Phuket Vs Koh Samui: Digital Nomad & Tourist’s perfect destination?

The two largest and most popular Thai islands are Phuket and Koh Samui.
This video will give you my perspective on the differences between the two and why you might choose one over the other.
Both have their strong point and both are amazing places in the same and slightly different ways.
Hope this helps you choose which one is right for you or at least helps you decide which is more suited for your next trip.

[@Embracedw]

2022 january I was in phuket and it was so empty I loved it. Returned 1 year later and sat in traffic with a bike. That was too much for me. I am glad I experienced phuket in 2022.

[@sheiv8562]

Great video! Thanks so much for the comparison :)

[@Arty-h4c]

Another really helpful video, thank you! I still haven’t decided which one I prefer

[@josh.onthemove]

Thank you 🙌🏻. Me neither tbh

[@rektalik]

Such a great video and channel keep up the good work 👍🏼 I just moved from Dubai to Phuket as a base to travel south east Asia

[@josh.onthemove]

Thanks, appreciate you! Enjoy phuket 👊🏻

[@Hermit2033]

Great video and great info! Thanks once again dude 👍👍

[@josh.onthemove]

Thanks mate!

[@R-Tap]

The thing I loved about holidaying on Samui back 1998 was that it felt like it had a small island feel, which is great for a holiday. It was my 1st ever small island holiday. I still love that feeling when holidaying today. Escapism. I look forward to my return to Thailand.

[@josh.onthemove]

Bet it would’ve been a hell of a different experience back then! Still a great place, enjoy your next trip and thanks for the comment!

[@rshangrila]

You'd find Samui a different place today. I'm here now for the first time since 2003. What a disappointment.

[@mariab391]

Thanks for sharing! I am planning on visiting both places for 1 month each this winter, and trying to guess which I should do first. I am really curious about Phuket, however also I am afraid to see overcrowded beaches and traffic jams. Trying to find the right balance between natural serenity and infrastructural convenience.

[@josh.onthemove]

@@mariab391 a respect that perspective, it’s what I look for when trying to find places to travel to. Both are great places, both are also going to be some of the busiest places in Thailand but that doesn’t mean there’ll be traffic and crowds everywhere 24/7, it depends on location and time of day. I’d split my time or potentially look into Krabi or another island/ region if peace/ quiet is what you’re looking for. I’ve not been to Koh phangan but aside from the full moon party I believe it could be a good choice based on what you’ve said 👍

[@americaninchina4853]

Good vid buddy! I go with Samui.

[@josh.onthemove]

Thanks mate! I’m torn between them still, my mind goes back and forth each week 😅. Hua Hin it is 😉

[@kohtime]

Phuket has never really appealed to be honest…. Far too busy for me! If I had to choose it would be samui for sure! Although without a doubt, Koh Chang, Koh Lanta are more my vibe! I’m living in Hua Hin at the moment so mainland but I need myself some island visits soon as! Nice video mate!

[@josh.onthemove]

The thing is, on paper Samui wins for me also. There’s just something about Phuket that always feels like home, I know the island so well so I think I’m a little biased. Hua Hin is my favourite place in Thailand overall so far, will be back very soon. Koh lanta appeals to me a lot but haven’t tried it yet. Thanks for the comment

[@chriswelsh3197]

​Did Koh Lanta in Feb this year and loved it. Done Phuket, Samui, Phi Phi, Lipe, Lanta and Phan gan. Samui my favourite followed by Lipe. ​@@josh.onthemove

[@josh.onthemove]

@@chriswelsh3197 thanks for sharing mate 👊🏻

[@Beeshmar_98]

Hey I haven't watched this video yet but this is a great concept to cover this topic

[@josh.onthemove]

Appreciate the comment!

[@bonneville1972]

We live over the border and visit Phuket a couple of times a year - but never Patong, Karon or Kata. These places, as with much of Samui, are crowded with package tourists. You can stay right down south of Phuket, quiet, beautiful, no mass tourism - but still be within a 300 baht taxi of anywhere else.

[@josh.onthemove]

Over the border ie not in Thailand? Malaysia? I agree re those places in Phuket. The south is beautiful. I also think the north will become much more popular in the next 5-10 years like Nai Yang or Mai Khao. Thanks for the comment.

[@mattlambros2431]

Hey mate, how long you out in Asia for?? I'm moving solo in a few weeks from the UK. Spending October doing Malaysia (with my Malay step mum) then moving to Thailand. Will be walking the circumference of Koh Samui and Phuket probably, but living in Bangkok from around November. Would be great to catch you if you're still there, incredible content.

[@josh.onthemove]

@@mattlambros2431 I’ll be out here as long as possible mate. Going to leave to apply for the DTV in a few months which will mean I can ‘move’ here then. Appreciate the comment 👊🏻

[@mattlambros2431]

@@josh.onthemove Yeah awesome, I looked into that too. Do you know if I'll have an issue getting a condo in Thailand (6 months to a year) without any more advanced visa ? Planning on just hopping across to other countries and back initially but would like to have a base.

[@Black-Circle]

Phuket looks amazing for training. I really like the look of Bangtao.

[@ledzeproberts2111]

Had a banging time in Phuket many years ago 😊 Time for Samui one thinks

[@josh.onthemove]

Both are solid places for different reasons. Have a good one 👊🏻

[@pg618]

Hoping to be in Koh Samui next month I am a writer and I'm looking for a long-term, very quiet place to rent near a food market and restaurants but not expensive. Can you sugges a location? Thank you very much.

[@anomad6314]

could you recommend a muay thai camp that also offers accommodation? I've been to Phuket a few times already and would now like to spend a few weeks in Samui. Thanks

[@lucalbert4185]

This is not typical of Thailand but of Kho Samui. Many things you talk about are not the same in other parts of the country. Many are similar all over but some are not the same at all. Sidewalks almost everywhere I've been, cities, towns, south, north....only small towns or villages.....like everywhere in the world.

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

Both places are very nice for a holiday; however, I prefer Pattaya to live. It has more things to do, good schools Muscle Factory Gym and Fairtex gym and it's close to Bangkok by car. Koh Samui is too quiet for me; I get sick of being there after five days. Phuket and Samui have nice beaches, especially Phuket.

[@josh.onthemove]

I’ve not spent enough significant time in Pattaya, didn’t like it my first impressions but would be open to trying again. Agree re both places being ideal for a holiday but not to live, that’s how I feel about them too

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

@@josh.onthemoveBeing a digital nomad, you have the luxury of being able to move around. Sounds like a good life for a young bloke. Good luck with your adventures.

[@G3Z44]

Samui for me all daylong for longer term chilled living.In samui you know you are on an island and retains its charm. Phuket feels overdeveloped and feels as if you’re on the mainland. Each to their own.

[@josh.onthemove]

I actually agree with you and on paper, samui for me all day too but for some reason I feel more at home/ feel the vibe more in Phuket.

[@josh.onthemove]

Thanks for the comment 👊🏻

[@geehammer1511]

One thing I didn't hear you say is that Koh Samui is a honeymoon destination.

[@danielplatt6638]

Phuket probably has some of the best gyms in the world

[@josh.onthemove]

It has to be in contention for sure

[@RebeccaDone-vl2ey]

I trained at Top Team with Olavo. Oss.

[@eden5260]

One question left unanswered for me is about the local nightlife in phuket . It dosent exist in Samui from my experience But I wonder about Phuket . I dont mean a classic asian bar with small group tables and loud music I mean pubs , DJ bars , coktail bars like in bangkok More upscale not the classic tourist parties with working women

[@kevinstrong7520]

Discussion about digital nomads without talking about internet reliability?

[@josh.onthemove]

Both are 10/10 - better than the UK in my experience

[@karenanon9156]

What is the healthcare like there? Are supermarkets open 7 days a week? Times they are open? Cost to buy food v eating out? Great video👏

[@BiteAdust4857]

Healthcare --> Medical fee in Thai private hospital/clinic is way cheaper than in the west (also with the solid service). Supermarkets (and malls) --> Yes they open 7 days a week and mostly around from 10am to 10pm. Eating out VS buying your own ingredient --> Very tricky one, cause there's the various class of restaurant in Thailand; from 1-2 USD of noodle bowl to 30 USD of wagyu steak with truffle sauce. That go the same for the palce you buy your own ingredient; from a local wet market to the hi-end supermarket inside shopping mall.

[@kohtime]

Healthcare is great if you choose private, although relatively expensive. Public hospitals are “good” but you get what you pay for! Being from the UK and being expected to wait months for tests or treatments it feels amazing to get “almost” immediate attention to issues here in Thailand. Supermarkets are generally open 7 days a week, usually from 8/9am to 22/23hrs daily… baring this there are always a 24hr 7/11, usually within a stones throw for the basics. 24hr chemists are also common and you can usually find what you need generally within a reasonably short distance. Despite what many people say, buying in and cooking for yourself if you have the facilities is cheaper in 9 out of 10 scenarios than eating out. Although you can in effect spend as much or as little as you want while out. Vegetables I would say, at least from the supermarket are comparable to European prices and imported goods are considerably more expensive. Chicken and pork are relatively cheap at between 85thb and 125thb per kilo. You can on the whole eat cheaper cooking yourself if you meal plan well. Regardless of what you decide there is an abundance of food courts offering really cheap meals most places for between 40-70thb. I’ve recently made a video detailing many of the menu’s and food court prices here in Hua Hin if you want a more in depth look at what’s available on the cheap. Hope this helps 👍🏻

[@josh.onthemove]

Very detailed response 🙌🏻

[@josh.onthemove]

Think this has been answered haha. Thanks for the comment 💙😁

[@kohtime]

@@josh.onthemove very welcome mate, always happy to help 👍🏻

[@PatriciAbBianca]

Have you ever been to Samed island(Rayong province)or Phi Phi island(krabi province)..!!?⁉️ Kho Railey(krabi),Kho Kradand(Trang province),Simirun island(Pangnga province) Crystal clear water and fine white sand beaches...too hard and difficult to compare!!!‼️ Parts of thailand there are many different and beautiful places...for sure that's quite really unique..Public utilities and all conveniences depends on your choice.♀️♂️

[@josh.onthemove]

I compared Phuket to Samui? Thanks for the comment 👍🏻

[@itsOnMARS2023]

Have you tried Pattaya yet?

[@josh.onthemove]

Only briefly, not saying it’s defo not for me but I feel pretty confident it’s not the spot for me. Thanks for the comment 👊🏻

[@ledzeproberts2111]

Run even 😆

[@fv6125]

This dude hasn't discovered the Philippines yet.

[@josh.onthemove]

You’re right I haven’t, any recommendations?

[@BO-mb8rr]

​@@josh.onthemove Manilla, Davo City, and Cebu are the big three cities.

[@danisplendore]

Palawan!

[@josh.onthemove]

@@danisplendore heard good things of Palawan and Siargao

[@Mark-vy6md]

​@@josh.onthemove Boracay has better beaches and more compact than Koh Samui. Flights are also cheaper. Palawan is amazing too! Definitely something to discover! the landscape and beaches, its magical