When I moved to Rawai six years ago, I had a UK phone full of apps that were almost entirely useless in Thailand. Wrong banking apps, wrong maps settings, wrong food delivery platform. I spent the first two weeks confused about basic things I could have sorted in an hour with the right setup.
This guide covers the 15 apps I'd install if I were starting fresh in Phuket today — grouped by category, with honest notes on what actually works here and what doesn't.
Thailand's dominant messaging platform. Your landlord uses it. Your visa agent uses it. School groups are on it. Local buy/sell groups are on it. This isn't optional.
Download the Thai language pack for offline use — essential when you're at Chalong market with no signal and can't read the price tag. The camera translation feature is genuinely life-changing for menus.
Better than Apple Maps in Phuket. Thai addresses can be confusing — Google Maps with the Thai soi names is the most reliable navigation tool. Download offline maps for the island.
Kasikorn Bank's app — the best Thai banking app for expats. PromptPay transfers to vendors, bill payment, QR code payments at Thai shops, and the ฿800,000 retirement visa balance view at a glance.
The cheapest way to move money from your home country to Thailand. Real mid-market exchange rate, transparent fees (typically 0.4–0.8%), and a debit card that works at Thai ATMs.
Worth having if you use Bangkok Bank for the ฿800k Non-OA visa requirement — their proof of balance letter is widely accepted. The app shows balances in THB and lets you send PromptPay.
The dominant ride-hailing app in Phuket. Grab Car prices are fixed, transparent, and significantly cheaper than negotiating with tuk-tuks or taxi mafia. Essential for airport transfers.
AirAsia connects HKT (Phuket Airport) to Bangkok Don Mueang cheaply — often ฿600–2,000 if booked 2+ weeks ahead. Use for the occasional Bangkok embassy or consulate run.
The best food delivery app in Phuket — wider restaurant selection than LINE MAN, particularly good in Rawai, Kata, and Bang Tao. Delivery fees are ฿15–40 for most areas.
Thailand's dominant e-commerce platforms. Lazada has faster delivery; Shopee has lower prices on many items. Both deliver to most Phuket addresses within 2–4 days. Buy everything from power adapters to furniture.
Food delivery, grocery delivery, and parcel pickup all in one app. Particularly useful in areas with fewer Foodpanda options. Runs on the LINE ecosystem you already have.
Not a standalone app — access via immigration.go.th on your mobile browser. Use it for online 90-day reporting (saves a trip to Phuket Immigration Office on Phuket Road). File within 7 days of your due date.
Thai immigration, banks, and landlords constantly ask for document copies. A decent scanning app turns your phone into a portable scanner — essential for visa applications, lease signing, and school enrollment.
Book appointments at Bangkok Hospital Phuket (076-254425), view test results, and access your patient history. If you use Bangkok Hospital as your primary hospital — which most expats with good insurance do — this is worth setting up.
For non-emergency medical questions — skin issues, minor infections, prescription renewals — telemedicine is increasingly viable from Phuket. Particularly useful in monsoon season when getting out is a hassle.
Provincial Electricity Authority's app — view your electricity meter readings, track consumption by month, and pay bills. Useful if you're on a PEA direct meter (rather than landlord resale) and want to monitor AC costs.
Manage your Thai SIM plan, top up data, and check remaining allowances. AIS myAIS is cleaner than TRUE's app. Both let you add data bundles quickly when you're running low during a visa run or trip.
| App | Category | Priority | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINE | Communication | 🔴 Install first | iOS + Android |
| Grab | Transport | 🔴 Install first | iOS + Android |
| K-PLUS | Banking | 🔴 After bank account | iOS + Android |
| Wise | Money transfer | 🔴 Install first | iOS + Android |
| Foodpanda | Food delivery | 🟡 Week 1 | iOS + Android |
| Google Translate | Language | 🔴 Install first | iOS + Android |
| Lazada/Shopee | Shopping | 🟡 Week 1 | iOS + Android |
| Adobe Scan | Documents | 🟡 Week 1 | iOS + Android |
| PEA Smart Plus | Electricity | 🟢 When settled | iOS + Android |
| Bangkok Hospital | Healthcare | 🟢 When settled | iOS + Android |
Wise offers real exchange rates and low transfer fees. Most Phuket expats save ฿3,000–8,000 per year vs bank wire transfers. Set up your account before your first transfer.
Open a Wise account →A few honest caveats on apps that regularly disappoint new arrivals:
Setting up life in Phuket and not sure where to start? Book a 30-minute consultation → — we help new arrivals get their banking, visa, and admin sorted in the first week.
Once you have health insurance in Phuket — Cigna, Pacific Cross, AXA, or another provider — download your insurer's app and register your policy. In an emergency, your insurer's 24/7 helpline number and direct billing hospital list are the most important pieces of information you need on your phone. Bangkok Hospital Phuket at 076-254425 takes most international insurance policies direct billing.
For a full breakdown of insurance options in Phuket, see our health insurance comparison guide.