Many people come to Phuket for the first time, take one look around at the beautiful beaches, soak up the tropical climate, get a taste of the lifestyle and say, ‘this is it, I’m home.’ For many people Phuket is Never-Neverland - a chance to prolong (or reclaim) heady youth in a setting that takes a fair stab at being heaven on earth. Phuket is the wealthiest province in Thailand, a distinction that comes as a mixed blessing. The island’s prosperity means that is has an excellent infrastructure, great roads, world class hospitals and all of the other creature comforts of home. On the other hand, it also has the highest cost of living of any Thai province. Having said that, it’s still very affordable by western standards and even a modest income from home can make you a person of leisure here.
Phuket’s location in the calm Andaman Sea has made it a home away from home for foreigners for a thousand years and there are plenty of services designed to make it easy to relocate to Phuket, whether for a season, a few years or to retire. Legal services, business opportunities and housing abound, all catered to the unique needs of the ex-pat.
If you’re planning to move to Phuket be prepared to encounter all manner of little problems that are bound to occur when East meets West. This section is designed to smooth out the wrinkles and ease the headaches of life in Asia by giving you all the tips, resources and contacts you’ll need to begin your life in paradise. Information on visas, housing, legal issues as well as Thai customs and culture have been thoroughly researched by professionals who have already been through all of the hassles and are provided here to assist you, visa and law information changes often, please check the various government websites for updates.
As someone who lives here the best advice I can give you is. Come here rent a house and stay here for a few months, get to know the place, culture and what goes on. Many expats come here sell everything back home, invest here, and then it's gone!! It is not like back and home, and it is easy to lose everything. Take your time. If you need any further help or advice, feel free to email me at steve@thailandparadise.com |
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Visas
The first thing you need to be aware of is how to get into the country and stay here. We’ve provided a compass to help you navigate the often complicated maze of immigration laws.
Property
Once you’re here you need a place to live. Although there are limits to what a foreigner can own in Thailand, there are plenty of great rental options on the island. We’ve provided a large resource of tips to help you locate a place that’s right for you.
Basic Living Costs
Although Phuket is expensive compared to the rest of Thailand, the cost of living is still a fraction of what it is in Britain, Europe or America. Check this information out to get a good idea of just how much.
Meals
- Low: 40 - 150 baht
- Mid-range: 150 - 300 baht
- High: 300+
*These estimates are based on a single course meal with a soft drink.
At the very bottom of the scale, a bowl of noodles and a soft drink at a roadside stall might be around 40 Baht. At the opposite end of the scale, you can have a seafood banquet for a couple of thousand Baht. In between is a myriad of dining options of nearly every cuisine you care to mention.
Finding something to eat will be the least of your worries. Deciding on what to eat could be a different matter altogether!
Accommodation
- Low: 300 - 800 baht
- Mid-range: 800 - 2,500 baht
- High: 2,500+
Hotel accommodation in Phuket is generally more expensive than other parts of Thailand. There are no beachfront bungalows for a couple of hundred Baht a night. That's not what Phuket is about. However, there is a good selection of budget hotels and plenty of excellent mid-range hotels. Prices are reasonable, except at the height of the high season around Christmas and New Year, when room rates can double. Unfortunately, that's supply-and-demand for you.
Where Phuket really excels is in its range of luxury hotels. Some are spectacular in their opulence, while others are excellent value for the outstanding services and facilities they provide.
If you do have your heart set on a bungalow on the beach, Phi Phi island and other nearby islands shouldn't disappoint.
Other Expenses
Prices will vary depending on the type of establishment and certain things will also vary in price due to time of year, but this should give you a rough idea on what things cost.
- Locally brewed beer (Singha, Heineken etc.): 40 - 100 baht
- Limousine from airport to Patong: 600 baht
- Minibus from airport (per person): 150 baht
- Motorbike rental (per day): 100 - 250 baht
- Small Jeep rental (per day): 800 - 900 baht
- Packet of cigarettes: 55 baht
- Sun bed for the day: 50 baht
- One-hour Thai massage: 200 - 400 baht
- Green fees: 1,000 - 5,000 baht
List of useful Clubs & Associations
Social Clubs
Business Associations
Tourism Associations
Sports & Leisure Clubs
Support Groups
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