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Hey Phuket crew,
January has found its rhythm. Not rushed, not sleepy either. Just that sweet island tempo where the mornings feel useful, the afternoons stretch a little longer, and sunsets arrive right on cue. The island’s buzzing, but in a good way. Purposeful beach days, unplanned catch-ups, life settling back into its Phuket shape.
This week, we’re unpacking the real cost of living here (no drama, just honesty), flagging what’s genuinely worth your time this weekend, and sharing the kind of island intel that helps you dodge the traps and keep things local. 🌴
Pour something cold, grab your spot in the shade, and let’s catch up.
WEATHER IN PHUKET
Sun doing overtime, clouds just flirting, days stuck at a sweaty 32–33°C and nights barely exhaling at 25°C, with one midweek thundercrash for drama. 🌞⛈️
- Weather: Peak high-season vibes continue. 31-33°C, brilliant sunshine, and humidity that reminds you why ice is sacred. ☀️
- Roads: Patong and Kata showing typical afternoon congestion. Leave 15 minutes earlier or embrace island time. 🛵
- Season check: High season fully loaded. Popular restaurants booking out, beaches busy by 9am. Plan ahead or be flexible.
- This weekend: Wellness sessions, live music, cultural experiences, and a few hidden gems that locals actually rate. Keep scrolling. 👇
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: HOMA
Some places you visit. Others quietly gather you in. HOMA belongs to the second kind.
At first glance, HOMA is modern living done well. But spend a little time there and you realise it’s really about how life feels when the edges soften. A place where you can wake up slowly, get some work done, move your body, share a meal, and end the day in conversation rather than isolation.
Yasmin Hilmi from HOMA’s Marketing & Communications team describes it simply: a place to belong. And you feel that through the details. Coffee at People Coffee & Stories turns into conversations. Lunch at Mingle Eatery becomes a meeting point for residents, locals, and familiar faces. Events unfold naturally, from yoga with Vikasa, aperitivo Thursdays in Cherngtalay, movie nights, markets, pool parties, and the resident-led Clubhouse Series where creativity and connection lead the way.
What stands out most is the intention behind it all. The team is hands-on, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in how people experience the space. Sustainability, wellbeing, and community aren’t buzzwords here. They’re built into the rhythm of daily life. It’s also proudly pet-friendly, with Tao-Tao the resident cat reigning quietly over Phuket Town.
With the recent opening of HOMA Chalong Bay, the focus now is on growing deeper roots. More local events, more shared moments, more ways to feel part of something without trying too hard.
If you’re curious, take a look and see what’s unfolding.
👉 Explore HOMA here
TOP STORIES FROM THE ISLAND & KINGDOM
Thailand has a way of pulling people back, but first-timers are easy to spot. After a year of watching the pattern repeat, here are the five mistakes I see tourists make most often.
Read the full story →Phuket Province has launched a cashless payment system on its “Phuket Smart Bus,” marking a significant step toward becoming a smart, digitally connected public transport network to ensure convenience for both local residents and international tourists.
Read the full story →The boating and marina business is a key mechanism for shifting Thailand’s tourism industry from a focus on volume to higher value, aiming to attract high-spending visitors and yacht owners.
More details →The multi-agency cleanup operation began on Tuesday (Jan 13) and was completed yesterday (Jan 14), focusing on removing burned hulls, debris and hazardous ...
Read more →Three political parties -- the People's Party, Democrat and Pheu Thai -- have pledged to put cannabis back on the narcotics list and allow its use only for approved medical purposes ...
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.
STORY OF THE WEEK
The Real Cost of Living in Phuket 💰
Let's talk money. Not in the boring, spreadsheet way — in the "how much do I actually need to live well here?" way. Because Phuket can be ridiculously affordable or eye-wateringly expensive, depending on how you play it.
We've just published a deep dive into the real, actual costs of living in Phuket in 2026 — covering everything from rent and food to transport, healthcare, visa runs, and those sneaky "death by a thousand pad thais" expenses that add up fast. 🍜
Here's what's inside:
- Monthly budget breakdowns for different lifestyles (budget backpacker to comfortable expat)
- Where locals actually shop vs. where tourists get quietly robbed
- Hidden costs nobody tells you about (spoiler: visa runs, hospital visits, and scooter maintenance)
- Smart money hacks that keep your baht working harder
- Real talk on whether Phuket is still "affordable" in 2026 (short answer: depends what you compare it to)
Whether you're thinking about moving here, already here and wondering where your money goes, or just curious how island life actually pencils out, this guide's got you covered. 📊
Read the full breakdown →💡 Quick Money Win: The 30-Day Spending Tracker
Here's a challenge that actually works: track every baht you spend for 30 days. Not to restrict yourself — just to see where your money actually goes. Most people are shocked.
- Use an app: Spendee, YNAB, or even just Notes on your phone. Pick whatever you'll actually use.
- Log everything: That 35฿ 7-Eleven iced coffee? Logged. The 180฿ pad thai? Logged. The impulse beach club day? Definitely logged.
- Review weekly: Every Sunday, look at the damage. No judgment, just awareness. Patterns emerge fast.
Why it works: You can't fix what you don't measure. Once you see that you're dropping 8,000฿/month on restaurants (true story), suddenly cooking at home sounds less boring and more like "free money." 🍳💰
FUN FACT
The Secret Language Of Thai Hand Gestures 👋
Ever notice how Thais seem to communicate entire conversations with just their hands? There's a whole silent vocabulary happening that you might be missing. 🤫
The "come here" gesture: Waving with palm down, fingers pointing toward the ground. (Palm up is considered rude — that's for calling animals, not people.) 👇
The "pointing" workaround: Pointing with your finger is impolite. Instead, use your whole hand, palm up, fingers together, or just nod your head in the direction. Subtle, but important.
The raised eyebrow: Not technically a hand gesture, but worth mentioning. A quick eyebrow flash + slight head tilt = acknowledgment, agreement, or "yes, I see you." Thai efficiency at its finest. 🤨
Once you start noticing these, you'll see them everywhere. It's like unlocking a new level of island fluency — no Thai lessons required. 🇹🇭✨
LIVING IN PHUKET
Island Finance 101: The Emergency Fund You Actually Need 🆘
Living in paradise doesn't exempt you from life's "well, that just happened" moments. Scooter accident. Visa complications. Flight home for a family emergency. Sudden job loss. These aren't theoretical — they happen to people every month.
The rule: Have 3-6 months of living expenses saved. If your monthly burn rate is 40,000฿, that's 120,000-240,000฿ sitting somewhere safe and accessible. Boring? Yes. Life-saving? Also yes. 🛡️
| ✅ Do: Keep it in a separate account you don't touch. Out of sight, out of temptation. |
| ✅ Do: Build it slowly. Even 2,000฿/month adds up. Automate transfers so you don't "forget." |
| ❌ Don't: Dip into it for "emergencies" like concert tickets or beach club FOMO. Real emergencies only. |
| 💡 Hack: Got a tax refund? Bonus payment? Unexpected cash? Emergency fund first, fun second. |
Nobody regrets having an emergency fund. Everyone regrets not having one when they need it. Be smart. Future you is counting on present you. 🙏
SPOTTED IN THE COMMUNITY / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wilson's cafe in Phuket Town in soft opening mode and taking things slow (on purpose). Orders are available on Grab, with limited numbers each day, plus walk-in takeaway only for now.
The Red Lotus Sea image from Udon Thani is a real filmed photograph, later enhanced with graphics for aesthetic purposes — not AI-generated. All work was approved in collaboration with the artist’s agency, and feedback will help shape even stronger future campaigns.
Read more →The ‘Mai Khao As One Alliance’ has successfully concluded its inaugural season, delivering real, measurable environmental impact along Phuket’s northern coastline. A strong step forward for collaboration, conservation, and a more sustainable future for Mai Khao.
Read more →OUT & ABOUT
Trooper Eats, Fitness Street Fuel 🥞💪
If Soi Ta-iad had a canteen for people who train hard and eat with intention, this would be it. Trooper Eats sits right in the middle of Phuket’s Fitness Street, serving clean, no-nonsense food that actually fills you up. Protein pancakes the size of your plate. Muscle meals with macros clearly listed. Good coffee, fast service, and that familiar post-workout buzz where everyone’s a little sweaty and very hungry.
Before: Start slow with a visit to Wat Khao Rang. It’s calm, shady, and the view over Phuket Town is quietly impressive. A reset before the chaos of the soi.
After: Head straight to Trooper Eats for brunch. Whether you’re tracking macros or just want something solid and honest, it hits the spot. You might say it’s “not wow”… and still find yourself coming back tomorrow.
While everyone's queueing for sunset at Promthep Cape, locals know better. Wat Khao Rang sits on a hill overlooking Phuket Town, offering 360° views of the island, the bay, and exactly zero tour buses. It's peaceful, photogenic, and free — the trifecta. 📸
The temple itself is beautiful (active, so dress respectfully), but the real draw is the viewpoint. Come for sunset, stay for the cool breeze and that rare feeling of having discovered something special. Bring water, maybe a snack, and your best "wow, this is actually happening" mindset. 🌅
- Location: Just west of Phuket Town, 10 minutes from the main area.
- Parking: Easy, free, and plenty of space.
- Best time: Late afternoon (4-6pm) for golden hour magic.
- Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered. It's a working temple, not a beach club.
Pair it with: Grab dinner at one of the local Thai spots in Phuket Town afterward. Your wallet and taste buds will thank you. 🍛✨
WHAT’S HAPPENING - UPCOMING EVENTS
Phuket’s weekend menu is stacked: basslines after dark, movies under the stars, slow mornings, and long brunches.
Pick your pace, mark your spot, and let the island do the rest 🌴
Looking for more? Check the full Phuket events calendar for ongoing happenings.
COMMUNITY CORNER
What's the smartest money decision you've made since moving to/visiting Phuket?
Buying a scooter instead of renting? Learning to cook Thai food at home? Finding that one local restaurant that's 1/3 the price of tourist spots? Hit reply and tell us. We'll feature the best answers next week (with your permission). 💡
Got an event, opening, or story tip? Tag @phuketcommunity_com or submit here → Google forms. We feature the best submissions every edition.
Know someone who could use better island 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. January's about building momentum — smarter money habits, better island knowledge, and actually enjoying the life you came here to live. The island's doing its part. Your turn now. 🌴💪
Stay savvy, stay sabai,
— The Phuket Community Team 🏝️
Next edition drops Friday, January 30, 2026 📅
