Hey, Phuket Fam,

Hot days, warm nights, and the occasional tropical tantrum — classic island energy is back. High season’s stretching its legs, Patong’s rolling out the carnival barriers, and weekends are officially in “where are we eating?” mode again. 🌴

Whether you’re chasing beach time, dodging road closures like a pro, or accidentally discovering a new obsession (looking at you, fishing), this week’s edition has you covered. Let’s get into it.

Some people come to Phuket for beaches. Others come for cocktails. And then there are those who accidentally discover they’re really into fishing.

Enter Chalong Fishing Park, our proud sponsor and the kind of place that quietly converts “I’ve never fished” into “when can we come back?”

This isn’t sitting in silence with a floppy hat and zero action. This is arm-burning, grin-inducing, freshwater fun where monster fish pull harder than your gym membership ever did. Mekong giant catfish. Siamese carp. Redtails. The stuff you usually only see in wide-eyed holiday photos.

Never held a rod before? Perfect. The guides have patience, humor, and a sixth sense for when a fish is about to ruin your forearms. Bringing kids, partners, or non-fishing spectators? There’s shade, hammocks, cold drinks, proper food, and even a pool for cooldown breaks between battles.

It’s friendly. It’s well-run. It’s catch-and-release with serious bragging rights. And somehow, five hours disappears in what feels like twenty minutes.

If you’re craving a Phuket experience that’s unexpected, wildly fun, and oddly addictive, this is your sign.

🎣 Reel it in here: https://chalongfishingpark.com

Phuket weekends get busy fast, especially once the rain hits or events roll in. A few simple transport tips can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

✅ Do: Use ride-hailing apps at night or in bad weather.
Grab and Bolt are usually the easiest options for evenings out. Prices fluctuate, so it’s worth checking both before booking. Once you pick one, commit and move on. Grab vs Bolt rundown →

❌ Avoid: Be mindful with scooter rentals.
If you don’t have the correct licence or IDP, renting a scooter even “just for one night” can turn into a problem. Police checkpoints are common on weekends, particularly around nightlife areas.

💡 Local hack: If you’re going to Patong on Dec 19, treat it like a walking night: park early, eat nearby, and stroll. Roads will be closed 5:00pm–8:00pm.

Simple planning, smoother weekend.

If you’ve noticed dugongs popping up in the news lately, you’re not imagining things. These gentle sea cows are having a moment — and Phuket is right in the middle of it.

Dugongs are shy, slow-moving, and oddly magical. They’re also cousins of elephants (yes, really), sharing similar skin, teeth, and even tiny fingernails on their flippers. An adult can munch through up to 30kg of seagrass a day, quietly gardening the ocean floor as they go.

So why are they here? A seagrass “sea drought” further south has sent dugongs migrating north, with recent sightings around Krabi. Rare, fleeting, and deeply special.

Ancient sailors once mistook them for mermaids — and honestly, watching a mother cradle her calf underwater, you can see why.

Spot one? Keep your distance. Legends need their space.

Tucked into Phuket Old Town like a well-kept family secret, The Charm Dining Gallery feels less like a restaurant and more like stepping into someone’s elegant Peranakan home. Blue-and-white porcelain, antique furniture, soft lighting. Your eyes arrive first, your appetite follows closely behind.

Make it the heart of an Old Town day. Wander Thalang and Dibuk Roads beforehand, poke your head into galleries and quiet cafés, let the streets warm up around you. Then settle in for lunch where Southern Thai and Peranakan flavours stretch their legs. Coconut salad with a loyal fan club. Moo Hong melting into its own history. Fish curries, crab with buns, duck with orange sauce. Michelin-recognised, never showy.

Afterwards, stroll, browse, maybe dessert nearby or sunset views from Rang Hill. You’ll leave full, unhurried, already plotting a return.

👉 Plan your visit: The Charm Dining Gallery

Got something happening on the island? We’ll help share it. Let us know here.

Pick your vibe, plan your weekend, avoid the “where are we going?” spiral.

Got a beach party, workshop, open mic, or community jam?
Tell us about it and we might feature it → Submit here