Life in Bang Tao Lagoon, Phuket – My Everyday Paradise in Thailand 🌺

Have you ever sat on your couch, staring into space, and your thoughts just drifted somewhere far away?
Maybe tired of your routine, your boss, your finances, the feeling that you’re working so hard — but for someone else’s dream?

We all do that sometimes.
We start to imagine: What if life looked different?
What if you lived somewhere that made your soul feel at peace — a place that felt like you?

Some people feel at home in the mountains.
Some find their peace in the forest.
Some near a lake.
And then there are those of us who belong near the sea — where it’s warm, barefoot, and free.

I’m one of those people.
I come from Slovenia, a beautiful country with four seasons — but cold most of the year.
After years in the public sector, working long hours outdoors with my K9 partner (yes, the police dog kind), I knew I needed a change.

So, we did it.
We quit.
We packed our bags, and we went searching for sunshine.
First Central America, then Dubai — and finally, we landed on Phuket, Thailand.

We tried a few warm places, but nothing felt as right as this.
That’s how I went from 12-hour shifts in the rain and snow… to tropical mornings with a coconut in my hand and sand (sometimes literally) in my butt. 🌴

This isn’t an educational article or a “how-to” guide.
It’s my story — a piece of my life, written so you can get to know me a bit better.

I wanted to share what our days in Phuket really look like — how we live, what we do, what life with kids here feels like, and all those little details that make this island feel like home.
It’s not a travel brochure, it’s real life — the beautiful parts and the ordinary ones too.

Maybe you’ll get inspired to do something similar.
Because wherever you go, life still works. There are doctors, pharmacies, schools, supermarkets — everything you need. Sometimes even better than what you’re used to.

Kids go to school, you buy your groceries, you meet people, you learn the language, you adapt — and before you know it, it’s just… home.

Moving abroad isn’t a scary “what if.”
It’s simply a new chapter — one you can absolutely write for yourself.

When I wake up here, I already know — I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Do you know the feeling?

The morning light slides through the bamboo blinds, the palms dance outside the window, and I just breathe it in.

Every single morning starts with gratitude.
I thank the universe for my family, for my health, for the roof above our heads, for this beautiful country — and for my Slovenian roots that gave me the courage to build this new life.

Then comes my little ritual: shower, a few stretches, a bit of meditation, and my favourite part — a cold coconut straight from the fridge. Nothing tastes like freedom more than that.
And yes, coffee is non-negotiable — it has to be strong enough to wake the whole neighbourhood. With milk.

Mornings here are easy. I wake up rested, feeling good, with no rush, no deadlines, no one expecting anything from you. Just peace.

I check my laptop, answer a few emails, and that’s usually it.

Then it’s time for breakfast. You can go straight to the beach cafés — there are so many options, from traditional Thai fried rice to club sandwiches, toasts, pancakes, whatever you feel like.

We like to go to Bartels.

Bread is amazing here, by the way. The bakeries (like Bake) are really good, and supermarkets have everything you could want.
If you don’t feel like cooking, you don’t have to — there are plenty of delivery options that bring healthy breakfast right to your door.

We live in the Laguna area of Bang Tao, Phuket — and it’s honestly perfect.

The Laguna Phuket integrated resort zone isn’t just our neighbourhood — it’s a whole destination on its own. It spans over 1,000 acres and includes luxury hotels, branded residences, private villas, and even a world-class 18-hole golf course. It’s one of the most well-planned and peaceful areas on the island, perfectly located about 18 km (around 25 minutes) from Phuket International Airport — close enough for convenience, far enough to feel like a retreat.

Laguna is the newer, modern side of Bang Tao, and honestly, it has everything you could possibly need.
Walking paths, parks, playgrounds, dog areas, massages on every corner, and supermarkets that would impress anyone from Europe. It’s one of those rare places where everything is within reach — the sea, great food, and that sense of safety and calm that makes you instantly feel at home.

See the short video of the evening ride through Laguna.

The neighbourhood we live in is gated, safe, peaceful — I’ve never had any incident, we walk around at night, the kids ride bikes, roll on scooters, they play with other families like we used to in the 80s.

Our house has its own pool, there’s a fitness centre nearby, lots of international restaurants — not just Thai, but Irish, European, Italian, ramen spots… basically if you want something different than Thai-food you’ve got it.

Right at the entrance there’s an international/Thai school and preschool, supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, night markets, the beach — everything is within reach.

It feels like a resort, but it’s still real life. And that’s the magic: you don’t sacrifice convenience for paradise. You get both.

Lunch is usually simple. Most days we eat at home or order something in — delivery (Grab) here is super fast and easy.
Dinner, though, that’s when we like to head out. Often it’s Smigos on Bang Tao Beach, right by the water, or one of the restaurants in the Banyan Tree area - Saffron Restaurant.
The best part? You can actually get there straight from the Laguna centre by boat — it’s free for residents and guests. The ride goes through the lagoon itself, passing little bridges and tropical gardens, and it feels like something out of a movie. You just hop on, glide past the resorts, and step off right at Banyan Tree Restaurant for dinner. No traffic, no noise, just the sound of water and palm leaves around you.

Sundays still belong to O’Hara’s Irish Pub, where the “all-you-can-eat” buffet has become our family ritual. We eat too much, laugh too loud and walk home happy.

Sometimes we hop on the scooters and just ride. Not always to go somewhere — sometimes just to explore. At the end of the beach there’s a quieter stretch that’s perfect for sunset walks, calm and relaxed, and it feels almost private.

We often eat at the Tops food court inside the market — amazing value, great food, and open every day.

Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for the night market — we grab something local for a few euros, maybe some grilled shrimp, mango sticky rice, or banana pancakes.

Massages here are great and affordable (yes, real massages, not “those” kinds 🙈).
We get around on scooters or motorbikes, and we love exploring different beaches — we almost never go to the same one twice in a row. Each has its own vibe, its own rhythm, its own kind of magic.

And through all this, one thing stays the same: it feels safe.
No incidents, no worries — just easy, relaxed island life. 🌴

There’s so much to do around here that you could live here for years and still keep discovering new places.
We’re about half an hour from Phuket Town or Patong, and we’ve basically driven the whole island by now — it’s not huge, but it’s full of surprises.

From the marina nearby, you can take a boat trip to James Bond Island, one of the most famous spots in Thailand. You can also go to Phi Phi and other islands.
If you’re up for a bit of adventure, you can go rafting up north, visit one of the elephant sanctuaries, or even try go-karting for fun.

You can enjoy horseback riding or Carnival Magic at Kamala Beach.

Andamanda Water Park and Aquaria Phuket is a must-go!

You can also hike up to Big Buddha, which has one of the most incredible views on the island — definitely worth it at least once.

There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches either — every one of them has its own charm, and we love exploring new ones all the time.

We went on a 5-hour jet ski adventure, but I must admit, 5 hours in the sun is a bit too much. I suggest you try a shorter one for the first time. Check the video here.

These are the more adventurous things to do — perfect for couples, families, and even kids.

If you’re traveling with little ones, you’ll love Rabbit Hole, a cozy family spot with great coffee, food, and a safe play area for children - and some animals you can pet.

Phuket also hides some beautiful island waterfalls (Ton Sai, Bang Pae (video) and Kathu Waterfall) where you can cool off on a hot day, and of course, Blue Tree — a huge water and entertainment park that’s ideal for both kids and adults. There’s even an indoor playground nearby for those rainy days or for when you just need a quiet break from the sun.

For tourists planning to stay longer, there’s an immigration office right in the area, so extending your stay is simple and stress-free.

And for the younger crowd — or the young at heart — there are plenty of places to go out, socialize, and have fun. Even if you’re not into Patong’s nightlife, you’ll still find tons of great restaurants, lounges, and events happening around Bang Tao and Laguna.

For years, I worked in the public sector — long hours, cold mornings, unpredictable stress.
I loved my job and my K9 partner, but deep down I knew it wasn’t my forever life.
I was surviving, not living.

I didn’t leave because I hated my past.
I left because I wanted to love my present.

Now, I work online — helping others create freedom, design digital products, and build businesses that work from anywhere.
My office is sometimes the terrace, sometimes a café, sometimes the beach.
As long as there’s Wi-Fi and a coconut — I’m good.

Life happens only once (at least this one) — and even then, none of us really knows for how long.
So the question isn’t how long we live, but how we live.
It’s worth trying. It’s worth jumping. Because even if it doesn’t work out, you can always go back to what you had before.
But what if it does work out?
Then you might just find yourself living a life you never thought was possible.

It’s never too late.

Not to change your story, not to start again, not to build a life that actually makes sense to you.

Whether you’re 35, 45, or 65 — if something inside you whispers “there’s more”, trust it.
Because there really is.

If someone had told me years ago that I’d be living in Thailand, working online, raising my family between lagoons and palm trees — I would have laughed.
But here I am.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.

So here’s to coconuts, sunshine, scooters, and courage.
To the freedom to live on your own terms.
And to waking up every morning exactly where your soul feels at home. 🌞