Studying and living in Phuket: how to adapt to life on a Thai island?

Life in Phuket

Alexandra moved to the beautiful Thai island of Phuket seven years ago, and her friend Elena followed her footsteps six months later. Both women have adapted well to their new lifestyle, and now they have their own families and successful businesses. They shared their impressions of life in Phuket over the years with a journalist.

Education in Phuket

Education in Phuket opens up numerous opportunities: for children, it's a chance to get into the world's renowned universities, and for parents, it's an opportunity to successfully settle in Thailand. Phuket is famous for its many international schools where children are taught to high standards. Graduates can continue their studies at higher education institutions in the USA and the UK.

Choosing an educational institution

When choosing an educational institution, parents usually pay attention to the reviews of families who already have experience studying at different schools. There are many groups on social networks like Facebook where educational institutions and the quality of education provided are actively discussed. In these communities, you can ask any questions, and as Elena and Alexandra note, users often provide comprehensive and detailed answers.“Some even analyze the proposals of educational institutions for you!”— they add. One of the key factors when choosing a school is the presence of international accreditation.

Curricula

Although there is no unified curriculum for all schools, they develop their educational programs based on common standards. These can be either the American or the Cambridge education system. Among the most well-known educational institutions in Phuket, we can highlight:

• British International School
• Phuket International Academy (PIA)
• Head Start Phuket
• SI International School
• Kajonkietsuksa School
• Oak Meadow School Phuket
• Palm School Phuket
• The Rawai Progressive International School

Many of these schools start teaching children from one and a half to two years old.

Classes and tuition fees

In classes with 15 students, there is usually one teacher and several assistants. Every year, there is a turnover of teachers, as well as an increase in tuition fees, which is related to the growing workload on the teaching staff. On average, the cost of education for one child is about$400per month, and discounts are often offered for the second and subsequent children.

Adult education

It is also worth noting that education in Phuket is available not only for children but also for adults. Education and obtaining a student visa provide many people with the opportunity to legally reside in Thailand. Almost every school that offers language instruction can issue a student visa. Moreover, there are educational institutions that focus exclusively on visa issues without offering language courses.

Age and learning conditions

Enrollment in such educational institutions is available at any age, even for those who have reached the age of 60. The cost of education in these institutions is approximately from$1.5to$1.7thousands per year, including all associated expenses such as visa renewal.

Student visas for parents

In addition, higher education institutions and colleges also provide visas for their students. In such cases, parents can obtain a accompanying visa, allowing them to stay close to their children in Thailand. This process opens new horizons for families wishing to provide their children with a quality education and a comfortable life in this exotic country.

Visa regulations for entering Thailand

Entry into Thailand is governed by specific visa regulations that allow tourists to stay in the country without a visa for 30 days. However, there is an option to extend this period by an additional 7 days, with a fee required for the extension.60 US dollarsAt the immigration center. If you plan to stay in Phuket for a longer period, you should consider the different types of visas that may meet your needs.

Types of visas for staying in Thailand

• Tourist Visa:Allows you to stay in the country for up to90 daysIt should be noted that it can only be obtained twice in a row. If your plans require a longer stay, it is worth considering other options, such as a long-term visa.
• Student visa:Suitable for those who are focused on studying at local educational institutions, whether it's language courses, cooking classes, or sports schools. Usually, the cost of such a visa starts from600 dollarsin six months of training.
• Guardian visa:Intended for parents whose children study at international schools in Phuket and have student visas. To obtain it, a minimum amount must be available in the bank account.$15,000.It should be noted that work on this visa is not permitted.
• Work visa:Intended for foreign workers, it becomes available after the employer processes the necessary documents. The initial cost of obtaining a work visa is900 dollars.
• Investor visa:It is required for long-term residence. To obtain it, you need to invest in real estate, government bonds, or bank deposits an amount of at least10 million bahtApproximately300 thousand dollars).
• Retirement visa:It requires meeting certain conditions. Such visas also have their own requirements, which is useful to familiarize yourself with in advance.

Employment opportunities

Russian-speaking expats often find work in the tourism sector; however, it should be noted that there may be restrictions for certain professions. A broader range of employment opportunities opens up for intellectuals and entrepreneurs looking to find work in the capital of the country. Job searches can be conducted through specialized groups on social media, as well as websites dedicated to employment in Thailand.

Don't forget that a basic knowledge of English will significantly increase your chances of successful employment.

Conclusion

If you plan to stay in Thailand for a long time, you should carefully explore your options to ensure a comfortable stay in this beautiful country, enjoying its culture, traditions, and unique nature.

Visa for retirees

A visa for citizens over fifty opens up many new doors and opportunities. The main requirement for obtaining it is having a bank account in a Thai bank with a minimum balance of at least25 thousand US dollarsThis type of visa needs to be renewed every year. Most often, this visa is obtained by retirees from Europe, allowing them not only to stay in Thailand but also to make investments in the real estate sector. Many of these retirees choose to purchase several properties: one villa for living and a few additional ones for future rental.

Elite visa

In addition, there is a categoryelite visaa visa that can be issued for a period of five to twenty years, depending on the size of the initial deposit. This visa allows for unlimited border crossings and long stays in Thailand. This feature is especially relevant for freelancers and affluent individuals who frequently travel to the country. Elite visa holders also enjoyVIP servicessuch as:

• airport transfer;
• assistance in preparing documentation;
• support in communication with local authorities.

Starting a business in Thailand

When it comes to entrepreneurship, starting a business in Thailand is not that difficult, but it is recommended to work with local lawyers. Setting up a company in Phuket will be easier if you have a lawyer who is well-versed in local legislation and speaks Thai. The lawyer will take care of preparing all the necessary documents, and the foreign citizen will only need to provide their passport.

Requirements for a local partner

It is important to note that every company must have a local co-founder who, according to Thai laws, must ownat least 51% of the sharesLawyers can help find a suitable partner and resolve all bureaucratic issues.

Starting a business in Thailand

In Thailand, there is a simplified process for starting your own business, implemented through a legal structure known as a Thai limited liability company (LLC). Registering such a company involves completing certain steps.

• Obtaining a business visa.
• A team must consist of at least three shareholders.
• Company name registration.
• Preparation of founding documents.
• Order printing for the company.
• Payment of a registration fee of 0.05% of the authorized capital.

After that, it is necessary to submit an application for the creation of the company and register it with the Department of State Revenues, as well as obtain a taxpayer identification number (TIN).

The medical system in Thailand

It's important not only to understand the business aspects but also to familiarize yourself with the nuances of life in Thailand, including the healthcare system. In Phuket, the cost of medical services is quite high, although the quality of care is generally at a good level.

• Initial doctor's appointment and tests:They can cost several thousand dollars.
• Simple operations:For example, an appendectomy can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Despite this, most medical institutions, both public and private, offer high-quality services. Public hospitals have their advantages: patients here generally do not receive excessive treatment — they are prescribed only the necessary medications and procedures, after which they are sent home.

Patient experience

In private clinics, they provide round-the-clock access to services, use advanced technologies, and have modern buildings. Alexandra Chirkina shares her memories of her experience when her little one was hospitalized: "When my child was one year and three months old, he fell ill with severe bacterial pneumonia. A regular consultation with the doctor led to the need for hospitalization. We spent five days in the hospital, and during that time, we received top-quality medical care. We didn't even have to move through the corridors — the doctors came to us, and even the ultrasound was done in the room."

Language barrier and medical institutions

In most cases, interactions with healthcare professionals take place in English. However, if a patient encounters a language barrier, they may need the assistance of a translator, although one is not always available in every clinic.

• Bangkok Hospital Complex.
• Phuket International Hospital.
• Vachira Hospital.
• Patong Hospital.
• Khalang State Hospital.
• Missionary Hospital of Phuket.

Health insurance for foreigners

Foreigners in need of medical services are advised to arrange health insurance in advance. Such policies typically cover emergency hospitalization and may include a wide range of medical services, including dental care.

The best solution would be to obtain standard insurance in your home country for traveling abroad for the first six months. Considering that Thailand is popular among tourists, insurance policies issued outside the country are accepted by local medical facilities. After this period, you can arrange for new insurance right on site.

Adaptation and tips for moving

Usually, the most valuable advice and recommendations come from those who have already adapted to life in a new place and have gone through all the stages of moving. Let's start with a key topic — the cost of living. For a family of three, it would be more practical to move for a longer period, for example, a year, rather than just limiting it to one month.

This recommendation is based on the fact that homeowners and car owners typically offer discounts for long-term rentals, which positively impacts the overall family budget. The same applies to educational institutions.

Housing selection

When choosing accommodation, it's important to consider that foreign citizens usually avoid areas popular with tourists. Prices for housing in such zones can reach up to30–50%above average rates. However, this is not the only factor taken into account — the distance to the notorious tourist flows is also important.

More advantageous and acceptable rental options start from320 dollarsper month. It could be a small studio in a condominium with basic amenities. For an amount of about500 dollarsIn a month, you can find:

• a one-bedroom apartment in a complex with minimal amenities;
• a two-bedroom cottage without security.

Budget for rent

If your budget is in the range of500 to 1000 dollarsyou are given the opportunity:

• rent a two-bedroom apartment in a residential complex with developed infrastructure;
• to get a three-bedroom house in a gated community.

In the more expensive segment of housing, you can find penthouses or modern homes with multiple bedrooms and a private pool, most often with a magnificent sea view; their prices start from1500 dollars.

Affordable housing options

It should also be noted that in Phuket, you can sometimes find rental listings with prices starting from200 dollarsper month. However, these will most likely be offers from locals who post ads on poles, and such options typically have limited amenities. Additionally, there is also more expensive housing that is not always considered by those planning to move permanently.

Transport capabilities

When it comes to public transport, it's worth noting that the urban transport infrastructure in Phuket is not very well developed. Tourists mainly choose tuk-tuks, but frequent taxi rides can significantly impact your budget. Therefore, if you plan to stay in this place for an extended period, it's better to consider acquiring personal transportation.

The most popular way to get around the island is by renting a scooter. Renting a basic motorcycle will cost from60 to 100 dollarsper month, while more powerful models cost about150–200 dollars.

An alternative could be renting a car. An old car, aged5–10 yearsYou can rent for an amount starting from320 to 420 dollarsper month. While a modern sedan, no older thanfour years, will cost480–650 dollarsbased on the brand and technical condition.

Educational opportunities

There are many educational institutions in Phuket offering school education. The institutions vary in price and quality of education, providing a wide range of options.

Conclusion

Life on the island of Phuket, as described by Alexandra and Elena, vividly demonstrates how one can adapt to new conditions and build a successful existence far from home. Their stories are not just about moving to an exotic country, but also about how important it is...choosing the right educational institution for childrenInvesting in their future. International schools in Phuket offer a great opportunity for education, opening doors to leading universities around the world. Numerous reviews and discussions in online groups allow parents to make informed decisions.

Important aspects of life in Phuket

The visa application process is also an important aspect of life in Thailand. The variety of options, from tourist to retirement visas, allows everyone to choose the most suitable path for legal residence in the country. Studying abroad, as today's realities have shown, is not only an opportunity to obtain a diploma but also a chance to establish a new life in a different place. Experience has shown that even adults can find suitable educational institutions, which indicates the wide accessibility of education and Thailand's readiness to welcome people of all ages.

The main advantages of living in Phuket

• Quality educationfor children with the opportunity to enroll in international universities.
• Variety of visasfor legal residence.
• Availability of educational institutionsfor all ages.

Ultimately, moving to Phuket becomes not just a change of residence, but also an opportunity for a full life, where children receive a world-class education, and adults can combine study and work. I am convinced that stories like those of Alexandra and Elena only confirm that living abroad is not just a challenge, but also a chance to change one's life for the better, to become part of an international community, and to find new happiness amidst sunny beaches and exotic nature. Anyone who dares to take this step can create their unique success story on the magical island of Phuket.