Phuket, Thailand

Patong Beach / Suttong.com 2026

A Sun Soaked Stop in Phuket, Thailand As our ship anchored just off Phuket’s west coast, we could already see the curve of Patong Beach glowing in the distance—white sand, deep blue water, and a sky so bright it felt like midsummer, even though it was mid January. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, famous for its tropical coastline, and depending on which source you check, home to more than three dozen beaches. 

Once ashore, we planned a simple stroll along the waterfront. What we forgot—coming straight from the calm, orderly experience of Singapore—is that Phuket greets visitors with a very different kind of energy. The moment we stepped onto the street, local vendors approached with offers of tuk tuk rides, souvenirs, and beach gear. They were friendly and persistent, but we had our own plans for the morning. 

A shopping alcove along the shore walk

Before exploring too far, we needed a quick refreshment stop and a bit of local currency. At the time, one U.S. dollar was worth roughly 30 Thai Baht (THB). Prices along the main tourist strip weren’t exactly bargain level, but a 7 Eleven appeared early in our walk—perfect for cold drinks and a buffer from the heat. 

A little farther on, we spotted something unexpected: a Swensen’s Ice Cream shop perched right across from the beach. Americans may remember Swensen’s as a nostalgic chain from decades past, but in Asia it’s thriving, with hundreds of locations and extravagant sundaes that blend Western indulgence with local flavors. It was a fun, familiar surprise in the middle of a very different cultural landscape. 

A welcome ice cream break

Beautiful Beach near the port

Phuket was just one stop on our route—Malaysia awaited next—but we enjoyed the island enough that we returned to Thailand again a week later when we visited Bangkok.

A few notes—be sure to check current information online, as things can change.

Phuket is roughly the same size as Singapore. It’s both an island and a province of Thailand.

The currency is the Thai Baht. In January 2026, I was charged an $8.24 ATM fee to withdraw 100 THB; fortunately, my bank waives ATM fees.

Wi-Fi and mobile service (5G) were available immediately—we use Google Fi.

Electricity is 220 volts. According to my online research, outlets commonly accept plug types A, C, and O, but not the UK type.

Flights from Bangkok to Phuket take about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Tourism is the main industry here, with peak season in December and January.

A popular tourist site is the Big Buddha, though we didn’t visit it.

In 2026, Thailand required an entry form to be completed before disembarking.

About the Author

Geoffrey W. Sutton has a PhD in psychology and writes about psychology, culture, and travel.

Website: https://www.suttong.com/

Amazon Author: https://author.amazon.com/home

ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoffrey-Sutton-2

Academia Page: https://evangel.academia.edu/GeoffSutton

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