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Hey Phuket crew,
Week four of 2026 and the island's hitting its stride. High season's in full bloom, beaches are packed by 10am, your favorite cafes have wait lists, and everyone's either training hard or recovering from training hard. It's that beautiful Phuket chaos where January sun meets February momentum, and honestly? We're here for it. ☀️
This week, we're diving deep into Fitness Street (is it actually worth it or just Instagram hype?), flagging the events that'll make your weekend, and sharing the culture shock that separate tourists from the people who've figured this place out.
Grab your morning coffee (or afternoon Chang, we don't judge ☕🍺) and let's get into it!
WEATHER IN PHUKET
Peak sunshine season continues ☀️🌊 Highs around 32-33°C, light breezes, and zero excuses for staying indoors.
- Weather: Peak high season continues with 32-33°C, brilliant blue skies, and exactly one dramatic afternoon storm to keep things interesting. Humidity? Yes. Worth it? Also yes. 🌤️
- Roads: Chalong Circle remains the island's favorite parking lot between 4-6pm. Plan accordingly or embrace the scooter zen. 🛵
- Vibe check: Chinese New Year energy building—expect special menus, red decorations everywhere, and that pre-festival buzz in the air. 🧧
- This weekend: House legends, networking vibes, and enough brunch options to make choosing genuinely difficult. Keep scrolling. 👇
SPONSORED BY: HAWOOK
Thailand will start issuing visas to foreigners investing in real estate.
For years, the question has hovered quietly over coffee tables and condo showrooms: Can owning property in Thailand actually lead to long-term stay?
Now, the answer has shifted.
Thailand has begun piloting a new long-stay visa in Phuket that links residency directly to property ownership and, surprisingly, even long-term rental. Buy a qualifying condominium from 3 million THB and you unlock a renewable long-stay visa. No border runs. No tourist-visa gymnastics. Just the ability to live here, year after year, with simple annual renewals.
Family members can be included. Entry and exit are unrestricted. And for those not ready to buy, a one-year prepaid long-term rental from 85,000 THB per month may also qualify.
Right now, this program is limited. Phuket only. One major developer. Early-stage rules. Which is exactly why people are paying attention.
Hawook is helping buyers and renters understand what’s real, what’s possible, and how to move correctly while this window is open.
Curious? Start the conversation here 👉 Whatsapp
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: TMT VISA SERVICE
If you’ve ever felt that familiar knot in your stomach when the word “immigration” comes up, you’re not alone. It’s one of those island life admin hurdles we all face sooner or later. This week’s business highlight, TMT Visa Service Phuket, exists to quietly take that stress off the table.
TMT has been part of the Phuket community for years, helping locals, expats, retirees, digital nomads, and long-stayers navigate visas, extensions, passports, and paperwork without the drama. What people consistently mention isn’t just speed or efficiency, but communication. Clear timelines. Line updates. A team that actually answers questions and explains what’s happening, in plain English.
With offices in Cherngtalay, Patong, and Rawai, they’re easy to reach wherever you’re based. Whether it’s a retirement visa, DTV, extension, or sorting documents you’ve been avoiding, they’re the kind of professionals you’re glad to have in your corner.
If smoother admin sounds like your love language, learn more or get in touch here:
👉 https://www.tmtvisaservicephuket.com/
Less stress. More island time. 🌴
STORY OF THE WEEK
Is Fitness Street Actually Worth It? 💪
(A Grounded Look at Soi Ta-iad)
Soi Ta-iad (aka Fitness Street) has become Phuket's answer to the question: "What if an entire street was dedicated to getting absolutely shredded?" Instagram loves it. Influencers film there. But does it actually live up to the hype if you're just a regular person trying to stay fit? 🤔
We spent time there, talked to locals, sampled the gyms, ate the meals, and got the real story. Spoiler: It's neither the fitness Disneyland nor the overhyped tourist trap people claim. It's somewhere wonderfully in between.
Here's what we found:
- The gyms that actually deliver (and the ones that are just pretty)
- Where to eat pre and post-workout without breaking the bank
- Real costs breakdown: day passes, monthly memberships, meal plans
- Who Fitness Street is actually FOR (hint: not everyone needs this vibe)
- The hidden community culture that makes the street special beyond just the workouts
Whether you're thinking about training there, curious what all the fuss is about, or just want an honest take on one of Phuket's most Instagrammed ripped & rugged streets, this deep dive has you covered. 🏋️
Read the full investigation →TOP STORIES FROM THE ISLAND & KINGDOM
Election Commission bans selling or serving alcohol from 6pm 31 Jan to 6pm 1 Feb for advance voting, with up to 6 months in jail
Read the full story →The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching an unconventional tourism initiative for 2026 with Thailand UFO Days, a festival exploring extraterrestrial phenomena at the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Nakhon Nayok province.
Read the full story →Thailand has confirmed it has detected no Nipah virus cases so far, but has tightened airport screening for passengers arriving from India’s West Bengal state.
More details →Following the success of EDC 2026, held just last week from January 16 to 18, Future Vibes, the developer and operator of international music festivals in Thailand, together with Insomniac, the global dance music experience curator and creator of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), announced the return of EDC Thailand for its third edition.
Full story →Thailand’s “Amazing Thailand x LISA” campaign is driving a surge of Thai and foreign visitors to Udon Thani’s Red Lotus Sea at Nong Han Lake, with TAT expecting at least 120,000 visitors from Nov 2025 to Feb 2026.
More details →📢 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
Phuket Is Thailand’s Biggest Island 🌴
Phuket often feels like a small island. Familiar roads, favourite cafes, faces you start recognising. But here’s the skinny: it’s actually Thailand’s largest island, stretching over roughly 543–576 square kilometres. That’s almost the size of Singapore! How island home is pretty damn big.
Which explains a lot. Why one day you’re sipping coffee in Old Town, the next you’re chasing sunsets in Rawai, and somehow still discovering new beaches years later. Phuket isn’t just one place, it’s a collection of mini worlds stitched together by hills, coastlines, and very determined scooters.
So if island life here sometimes feels surprisingly expansive, that’s because it is. Phuket gives you small-town familiarity with big-island freedom.
Not bad for a place most people think they’ve “seen” in a week. 🌊
LIVING IN PHUKET
The Art of Slowing Down 🏝️
The Quiet Culture Shock: Learning to Slow Down in Phuket.
Nobody warns you about this one. Moving to Phuket doesn’t just change your address, it quietly rewires your sense of time. Things move slower here. Not inefficient-slower. Intentionally slower. The coffee takes longer. Messages go unanswered. Appointments drift. At first, it feels chaotic. Then, one day, it feels… human. 🐢
Common moments every newcomer experiences:
“Tomorrow” doesn’t mean tomorrow: It means not today. Could be morning. Could be next week. Breathe.
No sense of urgency: Repairs, deliveries, replies all arrive on island time. Stressing doesn’t speed them up.
Smiles before solutions: Small talk comes first. Rapport matters more than efficiency.
Plans stay flexible: Rain, traffic, family, or vibes can change everything. And that’s normal here.
Island wisdom: Phuket rewards patience. The faster you stop trying to control the clock, the faster you start enjoying your life. Learn to leave earlier, expect delays, and let conversations wander. This isn’t lost time. This is where the good stuff hides. 🌊
SPOTTED IN THE COMMUNITY / ANNOUNCEMENTS
We’ll be closed on Saturday, 31 January for a private event. Bookings remain open, and we’ll be back to welcome you as usual on 1 February 🌊✨
Last seen at HOMA Cherngtalay wearing a blue-white collar — USD $10,000 reward for safe return. If you’ve seen Gordon or have info, please contact the number on the poster immediately 🦎🙏
More info →Join the Breast Cancer Awareness Bootylicious class on Saturday, 14 February at 9:30AM. Limited spots, raffle tickets available — all proceeds go to breast cancer charity ⚡🎗️
More info →OUT & ABOUT
Edo Ramen, Phuket Town
I’ll admit it. Lotus’s car park doesn’t usually scream hidden gem. But Edo Ramen tucked inside Lotus’s near Central Phuket is the kind of place that humbles your expectations. Over 600 Google reviews and a glowing 4.9 later, I get it. Proper, comforting ramen. Generous bowls, clean flavours, sushi and donburi that go way beyond a “quick shop lunch”, and prices that feel refreshingly fair. The vibe is calm, family-friendly, and quietly confident. Park the trolley, sit down, and suddenly you’re very glad you did.
Before: Wander Phuket Old Town, grab a coffee on Thalang Road or swing past Wat Chalong if you’re coming from the south.
After: Finish the day with errands at Lotus’s.
See the full menu at edoramenthailand.com 🍜
Saturday nights at Mamba Phuket get going fast. From the first bass drop, the room knows what it’s here to do. YOLO is the headline, but the night quickly becomes more than just a name. It’s an indoor club with a slick setup, rotating DJs, live elements, dancers, and a crowd that actually came to stay. The energy builds naturally as the night goes on. Staff are sharp, drinks arrive quickly, and somewhere between the wings and the second track drop, you realise you’re in it for the long haul.
It’s also home to Afro Thursdays and Afro Sundays, which have quietly become a rhythm of their own on the island. For lineups and what’s next, head to mambaphuket.com.
Best for: Big-dance energy, birthday crews, and anyone chasing a proper indoor club night.
WHAT’S HAPPENING - UPCOMING EVENTS
From headline DJs to long brunches and easygoing meetups, this weekend in Phuket is stacked from sunset to Sunday roast.
COMMUNITY CORNER
This Week's Question: What would you tell a friend before they book a one-way ticket to Phuket?
Hit reply and share. We'll feature the best responses next week (with your permission, of course).
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That's it for this week. February's knocking on the door with Chinese New Year vibes, festival energy, and that perfect high-season momentum. The island's alive. Make the most of it. 🌴✨
See you next Friday,
Stay savvy, stay sabai,
— The Phuket Community Team 🌴
Next edition drops Friday, February 6, 2026 📅
