• Weather: Textbook high-season perfection. 31-32°C, blue skies, and UV levels that don't negotiate.
• Roads: Kamala and Kata showing typical congestion between 4-7pm. Plan accordingly.
• Season vibe: High season in full swing. Restaurants filling up, beaches busy by 10am.
• This weekend: Multiple night markets, live music at beachfront venues, and a few cultural gems worth the drive.

Thailand, famed for its beaches and relaxing vibes, saw its first decline in tourist arrivals in years in 2025, as holidaymakers’ confidence was rattled by a series of events that rocked the nation.

Despite a record number of arrivals through Phuket immigration last year, tourism operators' revenue remained flat due to an increase in supply, while tourists shortened their length of stay, according to the Tourism Council of Phuket.

Police shut routes leading to Chalong Bay after a boat fire erupted before dawn, with firefighters racing to stop flames from spreading to hundreds of vessels still moored nearby.

The Abbot of Wat Kittisangkharam (Wat Kata) has confirmed that the Big Buddha viewpoint now remains closed to the public, following a brief reopening over the New Year.

Phuket’s tourism sector showed strong signs of recovery over the New Year period, with rising long-haul arrivals helping push hotel occupancy above 80% and generating more than B1.14 billion

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.

White sand beaches like Kata, Karon, and Freedom are basically nature’s recycling program. Most of that pale, powdery sand is biogenic, meaning it comes from life, not rock. Crushed coral, broken shells, and yes, parrotfish digestion all contribute. Those fish spend their days scraping coral and politely returning it to the beach in sand form. Limestone-based grains stay soft, bright, and cooler underfoot. Karon adds a fun footnote: higher quartz content, which is why the sand squeaks like it’s protesting your flip-flops.

Golden and beige sand around Nai Harn, Rawai, and the east coast tells a land-based story. This sand comes from eroded granite hills and inland rock, rich in quartz and feldspar, often stained with iron oxides. That’s the warm, earthy tint you see. Less reef input, more hillside runoff.

Then there’s the Andaman Sea, quietly rearranging everything. West coast beaches face stronger waves that sweep away fine sediment and deliver coral debris. The east stays calmer, letting darker, heavier material settle. Same island. Different ingredients. Geology always wins.

• 50% → Needs: Rent, utilities, food, transport, insurance. The non-negotiable stuff that keeps you alive and housed.
• 30% → Wants: Dining out, beach clubs, day trips, shopping, spontaneous adventures. This is your "live well" budget.
• 20% → Savings & debt: Emergency fund, investments, paying off credit cards, building your "move back home or stay forever" cushion.

• Track your baht. If you're earning in USD/EUR/GBP but spending in THB, currency swings matter. Use Wise or similar to minimize conversion fees.
• Audit your "wants." That daily iced latte habit? That's 3,000+ baht/month. Not saying stop — just know the number.
• Cook more, especially at home. Banzaan Market runs drop prices by 60% compared to resort dining. Your 30% "wants" budget will thank you.
• Build a "visa/ticket" fund. If you're here on tourist visas or renewals, budget 15,000-25,000 THB per trip. Don't let it blindside you.

Paradise comes with pad thai on every corner, but if your body's begging for greens, here's how to eat well without draining your wallet or resorting to sad, expensive "health cafes."

On 10–11 January, alcohol sales will be paused island-wide due to the local elections. Many venues will remain open as usual, just without alcoholic drinks. Plan ahead, sip something refreshing, and thank you for understanding 🍹🚫🍺

Due to high demand, last orders will now be at 8PM, allowing the team to stay fully staffed for busy breakfast and lunch service. Thank you for your understanding — and see you bright and early! ☀️🍳

Both Chalong and Rawai locations go 7 days a week starting 4 January 2026, open 8AM–7:30PM. Same balance, same consistency — now every single day. 💚

Laem Singh sits tucked between Kamala and Surin, accessible via a steep path that keeps crowds minimal. If you're chasing that "nobody here but me and the ocean" feeling, this is your spot — especially at sunrise.

The beach faces east, so you get direct sunrise views around 6:30-6:45am (check exact times here). Arrive early, bring coffee, and watch the light spill over the Andaman. The climb back up burns off your breakfast guilt.

Best for: Solo resets, couples escaping crowds, or anyone who wants proof that Phuket still has quiet corners.

This Week's Question: What's one thing you wish you'd known before moving to/visiting Phuket?

Hit reply and share. We'll feature the best responses next week (with your permission, of course).