Guide contents

Jul 5th, 2025

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Came to Phuket twice in 5 years. Beautiful scenery, authentic Muay Thai and a vibrant culture. While over-commercialization has diluted much of its authenticity, the charming old town stands out as a rare gem. Despite this, Phuket has a soft spot in my heart.

General tips

Getting Around Phuket (Best Rates & Tips)

Mobile Ride-Hailing Apps

Convenience at your fingertips. Use Bolt, Grab, or Indrive for quick, fixed-rate rides across the island. Affordable, reliable, and perfect for avoiding haggling—book in advance for the best rates!

Bolt and Indrive are usually cheaper than Grab, and you can save a few dollars each ride. I usally compare the prices on all 3 apps before booking my ride.

Car/Motorbike Rental

Budget-friendly yet adventurous! Rent a car or motorbike to explore Phuket’s stunning coastal roads and hidden gems at your own pace. While incredibly affordable and perfect for soaking in scenic views, riding requires caution—ideal for confident drivers seeking flexibility.

Public Transport

Simple and wallet-friendly. Limited but budget-conscious options like shared buses or tuk-tuks (don't get scammed) are available for short trips. A great way to experience local vibes, though routes may be less frequent—plan ahead!

Necessities

Sunblock: Phuket is extremely hot, so use a high-quality, water-resistant sunblock and reapply often during water activities.
Waterproof Phone Pouch: Protect your phone during water activities. A pouch usually costs under $10, making it a small but essential investment.

Payment

Cash: Many stores impose a 3% fee on credit card transactions. Carry enough cash in advance; get more small bills than you might think you need.
Credit Card: While convenient, credit card fees can be steep. Major outlets like Big C, Lotus, and 7-Eleven accept them, but plan for extra costs.
Thai PromptPay: You can pay with Thai PromptPay if your bank supports it, though unfavorable exchange rates make cash the better option.

Muay Thai Essentials in Phuket

Pharmacies are widely available for bandages, band-aids, muscle relief cream, and more. Still, it's best to have your own supplies handy when needed.Towel – Phuket’s heat is intense, so keep one with you to wipe off sweat.Wet wipes – Useful for cleaning your equipment after training.
Laundry services – Affordable and convenient for post-training needs.
Massage – Helps with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and recovery.
Large water bottle – A ThermoFlask or similar insulated bottle keeps your water cold longer.
Electrolyte drinks – Staying hydrated with electrolyte water or cold drinks during training makes a difference.
Running shoes – Some camps require running, so be prepared with proper footwear.
Drink more tropical fruits like coconut for post trip recovery

Food Delivery

Phuket has several food delivery services to make ordering meals easy that are affordable and quick, good for days you are too tired to train.

Here are some popular options:

Foodpanda – Offers a wide range of street food and restaurant options, with frequent discounts and promotions.
GrabFood – Provides delivery from local eateries and international chains, with flexible payment options.
WESERVE – A local delivery service that partners with restaurants across southern Thailand.

Hotel

Choose a camp that is walking distance or get a motorbike
One beside 7-eleven is always a lifesave
Choose one with a gym/pool for post trianing recovery

Places to visit

Soi Ta-iad

Muay Thai Street. 4-5 Muay Thai gyms in the area with many popular merchandise.

Phi Phi Islands

Island

Beautiful scenary, can be covered in a 1 day tour

Bangla Rd

Notable street

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Not really my scene, but it’s worth a walk-through for the experience.

Patong Boxing Stadium Sainamyen

Muay Thai boxing gym

Sights & Landmarks

Patong, Bangla and Rawai Boxing Stadiums. All three stadiums feature regular fights, so you’ll never miss out. The experience is similar so choose the most convenient location.

Patong Beach

Beach

From the web: Calm sandy crescent beach with clear water & an abundance of cafes, restaurants & bars.

Promthep Cape

Beautiful scenery at the bottom of Phuket

The Big Buddha, Phuket

Temporarily Closed

Buddhist temple

Sights & Landmarks

This comes with quite a bit of controversy, so I wouldn’t personally recommend it for ethical reasons. That said, if it’s something you’re curious about, you can visit and see for yourself.

Old Phuket Town

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Century-old Sino-Portuguese townhouses. Check out Thalang Road, and the food here is amazing.

Chaithararam Temple - Wat Chalong

Buddhist temple

Sights & Landmarks

Check out the olden day architecture of Thailand. Please prepare long pants and do not wear revealing clothes.

Night Market Patong

Market

Chillva Market

Night market

Shopping

From the web: Informal night market offering an array of meat & seafood alongside fruits, sweets & other wares.

Restaurants

Mor Mu Dong Restaurant

Restaurant

This hidden gem in eastern Phuket is an absolute must-see. With years of Michelin accolades under its belt, it serves authentic, fresh, and delicious food. If you're in Phuket, be sure to add this spot to your list.t.

The Distillery Phuket - Home of Chalong Bay

Restaurant

Home of Chalong Bay Distillery in Phuket expertly crafts award-winning natural rum using traditional French copper stills and Thai sugarcane. Must buy a bottle back as souvenir

The Pad Thai Shop

Thai restaurant

Restaurant

Amazing Pad Thai at the Convenient Karon Village

Naughty Nuri’s Phuket

Restaurant

Naughty Nuri’s Phuket offers a lively, fun dining experience with legendary Balinese BBQ ribs, flavorful Indonesian dishes, and engaging service. With live music bands, birthday celebrations and exciting dances, the service is similar to Hai Di Lao in China, but with an Indonesian twist.