A relaxed southern working-beach community with the island's most established expat scene — seafood markets, cafés and an easy pace.
A relaxed southern working-beach community with the island's most established expat scene — seafood markets, cafés and an easy pace. The default for retirees and long-stayers chasing community and value over a postcard beach at the door.
Best for: Retirees, families, long-stayers and value-seekers.
Typical rent: ฿12,000–20,000 studio/1-bed · villas from ฿25,000 (12-month lease; short-term and high-season rates run higher). Beach: Rawai (working beach); swimmable Nai Harn ~5–10 min. Airport: about ~50–60 min off-peak — high-season traffic can roughly double it. There is no real public transport in Phuket, so budget for a scooter or car — see getting around.
The default for retirees and long-stayers chasing community and value over a postcard beach at the door. Compare the numbers in our cost-of-living guide and the other areas in the neighbourhoods overview.
Rawai suits retirees, families, long-stayers and value-seekers. The default for retirees and long-stayers chasing community and value over a postcard beach at the door.
Typical long-term rent in Rawai runs ฿12,000–20,000 studio/1-bed · villas from ฿25,000, on a 12-month lease. Short-term and high-season (December–February) rates are higher.
Rawai is about ~50–60 min from Phuket International Airport off-peak; allow extra time in high season and the late-afternoon rush.