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Is Rawai a good base for expats on a DTV visa in Thailand, especially for fitness and community connections?
Sep 29, 2025
7 months ago
Ryan **********
ORIGINAL POSTERFor those of you in Thailand on a DTV visa — is Rawai a good place to base yourself as this is where I’ve seen a decent Muay Thai gym under the soft power visa, or would you recommend another area of Phuket?
While I’m out there, I’d love to connect with others into fitness/gym life and digital nomads. Would you recommend renting a motorbike or a car, and what are the typical costs? I know motorbikes are easy to rent, but I only have an international driving license (not a motorbike one), so I’m not sure how that works.
Same with accommodation — did you sort it once you arrived or book in advance? Roughly what are the monthly costs for a decent place in Phuket?
Also, how did you go about meeting like-minded people? I’d like to avoid feeling isolated, as I’m moving from the UK and hoping to meet people into fitness, good vibes, and community.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated as I’m getting flights to Phuket booked and sorting putting things into storage back home in the UK currently preparing to move. Thanks in advance!
While I’m out there, I’d love to connect with others into fitness/gym life and digital nomads. Would you recommend renting a motorbike or a car, and what are the typical costs? I know motorbikes are easy to rent, but I only have an international driving license (not a motorbike one), so I’m not sure how that works.
Same with accommodation — did you sort it once you arrived or book in advance? Roughly what are the monthly costs for a decent place in Phuket?
Also, how did you go about meeting like-minded people? I’d like to avoid feeling isolated, as I’m moving from the UK and hoping to meet people into fitness, good vibes, and community.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated as I’m getting flights to Phuket booked and sorting putting things into storage back home in the UK currently preparing to move. Thanks in advance!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post inquires about the suitability of Rawai as a base for expats on a DTV visa, specifically for those interested in Muay Thai, fitness, and connecting with like-minded individuals. It asks various questions regarding motorbike rental regulations without a specific license, accommodation costs in Phuket, and how to meet others in the fitness community. Responses from the community suggest that Rawai is a good area but may be more expensive, recommend the importance of having the proper motorcycle license for legal driving, and emphasize the potential dangers of riding without insurance. Additionally, participants share their positive experiences with training in Rawai and suggest pursuing insurance that covers motorcycle accidents.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Tommy ********
This isn’t a visa question. It’s a tourist question
Gareth ********
@Tommy *******
I guess it fits in to the ‘more’ section then.Reply to
Gareth ********
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Sakis ************
I trained at Rawai in Khao Lak for 2 days on recommendation from two other gym owners. Amazing training and really lovely people. Would reccomend.
Linda **********
Another patasite
Mark *********
Just a couple of thoughts. Thailand has one of the highest motorcycle accident rates in the world with corresponding high rates of death and injuries. If you do not have a motorcycle license for sure your insurance will not cover you. As an aside, make sure you have insurance that covers you in case of a motorcycle accident. You might also find that if you don't have a motorcycle license in your home country, that country's insurance will not cover you here. We have all seen too many crowd funding appeals on FB to send money to someone who has had a motorcycle accident and has no license and/or insurance and now is in dire straits.
Marianne ********
If you don't have a motorbike license in your home country, you will need to get a local license to legally drive.
People who rent them out might not care at all. But your insurance for sure will if there is an accident. And seeing as Thailand is pretty far up towards the top on traffic accidents... You want to be covered.
Also, maybe check out fitness street?
People who rent them out might not care at all. But your insurance for sure will if there is an accident. And seeing as Thailand is pretty far up towards the top on traffic accidents... You want to be covered.
Also, maybe check out fitness street?
Nin *****
@Marianne *******
I did mine for 150 too, the 8k is a weekend in Krabi and a whole driving course.I think people are getting the fake ones for 11k 😅
Ryan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Marianne *******
is it possible to do a motorbike test whilst in Thailand?Nin *****
@Ryan *********
you can but the wait in Phuket is min 4 months. You can pay a bit extra and get picked up to a driving school in Krabi and get ur license that day. The practical is easy, the theory can be a ball ache with the translationsNin *****
Also, if you’re travelling between rawai and Chalong, you need a license as the police stop you every day on that route
Ryan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nin ****
yeah this is what I’m worried about! What a ballache haha. Looks like I’ll need to go to krabi to a driving school for a bike!Nin *****
@Ryan *********
it’s 8000 for a bike with these guysYossakorn driving by parin
063 421 1047
************************
Alternatively you could book through DLT at Phang Nga or Krabi, but if you fail you have to come back the next day which is another ballache.
Or just book Phuket and wait the 4 months
Jordi ********
@Nin ****
8000 for a bike license?! Damn...I did mine with the test and theory for 150 baht. Not in a tourist area though. Probably makes a difference but this is crazy.Reply to
Jordi ********
Reply
Marianne ********
@Ryan *********
yes. You can easily get a license as a tourist. Check with a local driving School of just head off to your local DLT office to ask about their requirements.
Reply to
Marianne ********
Reply
Frank *********
Rawai is amazing without a doubt
But is definitely a more expensive part of Phuket
There are other neighborhoods that offer much more affordable accommodations…
So it depends on your budget…
Hope this helps 🙏
But is definitely a more expensive part of Phuket
There are other neighborhoods that offer much more affordable accommodations…
So it depends on your budget…
Hope this helps 🙏
Ryan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Frank ********
thanks for your help Frank, with me looking for fitness and gym sort of vibes I’ve heard that chalong or Rawai is where I need to be. Do you have any other recommendations please? Also with regards to getting a bike or a car? What are the costs for getting a car roughly? Thanks so much for your help!Julien ****
@Ryan *********
I would not get into cars. Get a bike and use bolt only when you need a car. There is so much traffic most of the year that it is not fun to drive a car. Might as well get a bolt and keep working while you are in the car or doing other things.Robby ************
@Julien ***
he does not have a licenseRyan **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Julien ***
my only worry is I don’t have a bike license mate, only a car license!Julien ****
@Ryan *********
In my experience living in Phuket for a few years, you just need a small bike and most licence allows this but I do not know the UK system. With Canadian licence, I managed to get an international permit that let me drive smaller bikes, and once you have the international licence, it is pretty easy to get a Thai licence.Reply to
Julien ****
Reply
Frank *********
@Ryan *********
Prices for renting bikes per month can fluctuate depending on age and durationI would say 3-5k a month is the norm
But definitely check 3-4 different places before pulling the trigger…
Chalong is nice as well
I think you be happy in either location if you have decent budget
I don’t do Muay so I’m not familiar with where you need to be for going to the top gyms
Reply to
Frank *********
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