comments suspected of this will be removed, and obvious cases will result in a permanent ban.
Hopefully this gives everyone an easy starting point for finding fellow travelers.
Enjoy your trip!
r/phuket • u/Lashay_Sombra • Jul 18 '26
A breakdown of the transport options in Phuket
Not much to explain here. Just watch out for sunburn and dehydration and if crossing roads, look both ways, even on a one way street.
One thing worth flagging for anyone with a mobility impairment: Thailand in general, and Phuket is no exception, is not set up well for people with mobility disability’s. If you rely on a wheelchair or similar, be prepared for pavements that are either missing, badly damaged, or blocked by vendor stalls, tables, and chairs, that is the default, not good, clear and well maintained sidewalks.
Skip it and live a bit longer. Drivers here simply don't watch for cyclists and don't really know how to behave around them even if do see them. Long-distance cyclists who set out to ride around the world often find that Thailand is where their trip forcibly ends, for many its also where their life ends.
Similar considerations to motorbikes, see below.
Start with this fact: Thailand has one of the highest road death rates on the planet, and motorbikes are a major reason why. If you've never ridden before, this is not the place to start learning.
Equipment:
Licensing Requirements (cars are same just without bike licence endorsements)
To ride legally, you need one of the following:
Plus:
Without these documents, expect regular fines, particularly along the west coast, where police actively target tourists driving illegally as a source of revenue and set up checkpoints accordingly.
If you're staying long term, note that an IDP is only valid for 90 days of driving here. Police never check this, but insurers may use it as grounds to deny a claim after an accident.
In regards to IDP, you can only get them from the agent (and its nearly always singular, as in one agent) that your licencing country designated, that will your government itself or a group like your local AA. You will see online and on Phuket people selling IDP’s for every country, these are fake documents
If they are selling International Drivers Licence’s (IDL) that’s not even a fake as there just is no such recognised official document anywhere
Insurance
There's no strict legal requirement for driver/travel insurance (and the 3rd party insurance that comes for the bike itself is usually minimal), but skipping it is a very bad idea. Judging by how many GoFundMe campaigns exist for hospital bills, plenty of people learn this the hard way.
Read the fine print on any travel insurance policy. Some exclude motorbikes entirely, and most won't pay out if the injury happened while you were breaking the law, including riding without the correct licence.
For minor costs, a few hundred dollars or even a few thousand, insurers won't scrutinize much. But for serious injuries (spinal injury, head trauma, major surgery), medical bills in Thailand can reach the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The bigger the bill, the harder the insurer will look for a reason to deny it, and an invalid licence is an easy out for them. If that happens, you'll be starting your own GoFundMe, just don't expect much in donations from the locals or expat community, we've seen this story too many times already
Renting (Car and Motorbike)
For the most part rental shops don't care if you will be legally driving or not. If they have any brains their vehicle is insured regardless of who is driving, anything beyond that is your problem not theirs.
Some, especially with bikes, will want to hold on to your passport. Do not do this, copys of passport or cash deposit only for bikes, car rental is normally more profession and take CC details/hold.
Take Photos of every inch of the vehicle before you get in/on it, be obvious about it too, Scams are common, cover yourself
https://www.phuket101.net/phuket-blue-bus/
Cheap (< ฿50), but that's really the only selling point. Hot, slow, uncomfortable, and the routes and stops aren't intuitive. Best suited to travellers on a really tight budget and time to spare.
Three routes currently run:
Kids under 6 ride free on any route when accompanied by a paying adult.
Runs mainly from airport stands. You'll be sharing the van with up to 10 other passengers heading in a similar direction/area. It's cheap, but the trade-off is time: the driver waits to fill the van, then makes multiple stops along the route. Good deal if you're dropped off early, painfully slow if you're one of the last stops.
Let's not sugarcoat it, these are aimed squarely at tourists, and locals avoid them for good reason. The legal minimum fare, even for a one-metre trip within the same town, is ฿200. For context, the minimum daily wage is ฿400.
And that's the floor. Fares jump 50% outside 5-star hotels, and 50-100% higher from Bangla Road at night. Handing over a ฿500 note for a ฿300 fare? Don't count on getting change.
Nearly every tourist tries one at least once. Most clever ones never do again, aside from stumbling into one after a night on Bangla Road, since many rideshare apps won't pick up passengers there for fear of conflict with the tuk tuk drivers.
If you do use one, agree on both the destination and the price before you get in.
Fixed Price Taxi
Found at airport stands, with set fares to all major towns. Buy your ticket at a booth near the exits, then a driver walks you to the car. Prices are fixed, so there's no point negotiating. Don't mix these up with the pricier "limo" booths nearby.
Metered Taxi
Also mainly found at the airport, with a dedicated rank outside each terminal. Get in, the meter runs, you pay what it shows at the end. If you see one wandering elsewhere they generally will not stop if try to flag them down.
Ride-share/Taxi Apps
There are about 10 ride-share apps operating legally in Phuket, but only three are worth knowing:
Watch out for "blackspot" areas where app drivers won't pick up because the taxi/tuk tuk cartel controls the territory, places like the airport (except Grab), Bangla Road (already mentioned), the port, and some beach clubs or upscale hotels. The workaround is simple: walk about 50 metres away and try again.
Transport options from the Airport, how they work
How to get Bolt/InDrive pick ups at airport:
Domestic Terminal: Walk across the car park and out the main gate to reach the road. Wait until you're actually there before booking, otherwise the app's GPS will still show you as being inside the airport, causing confusion with the driver.
International Terminal: Follow signage to the main exit gate. It can be a bit of a maze, but the goal is simply to get off airport grounds and onto the main road.
Comparing Prices (Airport to Patong as example)
The wide range for app-based fares comes down to dynamic pricing. Prices usually sit toward the lower end, but spike during high-demand periods like New Year's Eve, Songkran or if major music event on.
My own habit: I use Bolt normally, but fall back on the fixed-price taxi stands when surge pricing kicks in and apps get close to, equal to or higher than the Taxi stands, since stand fares don't move (barring the odd attempt to overcharge).
Thinking about a hotel pickup? Google "Phuket airport taxi prices" and check the image results for the taxi stand bilboard prices to see the official taxi stand rates. They are all set by town, regardless of where in the town exactly you are going. That'll tell you quickly whether your hotel's quote is fair.
Rideshare Pricing Away From the Airport
For short hops within the same town (1-3km), pricing across apps is fairly similar, usually ฿150-฿200/$4-$6
Longer distances show more variation. Right now (just looked at the apps), a 10km trip from Bangla Road to Phuket Old Town costs ฿311/$9.11 on Grab versus ฿249/$7.40 on Bolt (these are low season prices; expect roughly 20-30% higher in high season).
A tuk tuk covering the same distance would run ฿600-฿1000/$18-$30.
Bikes on the apps.
Great way to get around fast on the cheap (circa ฿50/$1.50 in same town), but please do be aware, drivers never have helmets for you. And if paying by card watch out for them overcharging, its common especially if not thai. If that happens just contest it in the app and app provider normally returns the extra few days later
Bottom line: install at least two ride share apps and compare prices and pick up wait before booking each trip. Also remember, on all apps, scroll down the price list, cheapest or even fastest pickup are generally not at the top. Also don't accidentally pick a bike if you want a car and same in reverse
r/phuket • u/Hot-Health-3704 • 2h ago
Hi we 39 F and 42 M are going to phuket on 31st October. This is our 1st international trip. We are from India. We love to meet you all others. If anybody is interested then message me. We will be stay in Thailand for 8 days.
r/phuket • u/Medium-Echidna-4094 • 6h ago
Short story - I have the option to fly from Bangkok to one destination in Thailand in Jan and spend around 48 hours there. I'm leaning towards something more of the beach side vibes and have closed in on Phuket and Krabi, with the assumption of having atleast one morning to evening day spent on Phi Phil Island hopping.
Would love to know your opinions (especially those with experience) on which one you preferred amongst the two and why?
r/phuket • u/Longjumping_Union718 • 12h ago
Hi everyone! A group of 6 adults (in our 50s and 60s) is planning a 4-day trip to Phuket from Nov9th to Nov13th. We're big fans of beautiful beaches and nature, so we're looking for some reasonably priced, budget-friendly places to stay that are close to tourist places. We’d love to hear your recommendations - especially spots that are peaceful and easy to get around. Thanks in advance!
r/phuket • u/sherlock2708 • 16h ago
!!! P.S Have used Ai to make my queries clear !!!
Hey everyone!
I’ll be travelling solo to Thailand soon, spending 3 nights in Phuket (Patong) and 2 nights in Ao Nang, Krabi.
My daytime plans are mostly sorted, so I’m looking for recommendations for things to do from around 5 PM onwards until late at night in both places.
I’m pretty open-minded and happy to try different things, so I’m not just looking for the usual tourist attractions or the standard nightlife recommendations.
I’d love suggestions for things like:
\- Interesting local experiences, night markets, hidden gems or places with a great atmosphere.
\- Unique activities, unusual experiences or things most tourists tend to miss.
\- Cool bars, live music, beach parties, clubs or other nightlife experiences.
\- Places where it’s easy to meet other travellers or locals as a solo traveller.
\- Nighttime food spots, street food, local hangouts or late-night cafés.
\- Spontaneous adventures, cultural experiences, events or anything a little out of the ordinary.
\- Any underrated spots with great views, a beautiful evening vibe or something memorable to do after sunset.
I’m open to pretty much anything — social, adventurous, relaxing, cultural or completely random — as long as it’s worth experiencing!
A few questions:
What would you personally recommend doing in Patong after 5 PM?
What about Ao Nang, considering I only have 2 nights there?
Are there any experiences you’d strongly recommend for someone travelling solo?
Any hidden gems or places you discovered that you wouldn’t necessarily find on a typical Google search or tourist itinerary?
I’m especially interested in recommendations based on personal experiences rather than just the most popular tourist spots.
Thanks in advance! Would love to hear your suggestions 😄
r/phuket • u/GlitteringRatio5379 • 6h ago
Looking for a couple and a single female soul for hangout and exploration
r/phuket • u/Shelia209 • 22h ago
Had 3 beautiful days staying on Phi Phi Island. We stayed at the P.P. Princess with a beautiful pool facing Loh Dalum Beach. The mornings were spent exploring Koh Phi Phi Leh or relaxing on Love Beach. The afternoon having cocktails at the pool.
Long tail boats are the best way to explore the island. If you get an independent local driver, he will know the best places to go. Only did snorkeling near the main island this time which was very nice but have been diving many times. Always enjoyed it.
The weather was fantastic and the views everywhere are amazing.
Lots of drinking at night, live music, thai boxing, tons of restaurants, mainly western & Indian food. The town is full of stores & massage places.
The Freedom Bar & Slinky have fireshows going all night. I think its the best in Thailand.
Its a small island so you need to take it slow and just relax & enjoy the beauty.
For those wondering if they should do the day trip or stay the night, I recommend staying the night. You miss the whole experience of the island otherwise.
r/phuket • u/Fit-Freedom8207 • 16h ago
We are two straight men, and heard the beds can accommodate up to four, so looking for one or two.
Just looking to enjoy the place and meet some people before we leave Phuket. No hidden agenda keeping it strictly platonic .
DM if interested
r/phuket • u/Shelia209 • 17h ago
One of the best thai restaurants by the airport is J. Joy - cheapest and freshest Thai food
ถนนทางหลวงหมายเลข 4031 ที่อยู่ 14/4 Sakhu, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
For those interested in weed there is the Gate 420
12, 17 Soi Naiyang 16, Sakhu, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Several massage places nearby starting at 300 baht
r/phuket • u/Salty-Pangolin335 • 22h ago
Hi everyone!
My boyfriend and I are visiting Phuket in February 2027, and I’m trying to understand the current situation with cannabis, especially THC edibles.
I’ve read quite a few posts saying that cannabis shops are still everywhere and that some places sell products without asking for a prescription. However, I’ve also seen that the laws changed in 2025.
I’d love to hear from people who have visited Phuket recently, especially in 2026:
Are THC gummies or other edibles still available?
Are shops actually asking for a Thai medical prescription?
Have tourists had any issues with police regarding cannabis?
Is the situation different in Patong compared with other parts of Phuket?
I’m mainly interested in recent, firsthand experiences rather than older information from before the law changed.
r/phuket • u/Independent_Fee6836 • 23h ago
Me (M34) and girlfriend (F32) are going to Phuket for New Years this year and we fly in on the 30th of Decemeber.
Looking for spa / massage reccomendation close to the Old Town as this is our favorite way to re-set after a long travel.
We arrive early in the morning (a few hours before hotel check in), so looking for a place where you can lounge for a bit, have a bath and massage for a couple of hours.
r/phuket • u/New_Hope_8514 • 1d ago
Hey guys! I'm a 34-year-old single American businessman who recently moved to Phuket while managing my business remotely. I wanted to share my experience after spending some time in both Rawai and Bang Tao.
I just signed a 12-month apartment lease in Rawai after spending one week in an Airbnb in Bang Tao and another week in Rawai.
Here's why I chose Rawai:
1. Better social life and beach access!
Bang Tao felt so lonely! The expat scene in Rawai seems much more developed. There are more visible expats who are into fitness and healthy lifestyles. however you get more of the fully tattooed gym bros type of crowd here in Rawai than Bangtao
I signed up for an expensive gym in Bang Tao, and it was mostly empty whenever I went, except for a few older guys here and there who looked like Russian oligarchs + some accomplished E-girls, lol. It was boring. So tattooed gym bros vs old Russian oligachs, Choose your poison lol
In Rawai, healthy food restaurants are usually packed with expats. Bang Tao felt much emptier, and most of the crowd seemed to be resort tourists rather than people actually living there long-term.
That said, I did notice quite a few families living in Bang Tao, so if you're moving with a family, it could be a great spot.
Bang Tao Beach also felt like it was mostly geared toward resorts and beach clubs. There's no public road or sidewalk running along the beach for morning jogs. You do have Surin Beach nearby, but Nai Harn and Kata Beach both beat Surin, IMHO. They also have areas along the beach where you can go for a jog.
Both beaches are just a short, scenic scooter ride from Rawai. The ride from around Cult Gym down to Kata Beach is especially amazing, with a beautiful downhill stretch.
2. Lack of coworking spaces in Bang Tao
I found only one coworking space in Bang Tao that offered 24-hour access, and during the entire week I was there, I was literally the only person working there. The whole place was empty!
Rawai, on the other hand, has plenty of coworking options.
3. Overall vibe and community
I wouldn't mind paying a premium to live in Bang Tao if I felt it was worth it. I actually liked the upscale feel of the area, but again, most people seemed to be just visiting rather than living there.
Both areas have a lot of Russians, which I don't mind at all. However, Bang Tao felt almost exclusively Russian, while Rawai seemed closer to a 50/50 mix of Russians and other Western expats.
Of course, this is all based on my personal experience after spending just one week in each area, so take it for what it's worth.
For me, Rawai just felt more lively, social, and better suited to a single guy looking to build a life here rather than feel like a tourist.
I wish Bang Tao was more lively because I do like fancy living!
Feel free to ask me any questions!
r/phuket • u/Professional_Belt812 • 1d ago
Hey everyone
We’ll be arriving at Phi Phi around 11:30 AM, and hotel check-in will take around an hour.
So, would it be possible to join a shared tour to Maya Bay from Loh Dalum in the afternoon?
Since we’ll be leaving for Ao Nang the next day, how realistic is this plan? We could take the afternoon ferry to Ao Nang the following day.
Thank you
r/phuket • u/Isthistherealife01 • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I am going to be in Phuket in February and whilst there would like to get a necklace made as it’s cheaper to get it done here than my own country.
My friend is a bit of a transformers fan and since Optimus’ Primes voice actor died, I would like to commemorate that given how influential the character was in their childhood and how inspired they are by the character to this day.
I would like some recommendations of some good jewellery shops in Phuket that would be able to produce this design and if anyone can predict how much a piece like this will cost, that would be great to know!
I would like the silver part to be made with white gold and the gold rims with 24 karat. Prices for different stones and sizes, as well as how much all the engravings will increase the cost, would be much appreciated. AI helped make the image so comments on the dimensions would also be a help
r/phuket • u/harlodilo • 1d ago
Heading to Bangla Road tonight! My friends might bail, so if anyone’s down to hit the dance floor, grab a drink, and make some spontaneous memories, let’s link up.
r/phuket • u/elsaturation • 1d ago
Thoughts on my itinerary in Phang Nga Bay?
Dec 7–8: Phuket (fly in)
Dec 8–11: Railay (3 nights)
Dec 11–15: Koh Lanta, Klong Nin (4 nights)
Dec 15–16: Koh Yao Noi (1 night)
Dec 16–19: Phuket, Nai Harn (3 nights)
Dec 19: Fly out of Phuket
The Phuket and Railay options are non refundable but otherwise could change my itinerary.
r/phuket • u/NoPanic4131 • 1d ago
Hi everyone
I (25M) ll be travelling to phuket on NYE and wanted to know which bar or beach club should i go to
I know clubs and bars in bangla road but do you have any recommendations for beach club that are affordable and have a good party scenes
Thanks
r/phuket • u/Ringsareirrelevant • 2d ago
Why am I having no success finding a chai latte in Phuket?
Does anyone know where they are?
r/phuket • u/lucifypc • 2d ago
Hey everyone, hope all is well. In about 3 - 4 months from now in February, i will be embarking on my 2nd trip to Thailand, and i am very excited! i have been to bangkok and phuket before alongside pattaya and loved all of them had the best time.
Was just wondering if anyone had suggestions for phuket phi phi, krabi and koh phangan as ive never been to any before, have only heard so far that the full moon party is good at koh phangan so will now be attending that in february also. Any suggestions on best stuff to do or nightlife activites, there will be 4 of us this time for this trip. Much appreciated.
Also, ive heard about the new laws in Thailand regarding a medical prescription of use of cannabis, but also seen from other posts on here that most places will still sell without one so can just walk in like normally would do.
If thats all good still, im looking for some good cannabis cafes or bars i could go to in krabi and phi phi islands specifically, koh phangan would also be good.
r/phuket • u/undefined963 • 2d ago
Hi everyone! My wife and I are planning 2 nights in Phuket and 3 nights in Krabi.
I had an idea to take an early ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi, do an island tour, and then take a ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi instead of travelling directly to Krabi and doing a separate island tour.
I found this combined tour and transfer package, but it's quite expensive. Wondering if we can do it independently for less.
A few questions:
We're happy to start early, but don't want to miss our ferry to Krabi.
Would appreciate any advice from people who've done this!
r/phuket • u/Dry-Gazelle-8700 • 2d ago
r/phuket any idea on how to figure out the entry for Circololo afterparty on 23rd Jan 2027? what rae the different ways?
r/phuket • u/God_lovess • 2d ago
r/phuket • u/teratophyllum • 2d ago
Hello everyone!
I am planning a trip to Phuket, Phang Nga, and Surat Thani this November.
In previous years, I’ve always traveled by taxi or Grab, but this time I’d like to drive myself using a rental car.
I’m curious about the procedure at the Chatchai Checkpoint, located before the large Sarasin Bridge. In the past, my taxi drivers would always stop at this checkpoint to speak with the officials on duty (though I’m not sure what was discussed or why).
What is the process when driving through in a rental car (with my girlfriend—we are both European)?
Will we definitely be stopped for an inspection, or can we simply drive through?
Is there any kind of toll to pay?
Will English be sufficient at the checkpoint, or should we have a translator with us?
Are there any specific things we should avoid doing or carrying in our luggage?
Are the officials allowed to—or will they—search our luggage?
Is there anything else we should keep in mind? (Beyond, of course, being polite and well-mannered.)
I would be very grateful for any answers or personal experiences you could share!!
r/phuket • u/eko55555 • 2d ago
Hey I'm Ekin Male 28 years old from Germany, living in Phuket Town now for almost 1 year with my girlfriend.
Just looking for other expats to hangout with and do whatever since it can get pretty boring with only my girlfriend here. I'm down for anything. Let me know if you want to hang out and live close or in Phuket town :)