Phuket
Phuket is among the world’s finest beach destinations, with fine white sands, nodding palm trees, glittering seas and lively towns. It has something for a wide array of tastes and budgets, with hundreds of hotels to choose from, an eclectic choice of dining and plenty of partying options. Aside from visiting the fantastic attractions of Thailand’s biggest island, you can take an exhilarating speedboat trip to the many nearby tropical islands, including the famous Koh Phi Phi, or enjoy a serene cruise around the mystical Phang Nga Bay.
Phuket is blessed with more than 30 amazing beaches to choose from. Patong Beach, Kata, Karon and Kamala have always been the most popular, but the north of the island reveals some hidden gems for travellers searching for a more romantic atmosphere.
Best Things To Do in Phuket Town
Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is the historical centre of Phuket Town (officially elevated to Phuket City since 2004, but its old name somehow stuck). Established during the peak of the tin mining boom at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, this district hosts superb mansions and beautifully preserved shophouses built in a Sino-colonial architectural style. Phuket Old Town’s aspect is rather similar to Georgetown’s in Penang: shophouses with arcades flank both sides of the streets, and Chinese shrines are more numerous than Buddhist Temples.
Phuket Old Town is in constant evolution with the opening of many restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and bars, making it a lively place to hang around after sunset. During the day, it remains an important commercial hub, with 2 markets held on Ranong Road. Every Sunday, Phuket Walking Street is an extremely popular event held on Thalang Road that attracts thousands of visitors
Phuket Weekend Market
Phuket Weekend Market (also known as Talad Tai Rot or Chao Fah Market) is the equivalent of Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, albeit much smaller. Held every Saturday and Sunday (hence its name) on Wirat Hong Yok Road off Chao Fa West Road, 1 km south of Central Festival Phuket, it covers a 30,000-sq-m area. You could find almost anything here, whether it's first- and second-hand, souvenirs, accessories, and even pets, as well as an entire section dedicated to local food. It's interesting to note that many items also available in Phuket's west coast resort towns are sold here at far lower prices.
Attracting thousands of shoppers every weekend, this market gives you a chance to sample street snacks such as satay (chicken or pork brochettes), fried insects, pastries (colourful cakes), kebabs, sushi, dim sum (Cantonese steamed buns), and much more
Phuket 3D Museum
Phuket Trickeye Museum is entirely dedicated to the art of trompe-l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’), a painting technique that creates a 3-dimensional illusion on a 2-dimensional (flat) support. Set in a large, 2-storey building at the intersection of Montri and Phang Nga roads, Phuket Trickeye Museum displays a gallery of about 100 paintings offering great photo opportunities as well as a lot of fun.
Sample photos are available to show visitors how they should position themselves in front of the paintings to take the most realistic illusional picture (it also means that the experience is better with friends and family so you could take each other’s photos). From classic paintings with a twist to scenes of modern life to historical settings to movie scenes, you can travel around the world and across time in this highly amusing museum
Siam Niramit Phuket
Siam Niramit Phuket is a great theatrical show relating Thai historical, artistic and cultural facts and beliefs in an extravagant yet extremely professionally run performance. The Siam Niramit Phuket complex is located just off the Bypass Road, on the outskirts of Phuket Town. Divided into 3 acts, the show features songs, dance routines and traditional martial arts.
From the stage decor to the lighting to the special effects to the costumes, everything in the show has been very well thought out, and the result is spectacular and as educational as it is entertaining. It's best to arrive early to visit the surrounding attractions and facilities in traditional Thai-style houses, a floating market, and the souvenir shops