Travel tips · Phuket · Thailand
Phuket travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bennypc, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Phuket blends Thai Buddhist culture with a strong Hokkien Chinese and Peranakan heritage from the tin-mining era, a Muslim community in the east and north, and the Urak Lawoi and Moken sea peoples. The annual Vegetarian Festival is the most visible expression of the island's Chinese roots. Beyond the resorts, Thai etiquette and respect for religion and the monarchy matter.
Key facts
- Language
- Thai
- Currency
- THB
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C and O, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap and widely…
- Emergency
- 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
Things to know
- Never criticise or mock the Thai royal family; it is a serious criminal offence.
- Remove shoes before entering temples and homes, and cover shoulders and knees in temples.
- Do not touch people's heads or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Wear a top away from the beach; walking around town in swimwear is frowned upon and can lead to fines.
- Keep calm in disagreements; raising your voice causes loss of face and rarely helps.
- Book Phuket Elephant Sanctuary ahead: Visits are by reservation with limited places; book ahead online.
- Visit between May and October for hotel rates far below peak season, accepting some rain and rough seas.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave about 20–50 baht for good restaurant service or a massage, and tip boat crews and guides on day trips.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sawasdee krap / ka | Hello (said by men / women) |
| Khop khun krap / ka | Thank you |
| Tao rai? | How much? |
| Mai phet | Not spicy |
| Check bin | The bill, please |
| Mai pen rai | No problem / never mind |
What to wear
Light cotton and linen clothes, a sun hat and sandals; cover up for temples and towns, and bring a light rain jacket from May to October.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Types A, B, C and O, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap and widely available.
- Emergency number
- 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage and 4G/5G are good across the island; tourist SIMs and eSIMs are sold at the airport and in convenience stores.
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
Rip currents cause drownings every year, especially in the May–October monsoon — never swim when red flags fly. Scooter accidents are common, and some jet-ski operators make false damage claims, so photograph equipment before renting.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Thailand's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Phuket?
Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave about 20–50 baht for good restaurant service or a massage, and tip boat crews and guides on day trips.
+Can you drink the tap water in Phuket?
Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap and widely available.
+What plugs are used in Phuket?
Types A, B, C and O, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Phuket?
Thai.