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Phuket Travel Diaries

By March 29, 2023 , , , , ,


Phuket is quite the popular travel destination in Southeast Asia. I remember visiting Phuket in the 80s when I was really young…while my memory might be fuzzy about that first trip to Phuket, I do distinctly remember the pristine vibes of this locale long before it became part of the tourist map. In the past two years, I’ve made several trips to Phuket with family and friends. Now, Phuket is far more developed and highly frequented by visitors than ever before. But it still has its charming beachy vibes and you can still get that authentic experience if you know where to go.

I’ve stayed in different parts of Phuket every time I have visited – Patong, Kamala, Kathu, and Laguna. In addition, I have stayed in AirBnBs, hotels, and hotel villas. It’s been a different experience every time and each setup has its pros and cons when traveling with kids. Here are some of my recommendations of places to go in Phuket and where to eat (by no means exhaustive but just sharing what I have enjoyed).

Picture taken at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Phuket. The hotel is part of a group of hotel and resort properties in the Laguna community. Staying in one of the hotels allows one access to the other hotels in the Laguna area.
Beaches:
I have generally found the stretch of beaches along the west coast of Phuket to be quite good. Other than Patong Beach which is overexposed and overcrowded, I have enjoyed the following beaches: Kamala Beach, Bangtao Beach, Surin Beach, and Kata Beach.

Most, if not all, of these beaches will have water activities such as banana boating, parasailing, etc. Some will have horseback riding along the beach (for grownups and kids alike). You can even light the night lanterns which can be released in the sky.

Restaurants:
- Beach clubs: There are a few good ones, which have a chill daytime vibe and a clubby night time scene. Check out Cafe Del Mar, Carpe Diem, and Xana Beach Club to name a few.

-  Baan Rim Pa (there are two locations, Patong and Kalim, both of which are good): Admittedly, the food is strictly mediocre but the views are stunning from the hilltop! 

The view from Baan Rim Pa Restaurant
- Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant: Located in Old Phuket town, this restaurant has delicious Italian cuisine and the service was attentive. The staff catered well to our group with kids, accommodating to our requests and vegetarian food requirements.

- Tung Ka Café: Thai restaurant on top of Rang Hill. I would suggest going here a bit before sunset to get a spectacular view of Phuket city and the sea beyond. Take time for photos and then follow it up with dinner at Tung Ka Café. This place has authentic and delicious Thai food but since it’s out in the open, be sure to take mozzie patches and repellent.

- Baba's Nest at Sri Panwa Resort: This is a rooftop bar in the Sri Panwa Resort located towards the southernmost part of Phuket. From the rooftop deck, you get a stunning view of Phuket peninsula and the Andaman sea as you enjoy cocktails. Just make sure to make reservations in advance!

Shopping:

- Old Phuket Town is a historical part of Phuket noted for its Sino-Portugese shophouses lining the streets. The main roads within this neighbhorhood are Thalang Road (which has a small lane called Soi Romanee), Phang Nga, Krabi, Dibuk, and Yaowarat. Here you’ll find charming heritage shophouses of various candy colors selling souvenirs, clothes/apparel, and other trinkets. You’ll also find cute coffee shops and some hipster cafes. Definitely worth a visit to roam around and do something non-beach related. If you can, visit this area on a Sunday evening. That is when the weekend market (called Lard Yai) which takes place on Thalang Road on Sundays from 5pm to 11pm. 

Exploring the characteristic Perenakan historical shophouses in Old Phuket Town. Many of these have been converted to coffeeshops and stores selling souvenirs, clothes, and other speciality items
Bulan store located on Thalang Road in Old Phuket Town

Fresh fruits from the Thalang Weekend Market. You will find a variety of local fare here

Local style popsicle sticks at the weekend market - a perfect way to cool off in the heat
- I’m not a fan of visiting the generic malls when I travel abroad. But having said that, the Jung Ceylong Shopping Mall undoubtedly offers tons of options for restaurants, a supermarket (should you wish to buy some basic necessities), and local and chain stores. Sometimes that’s what you need when traveling with kids and looking to get some easy shopping done!

Other activities:

- Patong Night Life: A bit seedy for my taste but it’s definitely rocking at night!

- Go-karting: Patong Go-Kart Speedway is a fun activity to do for the adults. Racing around, vroom vroom!

- Horseback riding: I have tried the one in the Laguna area called Phuket Riding Club. They have ponies for kids to ride and horses for the adults. You can choose to do a one hour-long horse riding along the beach or even longer. Krishnav (age 5) surprisingly lasted an hour and had a great time!


- Elephant sanctuary: There are several in Phuket but I encourage you to look into the ones that are ethical and offer proper care for rescued elephants. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary claims to be the only one to do so.

- Massage places: There are numerous spas/massage places so the best option is to search places online with a high number of positive reviews. I have had a very good experience at the Oasis Spa (it's a chain so you will find several locations around the island). I liked their quality of service and massage there. 

Oasis Spa

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