Phuket Travel Tips

Health in Phuket

All you need to do is exercise a few basic precautions and you should have no worries about your health in Phuket. No particular vaccinations or inoculations are officially required before you enter the country, unless you do so from an area where an infection is rife.

Check your route with your local consulate or embassy in case there are necessary inoculations. Ask to be protected against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, malaria and typhoid. Once in Thailand, don’t drink tap water.

Venereal diseases – notably AIDS – are prevalent so take care if engaging in casual liaisons. The official position on rabies is that there’s no rabies in Phuket. However, you’re advised, if bitten by any animal, to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you take anti-malarial tablets before travelling, it is still possible to contract malaria, so if you feel feverish when you return home contact your doctor immediately, mentioning where you’ve been in Thailand. One other significant mosquito–born disease is dengue fever. Dengue symptoms appear more quickly than malaria; if you experience flu–like symptoms while still on holiday, seek medical advice.

You’re more likely to be exposed to malaria or dengue in remoter areas; always take sensible precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Afternoon and evening are the heaviest mosquito hours.

The biggest source of hospital patients in Phuket has nothing to do with diseases. Motorcycle accidents keep both casualty departments and intensive care units busy. Think hard before you hire and drive a motorcycle.

Phuket Hospitals

Medical services in Phuket are generally of a high standard, with two international–standard hospitals and a range of public and semi–private hospitals and clinics. See useful telephone numbers for contact details. Although there are medical facilities in the surrounding areas, if you’re taken ill you’re advised to get yourself to a hospital in Phuket.

Not everyone who finds themselves in hospital in Phuket is a victim of accident or disease, though. Over recent years, hospitals here have been doing a roaring trade in breast implants, nose and chin jobs and even ’gender reassignment’ operations. It seems combining some surgery with a week or so relaxing in a tropical resort, while the more obvious and uncomfortable after-effects wear off, is becoming increasingly popular.

Thais working in the tourism business are used to dealing with foreigners – usually referred to as ‘farang’. This doesn’t mean that they like everything they see and hear. Politeness goes a long way – as does keeping your cool. Thailand’s a hot country and it’s a world away from the western way of thinking – things take time, so be patient. Never, ever get into an argument with locals. Walk away and count your losses later. Wounded pride is better than a stay in hospital…

Phuket society is a mixture of Buddhist and Muslim communities; in both cultures nudity or excessive ‘romantic’ behaviour are no-no’s, so don’t be tempted to sunbathe nude; for the girls, you’re advised not even to sunbathe topless, although there are some areas where this is tolerated – although illegal. Best advice is to be aware of what’s going on around you and follow suit. Sex on the beach is a delightful cocktail and a successful tune – but in Thailand the real thing will get you arrested if caught.

The head is the most revered part of the body; don’t ruffle anyone’s hair unless you’re intimate friends. The feet are the ‘lowest’ part of the body and yours should NEVER be pointed at a Thai – especially at his or her head. Feet on the table are totally BAD! Try to remember this one all the time.

When you’re about to enter a small shop or other place of business, take a look at the floor outside the door. If you find shoes scattered everywhere, add yours to them. Thais don’t wear shoes indoors – to them this is the height of ‘dirtiness’; some extend this to their place of business.

You’ll be surprised how just a little awareness of Thai customs puts you head and shoulders above the average tourist.

Phuket’s weather is very different from that of other main Thai resort destinations – and almost exactly opposite from that of Koh Samui.

1. Dry season (roughly December – March) influenced by the northeast monsoon. December – February is generally the coolest time of the year.
2. Rainy season (roughly April – November) influenced by the southwest monsoon. The hottest time of year is April/May and the wettest is September/October. Oddly, some of the best weather – clear blue skies interspersed with tropical downpours – comes in June/July/August, and that’s when Phuket is at its greenest and most beautiful. But if ‘no rain’ is your thing, avoid the rainy season – but be prepared to pay high season rates.

Mean temperatures: Air – 30-40°c. Sea – 27-31°C

Clothing: Lightweight clothes are suitable for every season, every time of day. There are no places on Phuket or the surrounding areas that require formal dress. Long trousers are useful during the evenings to protect your legs from mosquito bites, but the best protection is to apply repellent.

Time zone: GMT + 7hr

As a tourist here for a couple of weeks or less, trying to use Thai can be frustrating. Most Thai people you’re likely to meet in Phuket will be able to speak at least some English and, because Thai is a tonal language, unless you get your tones spot-on, you’ll have a hard time being understood in Thai. But it’s always a good idea to show willing, so we suggest you learn three phrases really well:

Hello: (if you’re a man) Sawadee Krap (if you’re a woman) Sawadee Kar

Thank you: (if you’re a man) Kop Koon Krap (if you’re a woman) Kop Koon Kar

Goodbye: This one’s really easy – same as hello…

If you want to learn more, we recommend that you wait until you’re here and find a friendly waiter or bartender and get them to teach you a few more phrases; imitation really is the best way to pick this language up, but avoid trying to use individual words on their own – it just doesn’t work.

If you plan on staying longer, or if you really are determined to shine language-wise during your holiday, there are numerous online resources for learning Thai. Find one that suits you best.