Getting Around Phuket

For most expats, yes — a car or scooter is essential. Phuket has no metro or reliable bus network. Songthaews run fixed routes to Phuket Town only. Grab is available but expensive as a daily commute. Most families own at least one car; singles and couples often prefer a scooter for daily use. If you live in Phuket Town, you can manage without a vehicle more easily than in Rawai or Bang Tao.

You can drive legally with an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued from your home country for the first 90 days of residency. After that, you're expected to convert to a Thai licence at the Phuket DLT office on Thepkrasattri Road. The process includes a written test (available in English), colour blindness test, reaction test, and a practical test. Total cost is around 800–1,200 THB. Most EU, UK, Australian and US licences are accepted for direct conversion.

Phuket has a genuinely high road accident rate — among the highest in Thailand. Scooters are the most dangerous way to travel. Key risks: the hills between Patong and Kamala, the main Route 402 highway, and night driving when road conditions are harder to judge. That said, thousands of expats ride scooters daily. Wearing a full-face helmet, driving slowly in wet conditions, and avoiding the highway at night significantly reduce your risk.

Compulsory Third Party Insurance (por.ror.bor.) is legally required and costs around 600–1,500 THB/year. Most expats also take Type 1 comprehensive insurance at 15,000–35,000 THB/year for a standard car — this covers collision, theft and third-party damage. Scooter insurance is 2,000–6,000 THB/year for comprehensive cover. Thai insurance companies like LMG, Viriyah, and Tokio Marine are commonly used by expats.

Yes — foreigners can own vehicles in Thailand in their own name. You'll need a valid passport, a valid Thai visa, and proof of address. The vehicle registration document (ทะเบียนรถ) will be in your name. Some expats register vehicles in a Thai partner's name — this is common but creates legal complications if the relationship changes. Most dealerships and transfer agents are familiar with the expat registration process.