Relocation
Relocating to Phuket is More Than a Change of Address
Relocating to Phuket invites you to vibrant island living where turquoise seas, rich culture, and modern amenities meet. Whether you want a relaxed coastal rhythm, a family setting, or an active expat scene, the island fits every lifestyle. This guide keeps your transition smooth. Compare neighborhoods, pick between condos and villas, and understand healthcare, schools, banking, transport, visas, and typical housing timelines.
With over five years of on-island knowledge and trusted local connections, we share clear advice and vetted resources that save time and help you avoid pitfalls. Explore what Phuket offers and make this paradise your home.
Book a Consultation
Start your Phuket plan with clear local guidance. We tailor every session to your goals, budget, and timeline. Choose a 30 or 60 minute call on Zoom or meet in Phuket Town. We listen first, then outline practical next steps you can use right away. Get clarity on neighborhoods, housing, visas, schools, healthcare, banking, transport, and real cost of living. Leave with a simple action plan and trusted contacts so you can move forward with confidence.
Ready to begin? Book your consultation now and tell us your preferred date, time, and any questions you want answered.
About Phuket
Welcome to Phuket in one place. This page gives you a clear picture of the island so you can plan with confidence. Use the top menu to explore four essentials: History, Climate, Population, and Geography. Learn how trade shaped Old Town and local culture.See when dry months and green months arrive with a simple month by month view. Understand who lives here and how communities and religions shape daily life. Get the lay of the land from hills and forests to more than 30 beaches.
Whether you are relocating, investing, or visiting, start here to match your plans with real conditions on the ground. When you are ready, open each section or check the live weather for today.
Education in Phuket
Phuket has a mix of public, private, and international schools. Local Thai schools follow the national curriculum (taught in Thai), but most expat families choose international or bilingual schools. These offer British, American, French, Finnish, or Montessori-style education, usually in English or a mix of languages.
Most international schools run from preschool all the way through high school, with globally recognized diplomas like IGCSE, IB, or AP. Campuses tend to be modern, with smaller classes, creative programs, and a strong focus on well-being, plus the bonus of being surrounded by nature and eternal summer. Whether you’re here short-term or settling in long-term, Phuket’s school scene has plenty to offer.
Thailand Visas
Thailand offers several visa paths for short stays and long stays. This page explains the main options used in Phuket, including tourist, education, business, marriage, retirement, and long stay programs. You will find entry requirements, documents, timelines, renewals, 90 day reporting, and work permit basics. We also highlight common mistakes and simple ways to avoid delays with immigration and consulates.
Use this guide to choose the right route for your goals and budget. When you are ready to plan your next steps.
Phuket Healthcare
Phuket has a wide range of private hospitals and clinics, many of them with English-speaking staff and high international standards. Most expats and long-term visitors choose private care because it’s faster, more comfortable, and more reliable than the public system, but it’s also more expensive if you don’t have insurance. Health insurance is a must. Whether you’re here short-term or relocating for good, a solid policy can save you thousands in case of emergency or even routine treatment. Many expats go with international insurers like Cigna, Aetna or Pacific Cross.
Pharmacies are everywhere, and most common medications are available over the counter. You’ll also find plenty of English-speaking general practitioners, pediatricians, dentists, and specialists on the island so no need to travel to Bangkok for general inquires. If you’re moving with kids, it’s worth checking vaccine guidelines and choosing a family-friendly hospital. Bangkok Hospital, Siriroj and Dibuk Hospital are the three most popular hospitals among expat families.
Housing
Phuket has a split personality. Think North, South, East, and West, plus a few must know spots: Kathu in the center, Phuket Town in the center east, and Cape Panwa on its own peninsula. Each pocket attracts a different crowd. Families, nightlife fans, wellness seekers, luxury travelers, laid back beach people, and community builders all find their corner. Every area has a distinct vibe.
If you are relocating or scouting, match your lifestyle and budget to the right base. Check commute times, school access, beach quality, and noise levels. Decide what matters most to you: space, schools, surf, nightlife, views, or quiet. Shortlist two or three areas, stay a few days in each, and see how the daily rhythm feels. The map will narrow itself.
Cost of Living
Let’s talk costs. Phuket isn’t as cheap as many expect. Recent immigration, rising prices, and higher housing demand have pushed everyday expenses up. Schools are near capacity, with new campuses opening to meet demand. There is no single figure. Every household is different, shaped by lifestyle, area, and season. Our guidance aims for a realistic middle. Some spend more, others spend less.
Bottom line: Phuket is not cheap. Yet your money often goes further. Many residents trade a similar overall spend for more space, more time, more help, and a richer daily life. This is especially true for families with children in school. Do not plan on spending less. Plan on getting more for what you already spend.
About Us
This isn’t your dreamy travel blog. We’re not here to sell you coconut-scented fantasies or filtered sunsets. Phuket to the Face is a straight-up, experience-based guide for anyone trying to figure out life on this island. Whether you’re relocating, already living here, or touring the island. We’ve done relocation more than once, as children, adulst, and parents. With years of living in different countries and over five years in Phuket, this guide is built on real questions, real trial-and-error, and real answers.
It covers neighborhoods, schools, visas, doctors, nigh-life, driving, shopping, weather, costs, and all the in-between details you only learn after actually living here. No marketing fluff. No vague “living the dream” quotes. Just clear, useful information for real people. So whether you’re planning your move, already unpacked but still confused, or simply visiting and curious, welcome. You’re in the right place.
