Before you Arrive
Visa
Many nationalities can get a 30 day visa on arrival in Thailand. Many visitors who want to come here for a longer residential stay get a multiple-entry non-immigrant visa, which is valid for one year, but requires that the visitor holder leaves the kingdom at least one time every three months. Check with your local Thai consular representative for the type of visa that best suits your requirements.
Money
The local currency is Thai Baht, which is weighted in a basket of currencies of which the US dollar is the main component. Currently the Baht is trading in the range of 30-35 Baht for one US dollar. Banks in Thailand are open from 08:30 to 15:30 Mon-Fri, but money changing booths in major tourist centers may still open till as late as 23:00 daily.
ATM machines are common and safe to use. However visitors should be cautious when using credit cards in transactions, especially in small hotels, shops, bars and restaurants. There seems to be a considerable amount of data theft. Make sure you have the emergency contact telephone number of your card issuing companies in case things go wrong. Credit card majors report huge losses to fraudulent use of credit card data in Thailand.
Health
World Class medical facilities are available in Phuket, and increasingly foreign visitors are taking advantage of the high levels of skill of Thai medical staff, relatively low cost of services and near zero waiting time for basic treatments. Getting a comprehensive health check up at either the Bangkok Phuket Hospital (66 7625 4425, www.phukethospital.com) or the Phuket International Hospital (66 7624 9400, www.phuket-inter-hospital.co.th) can be done on a walk-in basis.
Unless visiting a remote border area near Burma (Myanmar) or Cambodia, it is not necessary to have an anti-malaria injection before arrival. Better protection against malaria is afforded by using repellent oil and sleeping in accommodation protected by nets or screens. Even the most rudimentary bungalow resorts on the Andaman coast provide mosquito nets. Most resorts have screened windows.
Other standard protection, such as keeping up with innoculations for tetanus or typhoid, are recommended, but they are no more necessary for Thailand than they are for travel to other countries in the region.
Sun Protection
Visitors who are not used to tropical sun should cover themselves with a sun cream with a factor of at least 15 (30 is recommended) several minutes before exposure to sunlight. Because local sunscreen may contain skin-whitening agents, for those who want to get a good tan, it is recommended that they buy a sufficient quantity of skin-care products in their home country before arrival.
Transportation
Phuket International Airport is increasingly being served by direct flights from various destinations, but many visitors will find it necessary to transfer via Bangkok. Limousine, taxi and minivan services are available on arrival at Phuket International Airport. Fares to major tourist destinations should vary from between 10 to 20 US dollars one way. An hourly (approximately) bus service operates from the ramp outside the departure lounge of the airport to Phuket City during daylight hours.
Local transportation is by small minibus, open-sided local buses (cheap and fun) or by rental transportation. Car rental majors (Budget, National, Avis) are located at the airport, and smaller agencies are found in town and elsewhere. The most convenient form of transport is to rent a small local motorcycle (rates are from 5 to 8 dollars per day), but riding motorcycles is extremely dangerous on Phuket's roads, especially for those who are new to the local style of driving. Though many foreigner visitors do ride motorcycles, it is recommended that visitors treat this option with extreme caution. With fatality rates amongst motorcyclists between 9 and 14 per month, and injuries from accidents numbering in the thousands, Phuket's roads are the most dangerous in the kingdom for motorcycle riders.
Weather to go
It is a myth that Phuket is only good for the high season. Phuket is now a year-round destination. Attractions in Phang Nga Bay to the east of Phuket are sheltered from the full strength of the southwest monsoon by the land mass of Phuket and mainland Phang Nga Province. In many ways Phuket island is much nicer during the low-season. It is far less crowded and hotel prices are slashed, sometimes by more than 50%. Everyone seems more relaxed. Though there are more cloudy days, overcast weather provides perfect conditions for more gentle tanning (sunscreen is still necessary!).
The only disadvantage is that on occasions major storms (no hurricanes as yet, however) blow in with continuous rain and high seas for several days at a time. However there are far more days with intermittent sunshine and distant, localized storms on the horizon, or overcast conditions. The weather is normally mild and changeable.
When major storms do blow in, red flags are flown on the beaches. Under no circumstances go swimming in the sea, period! Every year a few unfortunates choose to downplay the threat of the strong undertows during stormy weather in the southwest monsoon season (May-October) and pay with their lives!