Yes Phuket is the most expensive place in Thailand, for Thais as well as for holidaymakers. It depends on what you are talking about - accommodation, meals etc etc and where you are talking about. Suffice to say that Bkk is significantly cheaper in terms of all of the above, than Phuket.

In 2026, Phuket is generally considered the most expensive province in Thailand for travelers, often surpassing even the capital city of Bangkok in terms of daily leisure costs. This "Phuket premium" is driven by a combination of high-end resort dominance, limited land supply, and a mature tourism infrastructure that caters to a global luxury market. While you can find affordable street food and hostels in Phuket Town, the transportation costs on the island are notoriously high; the lack of a standardized public rail system and the dominance of private tuk-tuks can make short trips significantly more expensive than equivalent journeys in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Furthermore, because it is an island, the cost of imported goods and high-quality "Western" dining is often 20-30% higher than on the mainland. While other islands like Koh Samui also have high price points, Phuket's status as a premier real estate and yachting hub cements its reputation as Thailand's "most expensive" destination for the average international tourist, though it still offers incredible value compared to Western European or North American resort towns.