Phuket Pocket Guide is a bi-monthly magazine that is distributed for free in over 450 Phuket Hot Spots, including hotels and guesthouses, restaurants and pubs, coffee shops and bakeries, hospitals, travel agencies, massage parlors and many more.

Phuket Pocket Map (in English and Russian) is updated every 6 months and distributed for free together with the magazine, as well as used by local tour guides of major travel companies, handed out to all customers at selected travel agencies and are available for pick up at our display at the Rassada Pier.

All information contained in those publications can be found on this website, including Phuket event listings, Phuket maps, Phuket Hot Spots, Phuket Coupons and a complete Phuket related community.

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If you have a business in Phuket and would like to promote this, just click on the register button (top right op the page), fill in the form and select 'business' as gender on the second page.

After registration you can start promoting your business on the community by uploading pictures, videos and let people know about what your venue or service has to offer.

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Phuket is located approximately 862 kilometres south of Bangkok and is the largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand and a province in itself. It is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin bridge and can be reached by all means of transport, including international flights.

The most popular tourist area on Phuket is Patong, with its vibrant nightlife and endless shopping possibilities. Most other popular beaches are located south of Patong, starting with Karon and then Kata, Kata Noi, Nai Harn and finally Rawai at the southern tip of the island, with the famous Promthep Cape. Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao are located north of Patong and are visited by those who prefer a less crowded and relaxed environment. Phuket province includes many islands to the southeast which are just a small boat trip away. PhiPhi Islands lie to the southeast, while the Similan Islands lie in the northwest, both destinations being very popular for snorkeling and diving.

Seasons

Phuket has 2 seasons. High Season, when the weather is at its most pleasant, is from November until April. Prices are higher during these months, accommodation is fully reserved, beaches, restaurants, pubs and disco’s are packed and traffic jams happen on a daily basis. Low season runs from May until October, although July, August and September do get busy. It can be a good time to visit Phuket with temperatures being more conducive to travel and it is easier and cheaper to get accommodation.

Accommodation

Phuket offers a great variety of places to stay and sleep for every budget. Dorms for backpackers, guesthouses, serviced apartments, bungalows, houses, private villas, hotels and resorts. Air con rooms vary between 500 and 1,500 Baht, depending on the location and the season. Luxury villas range between 12,000 and 80,000 per night with discounts for long stays. For hotels and resorts, the best rates are usually found online on all major hotel booking sites.

Activities

Phuket has a variety of attractions and places of interest, including the Phuket Aquarium, a Crocodile Farm, Phuket Fantasea, a Butterfly Farm, Chalong Temple, Simon Cabaret, Palazzo, Kathu waterfall, Big Buddha and Phuket Zoo. Diving, snorkeling, yachting, fishing and golf are the more popular among the many daytime activities that are available. Swimming is possible throughout the year, although the sea can get rough and dangerous during the low season, even for an experienced swimmer.

Eat and Drink

Thai people eat whenever they feel hungry and don’t follow the Western concept of fixed mealtimes. They eat less during their meal but more frequently throughout the day. Hotels and restaurants catering to tourists are aware of the Western habbit of eating three fixed meals a day and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since Phuket is a tourist destination with a vibrant nightlife and party scene, food and drinks are available on a 24 hour basis in some areas. There is almost nothing that isn’t available somewhere on Phuket, from authentic Thai cuisine to Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, French, Italian and Mexican dishes. The variety ranges from vendors selling Pad Thai, Som Tum, noodle soups, BBQ and fresh fruits along the street to restaurants serving haute-cuisine in the most exquisite and tropical surroundings. Deli’s can be found around the island selling imported cheeses, cold cuts, spices, desserts, chocolates, beers , spirits and wines from around the world.

Health and Beauty

Phuket has long enjoyed some of the best quality medical care in the country. The first hospital was established some 100 years ago. There are currently more than 100 private ‘clinics’ in Phuket. Massage parlors and spas are becoming a big business in Phuket, and growth in the industry has been phenomenal. The term ‘spa’ is a rather loosely defined one in Phuket, but is generally used to describe any place that offers massage and body treatments. Prices, facilities and standards of service vary widely. You could pay as little as 200 Baht for a one hour Thai massage or indulge in a massage- beauty-treatment-body-scrub package costing 8,000 Baht or more. Hotel spas are usually found in 4- to 5- star hotels. Standards depend on wether the spa facilities are operated by a professional spa company. Famous international spa ‘brand names’ can be found in some of the island’s top resorts and surrounding islands.

Nightlife

The thriving nightlife is one of the main attractions of the island. There are plenty of places to party after a day at the beach. Nightlife in Phuket is concentrated around the beaches of Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Rawai, Surin, Kamala and Phuket City. Bars are scattered all over the island, although hundreds of them are concentrated in small streets off Bangla Road, mixed with disco’s and a go go's. Thai pubs with live bands are popular in Phuket Town.

Shopping

Phuket markets, street stalls, department stores and shopping malls offer ceramics, antiques, pearls, ornaments, silk and cotton, custom made clothing, leather goods souvenirs, watches, beach- wear, books and electronics. Bigger shopping malls also offer international brand names. Due to the boom of property developments on the island, there's also a great range of home decor products and furniture. Deli’s sell local produce as well as imported products.

Travel

Phuket International Airport is in the north of the island. Domestic and international flights are available on a daily basis. Many companies offer cheap flights to other cities in Thailand or even neighboring countries. The closest train station is in Surat Thani. You can get there by mini bus or bus. Phuket Town has a big bus terminal with busses going and arriving from: Phang Nga, Krabi, Samui, Bangkok, Chumpon, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok, Surat Thani and Hat Yai. You can use a motorbike taxi, a tuk tuk, a taxi or a songthaew (large bus-size vehicle) to get around the island. The songthaew will take you from Phuket City to the beach areas and back and is the cheapest transport available (fixed rates). Make sure that you agree on a price before you use any of the other services. A local bus (see Bus Stop signs on the maps) will cost you 15 to 30 Baht. Tuk tuk drivers or motorbike taxi’s might tell you that the service is finished, even if it hasn’t. Cars and motorbikes are for rent at several agencies, at your hotel lobby and along the beach roads. Check the vehicles for any damage before renting them, together with the owner, and make sure you always carry your drivers license (International or Thai) with you. There is no motorbike insurance, so you will have to pay for any damage. Always wear a helmet when you drive a motorbike. Beware that the passenger has to wear a helmet as well. Accidents happen on a daily basis, so drive slowly.