What to Do and Avoid in Phuket
Like in any country, there are a few do’s and don’ts everyone should respect and a few things you should not do in Phuket. Some are petty and casual, some are serious and could lead to real trouble. Many of them seem so obvious we shouldn’t even have to mention them. And yet, people often do things outside their country they would never consider at home.
Some rules below are legal requirements, and breaking them results in fines or worse. Others are cultural practices that locals value deeply. A few are simple safety measures that protect you and the environment. Whether you’re planning to explore temples, rent a motorbike, swim at beaches, or shop at markets, knowing these do’s and don’ts helps you avoid expensive mistakes, stay safe, and show respect to the place and people you’re visiting. Also, let’s add that Patong is not like the rest of Thailand, so it’s a little more easygoing than the rest of the island, but once you go out of Patong, people might frown at you.
Cultural Respect
DON’T Disrespect the Royal Family
The Royal Family is hugely respected in Thailand, and any sign of disrespect can have serious consequences. This applies to conversations, social media posts, and any public statements. During your holiday, you might be surprised how deep this respect is. Everyone stands up before the movie at the cinema when the national anthem starts playing. It’s only a minute, but stand, please. In Bangkok, and even more so in Chiang Mai, the national anthem plays in the streets at 8 am and 6 pm. Absolutely everyone freezes instantly, and that’s how you spot the tourists: those who keep moving with a puzzled expression on their faces.
DON’T Wear Shoes Inside Temples or Houses
Leaving your shoes outside is well known, and you probably already remember seeing a bunch of shoes abandoned in front of houses and temples. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense not to bring the outside dirt inside, especially in Thailand, where people tend to sit or even eat on the floor. If you stay in Thailand long enough, you might even start doing it back in your home country. Note that nowadays, you don’t need to take off your shoes in most shops or offices, but in doubt, look in front of the door: if there are shoes, do it too or ask.
DON’T Visit a Temple in Short Clothes
Temples are highly revered religious places, and it seems common sense to dress appropriately. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to see people casually walking in with sleeveless shirts or revealing skirts. Please wear at least a T-shirt with sleeves, and skirts or shorts that reach knee level. Remove hats or caps. This dress code is only strictly enforced in a few temples, such as the Grand Palace in Bangkok, but theoretically, the same applies to every temple in Thailand. Monks live on temple grounds, so please have some respect.
DON’T Touch a Monk
It may sound strange, but you should not touch a monk. That is how it has always been. If you see a monk in the street, always give way. Monks are very respected in Thailand, people step aside, and so should you.
DON’T Touch Someone’s Head or Point Your Feet
The head is considered sacred in Thai culture, whilst the feet are seen as the lowest part of the body. Pointing your feet purposely at someone is considered disrespectful or even insulting, with feet being in contact with the dirt of the ground. Thai people are generally friendly and not confrontational, so no one will tell you to remove your feet from that seat in front of you, but they will frown upon it.
DON’T Take Buddha Images Out of the Country
A few years ago, it was considered ‘cool’ to have a Buddha image, a statue, carving or even a Buddha head on a spike. These are religious items and not decorations. Shops still sell those attractive golden or elegantly carved stone items, and some people always buy them. Unless registered, authorities may confiscate your Buddha statue or image if found in your luggage at the airport.
DO Learn Basic Thai Phrases
Locals appreciate it when tourists make an effort to speak a few words in Thai. “Sawasdee” (hello), “Khop Khun” (thank you), and “Mai Pen Rai” (no problem) go a long way. Add “Krap” (men) or “Ka” (women) at the end to be polite.
DO Be Courteous and Smile
Thailand is called the Land of Smiles for a reason. A smile can defuse most situations and opens doors everywhere. Thai people value politeness and a calm attitude, so avoid raising your voice or showing anger in public, even when frustrated.
Beach and Marine Safety
DON’T Ignore Beach Warning Flags
Red flags mean no swimming under any circumstances. Yellow flags indicate swimming with caution, only between flags where lifeguards are present. Swimming during the monsoon season is a serious matter; people drown every year, and it’s not how you want to end your holidays. Always respect the red flags.
DO Take the Monsoon Season Seriously
Between May and October, rip currents can pull even strong swimmers away from shore. If caught in a rip current, don’t panic or swim against it. Swim parallel to shore until free, then swim back to the beach at an angle. The west coast beaches are most affected during this season. If you travel during the low season, do yourself a favour and pick a hotel with a good swimming pool.
DON’T Feed the Fish
It’s common to be surrounded by colourful fish when swimming on an island near Phuket. Feeding them seems like a nice gesture, but beyond that simple act are ecological consequences you can’t see at first. Fish behaviour changes and they rely on humans to survive, and they stop cleansing the coral below, which starts to die. Bread contains yeast, which also causes constipation and frequently kills the fish. In protected areas, it is illegal and could get you a year in prison or a 100,000 Baht fine.
DON’T Collect Coral or Shells
It doesn’t look like much, and it can even make a nice souvenir, but shells and coral are protected. You are not supposed to take anything home. When snorkelling or diving, don’t stand on coral either. It damages ecosystems that take decades to recover.
DO Use Sunscreen
The sun in Phuket is strong, even on a cloudy day. Don’t ruin your chances of a nice, smooth suntan on arrival day by overexposing yourself without sunscreen. Take it easy the first days, trust us, you will get a better tan. At marine parks, use reef-safe sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, as these chemicals damage coral reefs. Many national parks now ban non-reef-safe products.
Motorbike Safety
DON’T Ride a Motorbike Without Experience or a Proper Licence
Driving a ‘motorbike’, as mopeds are called here, is fun, cheap and offers amazing freedom to explore Phuket. However, driving here comes with new challenges and risks. Most of the road rules from your country don’t apply here, the roads can be treacherous and too many people don’t realise they had one drink too many before jumping back on their bike. Rental shops will accept your country’s driving licence, but in case of police control or an accident, you need an international driving licence. Riding without it can mean fines up to 10,000 Baht and invalidates your travel insurance. Read more
DO Wear a Helmet at All Times
Both riders and passengers face fines up to 2,000 Baht for not wearing properly fastened helmets. More importantly, head injuries are the leading cause of motorbike fatalities in Thailand. Always wear one, no exceptions.
DON’T Leave Your Passport as Collateral When Renting
Some rental shops will ask for your passport as a deposit. Never hand it over. Carry a photocopy instead, or leave a cash deposit. Your passport is the only document that proves your identity, and getting a replacement while abroad is a hassle.
Shopping and Money
DO Bargain Respectfully at Markets
Haggling is part of the experience at markets and street stalls. Start at around 60-70% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. Keep it friendly and smile. If you don’t reach an agreement, walk away politely.
DON’T Bargain Everywhere
You may bargain at the market and go as you feel comfortable, but don’t even consider bargaining at the convenience store or shopping mall. You should bargain for your bike rental, mainly if you rented it for several days, but not for international car rental brands. Fixed-price shops, restaurants with written bills, and established stores don’t expect haggling.
DON’T Fall for Common Scams
Avoid jet-ski rentals where operators claim you caused pre-existing damage. Jet ski riders are often victims of accidents or major scams involving huge, unjustified fines. Stay away from them, it’s not worth it. Be cautious with tuk-tuks offering extremely cheap tours, as they usually end up at gem shops or timeshare presentations. If a deal on gems or jewellery seems too good to be true, it definitely is. Read more
DON’T Overpay for Tuk-Tuks
Negotiate the fare before getting in, as drivers often quote high prices to tourists. Tuk-tuks in Phuket are not metered, so agreeing on a price in advance is essential. For longer distances, ride-hailing apps or minivans are almost always cheaper. Read more
Dress Code and Behaviour
DON’T Walk Around Without a Shirt
Unless you live in a coastal town, would you walk without a T-shirt in the streets of your hometown? You probably wouldn’t. While it’s OK in Patong and other tourist beaches, wear a T-shirt inland or in Phuket Town. If you ride a bike, it’s even worse. Yes, it has this relaxed feeling when you drive topless, but it will be a ‘bloody painful’ feeling if you fall on the road.
DON’T Engage in Excessive Public Displays of Affection
Holding hands is fine, but kissing and hugging in public are frowned upon, especially near temples and in more traditional areas. Thai culture values discretion in these matters.
DON’T Sunbathe Topless
This is taboo in Thailand and will make locals uncomfortable. It applies to all beaches, including quieter ones that may seem secluded.
Tours and Wildlife
DON’T Book Tours Based Solely on Price
Extremely cheap tours often cut corners on safety, boat maintenance, and staff training. A small saving is not worth the risk. Book with reputable operators.
DO Check if National Park Fees Are Included
Popular destinations like Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island require entry fees of 400-500 Baht per person, often excluded from budget tour prices. Always ask before booking so there are no surprises on the day.
DON’T Ride Elephants
What was considered casual entertainment a few years ago is slowly changing, and riding an elephant is now considered animal cruelty. Elephants are respected, intelligent animals, and riding them creates stress. The new trend is to visit a sanctuary or rehabilitation camp, feed the elephants and see them play by themselves in the water and mud. The same goes for other animal displays: zoos, dolphin shows or tiger kingdoms. It is best to avoid them.
DON’T Take That Selfie with Protected Wildlife
Those slow lorises and cute gibbons you see people carrying around for photos? These are endangered species, and taking that photo is highly illegal. You encourage the trade and make things worse for the species. Be smart and just don’t.
Health and Practical Tips
DON’T Drink Tap Water
Most people would not drink water from the tap anyway, but a frequent question many people ask is: can we drink water from a pitcher at the restaurant? Is it safe to drink with ice cubes? Yes, it is. Ice and water at restaurants always come from filtered water and ice delivered in the morning, but it’s better to avoid drinking water from the tap.
DON’T Overstay Your Visa
Overstaying your visa in Thailand is a serious offence. Fines start at 500 Baht per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht. Longer overstays can result in detention, deportation, and being banned from re-entering Thailand for years.
DO Try Local Food
Yes, Pad Thai is excellent, and you can finally get one or three. But remember to be adventurous and try a different dish every day. Thai cuisine is varied and affordable, and Phuket is famous for its excellent seafood. Try local specialities like Mee Hokkien (Hokkien noodles), Roti, and fresh seafood from local restaurants. Street food stalls are a great way to discover authentic flavours at very low prices.
DO Explore Beyond Your Hotel Beach
Phuket has over 40 beaches, dozens of temples, colourful markets, and a fascinating Old Town. Staying at your hotel pool the whole trip means missing out on what makes the island special. Rent a car for a day or join a local tour to see the real Phuket.
DO Respect the Environment
Dispose of rubbish properly, avoid single-use plastics when you can, and stay on marked trails during hikes. Phuket’s natural beauty depends on visitors treating the island with care. Small actions add up.
