Prices & districts
Bang Tao and Laguna: Phuket's most sought-after area
Bang Tao, or Cherngtalay, is today one of the most popular areas of Phuket with home buyers. It has a long beach, the Laguna resort with a golf course and lagoons, restaurants on Boat Avenue, and the airport is about half an hour away. Here is how the area works, why it suits living and holidays, and what to consider before buying.
In short
- Bang Tao is on the west coast, about 20 km and 30 minutes without traffic from the airport, and about the same to Phuket Town.
- The heart of the area is the Laguna Phuket resort with hotels, golf and lagoons, the Boat Avenue strip and the Porto de Phuket mall.
- A HeadStart campus and a kindergarten in Laguna are close, UWC is about 20 – 25 minutes away. The main downside is rush-hour traffic.
Where it is
Bang Tao is one of Phuket's longest bays, on the west coast between Surin to the south and Layan to the north. Officially the area is called Cherngtalay. The airport is about 20 km away, roughly 30 minutes without traffic, and Phuket Town about 23 km.
Laguna Phuket
Laguna is an integrated resort on the site of a former tin mine. The 222 ha site was bought in 1984, restoration took seven years and thousands of trees were planted. Today it has:
- hotels Banyan Tree Phuket (opened in 1994), Angsana, Cassia, Dusit Thani Laguna, Homm Suites and SAii Laguna;
- an 18-hole golf course;
- lagoons with boats and shuttles for guests;
- the Canal Village shopping area, a kindergarten and sports facilities;
- events: the annual Laguna Phuket Marathon and Triathlon.
Inside Laguna there are roads with pavements, lawns and lakes, which is why it is often called the island's best-landscaped place.
Beaches
- Bang Tao: a long beach several kilometres long for walks and runs, lined with beach clubs and restaurants.
- Layan: the northern end of the bay within Sirinat National Park, quieter with calmer sea.
Swimming is comfortable November to April. From May to October there are waves and currents and red flags go up; swim only near lifeguards.
Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket
- Boat Avenue is a strip of restaurants, cafés and evening life, the area's main meeting place.
- Porto de Phuket is a Central Group mall opened in 2019, with a large supermarket carrying imported food.
- Nearby there are places for every budget, from restaurants to simple Thai eateries.
Schools and kindergartens
- HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay campus, British curriculum, opened in 2023.
- A kindergarten operates inside Laguna.
- UWC Thailand in Thalang, IB curriculum, about 20 – 25 minutes from Bang Tao.
- BISP in Koh Kaew is further, 35 – 45 minutes, longer at morning rush hour.
With school-age children, drive the morning route to your chosen school in advance.
Healthcare
The area has clinics: the Laguna Wellness by BDMS medical centre, Bangkok Phuket Clinic in Laguna (daily 9:00–18:00) and private clinics. The major hospitals, Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Bangkok Phuket International Hospital, are in Phuket Town, about 30 minutes without traffic. Island hospitals are covered in Living in Phuket.
Roads and traffic
- To the airport about 30 minutes, one reason the area is popular with frequent flyers.
- At rush hour leaving Boat Avenue towards the centre can take 40 – 50 minutes, the main downside residents mention.
- Major road projects on the island (the expressway and the Kathu–Patong tunnel) target 2031 and later.
Why buyers choose the area
- Laguna's landscaping and the overall atmosphere.
- Restaurants and beach clubs without Patong's noise.
- Closer to the airport than the south of the island.
- Schools and a kindergarten nearby.
- An international crowd: visitors and buyers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
What to consider
- Construction: a lot of new housing is being built, so ask what is planned on neighbouring plots.
- The address: "Bang Tao" in a listing can mean a spot by the beach or a plot several kilometres inland. Check the map and drive to the beach yourself.
- Season: from May to October the sea is rough.
- Cost of living is higher than in the south of the island.
An overview of all areas is in Phuket areas.
We will help you find a condo in Bang Tao or another Phuket area. Projects across Thailand: Thailand property.
FAQ
Where is Bang Tao?
On Phuket's west coast between Surin and Layan, about 20 km and 30 minutes without traffic from the airport.
What is Laguna Phuket?
An integrated resort on a former tin mine: several hotels, an 18-hole golf course, lagoons, a shopping area and a kindergarten.
Which schools are near Bang Tao?
A HeadStart campus and a kindergarten in Laguna are in the area, UWC Thailand is about 20 – 25 minutes away, BISP 35 – 45 minutes.
What are the downsides of Bang Tao?
Rush-hour traffic near Boat Avenue, active construction, major hospitals in Phuket Town and a rough sea from May to October.
Sources
- Laguna Phuket: about the resort
- Bangkok Hospital: Bangkok Phuket Clinic Laguna
- C9 Hotelworks: Porto de Phuket opens in Cherngtalay
- Australian Embassy Thailand: hospital list, August 2025
- Phuket News: tourist police beach safety warning, 06.2025
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
