It’s better to prepare for your vacation in advance and arrive well-informed about many important things. Even during the trip, tourists don’t always pay attention to certain details worth remembering. Common mistakes include:
- Not filling out the TDAC digital immigration card (Thailand Digital Arrival Card). This is a mandatory requirement for everyone traveling to Thailand. It must be completed within 3 days before crossing the border. Visit the website: and provide your personal information, purpose of visit, and travel details (hotel address, flight number). You will then receive a QR code by email, which can be shown directly from your smartphone at border control.
- Not getting travel insurance. “Why would I need a helmet? I’m just going for a little scooter ride…” — that’s how many unfortunate stories begin. Scooters, the urge for adventure on vacation, wild monkeys, unfamiliar food — there are plenty of risks. Medical care in Phuket is good, but expensive. It’s much easier to arrange insurance beforehand than to later raise money from relatives for treatment.
- Not obtaining an international driver’s license. Riding a scooter is great. Riding without the proper license — not so much. A standard Category B license is not enough; you need a Category A license for motorcycles. No license = a fine (usually around 1,000 baht). Police stop scooters for document checks far more often than cars, so if you plan to ride one, you’ll almost certainly be stopped.
- Ignoring beach warning flags. A red flag on the beach is not an art installation or decoration. It means: “Don’t go in — it can kill you.” Or at the very least, the current may drag you far out to sea. Read more about this in our articles on beach flags and rip currents.
- Drinking beverages and smoothies with ice from questionable vendors. In Phuket, this is one of the main and almost the only common causes of food poisoning — ordinary drinks with ice from street stalls. We strongly do not recommend it. In reputable cafes and restaurants, however, drinks with ice are generally safe.
- Constantly sitting under the air conditioner. You shouldn’t set the AC in your room to +16°C, even though we understand how tempting it is to cool down after being out in the sun. Also, the air conditioner shouldn’t blow directly onto the bed while you sleep.
- Forgetting about sunscreen. Yes, you need to remember it every single day — even when it’s cloudy. The sun in Phuket is like a hidden boss in a video game: you may not see it, but the damage is brutal. With SPF protection, you can easily avoid the consequences.
- Not trying street food. That’s where all the culture and Thai traditions are. Be sure to visit the night markets filled with delicious and unusual food, and for hygiene, bring wet wipes or hand sanitizer. The best night markets are listed in a separate section of this guide.
- Bringing too many medications. Many travelers stock up heavily at the pharmacy before their trip, but there’s really no need. All essential medicines can easily be purchased at local pharmacies as well as 7-Eleven stores. Read more in the article “Thai Pharmacy.”
- Choosing excursions at random. “Island hopping” sounds beautiful, but first find out how long the trip lasts, whether lunch is included, and who’s taking you there — a professional guide or a pirate on a chaotic speedboat. If you want your excursion to match the description and meet your expectations, check out the Excursions section on our website. There you can learn about truly worthwhile tours and contact companies that don’t mislead customers when selling them.
- Spending your entire vacation at the hotel. This is the last point, but also the most common one. Sometimes everyone needs a vacation just for relaxation. At the same time, for many tourists, Phuket is simply beaches, the sea, and coconuts. But Phuket is actually a very interesting and beautiful island, and not seeing its natural and historical attractions is practically a crime.
In general, prepare your documents in advance, remember safety during your vacation, and choose activities that suit your interests. If you want to try everything — go ahead, but do it wisely and keep the possible consequences in mind.
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