Moving & Relocation
Moving Within Phuket
Changing rental, switching areas, hiring a truck — the practical expat guide to relocating on the island without the headaches.
Changing rental, switching areas, hiring a truck — the practical expat guide to relocating on the island without the headaches.
After six years living in Phuket I've moved four times — Patong to Chalong, Chalong to Rawai, a brief stint in Phuket Town, and back to the south. Moving within Phuket is common. Kids start at BISP or HeadStart and you need to be closer to school. Your lease ends and the landlord wants 40% more. You realise Patong isn't where you want to raise a family. Whatever the reason, moving on a small island sounds simple — but there's more to get right than you'd expect.
Verbal notice causes most of the deposit disputes I hear about. WhatsApp or email is perfectly acceptable in Thailand — just make sure there's a written record. Take photos of every room before you leave, and don't hand over the keys until you have the deposit return timeline agreed in writing.
Moving closer to BISP, UWC or HeadStart to cut the commute
Landlords often raise rent 10–30% at renewal; smart time to shop around
Leaving Patong's noise for Rawai calm or Bang Tao beach access
Moving from condo to villa, or finding a bigger space for the same money
Moving closer to co-working hubs in Phuket Town or Cherng Talay
New baby, partner moving in, or kids leaving → needing different space
Check your rental contract for the notice period — most Phuket leases require 30 days, some require 60. Send notice via WhatsApp or email and keep a screenshot. Request a date for the exit inspection (ideally 1–3 days before you leave, not same-day).
Try to overlap by 3–7 days between old and new rental. This gives you time to clean, do touch-ups, and move at a relaxed pace rather than a frantic single-day rush. Thai landlords are usually flexible on start dates if you pay for the overlap days.
Most expat moves within Phuket need a single truck for 3–6 hours. Ask in expat Facebook groups for recommendations — local Thai movers with Facebook pages are usually half the price of international firms. See truck hire costs below.
Do a walk-through with the landlord before you hand back the keys. Photo every wall, floor, fixture. Get any deductions itemized in writing. Thai law requires deposits returned within 30 days. Anything beyond fair wear-and-tear is disputed territory — be firm but polite.
Your new landlord must file a TM30 (notification of foreign national staying) within 24 hours of your arrival. Most long-term landlords know this — follow up if they don't mention it. You can also file online via the Thai immigration system if your landlord is unresponsive. This matters when you go to extend a visa.
Notify your bank, health insurance provider, school, and any delivery services of your new address. Internet (True Move, AIS Fibre, 3BB) can usually be transferred within a week — call the provider 2 weeks ahead to avoid a gap. Water and PEA electricity accounts transfer with the property.
Prices are for full-service moves (driver + 1 helper). DIY hire (truck only, no help) is 30–40% cheaper but rare. Prices are approximate 2026 rates and vary by season and distance.
| Truck Type | Capacity | Best For | Cost (Half Day) | Cost (Full Day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup truck (D-Max/Hilux) | Small load | 1 room, boxes only | ฿800–1,500 | ฿1,500–2,500 |
| 4-wheel medium truck | Studio/1 bed | Small apartment | ฿2,500–3,500 | ฿4,000–6,000 |
| 6-wheel truck | 2–3 bed | Full apartment move | ฿4,500–6,000 | ฿7,000–10,000 |
| Large container truck | 4+ bed | Full house / villa | ฿8,000–12,000 | ฿14,000–20,000 |
| Extra helper | — | Heavy items, stairs | ฿500–700/person | ฿900–1,200/person |
Where you live in Phuket shapes your daily life enormously — commute times, school access, noise level, and monthly costs all vary widely by area. Here's a mover's perspective on the main expat zones.
Favourite for families and remote workers. Quieter, residential, close to BISP. Rawai seafood market, Promthep Cape, local restaurants. Less traffic than the west coast. Best value for quality villas.
Upscale, long beach, Laguna resort complex. Proximity to UWC and HeadStart. Lots of villa compounds and managed properties. Increasingly popular with families. Higher prices but more consistent quality.
The most affordable area for long-term rentals. Great food, local culture, Old Town charm. Shorter to the airport than south Phuket. Less beach access. Best for single expats or couples without a car.
Central location for getting anywhere on the island. Big Muay Thai scene, Chalong Bay Rum, good local food. Mid-range prices. Close to Ao Chalong pier for diving. Not a beach area — more of a hub.
Calmer than Patong, still has beach access. Surin is known for the Hi End beach clubs. Good restaurant scene developing. Midway between Patong and Bang Tao — flexible location for various lifestyles.
Calmer than Patong, with good beaches. Popular with families and couples who want beach access without the Patong mayhem. More affordable than Bang Tao. Fewer international schools nearby.
Rental prices approximate for 2026. See our Phuket Housing Guide and area-specific guides for current market rates.
Sometimes you're between rentals, downsizing, or need to store furniture for the summer. Phuket has a small but growing self-storage market.
| Option | Size | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small storage unit | 3–5 sqm | ฿1,500–3,000 | Boxes, suitcases, small items |
| Medium storage unit | 6–10 sqm | ฿3,000–5,500 | 1-bed apartment contents |
| Large storage unit | 15–25 sqm | ฿6,000–12,000 | Full house furniture |
| Mover short-term storage | Varies | ฿500–2,000/week | Few weeks between moves |
| Shipping container (informal) | 20ft | ฿3,000–5,000 | Long-term, secure outdoor storage |
Search Facebook for "Phuket self-storage" or ask your moving company — many offer short-term storage as a bundled service. Formal self-storage facilities exist in Koh Kaew and near Phuket Town.
Our trusted Phuket real estate partners can help you find the right property — from Rawai family villas to Bang Tao beachside condos. Free service, no pressure.
Browse Phuket Rentals →A small pickup truck (Isuzu D-Max type) costs ฿800–1,500 per trip. A 4-wheel medium truck holds a full apartment and costs ฿2,500–4,500. For a large house move you may need a 6-wheel truck at ฿5,000–8,000. Half-day rates are common for same-island moves.
Yes. Your new landlord is legally required to file a TM30 within 24 hours of your arrival. In practice many landlords ignore this, but it matters when you extend a visa — immigration checks the address on file. Ask your new landlord to file online or visit Phuket Immigration at Central Festival.
Give written notice per your contract (usually 30–60 days). Do a walk-through inspection with the landlord, take photos of every room, get any deductions itemized in writing. Deposits must be returned within 30 days in Thailand. Have the return agreed before you hand back the keys.
Check your contract — most Phuket rentals require 30 days' written notice, some premium properties require 60 days. Always give notice in writing (WhatsApp or email is acceptable) and keep a record. Verbal notice is often disputed.
Rawai/Nai Harn is generally 20–40% cheaper than Patong for comparable properties, with a much quieter expat community feel. Bang Tao/Laguna is similar to or slightly more expensive than Patong but with better-quality villas and beach access. Phuket Town is the most affordable area overall for long-term rentals.
Yes. Self-storage is available from a few providers — expect ฿1,500–4,000/month for a small unit (3–5 sqm). Some expats use containers or shipping crates. Local movers sometimes offer short-term storage alongside moving services. It's worth asking your mover directly.
Finding and renting property in Phuket
Living in south Phuket
Living in north-west Phuket
TM30, extensions, address requirements
Budget breakdown by area
BISP, UWC, HeadStart and more