Essential information for Phuket

When to go

No matter what time of year you visit Phuket, the area’s tropical climate means you won’t be cold. Between November and February you’ll find the cooler temperatures of between 23°C and 30°C, paired with dry days that are just perfect for basking in the sun. The heat climbs from February to May, with temperatures reaching the higher than 35°C and humidity rising as the monsoon season approaches.

From mid-May through to October the wet season takes over, but with temperatures remaining around 29°C and rains often sporadic, this can be a great time to scout out cheap Thailand holidays. September and October are the wettest months, while showers earlier in the rainy season tend to be intense but finish quickly, with the sunshine drying beaches out in no time.

Health and safety

It’s important to drink bottled water throughout your stay, as the tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink. It’s also recommended that holidaymakers going to Thailand get vaccinations for Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B and in some cases Rabies before setting off, as well as ensuring all your usual UK jabs are up to date, such as MMR. Visit your GP at least eight weeks before you travel, as some jabs need to be spaced out in multiple doses over a few weeks.

As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family on your trip.

If you’re visiting Phuket specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your insurance covers this. See our holiday extras page for more information and for the latest health and safety information visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/health.

Passports and visas

British citizens can obtain a visa exemption on arrival in Thailand, which allows you to stay for up to 30 days. Visitors wishing to stay for longer than this will need to apply to do so at their nearest immigration office. Do note that as well as your passport needing to be valid for six months past the date of your arrival, you may be refused entry if there are pages missing from your passport or it has been badly damaged.

For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements.

Getting around

Phuket International Airport is right next to a beach, and you’ll start and end your holiday here with a spectacular view of those famous white sands. As Phuket is a small island, no matter where you’re planning to stay you can guarantee your transfer will take no more than an hour, with most popular destinations only 30 minutes away.

Most tour operators include transfers as part of package holidays to Phuket, so getting to your resort is easy. But if you’re navigating your own way around the island then rest assured it won’t be hard or costly to hail a taxi or tuk tuk to get where you need to go.

There are local buses to and from various places on the island, which start at around 50THB a trip and, like transfers, will never take more than an hour to get from one place to another. The buses are not air-conditioned, however, so if you’re travelling with children an affordable taxi is often recommended instead.

Advice for travellers with children

Phuket’s size means that everything you need or would like to see on your holiday is never far away, so there’ll be no lengthy journeys posing a challenge with the little ones. Beaches here are almost entirely made up of clean, gently sloping sands that lead into warm waters, ideal for paddling in.

Book an All Inclusive Thailand holiday and you’re guaranteed to have family-friendly dining options included in your stay, but outside of resorts the boom in international tourism means you shouldn’t struggle to find familiar western foods to please any picky eaters.

Electricity

Connector type: Two or three-pin, type A, B, C, F and O Voltage Info: 220V

Emergency information

The Thai Tourist Police respond to emergencies in a number of languages, and are the best number to call should you need the police while you are away.

Tourist Police: 1155 General Police: 191 Ambulance and Rescue: 1554 Fire: 199

Do note that without travel insurance, using Thai medical services will be very expensive, even if it’s an emergency.

British Consulate

If you’re a victim of crime or affected by a crisis overseas, or if something happens to a relative or partner contact the British Honorary Consulate in Thalang.

British Honorary Consulate Address: Palm Plaza, 55/1 Bandon-Cherngtalay Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Email: martin.carpenter@fconet.fco.gov.uk Tel: 076 615 862 (Monday to Friday 1pm to 4.30pm) Fax: 076 615 863

Hospitals

There are excellent medical facilities in Phuket, and they are used to tourists so language barriers are not a problem.

Bangkok Hospital Phuket Address: Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat, Phuket Telephone: +66 76 254 425

Phuket International Hospital Address: 44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road, Phuket 83000 Telephone: +66 76 249 400