While not mandatory for, say, a relaxing day on a sandy beach like Patong, sea shoes (water shoes) are highly recommended for a trip to Phuket, especially for island-hopping boat tours, snorkeling, or exploring rocky, un-groomed beaches. They protect against sharp corals, sea urchins, jagged rocks, and hot sand.
Water shoes are also a great addition to your beach vacation packing list if you plan to do a lot of water activities. Many of the beaches in Phuket have rocky seabeds and corals, so water shoes will offer optimal protection and grip so you can snorkel away in peace.
For safe swimming, we recommend diving with necessary protection, but in many diving spots near Phuket it's not necessary. What danger might you face if you swim without special footwear? Most commonly, you might step on a sharp coral or a sea urchin.
Much like the clothing mentioned above, unless you have a special event lined up while you're in Phuket, you will only need casual footwear. Think trainers, very light shoes, sandals, and flip-flops. Unless you're planning on doing endless hiking day in and day out, trainers should suffice instead of hiking boots.
In Phuket, DO respect local culture (dress modestly at temples, wai locals, smile), bargain politely, use sunscreen (bring your own!), and be cautious with scooters and at night; DON'T disrespect the monarchy, touch heads, point feet at people, get drunk in public, swim near red flags (monsoon season), or leave your passport as deposit for rentals.
Best Places for Shopping in Phuket, Thailand - Bangla Road, Chillva Market, Designer Bags, Clothes
What to be careful of in Phuket?
Venturing to Unsafe Areas
Some easy things not to do in Phuket at night are walk alone through empty side streets, accept drinks from strangers, or leave bars with new acquaintances. Stay in well-lit, populated areas and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps. Always travel in groups and watch your drinks.
Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code currently reads as follows: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
As a sign of respect and a practical measure to keep dirt out, you should remove your shoes when entering a Thai home or temple. This is also the case when frequenting a restaurant or business that doubles as someone's house. If in doubt, check if shoes have been left at the entrance and follow the crowd.
A short-sleeved button down shirt and dress shorts will be fine for men, with a summer dress for women. Swimwear – Phuket's beaches are its biggest attraction, making it important that you have good swimwear. Pack two swimsuits so you can hang one set out to dry while you're at the beach or in the pool.
Jelly fish season in Hua Hin runs from June to October and the nasty stingers are especially prevalent after rainfall. Take care entering the water, carry vinegar to treat stings, and make full use of your hotel's pool if you need to.
Phuket is always warm, with the coldest being 24-26 celcius after a thunderstorm but generally, it's best pack for the tropical heat! Bring along: Light loose clothing: Cotton t-shirts, summer dresses, shorts, linen shirts, lightweight clothes and easy-to-dry clothing are essential in Thailand.
The tap water in Phuket is different from Japan. It is not safe to drink directly from the faucet, even in high-end hotels. (Locals also avoid drinking tap water.) While it is not potable, tap water is fine for washing your face, brushing teeth, and showering.
Is it better to walk on the beach with or without shoes?
Many people prefer to walk barefoot on the beach, but if you're going to be out for a while, shoes should be worn. And we don't mean flip-flops! Wearing flimsy sandals or no shoes at all can increase your risk of injury since the feet and ankles aren't supported.
The amount you tip should vary with the service and length of time the tour guide is with you. For great guides who have been with a group the whole day, it's not unusual for them to be given upwards of 1,000 baht – a large amount for someone who will only earn around 15,000 per month.
Try to avoid stepping over anyone, especially in crowded places. Stepping over someone is seen as disrespectful and can cause offense, as it implies disregard. Don't Touch or Sit on Buddha Statues: Avoid touching, climbing, or sitting on Buddha statues or sacred items.
"It's a nonissue," said Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette expert with Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. "On short flights, you should keep your footwear on for the entire flight." For longer flights – anything over four hours – it's OK to take off your shoes, especially if you're trying to sleep.
Thailand is no different and the list of antiquated ways to stray afoul of the law in Bangkok includes: It is illegal to leave the house without wearing underwear It is illegal to drive a motorised vehicle bare-chested It is illegal to use a durian fruit as a weapon and a fine will be levied determined by how many ...
What is the Foreign Business Act 49% in Thailand? The 49% rule under the Foreign Business Act means foreigners may generally own up to 49% of a Thai company unless a higher ownership is approved under specific conditions.
▼ Is everything split 50/50 in a Thai divorce? Only marital property (Sin Somros) is split equally when the court divides the estate (civil code sections 1533–1535). Personal property (Sin Suan Tua)—owned before marriage or received as a gift/inheritance, stays with the owner if proven (section 1471).
