Countdown to the B2G2 Summit, how to enjoy Phuket while attending?

Author: MetaJames JTV Capital Cofounder/ Redline DAO Partner

The B2G2 Summit in Phuket will be held from January 17 to 19, 2024. With the surge in participants, the surrounding side events are becoming increasingly rich. Many friends hope to fully experience the local culture of Phuket while attending the conference. As a crypto nomad who has been deeply exploring and experiencing various parts of Phuket for the past six months, I would like to share my experiences and feelings, hoping to be of help to everyone.

Source: Xiaohongshu ID: 6504338021

Arrival: The most common way to travel from mainland China is by plane to Phuket International Airport. There are many direct flights to Phuket from Shanghai and Hong Kong. There are no direct flights from Shenzhen, but you can choose to depart from Hong Kong or Guangzhou (with fewer flights).

Clothing: The temperature in Phuket is around 30 degrees Celsius year-round, so light clothing such as shorts and short-sleeved shirts is recommended. Due to the strong sunlight, it is advisable to bring a sun hat and sunglasses, and to apply sunscreen.

Food: I recommend trying the curry crab at DooDie, the volcanic ribs at the Frog Night Market, seafood at Rawai Seafood Market, and the clay pot hot pot in Patong. The three main beaches of Patong, Karon, and Kata on the left side of the island map can be hit or miss for food (after all, they are tourist areas), but local food in places like Chalong on the right side of the map is quite good. If you want seafood, I recommend going to the Rawai Seafood Market in the lower right corner, which is affordable and fresh, and you can have it cooked on-site. My partner recommends the market's Hong Kong uncle, who always prepares the seafood according to the number of people and delivers it to the restaurant, explaining various cooking methods, making for a comfortable dining experience.

Accommodation: If you want to stay close to the B2G2 venue, choose accommodations in Chalong and Phuket Town on the right side of the map; for a lively nightlife, you can stay in Patong Beach, and for sunset views, Kata Beach is a good option. The peak season around New Year's, Christmas, and the Spring Festival sees hotel prices multiply, while they are much cheaper at other times.

Transportation: For daily travel, taxis are the main option. Taxis in Phuket are relatively expensive, with two main choices: Grab & Bolt.

• Grab has more cars available and can be linked to Alipay, but it is more expensive;
• Bolt is about half the price, but airport police do not allow Bolt rides, and there are significantly fewer Bolt vehicles, requiring long waits during peak times;
• Friends with a driver's license might consider renting a car or motorcycle, but renting a motorcycle carries the risk of being fined by the police, which can be around 2,000 THB (negotiable). After receiving the fine notice, keep it safe as it can exempt you from the fine for three days;
• Additionally, motorcycles on the island tend to be fast, so be sure to wear a helmet and drive carefully.

Activities: Attractions on the island include: Promthep Cape, Big Buddha, Old Phuket Town, Chalong Temple, and Frog Night Market.
Entertainment options: Muay Thai gyms, the Siam Niramit show/Siam Niramit ladyboy show, shooting ranges, Tiger Kingdom, zip-lining & ATV.
Bars:
Patong Beach bar street: Always crowded with many international friends, more lively and noisy, recommended places include IlluZion & Armania.
Phuket Town bars: Characteristic bars & quiet bars with more local flavor, recommended places include เพลินจิต x Phuket & Library.

Going Out to Sea:
First choice is Similan Islands: located in the upper left corner of the map, open only for a few months each year, with dreamlike blue waters, excellent for snorkeling & diving, and you might see sea turtles if you're lucky. I recommend a two-day boat trip; a one-day trip requires an early start and returns late to Phuket, which can be very tiring.
Koh Tao & Phi Phi Islands: I went there while learning to dive; the water quality is noticeably inferior to Similan, and although there are said to be sharks, I didn't see any. If you want to go out to sea for diving, be careful not to go when you have a cold, and ensure proper ear pressure equalization to avoid ear infections.

Important Notes:
Make sure to exchange for cash, as most places do not accept card payments or mobile payments. Some stores may charge fees for Alipay and WeChat Pay, so cash is the most convenient option.
Most islanders do not speak much English, so Google Translate and Google Maps are essential. Make sure to buy a data SIM card.

About B2G2

The first B2GC Summit in Phuket is an official event initiated by the Prime Minister of Thailand and the Thailand Digital Economy Agency. Over 50 political and business leaders, including Prime Minister Srettha and the four major families of Thailand, will attend the grand event, announcing the implementation of a digital wallet plan that will airdrop 10,000 THB to each of the 50 million citizens over the age of 16 in Thailand, as well as the establishment and investment promotion of the Phuket Digital Industry Park. The summit will showcase the determination and direction of the entire country of Thailand to enter the digital economy era.

Conference Venue

Blockchain Technology Center (BTC) Phuket

The conference will be held at the largest (not the only) blockchain center in Phuket, which is divided into three phases: Phase One includes a café + exhibition hall + conference room; Phase Two includes a workspace + main conference hall + metaverse exhibition hall; Phase Three (under construction) will include hotel facilities, aimed at providing comprehensive integrated services and empowerment for early teams and developers residing in the center. This is the vision of the Phuket Blockchain Technology Center and the mission of JTV Capital.

About JTV Capital:

The name JTV comes from the initials of the four partners: J (James & Jackson), T (Tony), and V (Vincent). The partners and advisory team come from various parts of the world, including mainland China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, and North America. Leveraging the Phuket Blockchain Technology Center (BTC) and Thailand's blockchain industry policies, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for early Web3 teams and developers, including funding, venues, policies, talent, market access, marketing, and market-making strategies. We welcome passionate and idealistic early teams and founders to participate in the conference and contact us. Let's Make Web3 Great in Phuket!