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Hey Phuket peeps,
February has arrived, and Phuket is moving at full stride. Chinese New Year is unfolding across the island, beaches are busy without tipping into chaos, and thereās a particular energy in the air that comes with high season done well. Everything feels active, but still personal. Still yours.
This week, we're serving up fresh island news, events worth your time, and the stuff you actually need to know to make the most of your weekend. šļø
Grab your iced Americano, find a patch of shade, and catch up on whatās happening.
WEATHER IN PHUKET
Sunny high-season vibes continue with clear skies, highs of 32ā33Ā°C, warm nights around 26ā27Ā°C, and only a slim chance of brief mid-week showers. āļøš
- Weather: High season showing off. Pure sunshine, low humidity (for once), and that perfect beach temperature. Don't forget the reef-safe sunscreen. š§“
- Roads: Chinese New Year traffic building. Phuket Town especially busy near markets and temples. Give yourself extra time or embrace the chaos. šµ
- Vibe check: Festival energy everywhere. Red lanterns going up, restaurants booking solid for CNY dinners, and that collective anticipation before a big celebration. š®
- This weekend: Lion dances, beach clubs at capacity, new restaurant openings, and enough events to make your calendar look like a game of Tetris. Scroll down for the good stuff. š
SPONSORED BY: HAWOOK
What Buying a Condo in Phuket Now Unlocks (Beyond the Keys)
Something quiet but important is happening in Phuketās property and visa space.
Thailand is now piloting a long-stay visa thatās tied directly to condominium ownership. Buy a qualifying condo from 3 million THB, and you can apply for a renewable long-stay visa that allows you to live here long term without border runs or short-term visa juggling. The initial approval covers 12 to 15 months, with simple annual renewals after that.
Itās early days. The program is limited, the rules matter, and not every property qualifies. Thatās where clarity becomes useful.
Hawook has put together a straightforward guide that breaks down how the condo-linked long-stay visa actually works in Phuket, whatās required, and what to watch out for before committing.
If youāre curious and want the details in one place, you can explore the guide here:
https://hawook.com/long-stay-visa/
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: WILSONāS CAFE
Letās keep this simple.
Itās Friday. Youāre hungry. Wilsonās has decided that burgers should come with free fries. So from 1pm today, every burger gets a side of crispy, golden joy.
No tricks. Every burger gets fries. For free. šš
What starts as āIāll just grab a biteā usually turns into āokay, one more coffee.ā Thatās kind of Wilsonās thing.
Theyāre also pet-friendly, with a proper zone for dogs who deserve to come along and judge your food choices. And if leaving the house feels like too much effort, Wilsonās is on GrabFood.
Open every day from 7am to 9pm (last orders at 8pm), itās your all-day spot for burgers, brunch, coffee, and comfort. Bonus heads-up: a Phuket Town location is coming soon.
Itās Friday. Free fries exist.
You know what to do. š wilsonscafe.com
STORY OF THE WEEK
Why Phuket in February Is One of the Best Times to Be Here
February in Phuket is when the island exhales. The air feels lighter. The days are warm without trying too hard. The sea behaves. Mornings start slower, sunsets linger longer, and everything justā¦ works.
Itās that rare sweet spot. High season energy without high season chaos. Roads are moving again. Restaurants have their rhythm back. Beach days donāt require military planning. You remember why you moved here. Or why you keep coming back.
February isnāt loud. Itās confident. The kind of month that quietly reminds you that island life can be easy, balanced, and very, very good.
If youāre wondering why so many long-stayers circle this month on their mental calendar, we broke it all down.
š Read why February might be Phuket at its best.
TOP STORIES FROM THE ISLAND & KINGDOM
On 31 January, the Rotary Club of Patong Beach and Phuket Lifeguards hosted 40 children at Nai Harn for a hands-on water safety session covering sea awareness, survival skills, and basic CPR...
Read the full story āJet-ski rental operators across Phuket have been given until mid-February to bring their businesses into line with maritime law, as the Phuket Marine Office and Marine Police step up a province-wide crackdown on unlicensed and illegally operated jet skis.
Read the full story āAn oil cargo boat operator is facing legal action after being caught illegally dropping anchor on protected coral reefs in Siam Bay at Koh Racha Yai island, south of Phuket.
More details āTourism Authority of Thailand unveils Tourism Product Highlight 2026 to lift quality and push total tourism revenue to 3 trillion baht
Full story āAirports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the international departure passenger service charge (PSC) to 1,120 baht per person by mid-2026 and is studying a new PSC for transit and transfer passengers in line with international practice, aiming to strengthen long-term revenue and fund major airport expansion projects
More details āš¢ Got an Event, Opening, or Story Tip?
Beach party? Workshop? Open mic? Community jam? If it's happening on the island and people should know about it, fill out this quick form and we'll spread the word.
We feature community submissions every week. Make yours count.
FUN FACT
Why Thai Smiles Have Different Meanings š
Thailand is called the "Land of Smiles" ā but here's the thing: not all Thai smiles mean the same thing. In fact, Thais recognize at least 13 different types of smiles, each conveying a distinct emotion or social function. š
Yim thang nam taa (ąø¢ąø“ą¹ąø”ąøąø±ą¹ąøąøą¹ąø³ąøąø²): The "smiling with tears" ā used when you're so happy you could cry, or so sad you smile through it.
Yim cheuat cheuan (ąø¢ąø“ą¹ąø”ą¹ąøąø·ą¹ąøąøąø·ąø): The "I admire you" smile ā genuine warmth and respect.
Yim sao (ąø¢ąø“ą¹ąø”ą¹ąøØąø£ą¹ąø²): The sad smile ā acknowledging difficulty while maintaining composure.
Yim mai awk (ąø¢ąø“ą¹ąø”ą¹ąø”ą¹ąøąøąø): The "I'm trying to smile but can't" ā when you're asked to smile but really don't feel like it.
Next time someone smiles at you in Thailand, remember: there's a whole vocabulary in that expression. Learning to read them is like unlocking a secret communication channel. šš¹š
LIVING IN PHUKET
š¼ Island Finance 101
Living in Phuket on one income? Brave. Maybe even a little optimistic.
The smarter move is a side hustle that actually works. Not the spreadsheet-heavy, investor-podcast version of diversification. The real kind. The kind that means rent is paid, pad thai is ordered, and thereās still money left after. šš°
Less stress. More breathing room. Better island living.
Here's the thing about side income in Phuket: the island literally runs on it. Dive instructors who freelance as photographers. Teachers who run online businesses. Developers who consult remotely. Real estate agents who flip vintage scooters. Multiple income streams aren't just smartāthey're standard operating procedure.
The math is simple: If your main gig covers 80% of expenses, a side hustle earning 15,000-25,000ąøæ/month transforms your financial picture completely. That's the difference between "getting by" and "actually enjoying island life."
| ā Do: Pick something aligned with existing skills. Don't learn to code from scratchāleverage what you already know. |
| ā Do: Start small and test the market. Don't quit your job to sell coconut bowls on Etsy. Validate first. |
| ā Don't: Fall for the "passive income" fantasy. Everything requires work, especially at the start. Hustle is real. |
| š” Reality check: Most successful island side hustles take 3-6 months to generate consistent income. Plan accordingly. Don't panic at month two. |
Popular Phuket side hustles that actually work: freelance content creation, teaching English online, property management for absent owners, organizing tours/experiences, e-commerce dropshipping (yes, still viable), and Muay Thai training (if you've got the skills). The key isn't finding a unicornāit's finding something you won't hate doing after three months. šÆ
SPOTTED IN THE COMMUNITY / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you to everyone who shared meals, memories, and support along the way ā¤ļø This isnāt goodbye ā just the end of one chapter, with a new one coming soon āØ
More info āThe Phuket Regional Blood Centre (PRBC), in collaboration with Vachira Phuket Hospital, will continue organising blood donation drives across Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi throughout February.
More info āPhuket Immigration will close its Drive-Thru service, with Friday (Feb 13) the final day of operation, and no confirmed date for its reopening while ārenovationā works are carried out.
More info āJoin the Brunch & Beats celebration on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 February, 11:00AMā3:00PM, with shareable brunch plates, pastries, and live DJ funk vibes. š Find Cannelle at The AQUA, Boat Avenue ā reservations recommended.
More info āOUT & ABOUT
Learn to Surf at Kata Beach
Kata Beach in February is on airplane mode. Calm water. Blue skies. Fewer boards flying through the air. And yes, hereās the quiet truth: beginners can learn to surf right now.
You wonāt get the dramatic, chest-high postcard waves. What you get instead are small, polite rollers and plenty of whitewater. Translation: perfect conditions for learning the basics without getting rag-dolled by the ocean. Surf schools are still open, instructors are extra patient, and longboards do most of the hard work for you. Think balance, pop-ups, paddling, and dignity preservation.
Before the beach: grab coffee and breakfast along Kata Road or cruise up to Karon Viewpoint to check the sea and pretend you understand swell charts.
After your session: cool off with a long swim, then wander to Kata Night Market for grilled seafood, fruit shakes, and snacks you didnāt plan to eat but absolutely will. Finish with sunset stretching or yoga by the sand.
Surf season gets louder later. February is for learning quietly, falling gently, and walking away thinking, āYeahā¦ I could do this.ā ššāāļø
While Patong's shoulder-to-shoulder and Kata's fully booked, Layan Beach remains suspiciously perfect. Long stretch of white sand, crystal-clear water, actual space between beach towels, and that rare commodity in high season: peace and quiet. š
It's not completely undiscoveredāthere's parking, a few restaurants, and facilitiesābut it hasn't hit critical mass yet. Come during the week and you might have whole sections to yourself. The northern end near the lagoon is especially scenic, perfect for that "is this real life?" moment we all moved here for.
- Location: North of Bang Tao, between Angsana Laguna and the Layan headland.
- Parking: Free public lot right behind the beach. Arrives by 10am for guaranteed spots.
- Best time: Weekday mornings (8-11am) or late afternoon (4-6pm). Weekends get busier but still manageable.
- Bring: Your own shade (limited trees), reef-safe sunscreen, and snacks if you're staying long (restaurant options are limited).
Pair it with: Post-beach lunch at Catch Beach Club (short drive south) or explore the quieter Laguna area. It's a whole different Phuket vibe up here. š„„āØ
WHATāS HAPPENING - UPCOMING EVENTS
The island's calendar is absolutely stacked this week. Chinese New Year energy, beach clubs firing on all cylinders, cultural celebrations, and enough live music to soundtrack your entire weekend. Here's what's actually worth your timeāmark your calendars now because everything's booking fast. š
COMMUNITY CORNER
This Week's Question: What's your favorite "hidden" beach or spot in Phuket that most tourists never find?
That secret cove? The beach you keep to yourself? The viewpoint that isn't on Google Maps? Spill the beans (or keep it vague if you want it to stay secret). Hit reply and tell us. We'll feature the best answers next week (with your permission). š¤«
Got an event, opening, or story tip? Tag @phuketcommunity_com or submit here ā Google forms. We feature the best submissions every edition.
Know someone who needs better island intel? Forward this and be the hero. š¦ø
Forwarded this email? Subscribe at phuketcommunity.beehiiv.com/subscribe to get island intel every Friday.
That's it for this week, Phuket peeps. February's bringing the heatāliterally and figuratively. CNY celebrations are kicking off, the island's absolutely buzzing, and you've now got the intel to make it count. Get out there, try something new, and remember: the best stories happen when you actually show up. š“š
See you next Friday,
Stay savvy, stay sabai,
ā The Phuket Community Team š“
Next edition drops Friday, February 13, 2026 š
