Introduction to Phuket: All You Need to Know

Phuket Island is the perfect starting point for discovering some of the most amazing marine parks in the world. Phang Nga Bay lies to the east, known for its green water and vertical limestone karst islands emerging out of the ocean (such as James Bond Island). To the southeast are the Phi Phi Islands, a pure paradise of stunning white sand beaches, fantastic snorkeling spots, and massive sea cliffs.

Accommodation & Hotels: Staying overnight is not allowed on Phi Phi Leh because of the fragility of its eco-system. Travelers will have to spend their nights in Phi Phi Don or make day trips there.

• • Budget / Mid-range (e.g., Panmanee Hotel): ฿1,000 – ฿2,500 per night.
  • Luxury (e.g., Zeavola Resort): ฿8,500 – ฿18,000+ per night

Night Atmosphere: Vibrant, barefoot party island atmosphere of Tonsai Bay with fire dancing on the beach, cocktail bars, and music right on the sand.

• Vibe: It is popularly recognized as the original home of the Ibiza pool party where it boasts huge daytime pool stages, resident DJs, themed parties and a lively social environment.
• Hotel & Event Prices:
  • Room Rates: Generally cost between €120 and €300 or above per night (฿4,500 to ฿11,500 or above), depending greatly on the summer month.
  • Pool Party Day Pass / Day Beds: Starting price of day passes would be around €30 (฿1,150) including food and beverage allowance, while VIP Day beds/sofas cost between €70 and €130 (฿2,700 to ฿5,000).

Accommodation & Hotels: The island is located inside a marine park in Phang Nga Bay without any accommodations. The tourists can stay at accommodation facilities in Phang Nga Town, Koh Yao Noi, or Ao Nang (Krabi).

• Mid-range (for example, The Pineapple Hotel): ฿1,000 – ฿1,800 per night.
• Luxury (for example, Santhiya Koh Yao Yai): ฿7,000 – ฿18,000+ per night.

Nighttime Atmosphere: Very serene, rural and peaceful. In the evenings people spend time only enjoying delicious meals of seafood, nature sounds and stargazing as opposed to partying.

Accommodation & Hotels: Great mid-range through luxury resorts suited for couples and families.

• Budget (example: Free Way Kata Hostel): ฿600 – ฿1,500 per night.
• Mid-Range / Families (example: Sugar Marina Resort): ฿2,200 – ฿5,000 per night.
• Luxury (example: Beyond Resort Kata – Beachfront): ฿6,500 – ฿12,000+ per night.

Night Atmosphere: Relaxed, upscale, and family-friendly. Features open-air restaurants, acoustic music spots, and night markets without the intense chaos of Patong.

Accommodation & Hotels: Most concentrated hotel district of Phuket, from budget to luxurious five-star properties.

• Budget / Hostels (e.g., Lub d Phuket Patong): ฿500 – ฿1,600 per night.
• Mid-Range (e.g., The Kee Resort & Spa): ฿3,000 – ฿6,000 per night.
• Luxury (e.g., Amari Phuket): ฿6,500 – ฿13,000+ per night.

Nightlife: Intense, neon-bathed, and buzzing. Completely revolves around the non-stop party scene of Bangla Road, mega nightclubs, and night markets.

Accommodation & Hotels: Landmarks from an inland culture, guests tend to use Chalong Bay which is close by or move further south down to the beaches.

• Moderate level (Lemon Hotel Chalong): ฿1,100 – ฿2,500 per night.
• Luxury (The Vijitt Resort Phuket): ฿6,000 – ฿11,000+ per night.

Nightlife: Calm and profoundly quiet. Accommodations close to Chalong Bay provide serene night-time scenery with picturesque view of the yacht marina, cool breeze from the ocean and quiet dinner along the pier.

Bangla Road boasts high-production nightclubs, which are outfitted with state-of-the-art sound systems and DJs from all over the world.

The cream of the crop when it comes to the Patong nightlife scene, ranking as one of the top nightclubs in the world. This huge venue has a high-production main room complete with eye-catching LED walls, acrobatics, and a large dance floor with house and EDM beats.

Not only is the club amazing in terms of its dimensions and impressive interior design but it also offers an incredible atmosphere that combines the talents of international DJs, advanced sound system, and performances that create an outstanding party atmosphere. The VIP area with its stylish tables, as well as a great variety of party fans from all over the world, creates an ideal place for experiencing luxury and entertainment in a club setting within the Patong. Everything is done in order to ensure the best conditions for guests including lighting effects, audio system, and music. No matter whether it is a special occasion when people visit Illuzion Phuket, an opportunity to have VIP tables, or desire to dance until morning, this is a perfect place for enjoying one of the best party destinations in Phuket.

This is the very spot on the island, where people can listen to premium Hip-Hop and R&B music. It is situated in the very center of Bangla Road.

As one of the most popular places for having fun, Sugar Club Phuket provides music fans with a unique chance to have an outstanding time enjoying the current party life of Phuket. The club features high-energy atmosphere and great urban nightlife vibes, making the visit there unforgettable for everyone who enjoys live music. Featuring energetic crowd, fantastic performances, and amazing lighting effects, the club is becoming a perfect spot for both locals and tourists.

The club’s lively setting, excellent hospitality, and energetic atmosphere make each visit at Sugar Club Phuket exceptional and unforgettable. Guests are offered a wonderful opportunity to enjoy stylish interior and fantastic lighting design combined with dynamic performances and music that perfectly fit the atmosphere of the club. Being a wonderful spot to have fun and a good place to listen to Hip-Hop in Phuket, Sugar Club Phuket stands out among other clubs of Bangla Road.

• General Admission: Regular entry to popular clubs such as Illuzion and Sugar Club is usually free for general admission but visitors are required to buy at least one drink upon entrance or at the bar (with a typical cost of 150 THB – 250 THB for one beer or mixed drink). International guest DJ event can also be held where a visitor has to pay an entrance ticket price of 500 THB – 1,500 THB.

• VIP Table Booking: In case visitors want special treatment like bottle service and VIP seating near the dance floor or stage, they have to book a VIP table. This is done through a minimum spend package that involves buying 2 bottles of good liquor (such as vodka, whiskey, or champagne) which costs 16,000 THB – 20,000 THB.

The atmosphere around Bangla Walking Street is a powerful assault on the senses in terms of bass music, the clash of rival DJs coming out of open beer bars, neon lighting, and a party crowd of international tourists, backpackers, and expats.

• The Companion & Hostess Scene ( Working Girls / Freelancers ): This corridor with the beer bars/gogo lounges around has its own local companion and hostess workers among the nightlife. Thai companions cost usually between 6,000 THB to 8,000 THB, while the international attendants (mostly groups of hostess models, e.g. from Uzbekistan) cost generally from 8,000 THB to 12,000 THB per night out.
• The Ladyboy (Kathoey) Culture: There is a vivid, well-established and culturally valued transgender/ladyboy culture in Phuket. An important part of the nightlife of Patong, ladyboys work actively within the entertainment area as cabaret dancers (e.g. Simon Cabaret near), hostesses in bars and PR people. Cost for accompanying and socializing during the night with ladyboys costs about 6,000 THB to 8,000 THB.

Go-Go bars are extremely popular establishments located in Bangla Road area, functioning as air-conditioned and neon-lit adult party lounges.

• What to expect: The entrance fee is usually free, but one is supposed to buy a drink right upon entering the place (usually costing 150-250 THB).
• Typical Bars to Note: Places such as Suzy Wong’s, Harem, and Devil’s Playground have become extremely famous because of their unique interiors and clearly-defined price structures that provide safety for both single individuals and couples.

Alongside the vibrant nightlife offered by these entertainment spots, there is a range of dining options for diners that can enjoy meals before heading into the clubs at night on Bangla Road and its adjacent alleyways:

• Savoey Seafood Restaurant: This is a very popular restaurant found close to the beach end of Bangla Road that is known for its fresh Andaman seafood, giant prawns, and Thai curries.
• MOJO Patong Phuket: It is another favorite located close to the entrance to Bangla Road where one can enjoy international grills, steaks, wood-fired pizzas, and live music sessions.
• Street Food and Kebab Restaurants: Numerous late-night kebab outlets, burger restaurants, and street food vendors can be found along the side alleys.

Only in Phuket’s island setting will you find the nightlife extending to beach clubs of the highest luxury and style.

• Day Spas
• Café Del Mar Phuket (Kamala Beach): This exquisite luxury beach destination offers Ibiza style along the coast of Thailand. During the daytime, clients relax around an exquisite pool in luxury day beds, while at night there is a wild beach party with fire shows and performances from top underground DJs playing deep house music.

The island of Phuket is known throughout the world for its health facilities and offers clients oceanfront spas and wellness centers.

An award-winning chain of luxury day-spas offering a nature-focused wellness experience. Treatment rooms are open air private villas surrounded by garden and water elements.

• Signature Treatments: King of Oasis Massage (stress-reducing deep tissue massage with hot herb compresses), and Ayurvedic Body Scrubs.
• Setting: Relaxing luxury garden havens far away from crowded beach areas, with total emphasis on mental detoxification.
• Price Bracket: High end with professional luxurious treatment standard that justifies the extra cost.

For visitors seeking to take a respite from the intense beach afternoon sun, there are many great shopping malls in Phuket.

The gigantic sprawling complex of several shopping structures located in the very center of Patong Beach. The complex boasts an enormous central court with a unique musical fountain lake surrounded by hundreds of international fashion brands, multiplex movie theater, and gigantic Big C supermarket.

In addition to being a good shopping destination, Jungceylon Shopping Center is also an entertainment and lifestyle center for tourists of different ages. With its lively atmosphere, large selection of food choices, and activities for the entire family, this place is the perfect option for visitors who would like to unwind, explore something new and take a break from the beach. Here one can find everything necessary, including boutiques, souvenirs, restaurants, entertainment zones, and more, and enjoy their time here.

Being designed in a modern style and providing the right atmosphere, the complex located in a convenient place next to Phuket’s main tourist attractions is definitely the most recognized and popular shopping and entertainment center in Phuket. If you are looking for a great way to spend some time in a cool place buying fashionable things, local goods, tasty food, and much more – then this is definitely your destination.

This is a mega-luxury lifestyle shopping destination in the city of Phuket. The shopping destination consists of two main wings connected via a covered moving bridge. Central Festival focuses on family shopping and mainstream retail whereas Central Floresta is extremely luxurious and consists of elite designer brands from all around the world as well as the famous Aquaria Phuket which is the largest indoor aquarium in Thailand.

Apart from its shopping destination, Central Phuket is a perfect blend of shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure all in one place. Visitors have access to an array of international brands, restaurants, entertainment zones and aesthetically designed areas. This destination has been extremely popular amongst families, luxury travelers, and people looking for a modern break away from beach destinations in Phuket.

With its elegant architecture, top-of-the-line facilities, and array of experiences available, Central Phuket has quickly risen as one of the most popular destinations in the island of Phuket for luxury shopping and entertainment.

The culinary scene in Phuket is so unique that it has been named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Fresh Seafood  Spots

• Kan Eang @pier: The restaurant is located right next to Chalong Pier. The place is famous due to its long history of providing premium-quality seafood. Visitors can have seafood on a terrace covered with ancient tamarind trees facing the bay, where fresh daily catch is cooked using coconut-husk barbecues. Specialities of this establishment are charcoal-grilled tiger prawns and Phuket Lobster which is served both raw as sashimi and baked with garlic butter.
• Mor Mu Dong: An extremely authentic restaurant located in the mangrove swamps of East Chalong. People dine in wooden thatched-roof huts erected over the swamp waters. The restaurant is famous for its rustic and spicy Southern Thai culinary specialities. People should definitely try Pla Too Yat Sai (Deboned mackerel stuffed with a rich red curry fish paste).

• Tantra Indian Restaurant: Situated right on Patong Beachfront Road, Tantra provides an extremely well-known and authentic experience of North Indian cuisine, which is both warm and praised. Known for having some of the best views of the beach and excellent hospitality, Tantra has all the most deliciously cooked tandoori kebabs, butter chicken, and freshly made garlic naans from the clay oven, along with a menu full of vegetarian curries.
• Navrang Mahal: Present in the Karon Sea Sands Resort, Navrang Mahal is an old and well-decorated place that provides rich and authentic Indian cuisine. This restaurant is very famous for its elegance and calm ambience, providing the perfect spice balance for foreign tourists tasting authentic Mughlai curries and biryanis.