Welcome to Phuket’s green season – a time when the island settles into a quieter, more contemplative rhythm. Whilst the rains provide natural punctuation to our tropical days, they also create perfect moments for discovery beyond the beaches. This is Phuket at its most thoughtful – unhurried; patient; brilliantly creative.
I’ve spent this season exploring what happens when an island takes a breath. The result? Some of the most sophisticated experiences I’ve encountered in years. Chalong, long overshadowed by its famous pier, has quietly emerged as a genuine destination full of culture and coastline.
Southern Thai cuisine dominates the kitchens at The Bucha Gallery and Cafe, experience food and theatre in an authentic Thai Gallery, designed to immerse you into the ancient world of Thai tradition. In Trisara’s Thai Library, Chef Oat’s Michelin-recognised mastery of southern Thai cuisine creates evenings that linger in memory long after the last course.
This last year has reminded, I think for many of us, that Phuket has never stopped evolving, and perhaps never will. We have never seen more international DJs, more Michelin recognitions, or more high end quality stays. The luxury landscape continues its fascinating metamorphosis: SALA Phuket refines its wellness retreat philosophy on Mai Khao’s pristine shores; Kata Rocks and The Slate each push hospitality boundaries in their own distinctive directions. Each property refuses to just maintain standards, but instead – redefines what luxury means in Southeast Asia.
Even our maritime scene is transforming. The arrival of the Wallywhy 150 – a paradigm-shifting yacht that distils superyacht grandeur into a sub-24-metre silhouette – excellence doesn’t require excess. With a towering pilothouse and 270-degree bow views, it brings something truly new to the Andaman.
Between the showers, when skies clear and seas calm, we’re reminded why the European summer months are actually Phuket’s secret diving and boating season. The underwater world belongs entirely to you – more fish, bluer waters, and a pristine silence that high season simply cannot offer.
As venues refine menus, properties enhance offerings, and the island prepares for its next chapter, I’m reminded that Phuket’s true luxury lies not in its ability to impress, but in its endless capacity to evolve. Autumn here isn’t about waiting for the high season – it’s about discovering what happens when paradise takes time to perfect itself, and we all just try to keep up. Phuket is changing – and so are we.
This issue marks the beginning of exotiqPhuket’s next chapter, with expanded language support, more digital features, and new ways to help you capture the perfect stay.
Welcome to your green edition of exotiqPhuket. There’s much to discover.
Angus Hamilton – Editor
editor@exotiq.online
MORE ISSUE 25 HIGHLIGHTS
HYPER REALISTIC COLLAGE ART
Thai artist Virut Panchabuse was once known for delicate paintings – until fakes pushed him to the brink. His rebirth? Hyper-emotive collage portraits now commanding thousands per piece with waiting lists spanning continents. Each work takes weeks to complete, built from thousands of scraps that transform discarded culture into unmistakable art….More
ALL YOU CAN EAT
Central Phuket’s new Lanlom marketplace curates a world tour of cuisine for the discerning palate. From nixtamal corn tortillas to farm-to-table Thai, sushi-grade sashimi to chargrilled koftas, it’s where global authenticity meets sophisticated accessibility – a rare food destination that respects both its sources and your standards….More
LANNA HEALING
With limited sessions available, Master healer Saranrat Poti’s return to SALA Phuket is the most exclusive wellness residency this October. Combining ancient Thai techniques with energy medicine and crystal facial therapies, her transformative healing, that transcends conventional spa therapy, sells out within hours – and for good reason.
BAY WATCH
Chalong Bay isn’t a stopover – it’s a slow reveal. From incense-swirled temples and the island’s sacred Big Buddha, to quiet piers and culinary sanctuaries, this southern enclave weaves sacred with spirited. Wander from copper stills to coral reefs, sip rum from refined Thai sugarcane or crack open a clay pot chicken in audacious fashion beneath antique beams. This is Phuket in its richest rhythm….More
RACHA
Racha Yai isn’t hidden – just exclusive. A 30-minute boat ride from Chalong leads to The Racha, a sanctuary where villas breathe with ocean air, and silence becomes the ultimate luxury. With sustainable design, island-grown dining and a spa philosophy rooted in stillness, it’s escapism at its most intentional….More
COMPACT LUXURY AT SEA
The Wallywhy150 is what happens when yacht design breaks its own rules. Under 24 metres but towering in presence, it merges cinematic lines, panoramic suites and toy-laden decks with regulatory freedom others can only dream of. Part explorer, part statement, it’s the yacht for those who value space, style and speed….More
THE PHANTOM TURNS 100
A century after its debut, Rolls-Royce’s Phantom remains the ultimate cultural chameleon – from royal motorcade to psychedelic rock ‘n roll icon. The modern edition merges silent grace with bespoke luxury, proving once again that true power never shouts. It simply glides past, leaving everyone else to wonder what just happened….More
SIGNATURE SUNSETS
We challenged readers to capture Phuket’s most spectacular sundown moments – and ten photographers rose to the occasion. From longtail silhouettes to golden reflections over Phang Nga, these winning images represent the pinnacle of amateur artistry. A competition that proved when passion meets perfect timing, magic becomes inevitable….More