SIA member Rosie Mayes, 36, from Sheffield, and her boyfriend Dave share their thoughts on the beautiful island of Phuket, on their third visit to Thailand
Getting there
For the third successive year, my boyfriend and I escaped the British winter by jetting off to the beautiful island of Phuket in Thailand. We both have high-level spinal cord injuries so the cold and damp weather often brings with it an increase in pain. Arriving in Thailand to temperatures above 30°C felt like heaven!
We (and the 3 PAs travelling with us) travelled from Manchester. We travelled with Emirates, and had booked a business class ticket in order to allow me to recline the seat, both to ease the discomfort of travelling and to reduce the risk of pressure sores. Thankfully, the flight was smoother than the experience the previous year, which had involved a lost wheelchair battery, broken chairs, and being carried down the aeroplane steps because of the lack of an airbridge or a lift. This time, after lots of preparation, everything went perfectly to plan.
We were picked up from Phuket Airport by a taxi. Taxis in Thailand can be tricky, especially if you are the user of a large powered chair, which I am. Space is tight inside, so I would recommend checking this carefully before travelling.
Phuket towns
The accessibility of Phuket towns and streets leaves much to be desired. Smooth pavements and dropped kerbs are few and far between, which is definitely something to bear in mind when exploring the island. My ability to move around in my large power chair was impeded by uneven surfaces and steep gradients in many places. While the land is flat close to the coast, slightly more inland the island consists of steep hills and jungle, with winding roads and undeveloped areas. However, this is also a large part of the island’s beauty and, in my opinion, was more than worth the difficulties posed by getting around. These challenges didn’t mean that we couldn’t go out, but it did mean that a vehicle was always needed in order to reach destinations, regardless of their proximity to our accommodation. I would always recommend booking taxis or hiring vehicles to anyone with a disability who decides to explore the area.
Accommodation
We stayed at a lovely self-catering villa, and even though the building was not specifically designed for accessibility, we worked with the owners of the villa in order to install some temporary threshold ramps and flooring – we managed to make it work because it was a modern-style building. However, it was still not possible to access all areas.
Visitors with disabilities may find that the best option is to stay at hotels. There are lots of options on the island of Phuket and many modern developments. If you need equipment such as hospital-style beds, shower chairs, and hoists, I advise looking into hiring these items.
Days out
There are lots of things to do in Thailand, but the ease of various activities could depend on your injury level. There are beautiful beaches, busy and interesting towns, and boat trips around the small coastal islands and lots of markets selling food, clothing, and other souvenirs. If you fancy a wild night, Patong would be the place to visit, where you can do everything from karaoke to watching adult shows, and anything in between!
For a more low-key evening, it’s always nice to visit the seaside villages. One evening, my boyfriend and I went to Surin Beach to watch the sunset and listen to music, which was fun. However, it did turn out to be more chaotic than romantic because of the busy atmosphere, with lots of people strolling around and zipping in and out on mopeds. We found the road surfaces to be pretty uneven, especially close to the beach, and next time I visit I would like to try out other beaches in the local area, as some of them were better developed in terms of access.
One of the highlights was a nearby elephant sanctuary. The sanctuary rescues elephants in Thailand that have been injured living in the wild or mistreated when used for work or in circuses. There are several of these places on Phuket, but after a lot of searching, we found one that was accessible. I was able to navigate around the grounds and get very close to the elephants – we were able to feed them and touch them, and one of them even gave me kisses with the end of its trunk. It was a bit sloppy and smelly, but I didn’t care at all – it was such an amazing experience, and the elephants were so friendly and happy.
Food
I would advise anyone to avoid water that is not bottled, and if you go out for cocktails, make sure there is no ice in your drink. A few members of our party have been caught out in the past with food poisoning after having drinks in the town of Patong. But that doesn’t need to put you off – as long as you take precautions, you should make it home unscathed and inspired by all the delicious Pad Thai, curries, and fresh ingredients.
When it comes to visiting restaurants, you would need to check up on accessibility in advance, especially with places that are off the beaten track. Usually, when our group ventured out for evening meals, we chose restaurants within hotel complexes to ensure more inclusive facilities.
Phuket is an incredible destination, despite the fact that it’s not an easy place to visit when you have a disability. There is no denying that it is a very long flight, and the island poses many difficulties in terms of accessibility. However, if you feel ready for an adventure and the holiday of a lifetime, it is absolutely worth all the effort! Its scenery is breathtaking, its climate is heavenly, and its atmosphere is so welcoming.
This article was featured in the Spring 2026 issue of FORWARD, the only magazine dedicated to the spinal cord injury community.
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