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Sawadee krap/ka, Phuket people! 🌺
March is heating up in every sense of the word. This week the island had a UFO moment, a hard-landed plane, and a seriously good excuse to eat steak. Oh, and there's a super pod of 120 dolphins up north that deserves way more attention than it's getting.
Weekend looks packed with beach parties, live music, and a few events you'll genuinely regret missing. Let's get into it.
Hot and sunny week ahead with highs of 35°C and occasional nighttime thunderstorms.
Still hot. Very hot. Bangkok just opened 255 cooling centres and Phuket isn't far behind. SPF 50+, hydrate like your life depends on it (it does). 🌴
Air India Express from Delhi made a hard landing on March 11, leaving the plane stuck on the runway. Everyone walked away fine, but it was a rough week for the tarmac.
Middle East crisis update: 1,116 Thai nationals evacuated. Petrol and diesel prices rising gradually from Wednesday 18/3. Your grocery bill will reflect it.
Desiree at YONA Friday · Music on The Beach Saturday · Central Cee at Illuzion Sunday. Plus snow crab, drum & bass, and a free foam party. Scroll for the full lineup. 👇
See a Side of Phuket Most Tourists Entirely Miss
If you've never tried scuba diving, here's some good news: you don't need to be super fit, fearless, or an ocean expert. You just need Andy's Scuba Diving. 🤿
Andy's is a boutique, low-volume PADI dive centre in the Rawai / Nai Harn area. Small groups mean more attention, more support, and a calmer experience. No rushing. No pressure.
They offer try dives, Open Water courses, advanced training, and fun dives, plus free hotel transfers. Seeing Phuket from underwater — coral, colourful fish, a quiet peaceful world — is something special.
Phuket bonus: If you're nervous, tell your instructor. Good dive pros are basically underwater confidence coaches (with fins).
What Was That Light Over Phuket?
On Sunday March 15, residents across Phuket looked up and saw something they couldn't immediately explain. A bright streak of light appeared to shoot down from the sky, catching on camera phones island-wide and sparking a wave of social media speculation that hasn't entirely settled yet.
Theories have ranged from meteor fragments to re-entering satellite debris, military activity, and, naturally, things considerably more extraterrestrial. Official comment has been thin on the ground.
Whether it was space junk burning up or something else entirely, Phuket's skies served up a genuine talking point this week. The island rarely needs help being dramatic.
▶ Watch the footageAround 120 bottlenose dolphins were spotted near Tachai Island on March 16 in what marine biologists are calling a "super pod" formation. A rare and encouraging sign for the Andaman's marine ecosystem. If you're planning a Similan Islands trip soon, keep your eyes on the water.
Their Majesties the King and Queen completed a state visit to the Lao PDR from March 16–18, strengthening ties between the two nations.
A month-long campaign featuring premium Australian beef and lamb paired with Thai flavours, running across ten leading Phuket restaurants. Think: wagyu with nam jim jaew. You've still got time. Find a restaurant →
If you have friends or family in the capital, the city opened 255 cooling centres to help people cope with this week's extreme heat. The heat is real and affecting the whole country.
On March 11, an Air India Express flight arriving from Delhi made a hard landing that left the aircraft disabled on the runway. No passengers or crew were injured, but the incident temporarily disrupted flight operations and caused delays across the board while the plane was cleared.
Flights are back to normal — but always check your status before heading to HKT in high season. Full story →
As of March 17, 1,116 Thai nationals have been repatriated from the region. The crisis has triggered what officials are calling "oil panic" — the government confirmed petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices will gradually increase from 18/3. If you've been wondering why your local noodle vendor raised prices recently, this is partly why.
For Phuket residents: keep an eye on fuel prices, check with your airline before booking routes through the Middle East, and no need to panic-buy (please).
We reach 4,000+ readers every Friday. If it's happening on the island, we want to know about it.
Submit here →Finding Phuket's Best Night Markets
Night markets are one of those things that make living in Thailand genuinely special. The food is cheap and incredible. The atmosphere is buzzing. And somehow, you always end up buying a coconut and a questionable T-shirt you'll never wear.
Some are touristy and packed with souvenir tat. Others are local gems — a full dinner for under 200 baht and a vintage Thai movie poster you didn't know you needed. Old Town Sunday market for Sino-Portuguese charm, Chillva for the creative crowd, Naka for sheer chaos, and a handful of lesser-known spots most visitors never find.
We put together a proper guide: the best night markets in Phuket — from the famous ones to the ones only locals know about. Which to hit, which nights they run, what to eat, and how to spot the stalls worth queuing for.
Read the Full Night Market Guide →And if we missed your favourite stall, tell us. We'll eat there next week. 🍢
Surviving Phuket's Extreme Heat
March through May is Phuket's furnace season. The kind of heat that makes you reconsider every life choice that led you outside before 4pm.
Beach time before 10am, errands after 4pm. The 12pm–3pm window is for air-conditioned cafes, pools, or aggressive napping.
Carry water everywhere. Electrolyte packets at every 7-Eleven are a game-changer. Dizzy or headachy? You're already behind.
Loose, light-coloured, breathable fabrics. Cotton or linen. Your black skinny jeans can wait until December.
Central Phuket and Central Floresta have aggressive air-con. So do most hotel lobbies. The Aquaria aquarium is cool and dark. Libraries exist.
Even cloudy days hit "extreme" UV here. Reapply every 2 hours outside. Your future skin will thank you.
🥭 Pro tip: Frozen fruit from any street vendor is your best friend. A bag of frozen mango or watermelon for 20–40 baht is basically tropical air conditioning you can eat.
🧊 Bonus tip: Freeze a wet towel and drape it over your face and neck when you get home. Instant relief. You're welcome.
Openings & Announcements
Spanish vibes, live percussion, and a tapas buffet at Pintxo — Native Tapas Terrace.
Classic car caravan + charity dinner supporting the Phuket Marine Biological Center. International buffet and mini-concert included.
Up to 70% off across Jungceylon, featuring the "Nong Joong" lobster mascot. A community initiative to promote Phuket as a safe and vibrant destination.
"Sourced here, Served here" — celebrating fresh catch from Phuket's local waters and the Thalang community.
Reset your energy with a community yoga session overlooking the Andaman Sea.
Jok, But Not As You Know It
Go Benz · Phuket Town · Michelin Bib Gourmand ⭐
If you think jok is just a soft, quiet breakfast, Go Benz will change your mind. This Michelin Bib Gourmand spot flips the script with its famous dry rice porridge (khao tom haeng) — fluffy rice topped with crispy pork, minced pork, offal, and a perfectly soft egg, with a rich peppery broth served on the side.
This is late-night food. The kind you crave after a long day or a few drinks. Expect queues, quick turnover, and a room full of locals who already know exactly what to order.
After: Slow walk home or straight to bed — no shame either way
Order tip: Don't skip the crispy pork. Go heavy on garlic.
15:00–23:00 · YONA Beach Club, Patong
Market Place — Snow Crab Season
18:00–22:00 · Courtyard by Marriott, Phuket Town
Alan Dixon
21:00–04:00 · Illuzion Phuket, Patong
17:00–23:30 · Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort
Sanctuary
19:00–22:00 · Maya Beach Club, Bang Tao
Mixology Unleashed | Penicillin
20:00–23:00 · InterContinental Phuket, Kamala
Open Movies Night
18:30–21:30 · Open Kitchen
Drum & Bass
22:00–02:00 · Mamba Phuket
Caiiro
23:00–03:00 · Café del Mar Phuket, Kamala
13:00–17:00 · Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, Cape Panwa
The House of Paradise
14:00–19:00 · Barra Cuda Phuket, Patong
Destino
19:00–02:00 · Maya Beach Club, Bang Tao
Central Cee
21:00–23:30 · Illuzion Phuket, Patong
March 28, 22:00–04:00 · Café del Mar Phuket, Kamala
Toni Varga
March 28, 23:00–04:00 · Shelter Phuket
David Morales Discotape
March 29, 21:00–04:00 · Illuzion Phuket, Patong
Full events calendar: phuketcommunity.com/events →
A traditional Thai cultural show worth experiencing — the kind of event that reminds you there's more to this island than beach clubs and brunch. Check details and availability on the official Thailand tourism site. More info →
This Week's Question: How Are You Surviving the Phuket Heat? 🥵
Pool dips? Mall marathons? Frozen mango addiction? Hit reply and help the rest of us stay cool. Best tips get featured next week. 🧊
Got an event, opening, or story? Tag @phuketcommunity_com or submit here → We feature the best submissions every edition.
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Phuket Community is a free weekly newsletter for locals, expats, and travellers. We're on the island, we're independent, and we're here to help you live it better.
Stay salty, stay connected. See you next Friday!
— The Phuket Community Team 🇹🇭
Next edition drops Friday, March 27, 2026
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