Wouldn’t it make your trip turn sour if you reach a sunny resort destination hoping to finally relax, sunbathe, and do all the fun water activities only to have it rain every single day that you’re there? This could be due to the fact that maybe you didn’t get the memo that it was, in fact, the rainy season, or maybe the rain clouds just aren’t in your favour. However, rain doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your trip or book a flight home. Thailand’s Phuket is a place that is booming with water activities and pretty much every other activity under the sun, but it does have quite a few indoor activities that will make your trip worthwhile, even if it rains. Don’t be glum! Scroll down to learn what to do when it rains in Phuket.
1. Indulge in a spa treatment
Thailand boasts massage treatments that are able to make you feel like a whole new person, capable of doing a million things at once. Okay, maybe this is a slight exaggeration, but you can’t deny that their massage and spa treatments are highly talked about and are available everywhere. In fact, once you check in into your hotel or even after you’ve just boarded your taxi ride, you’ll likely be recommended a massage or spa treatment of some sort, somewhere. Whether you’re in Phuket, Bangkok, Krabi, or anywhere else in Thailand, massage parlors are prominent, and they are a contributing factor to the country’s culture and tourism industry.
These treatments come in various forms, whether for health purposes, purely for relaxation, or to feel rejuvenated. There is the fish spa (whereby small fish nibble the dead skin from your feet), massages specifically for pregnant women, massage treatments on the beach, traditional Thai massage, hot stone massage, oil massages, massages for sports people, and so many more. Yes, you WILL be spoilt for choice. They can be easily found in Phuket as well because, normally, there are at least 5 different spa treatment shops in one street, with their staff calling out to you and offering you different rates every single time you walk by. Treatments are also often incredibly cheap, mostly costing 300 - 500 THB (8.60 - 14,40 USD) for a 2 to 3-hour massage. A foot massage will cost the same for a 30 - 40-minute session. However, treatments at hotels can be more expensive, but the service won’t necessarily be better. Some hotels offer prices three times the amount than that of traditional spa houses!
Probably the most recommended spa and massage place in Phuket is Salika Massage & Spa, located in Patong. There are so many different kinds of treatments, including a sunburn massage, with a price list of no more than 600 THB (17.30 USD). If you want a facial, the package costs between 1,000 THB and 1,200 THB (28 USD - 34 USD). Salika also offers pedicure and manicure services. You can also book an outcall service to Patong hotels.
Salika Massage & Spa
Address: 219 Ratuthit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Phuket
Price: 8 USD onwards
Opening Hours: 9 am - 12 am
Access: Less than a 10-minute walk from Jungceylon Shopping Mall
Contact: +66 (0)86 954 6148
Website: Salika Massage & Spa
2. Go on a shopping spree at Jungceylon Shopping Mall
So, you can’t spend your holiday cash on water activities and other outdoor pursuits. Is it burning a hole in your pocket? How about a shopping spree at one of the biggest malls in Phuket? Jungceylon Shopping Mall is located diagonally opposite Bangla Road and consists of over 200 shopping outlets, including big names in Thailand such as Robinsons and Big C. Big C is one of the biggest grocery shopping destinations in Thailand, kind of like Target. They have pretty much everything, from chocolates and seafood to toys, souvenirs, and stationery. In Jungceylon, the Big C store is split over two levels, with the top floor featuring products that range from sports accessories to TVs, digital cameras, and computer accessories. You’ll definitely spend a lot of time here!
There is also Robinsons, the department store where many name-brand products come together. Here, shop for Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome and so much more. From timepieces and facial products to bags and scents, you’ll find plenty of ways to spend your money!
There are other outlets in Jungceylon too, such as the shopping arcade and sports shops that are definitely worth a visit. As Jungceylon is a shopping outlet, bargaining won’t work here; prices are fixed. Also, don’t expect ALL the prices to be really cheap! You can also visit the cinema located on the 3rd floor, where you can enjoy movies at reasonably cheap prices in Deluxe, Premium or Sofa seats. They have 3D movies as well!
There is also the Shell World Museum & Shop, a bowling alley, two gaming arcades, a laser gun outlet, a 4D-rides outlet, and even more as well!
Jungceylon Phuket
Address: Rat-u-thit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Kratu, Phuket
Opening hours: 11 am - 10 pm
Access: Diagonally across from Bangla Road
Contact: +66 76 366 022
Website: Jungceylon Phuket
3. Enjoy a spectacular show (from 23 USD)
A trip to Phuket isn’t complete if you aren’t going to watch one of the most talked about and entertaining shows on the island: Simon Cabaret Show. The extravagant performances not only offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but you’ll also get to see a whole new side of Thailand that other places don’t show. The show is one of Phuket’s major tourist attractions and is probably among the biggest shows in the whole of Thailand.
But, what is Simon Cabaret Show about, and how is it different from a regular cabaret performance? What makes Simon Cabaret special is the fact that every person on the stage was born male. The show features some of Thailand’s famous kathoeys, often known in English as ladyboys. Ladyboys are transgender women or cross-dressing men. The beautiful people perform a whole bunch of musical numbers that manage to come in more than three languages, namely, Thai, English, and Korean. The performances also feature aspects from many different cultures, bringing the audience of more than 1,000 people a spectacular theatrical experience. It offers the perfect blend of culture, color, originality, extravagant outfits, and fun. Shows are suitable for men and women and for people of all ages.
Simon Cabaret Show has three performances each day, and bookings can be made through many hotels, online, by calling their hotline, or through third-party online booking sites. It is recommended to book in advance because seats sell out fast!
Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket
Address: Kathu District, Phuket, Thailand
Price: from 23 USD
Duration: around 2 hours required
Contact: +1(702) 648-5873
Website:
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4. Visit an upside down house, Baan Teelanka (from USD 11.0)
Baan Teelanka is a literal upside-down house that was built in 2014 by a Swiss-Thai couple. Just looking at the pictures will leave you curious and wanting to pay a visit. This house was carefully constructed and, as soon as it was opened to the public, it quickly became one of the top tourist destinations in Phuket. Original and very innovative, the upside-down house deserves to be on everyone’s itinerary. This three-story house is located on the outskirts of Phuket Town and was built leaning on its roof. There are a whole bunch of activities offered here that are sure to keep both the adults and children entertained. Just walking around the house will have you feeling a little like Alice in Alice in Wonderland!
A top activity at Baan Teelanka is the maze-shaped backyard. The backyard, famously known as A-Maze-in-Phuket, consists of a 1,000-square-meter (10,764-square-foot) labyrinth with seven gates that, according to their positions, offer an astonishing range of different tracks. According to visitors, it takes an average of about 10 to 15 minutes to find your way out! The maze costs about 150 THB (4 USD) for adults and 100 THB (3 USD) for children.
Another cool activity is the Chamber of Secrets, in which visitors can experience a real-life ‘room-escape’ game. There are two rooms offering different sets of challenges where you and your friends can have fun figuring your way out of the room. Here’s how it goes: you and the other players will get locked in a room that is dimly lit, and, in there, you must find clues that will enable you to find a passcode or a key leading you to the next room. This game is very challenging and requires the teamwork of every single player.
The upside-down house also comes with a coffee shop and a souvenir shop as well as free Wi-Fi. Entry to the house is 290 THB (8 USD) for adults and 170 THB (4 USD) for children.
Admission to The Upside Down House Phuket
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
5. Attend a Thai cooking class (from USD 99.0)
Many people see Thai cuisine as a blessing, and think that it is one of the best kinds of food in the whole world! After all, what’s there to complain about when you have food that offers the perfect mix of savory, sweet, spicy, and sour all in one dish?! While there are loads of great options for enjoying delicious Thai food in Phuket, how about learning how to re-create those amazing flavors for when you return home?
Thailand offers an abundance of excellent cooking classes that contribute a lot to the local economy and the tourism industry. There are several tour packages on booking websites, and it is one of the most recommended activities when you visit Thailand, rain or shine. Cooking classes are also usually available for affordable prices, and give you a totally different experience to your regular sightseeing activities.
In Viator’s classes, you’ll go on a market tour with your guide and your cooking teacher, where you’ll get all the ingredients needed for the class and experience a local market. The tour includes hotel pickup too, so everything is well taken care of! You’ll also have a recipe guide, experience a food carving session, and receive a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the lesson.
But what about the actual food?! In this full-day tour, you’ll learn to cook 10 Thai dishes. The sample menus differ according to the day of the week. Lessons are conducted in Chinese and English, and special menus and cooking requests, such as Halal and vegetarian, are also available. Dishes that you can expect to make include Thai green curry, tom yam (a type of spicy soup), som tum (spicy papaya salad), the incredibly famous and popular Pad Thai (Thai-style fried rice noodles), Thai fish cakes, pineapple fried rice, and so much more!
Full-Day Thai Cooking Class with Waterfall Visit from Phuket
Rain? No problem!
These totally engaging and fun activities offered in Phuket won’t leave you upset and begging for the rain to go away. However, to avoid disappointment, it is advised to check the weather forecast before booking your trip and, of course, to think of backup plans. The rainy season in Phuket normally occurs during the months of May to November, with September usually being the wettest month. The best times to visit Phuket to enjoy sunny fun are in December, January, February, and March. April is usually dry but incredibly hot! Come rain or shine, you’re sure to have a great time in Phuket!
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