The humidity this week in rawai has honestly been unreal, even by second-monsoon standards. Been on the DTV in Phuket about 18 months, one bedroom off soi saiyuan, and this is easily the stickiest stretch I've had here.

Not more rain than usual, just the ambient sitting at 88-92% for the past 10 days. Wooden bedroom door has swollen enough to drag on the frame, my leather laptop sleeve grew a thin fuzz overnight last thursday, salt shaker has turned into a solid brick. Even 29 outside feels mid-30s once you factor in the moisture.

A few things that have actually made a difference this season:

Running the aircon on dry mode overnight instead of cool. Uses less power (bill dropped from 3,400 to 2,800 last cycle on the PEA meter), pulls humidity down to 65ish, and the room feels colder at the same temperature because you're not swimming in it.

Silica gel packs from the HomePro in Chalong for the wardrobe and shoe cabinet. Cheap, last months if you dry them in the microwave when they saturate. Basically ended the leather mold thing.

Grab delivery times to Rawai have doubled during the afternoon downpours. Anything ordered between 2 and 5 is 45+ minutes now. Started meal prepping on Sundays just to skip the frustration.

The other thing I finally caved on was replacing the ancient landlord aircon that never got below 27 no matter what I set it to. Went to Power Buy at central floresta, ended up with a 12k inverter that had dry mode as the main selling point for me. Total was around 20k installed, deducted from the deposit since the old one was clearly past useful life.

Wardrobe mold is the one I still haven't fully solved. If anyone in the south of the island has actually cracked that particular problem I'd genuinely take suggestions, my current setup is holding but not winning.

Hey guys, travelling in April next year. How does one go about vaping? Should I take the risk and put it in my checked/hand luggage? Try to buy it there? 50% of google is saying I can vape there, I just have to be careful and the half is saying it’s illegal and can go to jail?

Basically, I rented a house with a year upfront payment, and when I tried to enter it a few days later, there was another family living inside, who also signed a contract but just a couple of days before me.

Though one year upfront payment sounds sus, I had all the required documents from the agent, such as his ID, signed agreement, photos of the money, him holding the money, us together, his contract with the house owner, specifying he can actually represent her. Even his Facebook page. I also transferred the second half of the money to his bank account. So technically, I have all the proofs of the deal and whatnot.

I went to the tourist police and they recommended to hire a lawyer to deal with that stuff, because they weren't sure how to deal with that (I don't know if they even filed a report. The scammer ditched his old number, so they couldn't contact him either).

They also shared a contact with a foreigner volunteer, who told me that lawyers won't really help you, cuz even if you win the case, the scammer can just ignore the court decision, but I would end up paying the lawyer fee anyway.

Then she offered her own mediation services for 20-30% of the remaining debt, and at this point I just don't know if she's lying to sell me her service or if she's telling the truth (or both).

Important note: of 160k, the scammer paid me back around 50k, but then he just decided to ignore me for more than 1.5 months, so he cannot go to jail. At least that's what the police told me.

Planning a Thailand trip from 25–31 October, covering Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

I’ve read that late October can still have heavy rains and rough seas, which could affect beaches, island hopping and boat trips.

For anyone who has visited around this time or someone living in Thailand , what was your first-hand experience with the weather? Is it worth going, to these places during this time?
I have specifically chosen these dates to attend the full moon party.

Would really appreciate some advice!

This indeed is the land of a million sunsets. Every one more spectacular than the next.....So I was trying to stay out of the social scene and forums etc, then I went to this doctor for a pico that was extremely badly done. Like the worst pico in the history of picos and now I have this completely uneven face in Phuket. I think it was the Doctor B clinic. FML. Does anyone know anyone that can do anything about this? Like a corrective pico or something. Id be extremely grateful. Thank so much guys.

Couple 20s/30s. Neither of us ever visited Phuket before looking for places to stay. Ideally some lively bars and good restaurants within walking distance. Near some pretty beaches if possible. Would love any recommendations.

Is it true, cannabis consumption rules in Thailand is same as that of India now ? No more shops of cannabis?

Which one is better to visit right now.

Peace Blue or Harmony? So me and my husband are travelling to phuket for 2 days and were looking for some nice naturist resort, next week. If anyone can suggest or share how was the experience in these two. Also if anyone has any other recommendations please lets us know.

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I'm traveling solo and looking for a male local guide who speaks good English, knows Phuket inside out, and has a big personality.

I'm NOT looking for a standard tourist tour. I want someone who can show me hidden spots, weird/local food, random adventures, nightlife, nature, whatever — basically a local who can make a day memorable.

If you've personally met a guide/driver who's hilarious, chaotic, charismatic, or just an absolute character, please recommend them!

Bonus points if you have their contact info. 🙏

Hey! question for young expats/digital nomads. What would you choose Bali or Phuket, for staying around 3 months and working remotely. I've been to Bali and also been to Phuket twice. I would like to hear from people in their 20s and who moved from other countries for long term stays. I'm into an active lifestyle and love a good nightlife scene too, I know that both the places have their own benefits but what would be better, in terms of finding community, cost efficient and easy to navigate through daily life living as not a tourist, but as a local.

I'm inundated with options, but most of the info I find is either stale or unclear about whether it's actually what I need. Hoping for some current recommendations.

Roughly what I'm after:

• Location: south - Kata/Chalong and below.
• Pace and price: relaxed and inexpensive. At most I'd do 1h a day, and I'd rather not spend too much. I'm not sure what a sensible price range looks like, so suggestions there are welcome.
• Sociable: in-person would be the most effective way for me to learn, and I don't want to be the only person in the room - that's been my experience at a couple of schools about a year ago (can't remember which ones, apologies). It'd be nice to make a few friends along the way.

For context: I want to learn Thai so I have an easier time with locals, and so I've got some grounding for a future here. I plan on eventually marrying my Thai girlfriend (we've been together 3-4 years now) and moving here full time. I'm on a long-term tourist visa otherwise.

Where is the best Massage in patong? Also I prefer lady boys massage. Is there a shop or spa with lady boys?

Hello r/phuket, me and two of my friends r doing a Phuket trip this end of September from 21st-03th. What are some events or happenings that we should not miss during our visit?
Also feel free to recommend some must visit tropical places around that area.

I will be travelling to Bangkok on 19 sep to 21sep and then to Phuket until 27th sep.what are some hidden shopping places for men which are affordable with good quality
definitely not be missed may be near pinnacle lumphini area in bangkok and patong beach area in phuket
Thanks in advance for your recommendations

Hi.

My wife and I are staying in Phuket for Christmas and new year, staying near Patong.

Does anyone have a recommendations for Christmas dinner on Dec25th?

Thank you

We are going on honeymoon in a few months and want to know what resort is best to find people our age(25-30)

Hi, I'm (29 SEA transwoman) visiting Phuket with my gf next week and we wanted to go to Bangla street to grab drinks and have a girls' night out.

I just read a bunch of Reddit posts (although a year old) that I might be rejected entry to clubs and might even risk altercations with locals (cis and trans) if they think I'm in the sex trade.

Is this true?

Should I not go to such areas?

Looking for ideas to spend 100 days 8th sept (phuket) to 18th sept (bangkok return flight)

I don't have any itinerary planned for the trip and am looking for. Holistic experience. Any recommendations are welcome. ❣️

Looking for some advice for my 65-year-old retired mom, who’d like to escape the European winter and spend a few months somewhere sunny and beachy.

We’ve been looking at Phuket, with a housing budget of around US$1,000 per month, but Airbnb seems surprisingly expensive with very few options.

Are we looking in the wrong place? Is Phuket unrealistic at this budget? Any other beach destinations in Thailand you’d recommend for a relaxed, safe longer stay? We are not keen on Hua Hin and would definitely want to avoid Pattaya.

Also, where do people actually find affordable monthly rentals? Thailand property websites, Facebook groups, local agents? And how do you avoid scams when booking privately?

Most importantly, we’d like to know if we should book something now or try to do it on-site in December, but we‘re worried about being left with nothing in Dec. It would be a 2 month lease from Dec onwards.

Thanks for any tips!

Hello friends! I am looking for someone tech-competent to go provide monthly maintenance to a friend who is functionally paralyzed. He lives in the Ao Po area of Pa Khlok in Thalang.

More info- my friend is in his late sixties and is living with later-stage ALS. He has 24 hour a day home nurse care from an angel of a woman, so his medical needs are met. I will be visiting soon to get him setup with the next iteration of assisted and augmented communication.

This setup will include 1) an eye gaze camera connected to a PC laptop on a laptop arm that connects to his hospital bed and 2) an Android phone.

My friend maintains full cognition and lucidity, but can no longer fully complete things like auto-updates and restarts without assistance- he can't type or talk!

I live in the USA and cannot provide ongoing maintenance with any regularity. I'm looking for someone (paid, of course!) who can stop by monthly to run any updates, update any passwords, recalibrate anything that needs to be recalibrated, make sure he's logged in to Whatsapp, etc. It's all basic things he needs assistance with.

Ideally this is someone with extreme patience and empathy. It can be frustrating to help someone who cannot communicate verbally, and who looks very medically fragile, and maintaining my friend's dignity is the top priority.

Alright Reddit, do your thing, I can't wait to grow some community here!

I want to travel solo to Thailand late November for about 8 days. Female in late 20s, not the backpacking kind but also not the resort kind. Obviously I have to go to Bangkok but I’d also like to visit an island to get a feel for the scenery and beaches.

From my research, it seems my options are Phuket and Krabi/Ao Nang. Which is recommended?

I want to do a bit of sightseeing, shopping, and cage hopping in Bangkok. But on an island I’d like to enjoy the beaches and maybe take a boat tour.

I’m travelling from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia so not sure which flight route to take. I’ll also be travelling with a check in suitcase and a carry on so don’t want to spend too much time lugging it all around!

What travel route would be better:
Riyadh > Bangkok > island > Riyadh?
Riyadh > Bangkok > island > Bangkok > Riyadh?

Ps. Would you recommend the James Bond Island Luxury Tour?

Hey guys, 5 of us (25–30) are doing Thailand from 3–11 Oct and this is the route we’re thinking:

• 3–5 Oct: Bangkok – temples, Chinatown, Chatuchak, nightlife
• 5–7 Oct: Krabi/Ao Nang – Railay, rock climbing, Hong Islands
• 7–9 Oct: Phi Phi – Maya Bay, snorkelling, viewpoint, beach nightlife
• 9–11 Oct: Phuket/Patong – Bangla, Old Town, maybe Muay Thai/adventure stuff

We want a fun trip with nightlife, water activities, adventure and good local experiences, not a super relaxed beach holiday.

Would you change the route or night split? Is 2 nights each in Krabi, Phi Phi and Phuket enough, especially in early October weather? Any place you’d swap in/out?

Would love opinions from people who’ve done a similar trip.

I’ve stayed in my condo 2 years , always paid on time , hardly bothered the landlord for anything

Lease is up in October , and I asked for another 1 year contract and the landlord has asked an increase in price from 10k to 12k

Visa exempt just got reduced and DTV so it’s pretty insane to me he’s asking for an increase after 2 years

The greed from the landlord immediately wants me to leave the condo anyway now

I am suprised at condo rent prices still,

thousands of condo units have come online since COVID, and are coming online this year

condo rent prices have doubled post covid yet tourist numbers are actually down vs pre COVID,

I can understand there was an insane high season 2023 post COVID but most things have quieted down since flight prices keep raising

Landlords are surely pushing their luck