is brought to you this week by:
🧧 HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 🧧
This week, Phuket transforms into a celebration of prosperity, luck, and really excellent dumplings. Red lanterns everywhere, dragon dances in the streets, and the kind of festive energy that makes you forget it's 34°C. Gong xi fa cai, friends! 🎊
Sawadee krap/ka, Phuket peeps!
February's bringing the heat—literally and culturally. The island's draped in red and gold, Old Phuket Town is absolutely buzzing, and if you haven't eaten your body weight in spring rolls yet, are you even trying? 🥟
This week we're diving deep into Chinese New Year festivities (because missing them would be a crime), highlighting where to celebrate like a local, sharing the usual island intel that keeps life smooth, and throwing in some practical wisdom that'll save you baht and hassle.
Grab your jasmine tea, find some shade, and let's ride this Fire Horse Year energy together. 🐴
WEATHER IN PHUKET
Hot and sunny week ahead with highs of 33-34°C, isolated storm on Tuesday, lows steady at 27°C.
- Weather: Classic high-season glory. 30–33°C, blue skies, dry as a bone. Sunscreen isn't optional, it's survival gear. ☀️
- Roads: Phuket Town is still festival-mode busy. Side streets are your friend. The rest of the island? Normal chaos. 🛵
- Season check: Peak high season. Beaches packed, restaurants buzzing, hotels full. If you haven't booked weekend plans, get creative. 🏖️
- This weekend: CNY celebrations still going, weekend markets, beach club parties, live music, and that perfect Phuket energy. Keep scrolling for details. 👇
SPONSORED BY WILSON’S CAFE
If you’re reading this before lunch, good. If you’re reading this after lunch, still good. Because Fridays at Wilson’s come with a little extra joy on the side.
From 1pm today, every burger ordered gets FREE fries. No catch. Just crispy, golden happiness landing right next to your bun. It’s the kind of deal that turns a “quick bite” into a “let’s stay a while.”
Wilson’s is proudly pet-friendly too, with a dedicated pet zone where paws are welcome and the vibes stay relaxed. Bring your dog, your appetite, or both. Prefer to stay home? You’ll find Wilson’s on GrabFood as well.
Open daily from 7am to 9pm (last orders at 8pm), it’s your all-day spot for burgers, brunch, coffee, and comfort. And keep your eyes peeled… a Phuket Town branch is coming soon.
And good news for Phuket Town 👀 Wilson’s has officially opened a brand new branch there, serving from 7am to 4pm and closed on Wednesdays. Same great flavours, new neighbourhood.
Go on. It’s Friday.
👉 wilsonscafe.com
STORY OF THE WEEK
Chinese New Year isn't just "a thing that happens" in Phuket—it's THE thing. Old Phuket Town goes full festival mode, Sino-Portuguese shophouses light up like a Lunar fairy tale, and the street food game reaches levels that should probably be illegal. 🏮✨
This year we're welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse—symbolizing energy, freedom, and forward momentum. Perfect energy for anyone who moved to this island to actually live, not just exist. 🐎💨
- Old Phuket Town: The epicenter. Thalang Road transforms into a pedestrian street festival with lion dances, dragon parades, cultural performances, and vendors selling everything from lucky charms to char siu bao that'll ruin your diet permanently. 🦁
- Jui Tui Shrine: The most sacred spot for CNY in Phuket. Locals come to pray, make offerings, and soak in that proper spiritual vibe. Respectful dress required—shoulders and knees covered. 🙏
- Bang Neow Shrine: Another major temple for CNY celebrations. Less touristy, more authentically local. Worth the visit. 🏮
- Saphan Hin: Street food central during CNY. Think: seafood grills, Thai-Chinese fusion, and snacks you didn't know existed but now can't live without. Bring cash and an appetite. 🦐🍜
Pro tip: The celebrations run for several days, but the peak energy hits this weekend (Feb 20-22). Old Town gets pedestrianized, parking becomes a myth, and the crowd vibe is incredible. Go early afternoon for family-friendly vibes, or wait until evening when things get properly festive. 🎆
What to eat: Spring rolls (obviously), Hokkien noodles, steamed fish (for prosperity), dumplings (for wealth), tangyuan (sweet rice balls for family unity), and basically anything red or gold-colored because symbolism matters here. 🥟🍤
Read the Complete CNY Guide →TOP STORIES FROM THE ISLAND & KINGDOM
Phuket tourism operators have opposed the government’s proposal to grant long-stay visas to foreigners purchasing property worth 3 million baht, arguing the threshold is too low and could attract “non-quality” visitors while increasing the risk of illegal activity. Industry leaders also warn the policy may push up property prices, making housing less affordable for local residents, and are urging authorities to review the investment criteria to better protect the island’s economy and community.
Read the full story →Phuket International Airport celebrated the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon by handing out 500 special souvenirs to arriving and departing travellers, adding festive decorations and cultural performances to welcome visitors to the island’s vibrant holiday season and enhance passengers’ travel experience.
Read the full story →Officials have confirmed that the “Phuket Eye” island-wide smart surveillance network is on track to go live in April 2026, with the system designed to enhance public safety, reduce road accidents, and bolster monitoring across Phuket ahead of the busy Songkran season.
More details →Authorities say a refined oil spill from a Panama-flagged cargo ship that sank near Phuket is unlikely to threaten nearby islands or coral reefs, as the slick is drifting southwest into open waters, according to the Pollution Control Department, which continues to monitor the situation closely while coordinating response efforts.
Full report →Thailand has confirmed a wide-ranging visa reform package, including expanded visa-free entry for 93 countries and updates to long-stay visa categories. The reforms also formalise the 60-day visa-exemption scheme, with potential adjustments under review. Authorities will implement the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) as part of efforts to modernise the immigration system and boost tourism.
What’s changing →📢 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
🤓 Did You Know?
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Phuket has over 40 Chinese shrines scattered across the island, many dating back over 200 years? 🏮 The island's Chinese heritage is so deep that local Phuket-Hokkien dialect is still spoken in Old Town families. During CNY, many shrines prepare free vegetarian meals for the community — a tradition called "taan khaao" (giving rice). Some shrines serve over 1,000 people in a single day! 🍚🙏 |
2026 is specifically the Year of the Fire Horse — a combination that comes around once every 60 years. The last one was 1966. The Horse in Chinese astrology represents freedom, adventure, energy, and a refusal to be boxed in. Add Fire to the mix and you get a year that's all about bold action, passionate pursuits, and not playing it safe.
If you were born in a Horse year (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014) — congratulations, this is your year! Traditional advice: wear red underwear for extra luck. We don't make the rules. 🔴👀
Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 7
Lucky colors: Red, green, gold
Lucky flowers: Sunflower, jasmine
Best matches: Tiger, Dog, Sheep
The Fire Horse energy in a nutshell: Do the thing. Take the trip. Start the project. Make the move. This isn't a year for sitting around thinking about it. Very on-brand for Phuket living, if you ask us. 🔥🐴✨
LIVING IN PHUKET
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"ซินเจียยู่อี่ ซินนี้ฮวดไช้" Sin jia yuu ii, sin nii huat chai! The Thai-Chinese New Year greeting! Means "Happy New Year, may you prosper!" 🧧💰 Use it this week and watch the smiles multiply. Works at restaurants, markets, and basically everywhere in Phuket Old Town right now. |
Let's talk about negotiating prices in Phuket — because there's a right way and a very, very wrong way to do it. Getting it right saves you money AND earns respect. Getting it wrong makes everyone uncomfortable and gets you nowhere.
| ✅ DO bargain at: Markets, street vendors, tuk-tuk/taxi fares, souvenir shops, tailor shops, tour packages. These expect negotiation. 🛍️ |
| ❌ DON'T bargain at: Restaurants, 7-Eleven, supermarkets, pharmacies, established retail shops with price tags. These have fixed prices. Trying to negotiate at Big C will just confuse everyone. 🤦 |
| 😊 The golden rule: Smile. Always smile. Thai culture values harmony and saving face. A friendly, good-humored negotiation gets better results than aggressive haggling every single time. |
| 💡 Start at 60-70%: If the asking price is 1,000 baht, offer 600-700 and work from there. Starting at 50% or lower comes across as disrespectful. Meet somewhere that feels fair to both sides. |
| 🚶 The walk-away: If you can't agree, smile and start walking away. If they call you back, you'll get a better price. If they don't, the price was probably fair. |
| 🤝 Perspective check: If you're arguing over 50 baht ($1.40), ask yourself if it's really worth it. That 50 baht means more to the vendor than it does to you. Be generous when the difference is small. Good karma travels far on this island. 🙏 |
The best negotiators in Phuket aren't the ones who pay the least — they're the ones who leave every transaction with both sides smiling. That's the real win. 🌴✨
SPOTTED IN THE COMMUNITY / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Celebrate with 15% OFF your total bill for a limited time — dine-in only. Show the voucher (on Instagram) from 11AM daily and enjoy the view (and the savings).
More info →The Litter Club joined with interactive games, teaching waste sorting through fun, hands-on learning. Building English skills while inspiring the next generation to care for the planet. 🌍
More info →Brunch classics, fresh juices, great coffee, and the same warm, community feel you know and love — now at 18/31 Bangkok Road. Open daily 7AM–4PM (closed Wednesdays) with free parking available. See you at the new spot. ☕🍳
More info →Join the birthday bash on Saturday, 21st February from 7PM at 17/15 Wiset Road, Rawai — with free food, live music, ice-cold drinks, and good vibes all night long.
More info →OUT & ABOUT
While everyone's in Old Town for CNY this week, here's a bonus adventure: Phuket Old Town has one of the best street art scenes in Southern Thailand, and most people walk right past it. The murals scattered across Soi Romanee, Thalang Road, and Phang Nga Road tell the story of Phuket's tin mining history, multicultural heritage, and daily life — in vibrant, larger-than-life color. 🖼️
The best way to experience it? Grab a coffee from one of Old Town's excellent cafes (try Bookhemian or The Oldest Herbs Shop), then wander with zero agenda. Start on Soi Romanee — the pastel-colored shophouses are stunning, and several murals are tucked into alleyways you'd never find unless you looked. 📸
- Best time to go: Early morning (8–10am) for photos without crowds, or late afternoon for golden light. Mid-CNY means daytime will be busy — but that adds to the atmosphere.
- What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes. Old Town is walkable but the roads are uneven in places.
- Parking: Park near Limelight Avenue or the Dibuk Road area and walk in. Don't try to drive through Old Town during CNY week. Just don't.
- Combine with: CNY celebrations, a meal at one of Old Town's heritage restaurants, or a visit to the Thai Hua Museum for Phuket history.
Pair it with: The CNY Night Market for dinner and performances. Culture + street food + art = a perfect Phuket evening. 🏮🎨🥢
WHAT’S HAPPENING - UPCOMING EVENTS
From the massive temple fair at Wat Chalong to the rhythmic pulse of the island's premier beach clubs, here is your curated guide to the best of Phuket this week.
Phuket’s biggest temple festival returns with carnival rides, game stalls, hundreds of street food vendors, and nightly stage shows from 6PM till late. Arrive around sunset for the full experience, dress modestly for temple visits, and consider taxis or motorbikes as parking gets busy.
Chinese New Year Celebrations: Ongoing through February 19, with a second wave of major street festivals in Phuket Town from February 22–24. Expect massive dragon and lion dances along Thalang Road and significant temple ceremonies at Jui Tui Shrine.
Old Town glows under thousands of lanterns celebrating Yuanxiao — the first full moon of the lunar year. Expect light displays, lion dances, cultural performances, blessings for prosperity, and festive streets from Queen Sirikit Park to Dragon Square and beyond.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
This Week's Question: What's your favorite lesser-known spot in Phuket that tourists always miss?
Hidden beach? Local restaurant? Secret viewpoint? Share your gem with the community. Hit reply with your answer—we'll feature the best submissions next week (with permission, obviously). Let's build the ultimate insider guide together. 🗺️✨
Got an event, opening, beach party or story tip? We want to hear about it! Submit here → Google forms and we'll spread the word to the whole island. Your story could be featured in next week's edition. 📣
Know someone who needs better Phuket intel? Forward this and be the hero of their weekend. 🦸♂️
Forwarded this email? Subscribe at phuketcommunity.beehiiv.com/subscribe to get island intel every Friday.
That's it for this week. The Year of the Horse is here—time to gallop forward with energy, purpose, and maybe a few too many dumplings. Phuket's ready for you. Are you ready for it? 🐴💨
Stay lucky, stay hungry (for dumplings),
— The Phuket Community Team 🌴
Next edition drops Friday, February 27, 2026
© 2026 Phuket Community · Phuket, Thailand 🇹🇭
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