First Week in Phuket: A Day-by-Day Checklist
Three clocks start when you land. A visa-exempt stay lasts up to 30 days, a digital arrival card is filed for every entry, and your landlord or hotel files your address within twenty-four hours. Report your address every ninety days.
On this page
- What starts counting the day you land
- Day one: from the airport to your bed
- Day one: make sure your address is filed
- Days two and three: money
- Day three: the nearest hospital
- Day four: learn the Smart Bus
- Day five: the immigration office
- Days six and seven: school and home
- Step by step
- Common questions
- Comments
What starts counting the day you land
Three dates and one report start on arrival. Put each in your phone before you leave the airport.
| Item | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-exempt stay | Up to 30 days, tourism only | Embassy |
| Extension | Request before the permitted period ends; fee THB 1,900 | Immigration |
| Arrival card | Digital card within 3 days before arrival, every entry | Immigration |
| Address notice | The host files within twenty-four hours | Host |
| Address report | Every ninety days; 15 days before to 7 days after the date | You |
A late address report means reporting in person and paying a THB 2,000 fine. Details of the arrival card are in the TDAC guide, and entry without a visa in the visa exemption guide.
Day one: from the airport to your bed
The digital arrival card replaces the paper TM.6 and is free of charge, not a visa. Then pick your ride from Phuket International Airport.
- AOT airport bus to the city, between 8.15 and 20.15 hrs.
- Airport Bus Express to Patong Beach, between 08.00 and 20.00 hrs.
- Smart Bus airport route through Patong Beach, Karon and Kata to Rawai.
- EVme VIP Taxi from the Domestic Terminal, metered from 150 baht for the first 2 kilometers.
- Grab pick-up from the designated zones. Bolt rides to and from the airports.
Get a SIM before you leave the airport. An AIS tourist SIM for 8 days costs THB 499, and True and dtac tourist SIMs need a valid passport to register. A tourist SIM needs identity re-verification after 60 days; see the SIM and eSIM guide.
Compare the options in the airport to Patong and Kata guide and the Grab versus Bolt guide.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
222 Moo 6, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Day one: make sure your address is filed
The house-master, owner or possessor of the residence, or hotel manager, must notify immigration within twenty-four hours of your taking up residence. Section 38 puts this duty on the host, not on the foreigner. The notice can be filed in person, by registered post, or online after registering.
Currently, Phuket Immigration’s E-Service menu lists a resident accommodation notification system. The TM.30 guide and the rent guide cover what to ask your landlord.
Days two and three: money
A foreign credit card cash withdrawal at a Kasikornbank ATM costs THB 250 per transaction with Visa and THB 350 with Mastercard. Plan fewer, larger withdrawals.
To open a Thai savings account, Kasikornbank asks foreigners for a passport and a non-immigrant visa of any type, plus documents matching the purpose of entering Thailand. PromptPay needs an existing bank account linked to a citizen ID or phone number.
Sort your phone line with the SIM and eSIM guide.
Day three: the nearest hospital
Save 1669 for a medical emergency, 1155 for the Tourist Police and 191 for the Royal Thai Police. Then pick a hospital for your area.
Bangkok Hospital Siriroj offers 24-hour Emergency and Trauma Services and Dibuk Hospital is open 24 hours. Bangkok Hospital Phuket has daily professional interpreters for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Scandinavian languages and Spanish.
Take your passport: showing it is mandatory at public and private hospitals. Self-funding patients are usually asked for a cash deposit. See the full hospital comparison.
Day four: learn the Smart Bus
Smart Bus runs three routes, free to 100 baht, with contactless payment and live GPS tracking. Route 2 runs from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 via the city centre to Patong Beach at a 50 baht flat fare. The Dragon Line is a free city-centre circular route.
For the whole island, read the getting around guide.
Day five: the immigration office
Phuket Immigration Office is at 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000. It is closed Saturday, Sunday and national public holidays. Branches sit at Patong Beach, Kathu and on Srisoonthorn Rd., Thalang.
Extension applications can be booked in an online queue with documents submitted in advance. If the online queue is full, walk in for a queue card. The Phuket Immigration Office guide has hours and closed days, and the extension guide covers the filing.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
482 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Days six and seven: school and home
Families should compare the international schools and fees before choosing an area, then use the where to live guide.
If you rent from an operator letting three or more units, leases must be on the standard-form contract. Deposit plus advance rent may not exceed three months of rent on a short-term lease. With no damage, the deposit comes back within seven days of the lease ending and the landlord taking the unit back.
Photo credits
- Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Phuket International Airport on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Bangkok Hospital Siriroj on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), Phuket Immigration Office on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Felix Y, BANGKOK HOSPITAL SIRIROJ, Google Maps contributor.
Step by step
- File the arrival cardComplete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival, for every entry.
- Get from the airport to your doorChoose the airport bus, the express to Patong, a metered EVme taxi or a Grab pick-up zone.
- Make sure your address is reportedThe landlord or hotel must notify immigration within twenty-four hours of your taking up residence.
- Set up moneyA foreign credit card pays THB 250 per transaction for a Visa cash withdrawal at a K-ATM; a Mastercard pays THB 350.
- Save the emergency numbers and the nearest hospitalMedical emergency 1669, tourist hotline 1155, police 191.
- Learn the Smart BusSmart Bus runs three routes, from free to 100 baht, with live GPS tracking.
- Note the address report datesReport your address every ninety days, from 15 days before to 7 days after the due date.
Not confirmed: Whether the address-reporting rules change: check the Phuket Immigration notices before your first filing. Which SIM or eSIM to buy on arrival: compare the options in the Phuket SIM guide.
Common questions
What do I need before I fly to Phuket?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, filed online within 3 days before arrival, for every entry. It replaces the paper TM.6 card.
How long can I stay without a visa?
Visa-exempt entry is for tourism only, for up to 30 days. You may request an extension of up to 30 days, for THB 1,900.
When must I apply for an extension?
Before the permitted period of stay ends; approval is at the immigration officer's discretion.
Whose job is the address notice to immigration?
The house-master, owner or possessor of the residence, or the hotel manager, within twenty-four hours of your taking up residence. The duty is not on the foreigner.
How do I get from Phuket Airport to Patong?
Airport Bus Express runs from the airport to Patong Beach between 08.00 and 20.00 hrs. Smart Bus and Grab pick-ups also serve the airport.
What number do I call in a medical emergency?
1669. Tourist Police are on 1155, and the Royal Thai Police number is 191.
Do I need my passport at a hospital?
Yes: showing your passport is mandatory at both public and private hospitals to get treatment.
Can a tourist open a Thai bank account?
Kasikornbank asks foreigners for a passport and a non-immigrant visa of any type. Other banks have their own lists.
Where is the immigration office?
Phuket Immigration Office is at 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000, closed on Saturday, Sunday and national public holidays.
Read next
Places in this guide
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (2)
IcyMushroom8846
Going to Thailand in January for about 2 weeks. First week in Phuket and then back to Bangkok. Any recommendations for must do things while there?
OtsaNeSword
I am assuming first time to Phuket? Eat at a Phuketian restaurant in Phuket Town - either… One Chun Cafe & Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/JSVtBwzWYnF3F3Wp6?g_st=ic Or Tu Kab Khao Restaurant Phuket https://maps.app.goo.gl/zDnkrT3S5uFbBvTn6?g_st=ic Or Raya Restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/HDNu1WF2Zt3hNVAt8?g_st=ic Make sure you try the famous Phuket style stewed pork (moo hong). While you’re there, explore Phuket’s Old Town district, it’s walkable from these places. ___ See the Phuket Fantasea cultural show, and explore the attached “theme park”. Yes it’s super touristy but the show is worth seeing at least once. https://phuketfantasea.fun/eng/ ___ Go on one or two of the various boat island tours from Phuket. Phi Phi islands, James Bond Island, Similan Islands, Surin are popular ones.