🌴 Songkran, Visa Shakeups & Phuket’s Secret Low Season Sweet Spot

Hey Phuket Fans!

Ready for your weekly dose of island intel? The Phuket Community Insider Update is here — your go-to for travel hacks, event tips, and the spicy scoop on what’s really happening in Thailand right now.

This Week’s Highlights:

💦 Songkran Is Coming — And It’s Gonna Be Wild 🎉🌊
✈️ Flight Deals & Power Bank Rules You Didn’t Know About ⚡🧳
🛂 Visa Changes? TM6 Comeback? Here’s What’s Up 📄🇹🇭
🥋 Why Phuket Muay Thai Is The Real Deal — No BS Included 💥🏝️
🎶 Concerts, Fights, Stargazing, and One Epic House Party 🌌🥊🎧

Let’s dive in — before those Songkran water guns hit you first.

TOP STORY

Thinking of coming to Thailand soon? Here’s what’s actually happening.

Songkran’s coming.
13–16 April.
It’s wild. It’s wet. It’s the biggest water fight on earth.
If you’re planning to travel during that time, domestic flights are already slashing prices — up to 30% off.

Here’s what to do:

• Book early — seats go fast

• Search online — the discounts are mostly unannounced

• Don’t wing it last-minute — unless you’re into overpriced flights and no legroom

Speaking of flights… power banks.
Yeah, there are new rules.
Some airlines won’t let you carry them in your cabin bag anymore.
Check your airline’s policy before you get stuck at security looking confused.

Visa update — not great news.
If you were enjoying the sweet 60-day visa exemption + 30-day extension?
That might be getting rolled back.
Word is, it’s going back to 30 days only.
No confirmation yet, but it’s looking solid.
If you're planning to stay long-term, you might need a new game plan. More on it here.

TM6 form is back. But digital.
Remember that long arrival card they used to hand out on the plane?
It’s coming back, starting 1st May — but now it’s all online.
You’ll fill it out before arriving.
Where you’re staying, why you’re here, how long you’re in town — the usual.

Low season is here.
From now till end of May, Thailand chills out.
Less crowds, lower prices, better vibes.

Why it’s actually a smart time to come:

• Hotels are cheaper

• Tourist spots aren’t packed

• You can actually enjoy the islands without 300 selfie sticks in your face

And Phuket weather?
Shockingly decent.
Breezy. Cloudy. Not boiling hot.
One of those “didn’t expect it to be this nice” weeks.

HEADLINES

Thailand gears up for a spectacular Songkran

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is optimistic the country will earn THB26 billion from tourism over the holiday period.

BANGKOK – Thailand is preparing for a vibrant and lucrative Songkran festival next month, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projecting a staggering 26.564 billion baht in tourism revenue.

This surge is anticipated from both domestic and international travellers, fuelled by a nationwide programme of grand Songkran celebrations, including the highly anticipated Maha Songkran World Water Festival. —Continue Reading Here

Russian visitors drive Phuket tourism boom amid Chinese visitor drop

Phuket, Thailand's crown jewel of tourism, is experiencing a hotel boom in early 2025 even as Chinese visitor numbers sharply decline.

Hotel occupancy rates on the island soared to 92% in January and February, accompanied by a 15% rise in average room rates, according to the Bangkok Post.

Russian tourists have become the leading visitor group in Phuket, particularly those arriving via direct flights. In the first half of March alone, Phuket welcomed approximately 72,379 Russian visitors compared to just 14,113 from China. —Continue Reading Here

Digital Payments in Phuket: Transforming USD to BTC Transactions for Tourists

Tourists visit Phuket because of its stunning beaches, famous nightlife, and active tourism sector. Cryptocurrency adoption continues to rise in Thailand through digital payment adoption, which focuses heavily on the Phuket region. Bitcoin transactions without borders will shift how visitors transact with local vendors, leading to a better decentralised financial environment. —Continue Reading Here

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

PHUKET MUAY THAI

So, you want to train Muay Thai in Thailand… but don’t want to end up in some overpriced tourist trap?

Cool. Been there.

Phuket Muay Thai is the one spot that didn’t make me feel like an idiot with gloves on.

No fluff. No hype. Just solid training.

Here’s the deal:

• Real Thai fighters coaching you

• Beginner-friendly but no hand-holding

• Hard sessions, good people

• Zero ego, zero BS

• You’ll sweat, maybe cry, definitely grow

Location?
Rawai Beach — near food, beaches, and way too many protein shake spots.

Cost?
Fair. Not cheap like “you’ll regret it,” not expensive like “they think you’re a tourist with daddy’s credit card.”

It’s not about showing off.
It’s about showing up.

Wanna know if it’s for you?
Go try one class.
If you hate it, cool. Go get a massage instead.
If you love it, welcome to the grind.

👉 Check them out here

Done.

UPCOMING EVENTS

🎻 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

An elegant evening of classical music featuring violinist Tasana Nagavajara and guitarist Gladwin Pantastico, presented by Phuket School of Music and Pro Musica.

🗓 Date: Friday, 28 March 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Phuket School of Music Recital Studio, 81 Moo 5, 6A-2, Chalermprakiet Ror-9 Road, Wichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
🎟 Price: Adult: THB 600 | Student: THB 300

🥊 BBQ Beatdown 172 at Tiger Muay Thai

Fights, food, and fun! Don’t miss Phuket’s legendary BBQ Beatdown featuring live Muay Thai, MMA & boxing, an all-you-can-eat buffet, DJ, dance floor, and giveaways.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 29 March 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp, 7/35 Soi Tad-ied, Moo 5, Chalong, Phuket 83130
🎟 Price: THB 1,200 (pre-booking)

✨ Stargazing Night & Local Bites

Enjoy a night under the stars with farm-to-table local cuisine, free-flow drinks, and live acoustic music at the Wyndham Grand Orchard garden.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 29 March 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Live music: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
📍 Location: Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay, 8/18-19 Moo 6 Kamala, Phuket 83150
🎟 Price: THB 800 net per person (includes free-flow drinks)

🎧 Caiiro at Café Del Mar

Catch global deep house sensation Caiiro live at the iconic Café Del Mar Phuket for a night of cultural rhythms and vibrant energy.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 29 March 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM
📍 Location: Café Del Mar Phuket, 118/119 Moo 3, Kamala Beach, Phuket 83150
🎟 Price: THB 300

Sawasdee for now, Friends of Phuket!

Keep your calendars open for exciting Phuket updates. Have a story that's uniquely yours? Let's share it with the world together!

Cheers,

The Phuket Community Crew