Jobs in Phuket: key sectors and what to know before you move

Phuket is a province many people want to move to for work, for the sea, the international feel, and jobs where they get to use other languages. But living and working in Phuket is quite different from visiting on holiday. Before you move, it helps to know both which fields are hiring and what daily life is like.

Key sectors

• Hotels and accommodation: front desk, housekeeping, sales and management, in both large hotel chains and small villas.
• Restaurants and bars: kitchen, service and restaurant management.
• Tourism and marine activities: tour companies, diving, boats and marinas.
• Health and wellness: hospitals that serve international patients, spas, clinics and fitness centres.
• Property: sales, rentals and building management for Thai and international clients.
• Education: international schools and language schools.

Many of these jobs use English every day, and some roles favour a third language. Read job ads carefully to see what level is expected.

High season and low season

Tourism work rises and falls with the seasons. In the rainy season there are usually fewer visitors, and some employers cut hours or income that comes from service charge and tips. Before accepting an offer, ask clearly which part of the pay is fixed, which part depends on customer numbers, and what low season looks like.

What to know before you move

1. Housing. Rent in tourist areas is usually higher than where locals live. Many people live in town or in areas further from the beaches. Some employers offer staff housing, so ask at the interview.
2. Getting around. Public transport does not reach everywhere. Most people use a motorbike or car, so factor in travel costs and travel time.
3. Cost of living. Some things cost more because it is a tourist city. Draw up a monthly budget before agreeing on salary.
4. Rainy season. Some areas flood during heavy rain. When viewing a room, ask people who live nearby.

Look around before deciding

If you are torn between Phuket and another province, the best places tool compares all 77 provinces and job cities around the world to show where suits you. Then browse real openings on jobs by province.

Start with jobs by province and best places, and turn on LINE job alerts from your account page.