Accommodation and Transportation

Beautiful beaches, laid-back living, wonderful Thai people, excellent services geared to the expatriate, every kind of restaurant possible, excellent medical care, grand weather, easy to find farang food and goods in the supermarkets – all these factors have helped Phuket to emerge as a coveted tourist haunt. The EFL industry therefore thrives on the island, extending support and assurance for the expatriates.

Plush hotels and resorts with optimum luxury are in abundance at the busy beaches of Phuket for the short-term tourist. However, those looking for work permit and Non-immigrant B-Visas are in need for more economic options. Prices range from 3,500 baht to B5,500 for a single room plus bathroom with fan in Phuket Town and B5,500 to B8,500 with a/c near a beach. Houses are generally unfurnished and can be found for around B5-10k in Phuket Town, and B10-15k furnished and with a/c near a beach. Prices vary and often fluctuate greatly depending on high or low tourist season. Again, it is best to look during the low season and negotiate.

The island of Phuket is only 48 kilometers from south to north and 21 kilometers from east to west making it easy for the travellers to get around the island in a single day. Maps help the navigation to be more comfortable. Going from Patong to Phuket town only takes about 20 minutes and in less than an hour you can reach just about any point in the island! The main roads in Phuket are generally in good condition. You can find road signs in both English and Thai, to much convenience of the foreigners.

The traffic situation in Phuket is disreputable. The local style of driving is aggressive with little regard for the welfare or safety of others and unfortunately does not reflect the kreng-jai attitude that Thais so highly regard.

A few Songthaews and tuk tuks ply the roads – but only operating from 9-6. The daytime bus service (songthew) travels to most parts of the island. All the busses run in a loop from Phuket town to the destination and then back to Phuket town again. The price is around 15-25 THB / person depending on destination.

Tuk-tuks are notorious for overcharging tourists. Most Thais on the island own bikes to deal with the problem. Most motorcycle taxis can be negotiated down to a reasonable price from a startling quote of tourist price. Motorbikes can be rented for B2500 to B5000 a month depending on short- or long-term rental, rented from a major tourist area or from Phuket Town or a smaller village. However it is recommended for the non-Thais to drive carefully on the roads. Metered taxis are also available as an alternative mode of transport.