Rawai is home to Phuket’s largest Expat community. It has a distinct “Village” feel, separate from the tourist madness of Patong. But it has its own challenges: Salt air, Steep hills (Promthep), and Marine applications. EV Phuket is proud to be the #1 choice for Rawai Expats. We speak English 100%.
The “Salt Air” Killer
Rawai and Nai Harn are narrow peninsulas. You are never more than 1km from the sea. Parking at Promthep Cape or Yanui Beach exposes your car to intense salt spray. The Problem: Salt corrodes battery terminals faster than anywhere else. Our Solution: Every battery installation in Rawai comes with a Free Anti-Corrosion Treatment.
- We clean the clamps with wire brushes.
- We apply a special “Red Grease” or “Terminal Protector” spray.
- This seals the connection against the salty air.
Promthep Cape: The Sunset Trap
Every evening at 6:30 PM, hundreds of cars flock to Promthep Cape for the sunset. The Trap: You park, turn off the engine, but leave the “Parking Lights” on (very common with older rental jeeps). You watch the sunset, take photos, and walk back at 7:00 PM. Click-Click. Dead. With 200 cars trying to leave at once, you are blocking everyone. Rescue Plan:
- Call us immediately. 098-168-9907.
- We dispatch a motorbike unit from our Sai Yuan station.
- We can weave through the sunset traffic and jump-start you (or swap the battery) in 15 minutes.
Marine Batteries (Speedboats & Longtails)
Rawai isn’t just about cars. It’s a working harbor. We stock Marine Grade Batteries for:
- Longtail Boats: Essential for the bilge pumps and starting motors.
- Speedboats: High-cranking amps for dual outboard engines (Yamaha/Mercury).
- Trailers: Electric winches on boat trailers.
Popular Marine Models:
- GS N100 / N120: The heavy-duty standard.
- Amaron Marine: Maintenance-free, sealed against saltwater entry.
Hill Climbing & Alternators
To get out of Rawai, you usually have to climb the hill towards Kata or Chalong. Steep hills put maximum strain on your charging system. If your battery is old, the voltage drop during a hill climb can cause:
- Gear slippage (automatic transmission needs stable voltage to shift).
- AC cutting out.
- Dim headlights. If you notice these signs on the hill near the Windmill Viewpoint, don’t ignore them. Get a battery check at our shop in Chalong (just 5 mins away).
Price List: Rawai Expat Rates
We offer “Thai Prices” for everyone. No “Farang Price”.
| Car / Boat Application | Recommended Battery | Price (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Suzuki Caribbean | 3K Battery NS40 | 1,500 | Popular rental |
| Toyota Fortuner | Panasonic DIN90 | 3,100 | 1 Year Warranty |
| Ford Everest | Varta DIN85 | 3,200 | 1 Year Warranty |
| MG ZS EV (12V) | Varta DIN65 | 2,800 | Aux Battery |
| Longtail Boat (Small) | GS N100 | 3,500 | Acid included |
| Speedboat | GS N120 | 4,200 | Heavy Duty |
Local Tips: Rawai Life
1. Rawai Seafood Market Parking here is chaotic. If you block the road, the local vendors will get angry. If you break down in the market, stay with your car. We will arrive and speak Thai to the locals to smooth things over while we work.
2. Nai Harn Lake A popular jogging spot. If you leave your lights on while doing your 3 laps around the lake, we can meet you in the car park near the temple.
Villa Life: E-Gate & CCTV Drains
Most expats in Rawai live in pool villas with electric gates. The “Monday Morning” Surprise: You didn’t drive all weekend. The E-Gate motor, CCTV system, and WiFi router might be sharing a circuit or drawing power in a way that affects the car (if charged/connected) or just the general humidity causing leakage. Our Villa Service: We don’t just change the battery. We check for Parasitic Drains. If something is draining your battery while the car is off, we will tell you.
Gypsy Village & Seafood Market Chaos
Driving into the Rawai Sea Gypsy Village to buy fresh fish is an adventure. The roads are tiny. Cats and dogs are everywhere. If you stall your car here, it’s panic mode. Local Knowledge: Our technicians know the “Mok” (Village Head) and the locals. We can get access to places where normal tow trucks are banned. We can negotiate with the locals to push your car to a safe spot while we work.
FAQ: Rawai Edition
Q: Do you speak English? A: Yes. 100%. You don’t need to ask your Thai girlfriend to call us. You can talk to us directly about technical specs (CCA, DIN, AGM).
Q: Can you come to my Villa in Soi Sai Yuan? A: Yes. We know Soi Sai Yuan, Soi Samakki, and Soi Kokyang very well. Finding villas is our specialty.
Q: Do you buy back old batteries? A: Yes. We give you a discount (already deducted in our price list) for trading in your old dead battery. We recycle them responsibly.
Contact Rawai Support
Phone: 098-168-9907 WhatsApp: +66981689907 Language: English / Thai Serving the Rawai community since 2024.