Phuket’s best indoor activities this rainy season

Trade the TV remote for a steering wheel and find a new buzz from that hit of adrenaline. Phuket's only electric karting track is mostly indoors with zero petrol fumes and far less noise than you might expect. The moment you hit the accelerator, the track demands focus, straight lines tempt you to push harder and the subtle thrum of the kart makes you feel the speed deeper. The thrill is immediate and utterly addictive.

Drift past hairpin bends and tune your line while laughing away near-pirouettes into the tyre wall. The track’s design keeps you on your toes, rewarding sharp instincts and smart moves.

Between races, refuel at the sleek cafe where surprisingly good coffee is served amid concrete, blonde wood and green leaf.

Formula Fun Karting (Phuket). B600-850. Book here. 138, 1 Bypass Road, Ratsada. Open 9am-9pm.

Step behind the bar at Chalong Bay Distillery and learn the art of mixology. This boozy workshop starts with a guided tour of the copper stills where their award-winning rum is made, followed by a tasting that highlights the spirit's delicate botanicals.

The head mixologist guides you through the crushing, sniffing and tasting as you go. You learn about the distillation process while sampling spirits crafted just metres from where you stand. The copper stills gleam under warm lighting and you can actually smell the fermentation happening in real time.

Then comes the hands-on part – measuring, pouring and shaking your way to a signature cocktail that's entirely your own. While glasses clink and citrus oils burst into the air, sip your creation and compare it with your neighbours'. The space hums with the scent of herbs and the satisfying rhythm of shakers in motion. You leave with a new favourite drink and the know-how to recreate it at home. 

The Distillery Phuket – Home of Chalong Bay. From B990 per person. Book here. 14, 2 Soi Palai, Chalong. Open 11am-10pm.

This indoor-outdoor entertainment complex centres around the Upside Down House – a fully furnished home built literally on its roof. If it sounds gimmicky, that’s because it is. But we love it thanks to hilarious photo opportunities and fun for families looking to capture something memorable together.

The staff become your personal photographers, helping you nail the perfect upside-down pose whether you're sitting on a ceiling couch or standing on a bedroom floor. Kids love the absurd challenge of figuring out how to position themselves for the most convincing shot. Every room offers new creative possibilities for mind-bending photos.

Beyond the house, the complex offers escape rooms for puzzle lovers and a rage room for stress relief. There's something cathartic about destroying a room full of bottles with a baseball bat – all that tension, stress and frustration gets smashed away with each swing. Trust us, you’ll definitely walk out feeling lighter. 

Baan Teelanka. From B500 per adult, B260 per child. 138, 1 Bypass Road, Ratsada. Open 9am-9pm.  

Avoid the rain by ducking into Someday Cafe and letting your imagination run wild while you warm up with a hot latte. The cafe provides all the materials you need – sketchbooks, paints and pencils – to settle into a comfortable nook and let the inspiration flow.

The cafe features a series of different spaces designed for creativity, with our favourite being the dark blue room, which showcases cool, interactive art on the walls. Direct from baristas, lattes arrive topped with stunning foam art – think cute bears, fluffy cats and even the viral sensation Moo Deng. It's art in a mug, almost too beautiful to drink so make sure you get a photo first. The food menu is just as impressive with excellent bagels topped with everything from lox to avocado and delicious soft cookies that are hard to pass up.

What’s even better is that, even if the rain keeps pouring, you're never pressured to leave or buy more, allowing you to truly settle and look inwards. 

Someday Cafe Phuket.  85 Krabi, Phuket Old Town. Open 10am-6pm. Closed Tues.

When Phuket's humidity becomes unbearable and you need to reset, head to a spa for complete relaxation. Ton Mai Spa in Rawai combines wellness treatments with a garden designed to let go. It is easy to spend an entire day here on a rainy day.

The hammam steam cleanses every pore while the dry sauna melts tension from your shoulders and neck. The ice bath takes courage but leaves you incredibly refreshed – that shock of cold followed by warmth rushing back through your body is addictive. Between treatments, the pool area becomes your refuge with comfortable lounge chairs.

Opt for tea or coconut water to stay hydrated while lounging poolside. The massage treatments target all that office syndrome tension – hunched shoulders, tight neck, lower back stiffness. The whole experience flows seamlessly from one relaxing moment to the next.

Ton Mai Spa & Massage. B200 per visit. 6 11 Wiset Road, Rawai. Open 9am-11pm.

Phuket has several art galleries and museums across the island but Rawai Art Village vibes differently. This bohemian village has, over the last decade, become a nerve centre for Phuket's art scene, especially for those who like to give ocean waste a second life.

Explore several galleries as you step into an eco-conscious commune that’s (mostly) under cover from rain. Making use of waste, expect driftwood sculptures, fishing net wall hangings, and colourful buoys turned into unexpected art pieces. The creativity is impressive but the underlying message hits harder – every piece represents debris that could have stayed in our oceans.

A stop here offers an artistic reminder of how much we're destroying the planet, wrapped in creativity that makes you think. Not bad for an afternoon in the rain, even if you come away feeling a little guilty about your own trash habits.

Phuket Art Village. Free. 2 Soi Naya, Rawai. Open 9am-9pm.

Create your own chemical-free beauty products with natural ingredients! Think of it like cooking or mixing cocktails: measure, blend, and experiment with combinations to craft the perfect formula for you.

You start with the base – Snake brand oil, beeswax and neutral oil – then choose your essential oils. You can go practical, selecting oils for specific benefits or follow your nose and pick what simply makes you feel good. The process feels like alchemy as you heat, mix and watch your creation come together. You test the consistency, adjust the scent, and customise until it's exactly right. Make your own skincare from scratch, learn something new and leave with a little gift to yourself.

Herbsmetics Workshop Phuket  From B1,600 per person. Book here. 115/228 Moo 1,  Kathu Road. Open 9am-8pm.