With red lanterns adorning the streets and truckloads of firecrackers at the ready, Phuket is poised to ring in the Year of the Snake with plenty of colour and panache. Phuket’s large ethnic Chinese population, descended from immigrants who flocked to island for the tin-mining trade in the 1800s and early 1900s, means that the … read the full post

No one likes to think about getting sick or having an accident while on holiday, but if you do fall ill when travelling in Phuket it’s easy to find a decent hospital or clinic to fix you up. Phuket has by far the best health care facilities in the north Andaman coast region, so tourists … read the full post

Phuket is often bypassed by backpackers who worry about how expensive it is. But there are some backpacker-oriented places to stay at. Shanti Lodge is a friendly traveller’s haven in Ao Chalong. Found just off a busy road lined mostly with boring concrete shophouses, this family-run guesthouse offers a welcome oasis. With heaps of character … read the full post

Coral Island is an easy 15-minute boat trip away from Phuket’s southeastern coast. Though Coral’s main beach gets busy with day-trippers, if you plan it right it’s possible to enjoy the island in the idyllic glory promised on the postcards. Known locally as Ko Hei, Coral Island has two sandy beaches lining its shore, backed … read the full post

If you’re looking for the heart of Phuket’s Thai Buddhist community, Wat Chalong is the place to go. The 200-year-old temple has grown in size and stature in tandem with Phuket’s development, and it’s now the island’s busiest and biggest temple. Far from being a place of quiet contemplation, Wat Chalong is a lively and … read the full post

Kopitiam by Wilai is a newish place but its retro design complete with vintage photos of the island’s past makes it feel like an old favourite in Phuket’s Old Town. The word kopitiam should be familiar to travellers around Southeast Asia, a Malay-Hokkien phrase that translates simply to “coffee shop”. It’s a fitting name for … read the full post

Phuket hosts plenty of festivals throughout the year, but its party spirit really comes to life in crackling form on New Year’s Eve. The island’s two New Year’s Eve party hotspots are Patong beach and Phuket Town, but if you head down to any of the main west-coast beaches on December 31 you’re in for … read the full post

While the vast majority of Phuket’s populace is Buddhist and Muslim, the Christmas season always arrives in full glittering force to its sandy shores. Phuket malls are cranking out festive ambient tunes, hotel lobbies are lit up with sparkling faux-pine trees and young cashiers at various shops are sporting sexy Santa hats. Most Phuket resorts … read the full post

Of all the scams to watch for in Phuket, the taxi rip-off deserves special mention. Anyone who has travelled through any other part of Thailand will be shocked the first time they hire a Phuket taxi or tuk tuk, which can be four or five times more expensive than trips of a similar distance in … read the full post

As Thailand’s tourism cash cow, Phuket regrettably attracts some unsavoury characters looking for quick and dirty access into the wallets of the unwary visitor. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common Phuket scams and rip-offs to be aware of to avoid becoming the island’s next victim. The jetski scam is Phuket’s most notorious … read the full post