About Koh Kaew
Koh Kaew is a mainly residential area on Phuket's east side, just north of Phuket Town. It is quieter and more local than the west-coast tourist areas, and it is best known for its two marinas, Royal Phuket Marina and Phuket Boat Lagoon, around 10 mins from the middle of Koh Kaew, with restaurants, cafes, a gym, tennis courts and a co-working space at Royal Phuket Marina. There is no swimming beach on this side of the island: the nearest are Bang Tao and Surin on the west coast, around 20 mins by road.
For families it is one of the more practical bases on the island. BISP's 44-acre campus is around 5 mins away and Finnway International School, for ages 2 to 12, around 10 mins. Mission Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Vachira and Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, all with 24-hour emergency, are around 15-20 mins away in Phuket Town, which is around 15-25 mins away itself. Villa Market at Boat Lagoon covers daily shopping, Robinson Lifestyle Thalang is around 10 mins away, and the airport is around 25-35 mins away. The Koh Kaew intersection is congested at peak times, so allow extra.
What's in Koh Kaew
Beaches & nature
- Bang Tao Beach and Surin Beach The nearest swimming beaches, on the west coast, around 20 mins by road
- Layan Beach and Kamala Beach West coast, around 20-30 mins
- Nai Yang Beach West coast, around 25-35 mins
- Ao Yon East-coast beach on the Panwa side, around 25-35 mins
Healthcare
- Mission Hospital Phuket Private, non-profit, 24-hour emergency, around 15 mins
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket Private, 24-hour emergency and trauma, around 15 mins. The Bangkok-Phuket Cancer Institute service launched in September 2026
- Vachira Phuket Hospital Public, 24-hour emergency, around 15 mins
- Bangkok Hospital Siriroj Private, 24-hour emergency, around 15-20 mins
- Dibuk Hospital and Chalong Hospital Dibuk is a small BDMS hospital in Wichit with 24-hour emergency, around 20 mins. Chalong Hospital is public, around 25 mins
- Vets RTB Animal Hospital in Wichit, PIPC on Si Sunthon Road and Aura Pets International Animal Hospital in Cherngtalay. Thonglor Chalong Pet Hospital is open 24 hours, around 20 km away. Ambulance: 1669
Schools & nurseries
- British International School Phuket (BISP) British curriculum, IB Diploma and BTEC, ages 2 to 18, 44-acre campus with boarding and 60+ nationalities, around 5 mins. Waiting lists are reported for Early Years, so enquire early
- Finnway International School Finnish-based, ages 2 to 12, around 10 mins. Grade 7 was added from August 2026
- QSI International School of Phuket American curriculum, in Kathu, around 15 mins
- Kajonkiet International School British and Cambridge, in Kathu, around 20 mins
- HeadStart International School British, Chaofah City campus in Wichit, around 20 mins. The Cherngtalay campus (Foundation to Year 9) is around 15-20 mins away, estimated from the Cherngtalay centre
- UWC Thailand and Glenalmond Phuket IB and English National Curriculum, both in Thalang beside Thanyapura, around 20-25 mins. Glenalmond opened in August 2026
- More campuses BCIS in Chalong is around 25 mins and Lighthouse International School in Rawai around 35 mins. Check ages and curricula with each school
Shopping & daily needs
- Villa Market, Boat Lagoon Premium supermarket, around 10 mins
- Convenience stores Small-format Big C, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart stores within about 2 km
- Robinson Lifestyle Thalang Mall, around 10 mins
- Lotus Thalang (Heroines Monument) and Thai Watsadu Hypermarket and hardware store, around 10 mins. Makro Thalang (wholesale) is around 15 mins
- Phuket Premium Outlet Outlet mall, around 10 mins. Few large brands are left and prices are not better than Central, so it is not a major shopping reason
- Big C and Lotus Samkong, Phuket Town Hypermarkets, around 15 mins
- Central Phuket Floresta and Festival The main mall, around 20 mins. An expansion is planned, see New & coming soon
- Co-working Regus co-working space at Royal Phuket Marina, around 10 mins
Restaurants & beach clubs
- LUME Waterfront bistro at Royal Phuket Marina, Mediterranean-inspired Italian seafood
- BLUU Asian Kitchen and Bar Coastal Asian shared plates and cocktails at Royal Phuket Marina
- Madame Saigon, Sea Breeze and Pasta Basta Vietnamese, Thai and international, and pasta, also at Royal Phuket Marina
- The Dock Bar and The Speakeasy Phuket Bar and cocktail bar at Royal Phuket Marina
- Mee Sapam (Sapam Noodle) Casual noodle restaurant on Thepkrasattri Road, a few km away
- Laem Hin Seafood Seafood dinners, popular with locals, on Thepkrasattri Road
- Nitan Phuket Thai-French fine dining in Si Sunthon, about 9 km
- Beach clubs None on the east coast. Flamingo Beachfront Cafe at Ao Yon has fair prices and no minimum spend, around 25-35 mins. West-coast clubs such as Catch, RAVA, Xana and Carpe Diem are around 20-30 mins
Coffee & cafes
- Solavita Cafe Wellness cafe at Royal Phuket Marina with bowls, salads, pizzas and coffee
- BAKE and Les Anges Coffee and pastries at Royal Phuket Marina
- The River Coffee and Food Riverside cafe with tables set in the stream, serving breakfast
- Monkeypod Coffeehouse Coffee, bakery and Western menu in Pa Khlok, about 8 km
- Specialty coffee The nearest strong cluster is in Phuket Old Town, about 12 km away
Sports & wellness
- Gyms and yoga RPM Health Club at Royal Phuket Marina (check access and hours), Just Fit Gym in Kathu, Alpha Health Club and Body Gym in Phuket Town, Hill Club Yoga Studio in Phuket Town
- Muay Thai Sumalee Boxing Gym in Thalang (a quieter camp with optional yoga, around 10 mins; check it is running). Revolution Muay Thai near Surin and Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA are around 20-30 mins. Tiger Muay Thai and the Soi Ta-iad cluster in Chalong are around 20-30 mins
- Padel & pickleball None in Koh Kaew. Destination Padel Club (6 courts) is in Thalang; Padel Phuket @ Blue Tree (6 courts) and WAREHAUS.club are in Cherngtalay, around 20 mins; The Peak Racquet Park (pickleball) is in Si Sunthon
- Tennis Royal Tennis Club at Royal Phuket Marina, with two floodlit courts on the estate
- Golf Red Mountain, around 10 mins, and Phuket Country Club, around 15 mins, both 18 holes. Laguna Golf is around 20 mins; Mission Hills and Blue Canyon around 25-35 mins
- Thanyapura Sports and health club in Thalang with 50 m and 25 m pools, tennis courts, a gym and classes. Day passes are sold. Padel is not listed on its official site. Around 20-30 mins.
- Horse riding Moracea Horse Academy lessons in Koh Kaew; Niran Equestrian Centre (closed Mondays) in Si Sunthon, around 15 mins
- Rebel Rock Climbing Indoor climbing gym, around 15 mins
- Kite and wake Phuket Wake Park in Kathu, around 15 mins. Kitesurfing is on the west and south coasts, for example Nai Yang, around 25-35 mins
Marinas
- Royal Phuket Marina About 350 berths for yachts up to 115 ft, open 24 hours, with a Sunseeker showroom, restaurants, a gym and tennis courts, around 10 mins
- Phuket Boat Lagoon Beside Royal Phuket Marina, with a 180-berth lagoon and repair yards, around 10 mins
- Ao Po Grand Marina 230 berths and a gateway to Phang Nga Bay, around 30-40 mins
Attractions
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Observation only, no riding, in Pa Khlok, around 20 mins
- Hanuman World Zip lines in Wichit, around 20-30 mins
New & coming soon in Koh Kaew
New
- NewRoyal Phuket Marina refresh New tenants through 2025 and 2026, including Solavita Cafe and BLUU. A Sunseeker showroom opened in early 2026.
- NewFinnway International School, Grade 7 Lower secondary added from August 2026.
- NewGlenalmond Phuket (Thalang) English National Curriculum school at Thanyapura, opened August 2026, around 20 mins away.
- NewBangkok-Phuket Cancer Institute Launched at Bangkok Hospital Phuket in September 2026, around 15 mins away.
Coming soon
- Coming soonPhuket Expressway Phase 2, Muang Mai to Koh Kaew to Kathu Planned. Government timetable gives Cabinet approval in September 2027, construction from October 2028 and opening around October 2031 (reported September 2026). The route passes through Koh Kaew.
- Coming soonKathu to Patong expressway and tunnel (Phase 1) Planned. Government timetable gives Cabinet approval in December 2026, construction from October 2027 and opening around October 2031 (reported September 2026).
- Coming soonPhuket light rail Proposed. Airport to Chalong, about 42 km. Construction is reported between 2028 and 2029 and opening between late 2031 and 2032, after earlier dates were missed. A station and depot are planned at Koh Kaew.
- Coming soonPhuket Airport expansion Planned. An international terminal extension and extra gates, taking capacity to at least 18 million passengers a year. Completion is given as between 2029 and 2031, depending on the source.
- Coming soonCentral Phuket expansion Announced. Central Pattana says the expansion of the mall will be completed in 2028, making it about 40 per cent larger.
- Coming soonBumrungrad International Hospital Phuket Planned in Mai Khao, near the airport. Opening is reported between the third quarter and the end of 2027, depending on the source.
- Coming soonSongklanagarind (PSU) Hospital Phuket Planned. A new university hospital, reported to open between 2029 and 2030, depending on the source. The site is reported as Kathu in some sources.
- Coming soonICONPHUKET (Siam Piwat) Announced 5 October 2026. A retail and attractions project on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang, planned to open in 2029 as part of the wider Synthesis Ark Phuket development.
- Coming soonAndaman International Airport (Phang Nga) Proposed. A second airport on the mainland in Phang Nga, reported to open between 2030 and 2032, depending on the source.
Getting around from Koh Kaew
- BISParound 1 km, 5 mins
- Boat Lagoon & Royal Phuket Marinaaround 4 km, 10 mins
- Phuket Townaround 12 km, 15-25 mins
- Boat Avenuearound 13 km, 15-25 mins
- Central Phuketaround 14 km, 20 mins
- Bang Tao Beacharound 14 km, 15-25 mins
- Patong Beacharound 15 km, 15-25 mins
- Thanyapura (Thalang)around 16 km, 20-30 mins
- Phuket Airportaround 23 km, 25-35 mins
Properties in Koh Kaew
Projects in Koh Kaew
Other Phuket area guides
Bangtao/Laguna · Bangtao/Surin · Cape Yamu · Chalong · Cherngtalay · Kamala · Karon · Layan · Nai Thon · Natai Beach · Pru Jampa · Rawai · Sakhu · Thalang
Frequently asked questions
What is Koh Kaew like to live in?
A mainly residential area just north of Phuket Town on the east side of the island, quieter and more local than the west coast. It is best known for the Royal Phuket Marina and Phuket Boat Lagoon marinas, and for being close to BISP and Finnway. There is no swimming beach here, so the beach is a drive of around 20 mins.
Are there international schools in Koh Kaew?
Yes. BISP (British, ages 2 to 18) is around 5 mins from the middle of Koh Kaew and Finnway International School (Finnish-based, ages 2 to 12) is around 10 mins. QSI is around 15 mins, Kajonkiet and HeadStart's Chaofah City campus around 20 mins, and UWC Thailand and Glenalmond around 20-25 mins.
Where is the nearest hospital to Koh Kaew?
The main hospitals are in Phuket Town, all with 24-hour emergency: Mission Hospital Phuket and Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Vachira around 15 mins, and Bangkok Hospital Siriroj around 15-20 mins. The ambulance number is 1669.
How far is Koh Kaew from the airport?
Around 23 km, roughly 25-35 mins depending on traffic.
Are the marinas close to Koh Kaew?
Yes. Royal Phuket Marina and Phuket Boat Lagoon sit side by side, around 4 km and 10 mins from the middle of Koh Kaew. Ao Po Grand Marina, a gateway to Phang Nga Bay, is around 30-40 mins away.
Where can I play padel, golf or train near Koh Kaew?
There is no padel court in Koh Kaew. Destination Padel Club is in Thalang and Padel Phuket @ Blue Tree and WAREHAUS.club are in Cherngtalay, around 20 mins. Red Mountain and Phuket Country Club golf courses are around 10-15 mins, and Thanyapura is in Thalang, around 20-30 mins.
How many properties are for sale in Koh Kaew?
There are currently 10 properties for sale in Koh Kaew with Digital Villas, across 3 projects.
What do villas cost in Koh Kaew?
Villas in Koh Kaew start from around THB 19.9M, with price depending on the project, plot and finish.
Which developers build in Koh Kaew?
Koh Kaew has developments from Zenithy, Botanica.