If there’s one guarantee about raising kids in Phuket, it’s that they will have a very unique childhood. It’s a beautiful tropical island, has a rich history and culture, with endless potential adventures, and a wide variety of opportunities. This also means that there are unique challenges for parents and children. As such, there are important things every Phuket expat parent should know and impart upon their kids so they can thrive, stay safe, and enjoy everything the island has to offer.
Visas Hacks
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For many, visas can be one of the most persistent bureaucratic headaches they will have to deal with while living in Phuket. However, if a parent’s circumstances make their visa status unclear, it is possible to obtain a visa based solely on your kid’s attendance at an accredited school. This is called a Guardian Visa in which one parent is eligible per one student, so a couple would need two children enrolled to secure a visa for each parent. The other notable requirement is that the parent needs to provide proof of a bank balance of at least THB 500,000 for a specific period of time before applying for the visa.
Staying Safe and How to Find Help
While Phuket is quite safe for kids in many regards, there are certainly many ways for kids to get themselves into trouble. In Thailand, the emergency hotline number is 191, and while the operator is likely to speak English, it’s not guaranteed, in which case calling the tourist police at 1155 is the next best option. Of course most kids carry a phone nowadays so programming these numbers into speed dial is recommended.
Understand and Respect the Ocean
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Seeing as your kids will be living on an island, it is very important that they are comfortable around water. Whether it’s beach days or watersports, Phuket kids inevitably spend considerable time at the sea. Learning to swim is almost mandatory and at least a basic understanding of ocean currents can save their lives. Even when the waves are small the currents can be deadly and kids should know to swim between the yellow and red flags in the designated swim zones monitored by lifeguards.
The Cultural Paradox
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Without prior knowledge or experience living in Phuket, one could be forgiven for believing their family will be immersed purely in Thai culture. Sure, Phuket is Thailand, but in reality it is a wildly diverse melting pot of communities from all over the globe. All of these people bring with them their cultural habits, beliefs, religions, expectations, and everything else that makes us all different. You’ll see temples, mosques, and churches – sometimes all in the same neighborhood! Although kids are more adaptable than adults, all of these differences compared to what they are used to can be confusing. Learning to respect all religions, customs, and languages is not only important for kids’ understanding, but plays a crucial role in building a harmonious community on the island.
