Phuket Guide Beyond Patong
Visitors to Thailand almost always make Phuket a part of their itinerary. It is less than an hour’s flight from Bangkok or a 12 hour bus ride if you wish to save a great deal of cash. You can also fly directly to the island’s international airport from many of the major cities in the world.
Unfortunately, many tourists content themselves to spend all their days in the busy and extremely touristy area of Patong. Believe it or not, there is more to Phuket than Patong. So, take advantage of the excellent roads and explore the many spectacular facets of the island.
Patong is where the action happens. It has the biggest concentration of night clubs, restaurants, hotels, hostels, shops and everything that you can possibly associate to tourist destinations. As a result, it can get a tad noisy, crowded and risque. If you are looking for a different vibe, you better base yourself in other areas in Phuket.
Some of the more pleasant yet less crowded areas in the island are Kata, Karon, Rawai, Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao. All these areas have their share of white sand beaches and excellent accommodation. Whether you are looking for high end hotels or affordable hostels, you will not have difficulty finding the right fit in these areas.
Although their night life scenes are not as vibrant and exciting as that of Patong, they offer romantic al fresco dinners by the beach or parties at exclusive clubs. Patong is just a few minutes drive from these areas so you can easily check it out if you want a more exciting night out.
Phuket Town is also a good alternative. It may not have immediate access to white sand beaches, but it will take you only a few minutes drive to find one. It is the culture capital of the island where you can witness the everyday life of the locals, give alms to barefooted monks, visit temples and go for lazy afternoon walks along century old houses and distinct Sino-Portuguese architecture.
Phuket Town is also the best place to go for shopping. There are several shopping malls and the souvenir shops sell goods at much lower prices than their counterparts in other touristy areas. If you want to get some good bargains, visit the weekend market in Phuket Town, it’s a sprawling open air market that is a smaller version of Chatuchak in Bangkok.
There is also a roving open air market in several major areas in Phuket. Most days of the week the area is just vacant space but when it’s market day, several dozens of stalls materialize instantaneously.
Displays of local delicacies, fresh fruits, clothes, shoes, make-up, souvenirs, jewelries and all other kinds of goods and trinkets are available in these stalls. If you find something interesting, don’t forget to haggle. Prices usually go down to as much as 30-50% if you know how to handle yourself. So, ask someone local about the location and place of these open markets in your area.
For stunning over look views, Laem Prompthep and the Big Buddha are the places to visit. The Big Buddha is perfect for sunrise while Laem Promthep is stunning during sunset. Also, check out the floating restaurants at Laem Hin for a delicious and unique dining experience.
Finally, if you wish to escape the crowds of tourists, bring with you picnic essentials and head out to the picturesque Bang Wad reservoir for a quiet and enjoyable time.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotel Thailand, Phuket Hotel
