Meet Choeng Thale
Welcome to Choeng Thale! Also known as Cherngtalay or Bangtao, this gorgeous beach community is one of the most beautiful in Thailand!
Cheong Thale is located in the Thalang District of Phuket, the largest island in Thailand. Phuket is a unique island because it was a major trading route between India and China, and had relationships with Portuguese, French, English, and Dutch traders, but was never colonized by a European country. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, Phuket’s economy was driven by the tin mining and rubber production industries, but since the 1980s, the island has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand.
Where to live in Choeng Thale
Choeng Thale is home to approximately 42,000 residents, making it one of the smaller beach communities in Phuket.
Best Neighborhoods in Choeng Thale
Choeng Thale is a relatively small community, which means that there are not very many easily differentiable neighborhoods. However, you do have the option to reside closer to the beach, or further inland, and each option will offer its own unique experience!
Amazing Apartments, Coliving Spaces and More
We've been rounded up the best housing options in Choeng Thale. All are available on flexible terms, so you can stay one month or as long as you want
Quick Facts About Choeng Thale
Choeng Thale is one of the most beautiful beach towns in Thailand, renowned for its blue waters, pristine sands, and tropical weather. Before you arrive in this picturesque community, here are some things you should know:The cuisine is incredible
One of the best things about living in Choeng Thale is the delicious food. Its location near the ocean means that you’ll have access to some of the most delicious seafood in the world. Incidentally, if seafood isn’t your thing, it’s also fairly easy to be vegetarian or vegan in Thailand—most Thai dishes do not contain eggs or milk.Consider learning Thai
The official language of Thailand is Central Thai, or Siamese, but many of its residents also speak Chinese, Lao, Khmer, or Malay. Fortunately for English-speaking expats, a large portion of Thai citizens speak English, so depending where you settle, you may be able to get by without speaking Thai. However, if you really want to immerse yourself in the culture and community of Choeng Thale, you should learn Thai!Be ready for monsoon season
If you come from a relatively dry part of the world, monsoon season in Choeng Thale may come as a bit of a surprise to you. Dry season in Choeng Thale lasts from December to March, but between April and November, you should expect rain anywhere between 12 and 23 days out of the year.“Farang” means tourist
“Farang” is Thai slang for “Westerner” or “tourist,” so expect that word to get thrown around a lot in your presence. Unfortunately, many Thai businesses and restaurants have two different sets of prices, a cheaper one for Thai natives, and a more expensive one for foreigners. As you acclimate to life in Choeng Thale, you may be able to haggle your way out of the “farang” price, but you should expect to get upcharged during the beginning of your stay in Thailand.You may experience some culture shock
Thailand is unique among South Asian countries because it was never colonized by a European power. Thai people are generally very proud of their independence. Even if you’ve visited other South Asian countries before, you may experience a little bit of culture shock in Choeng Thale, because Western influence throughout the entire country is quite limited.Thai people frown upon public displays of affection
In Thai culture, romantic gestures and actions are reserved for the privacy of one’s own home. This means that kissing in public, or even holding hands, is frowned upon.It’s HOT
Choeng Thale has a tropical monsoon climate, which means that the temperature is very warm year-round, and does not fluctuate very much throughout the year. The average annual high is 90°F and the average annual low is 77°F, but it’s not unheard of to see the temperatures soar up into the mid-to-high 90° range.Be ready to take your shoes off
As is the case in many Asian countries, it is a no-no to wear shoes inside one’s house in Thailand. This rule also extends to temples, so if you ever visit a temple or other religious site, be ready to leave your shoes outside before entering. Some shops and restaurants even request that you take your shoes off before entering!Work in Choeng Thale
The most significant industry in Choeng Thale is definitely tourism. Hospitality and food service are two of the largest employers in Choeng Thale. However, of course, remote work, freelancing, and digital nomad work is always an option, and many of the expats who live in Choeng Thale and the surrounding beach towns are able to make a living through remote work!
How good is Choeng Thale for Digital Nomads or Remote Work
Remote work is changing how the global workspace operates. In a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down, remote work is rapidly on the increase all around the world—especially in a place like Choeng Thale. And about 25% of remote workers describe themselves as digital nomads—those who like to travel or stay in cities around the world while they work. So, how good is Choeng Thale for both of these growing movements?
Average Internet Speed
Internet speeds in Choeng Thale are quite fast, averaging out at around 21 Mbps throughout the community. Plus, you can find free wifi at many restaurants and cafes in the area, making it pretty easy to find a great place to work outside of home!Work-friendly Coffee Shops
Many coffee shops can be noisy and crowded, making it difficult to focus. However, Choeng Thale has a number of great coffee shops that offer a more tranquil, peaceful environment, where you can get some serious work done, all while enjoying some delicious coffee, and maybe even a pastry, snack, or meal! Phuket Coffee Lab in Choeng Thale: Phuket Coffee Lab is one of the most beloved coffee shops in Choeng Thale. They roast their own coffee onsite and offer a delicious variety of espresso drinks, tea, freshly-squeezed juices, and smoothies. Plus, if you’re craving a Western-style breakfast, there’s no better place to visit than Phuket Coffee Lab. They offer a delicious menu of salads, sandwiches, omelettes, and grain bowls! The Coffee Club in Choeng Thale: Coffee Club is another popular coffee shop among Westerners who are looking for a great espresso and an Australian-style breakfast. They offer an extensive menu of soups, salads, appetizers, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, and even pasta. Cafe Waya in Choeng Thale: Cafe Waya offers a unique blend of Western and Thai-style food and drinks. It offers a comfortable, air conditioned working space, where you can enjoy a delicious menu of iced and hot coffees and teas, pastries, and Thai dishes.Coworking Spaces
There are currently no coworking spaces in Choeng Thale itself, but you can find some great coworking spaces elsewhere on the island of Phuket, many of which are within a half-hour drive from Choeng Thale. Lucky Coworking: Located just over 13 miles south of Choeng Thale, Lucky Coworking offers a colorful, yet comfortable working environment that’s perfect for entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and digital nomads. Their amenities include conference rooms, air conditioning, outdoor seating, free parking, access to a workout facility complete with sauna and tennis courts, and discounted rates at the on-site cafe, Lucky 13, where you can enjoy delicious coffee, sandwiches, salads, and burgers! Hatch Coworking Space Phuket: Hatch Coworking is located about 15 miles southeast of Choeng Thale, and prides itself on offering a friendly, community-oriented working space that caters to startups, graphic designers, freelancers, marketers, and entertainers alike. Amenities include air conditioning, free water and coffee, a lounge, and an on-site cafe. BAYACO: Located about 17 miles south of Choeng Thale, BAYACO is a modern, sleek, yet colorful coworking space that caters especially to startups, although any digital nomad or remote freelancer would love to cowork here! They offer a ton of flexible subscription plans that cater to a wide variety of working needs, as well as air conditioning, a lounge, and free water and coffee.Suitable Level for Digital Nomads
For the most part, digital nomads love Choeng Thale! It’s the perfect place to be if you’re looking for a more secluded, relaxed, tropical environment, where you can enjoy a stroll along the beach or a dip in the ocean after work! Plus, it’s fairly easy to travel throughout the rest of Phuket, and you’re only a short plane ride away from Bangkok!Visa Requirements
The visa process for Choeng Thale is not super involved. To obtain a work visa, visitors first need to obtain a non-immigrant visa. Once you have that visa, you can start the work visa process. This process likely takes 7 business days, which is a much shorter processing time than many other countries. However, if you’re just planning on visiting Thailand, you can stay for up to anywhere between 14 and 90 days without a visa if you have a passport from one of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.Food and Drink in Choeng Thale
There are a ton of amazing restaurants in Choeng Thale that cater to a wide variety of tastes and price ranges. For an exciting fine dining experience, be sure to visit Age Restaurant, a steakhouse that also serves incredible seafood, Dee Plee, which serves traditional Thai food, and Siam Supper Club, a steakhouse that serves gourmet Western food. If you’re looking to enjoy some delicious authentic Thai food at more affordable prices, be sure to try Butterfly Restaurant, Chilli Kitchen, Golden Fish Restaurant and Bar, Riverside Restaurant, and Pooh and Friends. Finally, if you happen to be in Choeng Thale during the ninth lunar month (the corresponding Gregorian month varies from year to year, but is generally in October), you’ll experience the Vegetarian Festival, which is celebrated by the Peranakan people. During this period, street vendors sell delicious vegetarian and vegan versions of Thai and Chinese food!
Restaurants
Bars
Top 6 Things To Do in Choeng Thale
The most popular thing to do in Choeng Thale by far is relax at Surin Beach. It’s famous worldwide for its white sands and perfectly clear turquoise waters. It’s the perfect place to suntan, swim, snorkel, or kayak, and if you’re feeling a little more athletic, you can also boogie board or surf there. The beach is lined by high-end boutiques, restaurants, and all-inclusive resorts, making it one of the most luxurious beaches in Phuket. Another one of the most popular activities in Choeng Thale is Boat Avenue Villa Market, which spans over 300,000 square feet of boutiques, restaurants, malls, food vendors, and even a supermarket. Every Friday evening at about 6 pm, the area transforms into a night market, where street vendors sell a wide variety of clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and street foods!
Elephant Care Park Phuket
391/4 Moo.1 หมู่1 ซอย บางเทา1 Choeng Thale, Thalang District
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Saphan Hin
Wichit, Mueang Phuket District
2
Phuket Thai Hua Museum
28 Krabi, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District
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Layan Beach
Choeng Thale, Thalang District
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Mining Museum
Kathu, Kathu District
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Shrine of The Serene Light
72/1 Yaowarat Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District