🍜 Big News for Travelers, Local Food Faves, & Festival Tips!

Welcome to Phuket Community, your weekly newsletter to life in Phuket and Thailand.

Hey Phuket Peeps!

Whether you’re a long-time local or new to the island, we cover everything from key community events to must-know updates across Phuket and Thailand. Here’s what we have today:

🍜 Hidden Local Thai Food Favourites in Phuket

⚔️ Phuket Vegetarian Festival: What You Need to Know

🛂 Thailand Introduces New ETA System for Visa-Exempt Travelers

🚢 Thailand’s Kra Canal Dream vs. The Landbridge Reality

🍜 Hidden Local Thai Food Favourites in Phuket

Let me guess…

You’re living in Phuket, and you're still stressing about which Thai food to try.

You’re hearing about Pad Thai this, Tom Yum that, and you're not sure what’s hype and what’s legit.

We’ve all been there.

Phuket’s food scene is packed, and I’m going to make it easy for you.

Here’s everything you need to eat like a local and find the local’s best Thai food in Phuket:

—-

When you think of Thai food, Pad Thai probably comes to mind.
It’s good, but if you want to eat like a true Phuket local, skip the obvious.

Here’s what the locals crave:
Moo Hong – A slow-cooked, savoury-sweet Phuket-style pork stew. You’ll find it in small eateries tucked away in Old Phuket Town.

Khao Pad Sapparod – Pineapple Fried Rice with chunks of pineapple, cashews, raisins, and shrimp. For an authentic experience, try it at Chalong Bay with a beachfront view.

Massaman Curry – Rich, spiced coconut curry with a hint of sweetness. The best is at Mom Tri’s Kitchen near Bang Tao Beach.

Yam Kai Sep – A tangy, spicy chicken salad packed with herbs and chilies, offering a refreshing and fiery kick.

– But the best Thai food in Phuket? It’s on the street.

Street food is wildly underrated.

Satay Gai, grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce, will leave you dreaming of more.

Mango Sticky Rice – Fresh mango, coconut milk, and sticky rice—a classic dessert that makes everything else seem basic.

Both are found at the Phuket Night Market.

Still feel like you’re missing something? You are.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Oct 2–11, 2024) brings a new level to street food, with deep-fried mushrooms, spicy vegetarian curries, and bizarre street snacks you won’t want to miss… even if you’re not a vegetarian 

—-

There you go.

That’s the lowdown on the local’s best Thai food in Phuket.

No fluff.

Just straight-up answers to the question you came here for.

Now get out there, start eating, and don’t miss that Moo Hong stew 🍜.

⚔️ Phuket Vegetarian Festival: What You Need to Know

So above I've mentioned about the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, right?

Maybe you’re wondering:

• What’s up with all those piercings and fire walking?

• Is it safe?

• Where do I even find the best vegetarian food?

This festival is like nothing you’ve ever seen. I mean, sure, you’ve probably been to a street food market or a local fair, but Phuket's Vegetarian Festival takes things to another level.

The whole event is about purifying the body and mind. Locals go all in, giving up meat and other vices for nine days, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to experience it for yourself.

What’s the Deal with the Phuket Vegetarian Festival?

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival) isn’t just about food.

It’s about honouring the Chinese deities and purging yourself of bad luck.

The streets of Phuket transform into this intense, colourful display of devotion.

Mah song, the spirit mediums, walk around with wild piercings — think swords, skewers, and anything else that will make your jaw drop.

Why?

They believe the gods protect them from pain. Yeah, it’s extreme.

And the firewalking? It’s a big part of it too. Imagine barefoot participants walking across hot coals like it's nothing.

This isn't your typical "vegetarian" event.

Where to Go: Major Shrines and Procession Routes

So, if you're planning to check out the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, where do you start?

You’ll want to visit the shrines.

Jui Tui Shrine is one of the most important spots.

Then there’s Kathu Shrine and Bang Neow Shrine. These are where most of the action happens, especially the processions.

Don’t forget Saphan Hin Park. That’s where the fire walking goes down. You’ll also see a lot of the piercing rituals take place on Ranong Road — the heart of the city during the festival.

See the map here.

Pro tip: If you’re into photography, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a goldmine for viral shots. So have your camera ready.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival will take place from October 2nd to 11th, 2024.

It’s one of the most intense cultural events on the island and one you won’t forget.

The food alone makes it worth the trip, but the spiritual rituals, processions, and extreme acts of devotion are on another level.

Trust me, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an experience you’ll want to see firsthand (especially if you're bold and daring).

🛂 Thailand Introduces New ETA System for Visa-Exempt Travellers

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system launches on December 1, 2024. 

This system is aimed at simplifying immigration processes and enhancing security. Nationals from 93 countries, including India and the UK, will need to apply online for an ETA, which grants a single entry for up to 60 days, extendable by 30 days. 

Automated gates will speed up entry, but overstaying could result in penalties. Full details are expected soon, and updates can be found via Thailand's e-Visa portal.

More info here.

🚢 Thailand’s Kra Canal Dream vs. The Landbridge Reality

What’s the big deal with the Kra Canal?

Thailand has been dreaming about building the Kra Canal, a 128 km waterway through the Kra Isthmus, for centuries. The goal? To cut 1,200 km of travel for ships and save days on journeys between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. At an estimated $28 billion, this canal could rival the Suez and Panama canals.

Why hasn’t this happened yet?

Talks about the canal have been around since the 17th century, but it’s always been shelved. Now, the government has shifted gears to a new plan—a Landbridge. Instead of a canal, this project will connect the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand via roads, railways, and pipelines.

Landbridge: The new game plan

• Deep-sea ports on both coasts.

• Cargo transferred overland through a 90 km route.

• Faster and safer than the crowded Strait of Malacca.

Why the Landbridge could work:

• Avoids environmental and social issues (like uprooting 60,000 people).

• Solves the congestion problems of the Strait of Malacca.

• Turns Thailand into a global logistics hub with huge capacity.

Challenges:

Convincing shipping companies to ditch the well-established Strait of Malacca route will be tough. The Landbridge could add extra handling time and costs.

Construction is set to start in 2026, with partial operations by 2030 and full completion by 2039.

What do you think about Thailand’s shift from the Kra Canal to the ambitious Landbridge project? Could this bold move redefine global shipping, or will it face too many hurdles to succeed? Let us know your thoughts!

📅 Exciting Events in Phuket this week

Wednesday, September 25:

Potato Live Concert – catch the popular Thai rock band Potato performing live at Flame Phuket Town.

Saturday, September 28:

Wansao Market – enjoy a fun-filled day at Blue Tree Phuket with shopping, art workshops, pet-friendly areas, live music, food trucks, and so much more!

Saturday-Sunday, September 28-29:

Amazing Thailand Travel & Hospitality Golf Classic – A prestigious golf tournament in Phuket​ at Red Mountain Golf Club and Laguna Golf Phuket.

More info here.

Thanks for tuning in! Got some thoughts or insights? We’d love to hear from you. Stay connected with the Phuket Community Newsletter, and we’ll catch you next time!

Cheers,
Codi & The Phuket Community Team