Phuket is a popular destination for digital nomads and it's no surprise why thanks to its stunning beaches and islands, vibrant nightlife and food scene, and affordable cost of living. Here is a digital nomad guide to Phuket:
1. Visa requirements for digital nomads in Thailand
2. Best co-working spaces in Phuket for digital nomads
3. Unmissable things to do in Phuket for digital nomads
4. Best places to eat in Phuket
5. Best places to go for a night out in Phuket
6. Most serene places to relax in Phuket
7. Where to find affordable accommodation for digital nomads in Phuket
8. Where to go pamper yourself on a staycation in Phuket
9. Internet and connectivity for digital nomads in Phuket
1. Visa requirements for digital nomads in Thailand
Aussie citizens can currently enter Thailand for up to 45 days without filling out any paperwork. If you wanna stay a little longer, the Smart Visa allows you to stay for up to four years to work, the Elite Visa allows you to stay for five years and enjoy a suite of VIP services, and the Long-Term Residents Visa allows you to stay for ten years and enjoy a variety of other benefits for digital workers.
2. Best co-working spaces in Phuket for digital nomads
Phuket has several co-working spaces that cater to digital nomads These spaces offer high-speed internet, comfortable workstations, meeting rooms, and community events. Here are our two top picks:
Lub D Phuket Patong
Want to work from a spot that is fun and packed with a great social scene? Check out Lub D Patong Phuket!
Conveniently located just 2 mins walk from Patong Beach, Lub D has everything that you need to work and party all in one spot. Lub D has a spacious co-working space that is open 24 hours so even if you're a night whose productivity peaks at 4 a.m., you'll have facilities to work in.
If you need a caffeine fix to fuel your work day, Lub D serves all day breakfast with free-flowing coffee from its in-house bar and cafe Tropics Bar. It even has an in-house pool in which you can take a dip during your work day.
With social events like beer pong and pool competitions, pub crawls through Bangla Road and live music, Lub D is a great place if you wanna work and make new mates.
Flamingo
Want a change of scenery? Check out Flamingo! Flamingo is the only beachfront coworking space in Phuket with scenic views of Ao Yon Bay, Panwa.
There are daybeds and spacious tables facing the beach for you to spread out your workstation. If you get sick of the sun, there are also working areas indoors.
If you get hungry or thirsty throughout your work day, there is also an in-house bar and cafe that serves a range of cocktails and coffee as well as a service restaurant that serves both Thai and international cuisine.
If you're not keen to work and socialise in a shared space, Phuket also has a thriving cafe scene which means you can still find lots of quieter spots to work. Most cafes even have free Wi-Fi, making them ideal places to work from. Some of the best cafes for digital nomads include Bookhemian, Feelsian Cafe, The Shelter Coffee and HOUSE Cafe,
3. Unmissable things to do in Phuket for digital nomads
When you're not working, Phuket has plenty of amazing things to explore, from island hopping around Phuket to visiting some of Phuket's cultural sites.
Go island hopping to Phuket's famous James Bond Island
Made famous by the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, James Bond Island is now an unmissable part of Phuket. But it's not one of the only beautiful islands surrounding Phuket, there are also the hidden lagoons and mysterious sea caves of Panak Island and Hong Island which you can paddle through. For a convenient way to explore the islands, join the James Bond Island Day tour.
This tour will also take you to Koh Panyi. Koh Panyi, which is a small floating village occupied by Muslim fishermen, is famous for its floating football pitch. This island village is famous for its floating football pitch which was inspired by the 1986 World Cup.
Visit Big Buddha
Big Buddha is one of Phuket's most iconic landmarks and is a symbol of peace and unity. It's located on top of Nakkerd Hill so it'll take you around 300 steps to get to the top but the walk is worth it with stunning views of Phuket's coastline and surrounding islands.
Get dazzled at Simon Cabaret Show
Simon Cabaret Show is Phuket's famous cabaret extravaganza since 1991 featuring extravagant costumes and glamorous ladyboy dancers.
Their flashy costumes are not even the most vibrant part of the show. Be prepared to be taken on a wild journey with songs and dances from traditional Thai culture to covers of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance and Britney Spears' Toxic. You can even meet the dancers after the show and take a photo with them for a 100 baht tip. Simon Cabaret show is an unforgettable experience for sure!
Get personal with rescued elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the only World Animal Protection-approved elephant sanctuary in Phuket. This ecological park is home to 14 re-homed elephants. During your visit, you'll hear heartwrenching but also heartwarming stories about how the elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary were rescued from previous abuse and exploitation from the logging and tourism industry. You'll also get the opportunity to feed some of the elephants.
Entrance costs go towards the rehabilitation of these elephants.
4. Best places to eat in Phuket
Phuket has a vibrant food scene, with plenty of street food stalls, local markets, and international restaurants that digital nomads can enjoy. Some of the best local dishes to try include boat noodles, green curry, and tom yum soup.
Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market
Whether you're a foodie, shoppers, or just looking for a chill evening out, Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market is not to be missed! It's a bustling night market located in the heart of Old Town along the famous Thalang Road. It runs every Sunday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
One of the best parts of this market is the wide variety of delicious Thai street food such as fried seafood, Pad Thai, coconut sticky rice, Ahpong, O-Aew skewers, and Thai milk tea.
This market also sells a wide range of local products, such as handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. It's a great place to find unique gifts and souvenirs, as many of the items are handcrafted by local artisans.
7-Eleven
A popular go-to spot for quick and cheap bites is 7-Eleven and they're EVERYWHERE. 7-Elevens in Thailand in particular is known for its huge selection of ready-to-eat meals, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even alcohol! You can find everything from traditional Thai dishes like papaya salad and noodles to international foods like burgers and hot dogs.
A food you have to pick up from the shelves is the viral 7-Eleven toastie - it's perfect for brekky, as a snack or even a hangover recovery meal. Some may even say it's a rite of passage for digital nomads in Thailand. There are 30 flavours to choose from. The classic ham and cheese toastie and the chocolate croissant toastie were our top picks! They'll even heat up your toasties for you at 7-Eleven so you can eat your fresh toastie on the run.
5. Best places to go for a night out in Phuket
Bangla Road
When the sun goes down, the infamous Bangla Road comes alive! It's famous for its nightclubs, bars, and shows that offer something more. It's the most unhinged road in Phuket and will definitely make for an unforgettable night out. There are numerous bars to choose from which makes Bangla Road perfect for a pub crawl. These bars and clubs cater to a variety of music tastes from pop to EDM to R&B. Some of the most popular nightclubs include Illuzion, White Room, and Tiger.
Old Town Phuket
Not only is Old Town Phuket renowned Sino-Portuguese architecture, and cultural and historical sites, it's also home to lots of great street food, Phuketian dining experiences like the famous Tu Khab Khao restaurant, and creative dessert spots like Torrey's Ice Cream.
There are also many classier cocktail bars in Old Town Phuket compared to Bangla Road. Popular cocktail bars include Dibuk House, Club No. 43, and No. 69 Cafe & Bar.
Zimplex Mixology Laboratory
If you're up for a crazy shot experience like no other, look no further than Zimplex Mixology Laboratory. Zimplex is one of the most underrated bars in Phuket. You'll be completely mesmerised as the bartenders use science to prepare mind-blowing shots in front of you, it's almost like a magic show!
No bar in Phuket takes creative concoctions of cocktails as seriously as Zimplex - their shots are almost too pretty to drink. Although it's located outside the Phuket nightlife scene but is absolutely worth the visit.
6. Most serene places to relax in Phuket
Being a digital nomad can be stressful sometimes. Feeling burnt out from work? Pop into one of these spas to relax and rejuvenate.
Oasis Turquoise Cove Spa at Kamala
Oasis Turquoise Cove Spa is a serene and tranquil oasis that offers a range of treatments from Traditional Thai treatments, as well as international therapies such as Swedish massage and hot stone massages. You can enjoy massages, facials, body scrubs, and wraps.
Address: 71/10, Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand
Cannabis Massage at Prima Wellness & Spa
For a unique de-stressing experience, you should try a cannabis massage. Prima Wellness & Spa has many treatment options but our favourite massage was the one that uses cannabis-infused oils cos it was next-level relaxing.
CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. It is also thought to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can aid in the reduction of stress and anxiety.
Address: 95 Muen-Ngern Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand
7. Where to find affordable accommodation for digital nomads in Phuket
Phuket has a range of accommodation options for digital nomads, from budget guesthouses to luxurious villas. You can find affordable long-term rentals on websites like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Agoda. Popular areas to stay in Phuket include Patong, Kata, and Rawai.
8. Where to go pamper yourself on a staycation in Phuket
Want a private and peaceful escape from the bustle of Phuket? Go on a staycation!
There are many stunning world class resorts around Phuket suitable for digital nomads. Here are our top picks:
Crest Resort
Crest Resort and Pool Villas is a luxury resort located in the serene Kathu district but is just a 5 minute drive from Patong Beach. It's the perfect spot for a rejuvenating staycation thanks to the location and range of facilities that Crest offers. Take a sunrise or sunset dip in the infinity pool that wraps around the hotel.
If you wanna enjoy Thai food without leaving the villa, there are also a few dining options. Indulge in a breakfast buffet at PANO lounge. You can enjoy a range of international breakfast foods from fresh noodles, congee, hot soy milk and curries to pastries, toast and pancakes with breathtaking views of Patong Bay and the Andaman Sea. At night check out DIVA Sky which is a rooftop bar with views of Phuket Island, live music and a dinner buffet featuring a delicious seafood and meat barbie.
Cape Panwa Resort
Cue the White Lotus theme song!
If you're up for a beach escape away from tourists, go to Cape Panwa Resort. It's got its own beautiful private beach as well as a tram that takes you down from the resort to the beach. There's a beach-side bar slinging summer cocktails, sun beds to tan on, and a cute beach swing for your IG pics. And if you're starting to get sunburnt, take a break under the shade of the many coconut trees on the resort.
Cape Panwa is the place to be if you're after a staycation of tropical serenity. The rooms also offer breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea from their spacious balconies.
9. Internet and connectivity for digital nomads in Phuket
Phuket has an extensive 5G network, so working from a different ‘office’ every day is very much possible. Most hotels, cafes, and co-working spaces in Phuket have high-speed internet, with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. You can also buy a local SIM card from providers like AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove H, which offer affordable data plans.
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