Phuket, the largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand, is renowned for a variety of things, namely its exotic beaches, bustling nightlife, and vibrant night markets. But there’s so much more to it than that – which we will cover in this article.
Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea off the South-Westerly coast of Thailand. It has long been a widely popular tourist destination and receives millions of tourists from all over the world. It is also an incredibly popular spot for expats looking to start a new life and enjoy a style of tropical living unique to Thailand.
With so many different things to see and do, it’s no wonder why Phuket is so popular. Whether you are thinking of simply visiting on holiday or you are giving some serious thought to investing in property and making this gorgeous island your home, this is the article for you. Here’s everything you need to know…
A brief history of Phuket
Phuket was first recognised as being a major source of tin during the 16th century. Shortly after that the island became a huge source of revenue for the Kingdom of Thailand – as well as becoming a vital trading post. It was during this time that the first Europeans arrived on Phuket. Who’d have thought that today, all these years later, Phuket would still be a wildly popular spot, but for totally different reasons!
Today, Phuket’s biggest industries are:
- Tourism (of course)
- Rubber
- Tin
- Coconuts, pineapples, bananas, and cashews
- Fishing
Is Phuket known for its nightlife?
There are many locations in Thailand that boast an excellent nightlife and Phuket is one of them. There are a number of different places in Phuket that each provide their own unique brand of nightlife, including:
- The various night markets scattered throughout
- The cultural shows popular at Siam Niramit
- The entertainment at Phuket’s famous FantaSea
- Live music and bars at Patong
- Clubbing at the world-renowned Dream Beach Club
- The authentic colonial style buildings, bars and restaurants of Old Phuket town
Is it safe to travel and live in Phuket?
Thailand in general is a fairly safe place to travel and live in. There are dangerous aspects and it certainly isn’t without crime, however, for the most part, as long as you keep your wits about you, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Today, Phuket, and the rest of Thailand is considered as being one of the safest spots in all of South-East Asia.
How is shopping in Phuket?
It’s not just the bustling night markets that Phuket has to offer shopping enthusiasts. In fact, there are a number of lavish shopping malls filled with the biggest names in fashion and retail, such as:
- Limelight Avenue Phuket
- Central Phuket Floresta
- Central Phuket
- Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong
- Central Festival
- Premium Outlet Phuket
- Banana Walk
- And much more.
As for night markets, you can visit:
- Sunday Walking Street Market
- Phuket Weekend Night Market (AKA Naka Market)
- Phuket Indy Night Market
- Chillva Night Market
- Malin Plaza Patong
- OTOP Night Market
- And much more.
Simply put, you will never run out of exciting shopping opportunities in Phuket.
What is considered as being some of the best things to do in Phuket?
Again, Phuket is known for a number of things and—being such a large island—has a wealth of opportunity for excitement, entertainment, and exploration. But, here’s a closer look at what many people believe to be the best things to do in Phuket:
- Boat tours
- Visit Old Phuket Town
- Explore the many beaches
- The amazing nightlife throughout
- The famous Big Buddha Statue
- The Phuket FantaSea Show
- Promthep Cape
- The Jungle Safaris
- Many water sports
- The shopping opportunities
- Visit one of the Elephant Sanctuaries
- Go island hopping to some of the nearby tropical islands
These are just a handful of the things to see and do. Truly, Phuket is such a large island with a wide variety of activities that are suitable to many tastes and budgets. Whether you are visiting or living in Phuket, you’ll never run out of things to see and do. 
What is it like to live in Phuket?
Whether you are looking to live in Phuket on a retirement visa or you’d like to find a teaching job or a career in hospitality, there is plenty of opportunity for expats to start a new life in Phuket.
Life on this island is generally very positive. The cost of living is attractive, the weather is exceptional, the beaches and natural surrounding scenery provides plenty of opportunity for escapism, and the food…don’t even get us started on the amazing food!
In addition, there is a wide variety of attractive accommodation options for you to choose from. Some of you may want to live in Villas in Phuket. If so, you’ll discover a wide variety of beachfront villas, luxury villas in the hills, and so much more.
Of course, if you do choose to live in a Villa, make sure that you give it proper thought and hire a reputable real estate agency to help you find the perfect property in the most ideal location for you.
If on the other hand, you’d rather live in a secure condominium a little closer to the action, you can check out the Condos in Phuket here. Phuket is renowned for having a number of exceptional condo complexes with many more developments on the way.
If you do want to live and invest in Thailand, you should also do some research on the restrictions surrounding foreigners and buying land. The official stance is that land for sale in Phuket is reserved specifically for Thai nationals. That said, there are ways in which foreign investors can effectively secure land, build a property, and spend many years living comfortably in their own slice of Thai paradise.
Conclusion
All in all, Phuket is known for its tourism. It is an island beloved by many tourists from all over the world. But, those who live on the island know that it is so much more than merely a tourist spot – but a gorgeous tropical paradise with a thriving economy and local communities of its own.
If you are looking for somewhere to live in Thailand but can’t quite decide, Phuket would be an excellent choice indeed.
