Phuket is a 576 square km island province of southwest Thailand, connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge over the Andaman Sea. While Phuket Town, on the southeast coast of the island, is the administrative heart of the province, the west coast is a popular destination for beach-going tourists. Patong is the most populated of the resort areas, with the beaches growing longer and less crowded as you head north along the shore. These public beaches are the highlight of running in Phuket, with wide flat stretches of sand ranging for miles up the coast. Inland, Phuket grows quite jungly and mountainous, providing lots of options for challenging hill runs with great views of the island. Locals tend to favor running around the uncrowded roads of Phuket’s man-made reservoirs and dams, or else exercising in some of the larger public parks like Saphan Hin or King Rama 9. In the words of one local, “the jungle eats trail very quickly” here, so trail runners should consider joining a local group like the Phuket Hash House Harriers.
No matter where you run in Phuket, it’s tough to beat the heat, so make sure to bring plenty of water and try to run in the early morning or evening. NOTE: Driving in Thailand is on the LEFT, so use the RIGHT side of the road to run opposite traffic.
There are lots of options for getting around Phuket without a car. The open-air Songtaew busses are the easiest way to connect from Phuket Town to the western resort areas. Blue micro busses offer service around Phuket Town, and an airport shuttle can deliver you back and forth from flights. Otherwise, taxis and tuk tuks are simple, though slightly pricier, methods of transport. But rest assured — we’ve mapped out routes all around Phuket, so you don’t need to travel far to find a great run!
Special thanks to the Phuket Fun Club for their help with this guide. Make sure to check out them out for all things active and fun on Phuket!
