Phuket's west-coast beaches and green hills viewed from above

Modern Expat · Phuket City Desk

Phuket
properly lived.

The useful, independent guide to building a life on the island, where to live, what it costs, what is happening and what to check before you commit.

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Photo: Bennypc · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Culture · Islandwide

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Shrine ceremonies, street processions, firecrackers and the island’s biggest jay-food season. Our calendar has the dates, context and practical road-closure advice.

Plan your visit

Make the island work

Explore Phuket

Three clear ways into the island, whether you are arriving next week or planning to stay for years.

A traditional boat on Bang Tao Beach in Phuket

Live

Build a life here

Areas, routines, schools, healthcare, transport and community.

Photo: Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0

Historic yellow civic architecture in Phuket Old Town

Property

Rent or buy well

Neighbourhood fit, ownership, contracts and due diligence.

Photo: Mussi Katz · CC0

Marigold garlands at Phuket Town Central Market

What’s on

Use the island

Food, culture, music, sport, markets and community events.

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin · CC BY 2.0

Fresh from the desk

Latest Phuket

New reporting and practical guides, ordered automatically by publication date.

Clear turquoise water and a white-sand beach in the Similan Islands

Similan Islands reopen for the 2026–27 season: what Phuket travellers should know

Mu Ko Similan National Park reopened on 15 October after its monsoon closure. The confirmed changes include electronic tickets, conservation briefings and tighter visitor management.

22 Oct 2026 · Article

Modern Expat Magazine editorial artwork for Phuket Beach Life 2026 with an abstract beach and paddle board

Phuket Beach Life 2026 is coming to Patong: dates, location and what is confirmed

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has confirmed a free three-day beach festival at Loma Park, Patong, from 30 October to 1 November, combining SUP activities, music, food and beach-lifestyle zones.

20 Oct 2026 · Article

Modern Expat Magazine editorial artwork showing an abstract flight path between London and Phuket

Virgin Atlantic's Heathrow–Phuket route is now flying: the winter schedule

Virgin Atlantic's first seasonal London Heathrow–Phuket service has arrived. Here is what the airline and Tourism Authority of Thailand currently say about the route, its operating days and its March 2027 end date.

20 Oct 2026 · Article

Siam Piwat conceptual masterplan rendering of the proposed ICONPHUKET development; not a photograph of a completed site

ICONPHUKET announced for Thalang: what is planned and when

Siam Piwat has announced a THB 10 billion retail and entertainment destination within the wider Synthesis Ark project in Si Sunthon. Its 2029 opening is a target, not an opening date for the whole development.

17 Oct 2026 · Article

Choose by real life, not the postcard