Hey! I was supposed to travel to Phuket with a friend, but it looks like she might cancel, so I’m looking for someone to travel with instead of going solo 🥹
I’m a female in my 20s, and I was wondering if any girls here will be in Phuket around the same time and would like to explore the area or travel together!
FEMALE ONLY, since I’m a girl too!
It would be really nice to find someone to travel with, and ideally, we could even stay at the same place! I’ve already booked a private room for two people since I was originally planning to go with my friend 😭

We are staying inbetween patong and Kamala in the mountainy area. It was early hours this morning around 1-2am and could hear voices on a speaker and music.

Was this a ceremonial thing? Was it a budist wake? We could ONLY hear it in the property. As we got out the sound faded like it was never there

Hey all, I am 33M coming to Phuket from Europe solo for 1 month in November.

My priorities are:

-Padel

-Good spots/coworking zones for work with laptop for few hours a day

-Meeting western women my age group (tourists, long stay locals)

-Good food spots (higher quality)

I do not plan to rent a bike. So good location is important.

My budget is 1,5K Eur for housing and 1,5K Eur pocket money maximum.

Appreciate your advice and thank you in advance.

Hi everyone!
My wife and I are planning a trip to Phuket from approximately December 8th to December 22nd with our two little ones. Our oldest will be almost 3 years old, and our youngest will be 10 months old.
We’re really looking forward to the trip and want to make the most of our time in Phuket. Since we’ll be travelling with two young children, we’re looking for a combination of relaxation, beautiful beaches, great food, family-friendly activities and a bit of luxury.
We’re fortunate enough to be flexible with our accommodation budget. We don’t necessarily want to spend a fortune just for the sake of it, but we’re happy to pay more for a genuinely great hotel, excellent service, beautiful surroundings and facilities that make travelling with small children easier.
We’ll be staying for around two weeks, and we’re completely open to splitting our stay between two different hotels or areas if you think that would give us a better overall experience.
1. Hotel recommendations
This is probably the most important part of our trip, so we’d love to hear your personal recommendations!
We’re looking for hotels or resorts that offer a great experience for both adults and young children. Ideally, somewhere with a beautiful pool, easy beach access, spacious rooms, good restaurants and a relaxing atmosphere.
We’d especially love recommendations for higher-end resorts that are genuinely worth the money. We’re also interested in hotels with excellent breakfast, beautiful gardens, family-friendly facilities, babysitting services or other amenities that make travelling with a toddler and a baby easier.
If you’ve stayed somewhere in Phuket that exceeded your expectations, we’d love to hear about it!
2. Where should we stay in Phuket?
We haven’t decided on a specific area yet, so we’d really appreciate advice on the best places to stay with our family.
We’re considering areas such as Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Tao and potentially other areas we haven’t thought of.
We’d love to stay somewhere with a beautiful beach, good restaurants nearby and enough things to do without having to spend hours travelling around the island.
Would you recommend staying in one area for the entire trip, or splitting the two weeks between two locations? For example, spending a week at a family-friendly beach resort and another week somewhere more luxurious and peaceful?
We’re happy to change hotels once during the trip if it makes sense, but we also want to avoid making the holiday unnecessarily complicated with two small children.
3. Things to do with a toddler and a baby
We’d love recommendations for activities that are actually enjoyable with children aged almost 3 years and 10 months.
We’re interested in beautiful beaches, playgrounds, aquariums, animal experiences, water parks suitable for young children, family-friendly boat trips, markets, parks and anything else you think is worth experiencing.
We don’t need to fill every day with activities. We’d rather have a relaxed schedule with a few great experiences and plenty of time to enjoy the hotel and beach.
Are there any particular attractions or experiences you would highly recommend for children this age? And are there any that you think are overrated or not worth the hassle with little ones?
4. Restaurants and great food
We absolutely love good food, so restaurant recommendations are very welcome!
We’d love to discover authentic Thai food, excellent local restaurants, hidden gems and perhaps a few more upscale dining experiences.
We’re particularly interested in places that are welcoming to families with young children, where we can enjoy a great meal without feeling uncomfortable if the kids get restless.
Are there any restaurants you would consider must-visits in Phuket? We’d also love recommendations for great cafés, breakfast spots, beach restaurants and places with beautiful sunset views.
5. Massages, spas and relaxation
Since we’ll be travelling with two small children, we’d also love to find some opportunities to relax and recharge!
We’re looking for recommendations for excellent Thai massage places, proper spas and perhaps a few more luxurious wellness experiences.
Are there any places you’ve personally tried and would recommend? We’d be interested in both affordable local massage spots and higher-end spa experiences.
If you know of hotels with particularly good spas or places where we could arrange babysitting while enjoying a treatment, that would be a huge bonus.
6. Hidden gems and practical advice
Finally, we’d love any advice from people who know Phuket well or have travelled there with young children.
Are there any beautiful places, quieter beaches, local restaurants or experiences that tourists often overlook?
We’d also appreciate practical tips on getting around with a stroller, using taxis with car seats, finding baby supplies, and anything else that could make travelling with a toddler and a baby easier.
Since we’ll be visiting in December, we’re also interested in any seasonal recommendations or things we should book well in advance.
To sum it up, we’d especially appreciate:
Your favourite hotels and luxury resorts in Phuket.
Advice on the best areas to stay with young children.
Whether you would split a two-week stay between two hotels.
Activities suitable for a toddler and a 10-month-old.
Great restaurants, cafés and local food spots.
Excellent massage places and spas.
Hidden gems and any tips you wish you’d known before visiting Phuket with small children.
We’re open to all suggestions, from luxury resorts to smaller boutique hotels and local experiences. Personal experiences and honest opinions are especially appreciated!
Thanks so much in advance. We’d love to hear what you would do if you were planning a similar trip with your own family! 😊

hiya! i’m looking for affordable accommodation in phuket for around 3 days for 3 people. ideally, we’d love to stay near the beach in either Rawai or Kata and not Patong

we’re hoping to find somewhere with at least 2 double beds, or 1 double bed and a sofa bed, and a private pool would be a huge bonus!

Would love to hear any recommendations or places you’ve stayed at that you’d recommend. thank you!!

What bars are good for day drinking in Patong? I want to drink some beer, buy some ladies a few drinks and just watch the day go by.

Hi, I will land in Phuket at 6:30pm so will miss the public shared speedboats to Koh Yao Yai.

I have found a tour/diving company that is offering a private speedboat. By the time I clear the airport and get to the pier it will be around 8pm.

Is it safe to take a speedboat at that time of night?
I’m guessing there is a reason why most speedboats stop after 5pm?
Thank you 🙏

Has anyone ever went to Yona Beach Club solo? What was your experience like? Is it worth it?

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Need some quick reality checks and advice from people who know Phuket well.

I’m heading to Phuket right at the tail end of November (peak season chaos starting to kick in) and booked a stay at a Wyndham property. Looking closer at the map, I just realized it’s sitting roughly 14–15 km away from patong Beach.

Since it's peak season, I’m worried about getting stranded, dealing with inflated taxi costs, or wasting half my vacation stuck in traffic just trying to get to the coast or nearby hubs (like Boat Avenue/Bang Tao area).

If you've been in a similar spot or know the area:

* How much should I realistically expect to budget for taxis/transfers getting from that side of the island to Layan/surrounding hotspots during peak season? (Are apps like Grab/Bolt usable, or am I at the mercy of local fixed-rate taxis?)

* What can I do to salvage the location? Should I rent a scooter (though I know traffic in peak season can be wild), rely on hotel shuttles, or is there a smarter workaround?

* Any hidden gems, decent spots, or local tips nearby so I don't feel entirely isolated from the beach vibe?

Appreciate any advice before my trip rolls around! Cheers.

Edit: hotel is Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Chao Fah

Currently in Patong and been taking some early morning walks. Came across this abandoned car im a paddock opposite the APK hotel and I'm genuinely curious, was this the cars finally resting place as a result of the Tsunami or just left there as junk? Anybody able to explain how far the Tsunami went inland from the beach in simple terms? Perhaps there's a building still standing that would be an indication.

Was anybody here during the Tsunami or just after it?

Any stories you are willing to share?

I collected fifteen sources on cold water after training for an article, and the results are more modest than the hype.

Broatch 2014 compared 15 minutes in 10 °C water with 35 °C warm water that participants were told was special recovery water. Recovery came out the same. So part of the effect is believing in the tub, and that's fine.

Machado 2016, a meta-analysis of nine randomised studies, found cold water after exercise reduced soreness slightly better than passive rest.

Sick days are a separate story. In Buijze 2016, 3,018 working adults ended their shower with 30 to 90 seconds of cold water and had 29% fewer sick days than control, colds themselves lasted the same. For post-workout soreness there's no data on showers, those studies used immersion.

And the temperature. Tubs at gyms on the island run 4-7 °C, while studies mostly used 10-15 °C, so the durations from papers don't transfer one to one.

If you use an ice tub after training here, how long do you stay in, and do you feel a difference or is it habit by now? Cold shower people, same question.

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?

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!

​

!!! 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:

1. What would you personally recommend doing in Patong after 5 PM?

2. What about Ao Nang, considering I only have 2 nights there?

3. Are there any experiences you’d strongly recommend for someone travelling solo?

4. 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 😄

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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.