The dry season
November to April: dry, sunny days and calm seas for boat trips from Chalong Pier to the islands. The roads around Chalong Circle are at their busiest in the high season.
Chalong
District
A subdistrict in Phuket's south between Phuket Town and Rawai: the island's main temple, international schools, a Muay Thai street and the pier for the islands.
Chalong in photographs
Chalong. Chalong.
- Children
- International schools within minutes
- Facilities
- Malls, supermarkets and gyms
- Access
- About 9 km from Phuket Town
- Water sports
- Island boats from Chalong Pier
About Chalong
Chalong is a subdistrict of Mueang Phuket in the south of the island, about 9 km from Phuket Town. It borders Wichit to the north, Rawai to the south and Karon to the west, and opens east onto Chalong Bay. Its municipality covers about 25 km² and ten villages, from Khao Noi and Na Yai to Chalong and Yot Sane.
The name is thought to come from Wat Chalong, the island's main Buddhist temple, founded in the 1830s; its 60 m Grand Chedi rises beside the main road. On the bay, Chalong Pier is the main departure point for day trips to Coral Island, Racha and the other southern islands.
Chalong has no real town centre and no swimming beach. Life runs along a few main roads around Chalong Circle, the area's busiest junction: malls and supermarkets, clinics, cafés, and the Muay Thai camps and gyms of Soi Ta-iad.
It is a place to live rather than a resort. Long-term residents and families choose it for the international schools, the shops and its central position, with the beaches of Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata and Karon a short drive away.
What is good about Chalong
The south's school belt
BCIS, Buds, Ruamrudee, Prasan Gateway, Kinderville Nova and Montessori House are all in Chalong, with two Russian-language schools as well.
Daily life close at hand
Robinson Lifestyle has a cinema and a children's play park; an imported-food supermarket and a home store are near Chalong Circle, and an open-air mall opened near Wat Chalong in 2025.
Phuket's fitness street
Soi Ta-iad, about 1.5 km long, is lined with Muay Thai camps, gyms and health shops, and draws people who come to train for weeks or months.
In the middle of the south
Phuket Town is about 9 km north, and Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata and Karon are all a short drive away.
The pier for the islands
Boats leave Chalong Pier for Coral Island, Racha, Lone Island and other islands, and the bay is the south's base for yachts.
Things to do at Chalong
Chalong. Chalong. Chalong.
Culture
Wat Chalong
Phuket's main temple, founded in the 1830s. Climb the 60 m Grand Chedi, finished in 2001, for its murals and the view. Free, 07:00 to 17:00; cover shoulders and knees.
Culture
Wat Ladthi Wanaram
A quieter temple on the same road, also called Wat Tai, founded in 1758 and gradually rebuilt on its old site. Free.
Nature
Elephants without riding
At Freedom Elephant Reserve nobody rides or bathes the elephants: a 30-minute feeding visit costs 790 THB, a 90-minute walk with the herd 1,400 THB with transfer.
Family
Phuket Bird Park
Around a thousand birds in aviaries on a jungle hillside almost opposite Wat Chalong, with a show three times a day; 500 THB for adults, 300 THB for children aged 3 to 12.
Sport
Train on Soi Ta-iad
A 1.5 km street of Muay Thai camps, gyms and health shops: join a class for a day or train for a month.
Boat trips · dry season
Islands from Chalong Pier
Day trips to Coral Island, Racha and Lone Island leave from the long piers on Chalong Bay, most of them in the morning.
Shopping
Robinson Lifestyle Chalong
A modern mall with shops, a cinema and OTO Play Park for children on the top floor.
Food and drink
Suksamran fresh market
On Luang Pho Chaem Road every day from about 17:00 to 20:00: vegetables, fruit, pork, chicken and cooked Thai dishes.
Culture
The Big Buddha nearby
The 45 m white marble Buddha on Nakkerd Hill is a short drive from Wat Chalong; open daily 09:00 to 18:00, free.
A day at Chalong
A morning class at a Muay Thai camp or gym on Soi Ta-iad, before the heat.
Visit the temple while it is cool and climb the Grand Chedi. Wat Chalong (Wat Chaithararam)
Lunch and shopping around Chalong Circle and the malls.
Feed the elephants in the reserve's green valley; book the longer walk ahead. Freedom Elephant Reserve
Drive up Nakkerd Hill for the view over Chalong Bay in the late light; the site closes at 18:00.
Cooked dishes from Suksamran market, or dinner at a local restaurant near the pier.
Places in Chalong
Our picks
Wat Chalong (Wat Chaithararam)
Buddhist templePhuket's largest and most visited Buddhist temple, founded around 1837, about 8 km south of Phuket Town on the way to Chalong.
Wat Ladthi Wanaram (Wat Tai)
Buddhist templeA Mahanikaya temple in Chalong, founded in 1758; its first site was left for a time and used as a cemetery before the temple was rebuilt.
Freedom Elephant Reserve
AttractionA small elephant reserve in a valley at Chalong with no riding, no shows and no bathing: visitors feed the elephants by hand and walk with the herd.
Phuket Bird Park
AttractionA bird park on a jungle hillside in Chalong, almost opposite Wat Chalong, with about 1,000 birds and a bird show.
BCIS International School, Phuket (main campus)
A bilingual international school in Chalong with two pathways side by side: Cambridge in English up to A Level, and the French programme up to the Baccalauréat.- No photograph yet
BCIS International School, Phuket (Senior Campus)
The senior campus of BCIS in Chalong, opened in 2019 for secondary and sixth-form pupils of both the English and the French pathways. 
Buds International School Phuket
Chalong BayA small international school in Chalong for children from 1 to 12, open all year round with flexible weekly, monthly and semester plans.
Ruamrudee International School Phuket
Chalong BayThe Phuket campus of Ruamrudee International School, a Bangkok school founded in 1957, in Chalong between forest and sea.
Prasan Gateway International School (PGIS)
A small international school in Chalong, near Robinson Chalong, for children from age 2 to Year 8.
Kinderville Nova International School
A small Russian–English primary school in Chalong, the school branch of the Kinderville kindergarten in Rawai, licensed by OPEC as an international school.
Montessori House Phuket International School
A Montessori school in Chalong running from toddlers through the elementary years, with classes of about fifteen children and two teachers each.
BUKVA School
A small Russian-language primary learning centre on Chaofa Road in Chalong, teaching to the Russian federal standard with extra mathematics and English with a native speaker.
Rassvet Russian School — Chalong branch
A Russian-language school in Chalong for families who want their children to stay in the Russian system while living on Phuket.
Temples
Wat Luang Pu Supha (Wat Si Supharam)
Buddhist templeA temple in Chalong, about 2 km from Wat Chalong, linked to Luang Pu Supha, a widely revered monk who settled in Phuket and built temples here.
Restaurants
Bucha Gallery & Restaurant
Restaurant · Chalong BayA southern Thai restaurant on Chao Fah Tawan Ok Road in Chalong, laid out like a gallery of Buddha images and Luang Pu Thuat amulets; listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Ceres
RestaurantA large Korean barbecue restaurant on Chao Fah West Road in Chalong, with two modern glass-walled rooms and a semi-outdoor terrace.
Chuen Chom Restaurant
RestaurantA garden restaurant in a quiet lane (Soi Ta-iad) in Chalong, among exotic plants and ponds, with a pool and loungers for guests.
Greek Kitchen
RestaurantA Greek taverna on the road up Big Buddha hill above Chalong, with a terrace looking west over Chalong Bay.
Kan Eang 2
Seafood restaurant · Chalong BayThe second, cheaper Kan Eang seafood restaurant, on the Chalong Bay shore off Chao Fa East Road.
Kluay Mai Thai
RestaurantA tiny home-style Southern Thai restaurant on Chao Fah West Road in Chalong, with three or four tables; it cooks to order booked in advance.
Cafés
.island
CaféA coffee shop in Chalong with a neat interior, fresh flowers on the tables and seating upstairs; a calm place to work on a laptop.
162 Cafe
CaféA café in a courtyard off Chao Fa West Road in Chalong, full of details and greenery, with tables inside and outside.- No photograph yet
ASTERISK ESPRESSO Chalong
Café · Chalong BayA coffee shop in Chalong with warm wood, plants and an open-air corner with a mini garden; its barista, Future, is a Thai champion. 
Baan Pu Doo Lay Cafe
CaféA hillside café on the road down from the Big Buddha, with a terrace looking east over Chalong Bay.
Coconuts Café
Café · Chalong BayA small café in a house on a quiet lane near Chalong Circle, with a garden of coconut palms; shoes come off at the door.
Crypto Coff - Cafe Phuket & Coworking Space
CaféA spacious crypto-themed café in Chalong, with mining rigs running in the main room, fast Wi-Fi, many outlets, outdoor seating and paid coworking rooms; crypto payment accepted. Evenings may bring events, DJs or band rehearsals; Thursdays are Latin dance parties.
Shops
Global House Phuket
Home improvement storeA Global House building-materials store on the south side of the island (Google Maps).
Lotus's Chalong
HypermarketA Lotus's hypermarket in Chalong.
Market Village
Community mallA shopping centre on Chao Fa West Road in Chalong, built around a Villa Market supermarket and a large HomePro store.
Really Good Deli
GrocerAn established local deli in Chalong.
Robinson Lifestyle Chalong
Shopping mallA three-floor shopping mall on Chao Fa East Road in Chalong, at the end of Soi Ta-iad, the south of the island's modern mall.
Silenafood Bistro
GrocerAn Eastern European and Russian grocery with a small bistro, in Chalong.
Markets
Suksamran Fresh Market
Fresh marketA local evening market beside Luang Pho Chaem Road in Chalong, on private land, where Chalong residents shop after work.
Health
- No photograph yet
Chalong Hospital
HospitalA public community hospital on Chao Fah West Road in Chalong, serving the south of the island.
Work
- No photograph yet
BTC Space
Coworking spaceA business hub in the Blockchain Technology Center on Chao Fah West Road: a coworking area, private offices, meeting rooms, event venues, virtual offices and business services. - No photograph yet
CocoWorking Space
ColivingThe coworking room of the Cocoville Boutique Villas Resort on Soi Ta-iad, sold by the day or the week. - No photograph yet
Grind Time Coworking Space (Chalong Bay)
Coworking space · Chalong BayGrind Time's Chalong centre on Chao Fah East Road: a coworking space with a quiet space, a fun space with games, a meeting room and phone booths. - No photograph yet
HOMA Chalong Bay
ColivingA serviced-apartment and co-living residence in Chalong whose 24-hour co-working space is open to non-guests through a day pass or a membership. - No photograph yet
PLACE Coworking Phuket
Coworking spaceA large coworking building in Chalong: five floors and a rooftop of shared desks, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event spaces, with a café. - No photograph yet
Regus BTC Space
Serviced officeA Regus business centre in Chalong: private offices, coworking by the day, meeting rooms and virtual offices.
Kids
Arapaima Fishing Park Phuket
Family attraction · Chalong BayA stocked fishing lake in Chalong, on Soi Palai 2, where children can catch fish bigger than themselves.
Jungle Xtrem Adventure & Zipline Park
Adventure parkA rope and zip-line adventure park in the jungle at Chalong.
Oto Play Park Chalong
Indoor playgroundAn indoor children's play park on the third floor of Robinson Lifestyle Chalong, with a restaurant for parents.
Muay Thai
Cobra Muay Thai
Muay Thai campA Muay Thai, MMA and fitness centre in Chalong.
Dragon Muay Thai Camp
Muay Thai campAn open-air Muay Thai camp off Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, on a quiet road among coconut palms and banana trees.- No photograph yet
Eagle Muay Thai Boxing Gym
Muay Thai campA family Muay Thai gym in Chalong teaching by traditional training schemes. 
Phuket Fight Club
Muay Thai camp · Chalong BayA Muay Thai and martial-arts training centre off Soi Palai in Chalong.
Phuket Singha Muay Thai Gym
Muay Thai campA small Muay Thai gym on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong whose classes stay small enough for the trainers to correct each student.- No photograph yet
Rattachai Muay Thai Gym
Muay Thai campA friendly Muay Thai camp near Soi Ta-iad in Chalong with group classes twice a day and private training; it has no rooms of its own, but its packages include rooms at nearby resorts.
Gyms
Ali's Boxing Gym
Martial arts clubA boxing gym on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong.
CrossFit Siam
CrossFit box · Chalong BayA CrossFit gym on Soi Palai in Chalong, with programmes for beginners and experienced athletes.
KONG Phuket Strength & Conditioning Gym
GymA strength-and-conditioning gym on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, open-sided under a high roof among the trees.
Land and Houses Fitness Club
GymThe clubhouse of the Land and Houses Park estate in Chalong, open to visitors on a day pass.
Lions MMA Club
Martial arts clubA martial-arts gym on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong for MMA, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with the strongest BJJ programme on the street.
Phuket Wrestling Club
Martial arts clubA freestyle-wrestling club in Chalong, about a kilometre from Soi Ta-iad.
Yoga
- No photograph yet
5 Elements Hot Yoga
Yoga studioA hot-yoga studio and retreat on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, open for more than seven years, formerly Sutisa Hot Yoga Connection. - No photograph yet
PRANA Yoga and Sound Healing Phuket
Yoga studio · Chalong BayA yoga studio in Chalong (Soi Palai) with yoga, breathwork and sound-healing classes. - No photograph yet
Touchwood Yoga
Yoga studioA small yoga studio in Chalong with a café and rooms to stay, open to drop-in classes. - No photograph yet
Traditional Ashtanga Yoga Shala Phuket
Yoga studioAn Ashtanga yoga shala at the clubhouse of Land & Houses Park in Chalong, teaching in the Mysore style and in led classes. - No photograph yet
Yoga Connections Phuket
Yoga studioA yoga studio on Soi Ta-Iad in Chalong, at the Intana tennis courts.
Padel and tennis
Chalong Badminton Sports Court
Badminton courtsAn indoor badminton hall in Chalong with spacious courts.- No photograph yet
Intana Tennis Court
Tennis courtsThree outdoor hard tennis courts on Soi Ta-iad, Chalong. - No photograph yet
PAT Tennis and Padel Club
Tennis courtsA tennis and padel club in Chalong with covered and outdoor courts in green surroundings.
Water sports
Andaman Discovery Diving & Yachting Center
Sailing club · Chalong BayA sailing school in Chalong, an accredited ISSA member training sailors and motor-yacht skippers since 2013.- No photograph yet
BangBang Aquatics Swimming School
Swimming poolA public pool and swimming school at Phuket Country Home in Chalong. - No photograph yet
Chom Thong Thani swimming pool
Swimming poolA swimming pool in Chalong used for lessons, fitness swimming and relaxing. - No photograph yet
Manta Dive Phuket
Dive centre · Chalong BayA dive centre on Soi Gruwatthana in Chalong, an SSI centre that also teaches PADI, with day trips on its boat, the MV Mermaid. - No photograph yet
No Gravity Dive Center
Dive centreA small SSI dive centre in Chalong, off Chao Fa West Road, running since 2007, a short drive from Chalong Pier. 
Phuket Smart Fit
Swimming poolA swimming academy in Chalong built around a heated indoor pool.
Marinas
Chalong Pier
Pier · Chalong BayPhuket's busiest pier, on Chalong Bay: the main base for dive boats, private yachts and many day-tour speedboats.
Sports
Chalong Horseback Riding
Riding stableA trail-riding stable in Chalong whose rides go inland, through the rubber plantations and the hills behind Chalong, with views to the bay and the reservoir.- No photograph yet
Ona Active Dance Studio
Dance studioA dance and fitness studio in Chalong for women, in light tones with floral accents. - No photograph yet
Phuket Dolphins Kids Football Club
Football pitchA children's football academy in Chalong with two open fields. - No photograph yet
Prodance Family Phuket
Dance studioA dance studio in Chalong led by professional choreographers. 
Rush Sports Basketball & Flag Football
Football pitchA basketball and flag-football academy in Chalong for children and adults.- No photograph yet
WINGS pole studio
Dance studioA pole and stretching studio in Dracaena Plaza, Chalong, for training and rental.
- The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Buddhist temple
Buddhist temple
Buddhist temple
Attraction
Attraction
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Café
Café
Café
Café
Café
Home improvement store
Hypermarket
Community mall
Grocer
Shopping mall
Grocer
Supermarket
Grocer
Fresh market
Hospital
Coworking space
Coliving
Coworking space
Coliving
Coworking space
Serviced office
Family attraction
Adventure park
Indoor playground
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai camp
Martial arts club
CrossFit box
Martial arts club
Martial arts club
CrossFit box
CrossFit box
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Badminton courts
Tennis courts
Tennis courts
Sailing club
Swimming pool
Swimming pool
Dive centre
Dive centre
Swimming pool
Sailing club
Dive centre
Pier
Riding stable
Dance studio
Football pitch
Dance studio
Football pitch
Dance studio
Homes in Chalong
Chalong is mostly houses and pool villas in estates off the main roads, townhouses and low-rise condos, with more space for the money than near the beaches. Homes close to the schools and Chalong Circle are the most practical for daily life.
3 homes for rent in ChalongChalong through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: Chalong Bay is sheltered, but heavy showers are frequent and some island trips are cancelled when the sea is rough. Schools, gyms and shops run as usual.
Chalong with children
Chalong is the south's school belt: international schools, Russian-language schools, malls and clinics sit close together, and the beaches are a short drive away.
- BCIS (two campuses), Buds, Ruamrudee, Prasan Gateway, Kinderville Nova and Montessori House are in Chalong.
- Russian-speaking families have Bukva and a branch of Rassvet.
- Robinson Lifestyle's top floor has a children's play park.
- Phuket Bird Park and the elephant reserve make easy half-day outings.
Getting to Chalong and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 45–65 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 20–35 min
- From Phuket Town
- 15–25 min
Chalong lies at the crossroads of the south: Chao Fa West Road runs north to Phuket Town, and roads fan out to Rawai, Kata and Karon. The airport Smart Bus does not pass through, so most people drive or ride.
- By car. Phuket Town is about 9 km away; plan around Chalong Circle at rush hour.
- By scooter. The usual way around; the main roads are busy and fast.
- Grab and taxis. Ride apps and taxis work across the area and to the airport.
- By boat. Boats to Coral Island, Racha and other islands leave from Chalong Pier.
Parking. Malls, supermarkets and the large temples have their own car parks; the side streets are narrow, and the pier is busy in the morning when the island boats leave.
Who will love Chalong, and who will not
Will love it
- Families who put schools first and want shops and clinics close by.
- Long-term residents who want a practical base in the middle of the south.
- Long stays on a budget: a furnished one-bedroom costs about 13,000 to 28,000 THB a month (2026).
- Muay Thai and fitness fans who come to train on Soi Ta-iad.
Will not
- Beach lovers who want to walk to the sand: the nearest swimming beaches are in Rawai, Kata and Karon.
- Night owls: evenings are quiet, and Patong is 20 to 35 minutes away.
- Short-stay visitors: Chalong is a base for living, not a resort.
Tips for Chalong
Avoid the circle at rush hour
Chalong Circle is the area's traffic bottleneck; at school and office times, travel earlier or use the back roads.
Dress for Wat Chalong
Cover shoulders and knees. The firecrackers you hear are thanks offerings from local families.
Book the elephant walk
The longer walk with the herd at Freedom Elephant Reserve needs booking ahead; the short feeding visit is easier to fit in.
Early boats
Island trips leave Chalong Pier in the morning; arrive early, as the pier and its parking fill up.
Market after work
Suksamran market opens at about 17:00; go early for the cooked food.
Rent for value
A furnished one-bedroom costs about 13,000 to 28,000 THB a month (2026), less than near the west-coast beaches.
Big Buddha closes at 18:00
Go up Nakkerd Hill by mid-afternoon: the site opens 09:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30.
Questions about Chalong
Where is Chalong in Phuket?
In the south of the island, about 9 km from Phuket Town, between Wichit to the north, Rawai to the south and Karon to the west, with Chalong Bay to the east.
Is there a beach in Chalong?
Not for swimming: Chalong Bay is a working bay of piers and moorings. The nearest swimming beaches are in Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata and Karon, a short drive away.
What is Chalong known for?
Wat Chalong, Phuket's main temple; the pier for island day trips; Soi Ta-iad's Muay Thai camps; and a cluster of international schools.
Which international schools are in Chalong?
BCIS (main and senior campuses), Buds, Ruamrudee International School, Prasan Gateway, Kinderville Nova and Montessori House, plus the Russian-language schools Bukva and Rassvet.
What are Wat Chalong's opening hours?
Daily from 07:00 to 17:00, and the grounds can be walked at any time. Entry is free; cover shoulders and knees.
Where do boats to Coral Island and Racha leave from?
From Chalong Pier on Chalong Bay; most day trips leave in the morning.
Is Chalong a good place to live?
For families and long stays, yes: schools, malls, clinics and gyms are close, and rents are lower than by the beaches. The trade-offs are traffic around Chalong Circle and no beach within walking distance.
How much is rent in Chalong?
A furnished one-bedroom costs about 13,000 to 28,000 THB a month (2026), depending on the size, the age of the building and the area.
What is Soi Ta-iad?
A street about 1.5 km long in Chalong, lined with Muay Thai camps, gyms and health shops; it is often called Phuket's fitness street.