Living in Phuket
Plenty of 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.
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. More…
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. More…
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 of a fraction. More…
