Phuket Town

Phuket Town (เมืองภูเก็ต Mueang Phuket) is the provincial capital of Phuket Province.

Phuket Town is the largest town in Phuket Province. It has a population of 63,000 and is the economic hub of the island. For the most part just an ordinary, scruffy provincial Thai town, it's hardly a major tourist attraction, but the Chinatown area is worth a quick look and there are some great Thai-style shopping opportunities too. Overall, accommodation and food in the town is cheaper than near the beaches, and can provide a refreshing change of pace.

Phuket Town's low-key attractions are mostly related to its colourful Chinese history and heritage, found in the Chinatown area on the northwest side of the city around Thalang Rd.

• Jui Tui and Put Jaw Temples. Put Jaw is the oldest Chinese Taoist temple in Phuket, built over 200 years ago and dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Kwun Im), while the adjacent and connected Jui Tui is its larger, more modern annex. If you have a question that is puzzling you, ask it and throw the two red mango-shaped pieces in front of the altar in the air: if they land same side up, the answer is "no". If they land different sides up, the answer is "yes". Free admission, but donations welcome.
• Khao Rang. A great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the town's northwest border. There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit, the revered Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.
• Old Phuket, Dibuk Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Yaowarat Rd, Thalang Rd, Krabi Rd. The beginning of the tin boom in the 19th century led to construction of many fine mansions and shops that are still well-preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region, is described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strong Mediterranean character. Shops present a very narrow face to the street, but stretch back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Rd, have old wooden doors with Chinese fretwork carving. Other streets, forming what might be called "Old Phuket", with similar structures are Phang Nga Rd, Yaowarat Rd, Thalang Rd, and Krabi Rd, and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. Some other old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall, the Phuket Courthouse, and Siam City Bank.
• Phuket Cultural Center, 21 Thepkrasattri Rd, Ratsada (in the area of Phuket Rajabhat University on Thepkrasattri Rd, +66 76 240474-6 ext 148, +66 76 211959, +66 76 222370. Daily, 08:30– 16:30, except public holidays. History as well as the arts and culture of Phuket, such as houses, ways of life, and utensils of the city of Thalang in ancient times. The library collects books on Phuket's history and culture. For a group of visitors who need a guided tour, address a letter of request to the Phuket Cultural Center. Free admission.
• Phuket Culture Museum, Rajabhat University. It's very informative. Phuket's history is told in pictures. Free admission.
• Phuket Zoo, +66 76 374430, +66 76 374424. Daily, 08:30-18:00. The zoo contains a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. Elephant and crocodile shows every day. 500 baht (adults)/300 baht (children).
• Saphan Hin. A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Saphan Hin, located where Phuket Rd meets the sea in Phuket Town. In the circle is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit, dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket. There is a sport centre in the park.
• Thai Village and Orchid Farm, Thepkasattri Rd (about 3 km from town, +66 76 214860, +66 76 237400. Daily 09:00-21:00. Serves daily a typical southern Thai lunch followed by a spectacular cultural show including Thai dances, Thai boxing, southern customs and elephants. Handicrafts are also on display. The complex also houses a dining hall decorated with over 20,000 varieties of orchids and tropical trees. Digestion is aided by the lilting sounds of Thai classical and folk music played on traditional instruments. Cultural shows are performed daily at 13:00 and 17:30. 650 baht (adults)/330 baht (children).
• Thaihua Museum, Krabi Rd. In an old Chinese language school, this museum tells the history of Chinese immigrants on Phuket. 200 baht (100 baht for students).
• Wat Mongkol Nimit, Dibuk Rd. A classical Thai-style temple with a soaring roof and lots of colourful glass tiling.

Jui Tui and Put Jaw Temples. Put Jaw is the oldest Chinese Taoist temple in Phuket, built over 200 years ago and dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Kwun Im), while the adjacent and connected Jui Tui is its larger, more modern annex. If you have a question that is puzzling you, ask it and throw the two red mango-shaped pieces in front of the altar in the air: if they land same side up, the answer is "no". If they land different sides up, the answer is "yes". Free admission, but donations welcome.

Khao Rang. A great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the town's northwest border. There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit, the revered Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.

Old Phuket, Dibuk Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Yaowarat Rd, Thalang Rd, Krabi Rd. The beginning of the tin boom in the 19th century led to construction of many fine mansions and shops that are still well-preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region, is described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strong Mediterranean character. Shops present a very narrow face to the street, but stretch back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Rd, have old wooden doors with Chinese fretwork carving. Other streets, forming what might be called "Old Phuket", with similar structures are Phang Nga Rd, Yaowarat Rd, Thalang Rd, and Krabi Rd, and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. Some other old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall, the Phuket Courthouse, and Siam City Bank.

Phuket Cultural Center, 21 Thepkrasattri Rd, Ratsada (in the area of Phuket Rajabhat University on Thepkrasattri Rd, +66 76 240474-6 ext 148, +66 76 211959, +66 76 222370. Daily, 08:30– 16:30, except public holidays. History as well as the arts and culture of Phuket, such as houses, ways of life, and utensils of the city of Thalang in ancient times. The library collects books on Phuket's history and culture. For a group of visitors who need a guided tour, address a letter of request to the Phuket Cultural Center. Free admission.

Phuket Culture Museum, Rajabhat University. It's very informative. Phuket's history is told in pictures. Free admission.

Phuket Zoo, +66 76 374430, +66 76 374424. Daily, 08:30-18:00. The zoo contains a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. Elephant and crocodile shows every day. 500 baht (adults)/300 baht (children).

Saphan Hin. A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Saphan Hin, located where Phuket Rd meets the sea in Phuket Town. In the circle is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit, dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket. There is a sport centre in the park.

Thai Village and Orchid Farm, Thepkasattri Rd (about 3 km from town, +66 76 214860, +66 76 237400. Daily 09:00-21:00. Serves daily a typical southern Thai lunch followed by a spectacular cultural show including Thai dances, Thai boxing, southern customs and elephants. Handicrafts are also on display. The complex also houses a dining hall decorated with over 20,000 varieties of orchids and tropical trees. Digestion is aided by the lilting sounds of Thai classical and folk music played on traditional instruments. Cultural shows are performed daily at 13:00 and 17:30. 650 baht (adults)/330 baht (children).

Thaihua Museum, Krabi Rd. In an old Chinese language school, this museum tells the history of Chinese immigrants on Phuket. 200 baht (100 baht for students).

Wat Mongkol Nimit, Dibuk Rd. A classical Thai-style temple with a soaring roof and lots of colourful glass tiling.

• Chamber of Secrets @ BaanTeelanka, Bypass Road km2 (Between Premium Outlet and Siam Niramit, +66 76 376 245. 10:00-18:00. An exciting room escape game at Baan Teelanka, the Upside Down House and the garden maze. 1,800+ baht.

• Raintree Spa Phuket, 1 Montree Rd, +66 76 232054, +66 81 8921001 (mobile). Has a variety of spa treatments that include traditional Thai massage, body treatments, facials, and spa packages.

Raintree Spa Phuket, 1 Montree Rd, +66 76 232054, +66 81 8921001 (mobile). Has a variety of spa treatments that include traditional Thai massage, body treatments, facials, and spa packages.

Chamber of Secrets @ BaanTeelanka, Bypass Road km2 (Between Premium Outlet and Siam Niramit, +66 76 376 245. 10:00-18:00. An exciting room escape game at Baan Teelanka, the Upside Down House and the garden maze. 1,800+ baht.

Shopping seems to be the main reason for visitors to come to Phuket Town. In addition to local markets and a slew of malls and departments stores, Chinatown's Thalang Rd offers a large selection of boutiques and galleries retailing traditional handicrafts as well as antiques from the region. Phuket Night Bazaar occupies a large area where you can get local stuff (though you might find the same things much cheaper at the Big C supermarket!).

• Ranong Market Ranong Rd, is the largest local market. A warren of stalls selling anything and everything, it can be hot, sweaty, and chaotic, but an interesting experience if you've not been to one before.
• Weekend Market, Wirat Hong Yok Rd (opposite Wat Naka (Naka Temple) on west end of the road. Endless stalls with the cheapest of Thai souvenirs and counterfeit goods. Food court is large and is alone worth a visit.

Ranong Market Ranong Rd, is the largest local market. A warren of stalls selling anything and everything, it can be hot, sweaty, and chaotic, but an interesting experience if you've not been to one before.

Weekend Market, Wirat Hong Yok Rd (opposite Wat Naka (Naka Temple) on west end of the road. Endless stalls with the cheapest of Thai souvenirs and counterfeit goods. Food court is large and is alone worth a visit.

• Central Festival, Chaloem Phra Kiat Rd. Phuket's branch of the Thai department store chain, also selling anything and everything, but now in air-con comfort and a zero added to the price tag. It's still probably cheaper than the street markets at the beaches. The food section offers a large variety of Western products and the fresh products seem to be of better quality than Big C or Tesco Lotus. Prices are much higher though.
• Ocean and Robinsons. Robinsons is a big department store, and there is a Tops Supermarket, as well as McDonalds, KFC, and other regrettable Western imports.

Central Festival, Chaloem Phra Kiat Rd. Phuket's branch of the Thai department store chain, also selling anything and everything, but now in air-con comfort and a zero added to the price tag. It's still probably cheaper than the street markets at the beaches. The food section offers a large variety of Western products and the fresh products seem to be of better quality than Big C or Tesco Lotus. Prices are much higher though.

Ocean and Robinsons. Robinsons is a big department store, and there is a Tops Supermarket, as well as McDonalds, KFC, and other regrettable Western imports.

• China Inn Cafe & Restaurant, 20 Thalang Rd, +66 76 356239. Dinner in beautiful historic Sino-Portuguese building in Phuket old town with romantic atmosphere. Thai and European food. Open: M-W, 11:00-18:00; Th-Sa, 11:00-23:00. Closed Su.
• Phuketiquette, +66 76 221458. 08:00-21:00. Home of arguably the best coffee in Phuket, and probably the best value for money in Phuket Town. Great mix of Thai and international food, and a very friendly, young owner who will offer you great advice on what to see and do while in Phuket. Free Wi-Fi, DVD club. 50-200 baht.
• Farang Restaurant, +66 94 63142. Italian and Thai food.
• Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Central Festival Phuket 3rd Fl., +66 76 249861-2. Fine Japanese restaurant with reasonable prices.
• Kra Jok See, 26 Takua Pa Rd, +66 76 217903. Serving Thai cuisine tailored to Western palates, the restaurant sheds its inhibitions at 22:00 when the tables are pushed back and hostesses pull guests onto the floor for dancing, which is heaps of fun.
• Laem Hin Seafood, 90/11 Moo 7 Ko Keaw, +66 76 239357.
• The Living Room Restaurant. Great restaurant for tasty Thai and Thai-Chinese food. Indoor and outdoor eating section/beer garden. Dimly lit interior for romantic dining. They've got a spot for live music as well. 80-200 baht.
• Natural Restaurant, Soi Phutorn, +66 76 224287.
• Raya, New Dibuk Rd, +66 76 218155. Thai cuisine, southern style. Popular dishes such as crab meat curry served with white noodles. Shrimp with tamarind sauce. Pork with garlic and black pepper. Fish with tamarind sauce. Salty pork. Fish with yellow curry and vegetables.
• La Romantica, 70 Phang Nga Rd (across from the On-On Hotel. Best pizza in Phuket Town. Large authentic thin crispy margherita for 140 baht or numerous pasta dishes for between 140-200 baht. Thai family-run with Italian chef/owner.
• Ruam Jai Restaurant, 215 Ranong Rd, +66 76 222821. 06:00-16:00. A locally-run restaurant with friendly staff serving delicious all-vegetarian food. The prices are very reasonable. A plate of white/brown rice with two or more dishes from the buffet of about 15 different courses is around 25-35 baht. Try also locally-made fresh juices, 10 baht each. Popular among locals; it can be crowded around mealtimes. One of 3 vegetarian restaurants in close to the local bus terminal.
• Siam Bakery, 13 Yaowaraj Rd (north of Ranong Circle. French-run bakery offering pastries and drinks (~50 baht) in pleasant air-con surroundings.
• Weekend Market. Numerous stalls sell a variety of meats, vegetables, noodles, fruits, and sweets that can fill a stomach for a handful of baht.
• Kota Khao Mun Kai. 6am - 5pm. Very nice clean local place to get a specialty of the region, Khao Mun Kai - chicken with rice. The owners are very friendly to foreigners and will help show you how to eat it. 60 baht for food, 10 for a drink.

China Inn Cafe & Restaurant, 20 Thalang Rd, +66 76 356239. Dinner in beautiful historic Sino-Portuguese building in Phuket old town with romantic atmosphere. Thai and European food. Open: M-W, 11:00-18:00; Th-Sa, 11:00-23:00. Closed Su.

Phuketiquette, +66 76 221458. 08:00-21:00. Home of arguably the best coffee in Phuket, and probably the best value for money in Phuket Town. Great mix of Thai and international food, and a very friendly, young owner who will offer you great advice on what to see and do while in Phuket. Free Wi-Fi, DVD club. 50-200 baht.

Farang Restaurant, +66 94 63142. Italian and Thai food.

Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Central Festival Phuket 3rd Fl., +66 76 249861-2. Fine Japanese restaurant with reasonable prices.

Kra Jok See, 26 Takua Pa Rd, +66 76 217903. Serving Thai cuisine tailored to Western palates, the restaurant sheds its inhibitions at 22:00 when the tables are pushed back and hostesses pull guests onto the floor for dancing, which is heaps of fun.

Laem Hin Seafood, 90/11 Moo 7 Ko Keaw, +66 76 239357.

The Living Room Restaurant. Great restaurant for tasty Thai and Thai-Chinese food. Indoor and outdoor eating section/beer garden. Dimly lit interior for romantic dining. They've got a spot for live music as well. 80-200 baht.

Natural Restaurant, Soi Phutorn, +66 76 224287.

Raya, New Dibuk Rd, +66 76 218155. Thai cuisine, southern style. Popular dishes such as crab meat curry served with white noodles. Shrimp with tamarind sauce. Pork with garlic and black pepper. Fish with tamarind sauce. Salty pork. Fish with yellow curry and vegetables.

La Romantica, 70 Phang Nga Rd (across from the On-On Hotel. Best pizza in Phuket Town. Large authentic thin crispy margherita for 140 baht or numerous pasta dishes for between 140-200 baht. Thai family-run with Italian chef/owner.

Ruam Jai Restaurant, 215 Ranong Rd, +66 76 222821. 06:00-16:00. A locally-run restaurant with friendly staff serving delicious all-vegetarian food. The prices are very reasonable. A plate of white/brown rice with two or more dishes from the buffet of about 15 different courses is around 25-35 baht. Try also locally-made fresh juices, 10 baht each. Popular among locals; it can be crowded around mealtimes. One of 3 vegetarian restaurants in close to the local bus terminal.

Siam Bakery, 13 Yaowaraj Rd (north of Ranong Circle. French-run bakery offering pastries and drinks (~50 baht) in pleasant air-con surroundings.

Weekend Market. Numerous stalls sell a variety of meats, vegetables, noodles, fruits, and sweets that can fill a stomach for a handful of baht.

Kota Khao Mun Kai. 6am - 5pm. Very nice clean local place to get a specialty of the region, Khao Mun Kai - chicken with rice. The owners are very friendly to foreigners and will help show you how to eat it. 60 baht for food, 10 for a drink.

• China House, 43 Yaowaraj Rd. Chinese tea and other drinks in an impeccably restored shop house that doubles as an art gallery. On the expensive side though, with drinks 50-100 baht.
• Coffee Max. Small, friendly coffee shop offering hot and cold coffee and tea drinks and a selection of pastries and cakes. Free Wi-Fi.
• Michael's Bar, 12 Takua Pa Rd. Owned by a British expat, a friendly, low-key place to grab a few drinks at a reasonable price. Has Wi-Fi and a PC for customer use, free for the first 20 minutes. Good happy hour prices.
• Smile Cafe. Run by a friendly young Thai couple who make a great ice-blended coffee or green tea.

China House, 43 Yaowaraj Rd. Chinese tea and other drinks in an impeccably restored shop house that doubles as an art gallery. On the expensive side though, with drinks 50-100 baht.

Coffee Max. Small, friendly coffee shop offering hot and cold coffee and tea drinks and a selection of pastries and cakes. Free Wi-Fi.

Michael's Bar, 12 Takua Pa Rd. Owned by a British expat, a friendly, low-key place to grab a few drinks at a reasonable price. Has Wi-Fi and a PC for customer use, free for the first 20 minutes. Good happy hour prices.

Smile Cafe. Run by a friendly young Thai couple who make a great ice-blended coffee or green tea.

• Immigration Office. Visa extension (30 days) can be obtained here. Picture (can be done there) is requested. The charge 1900 baht

Immigration Office. Visa extension (30 days) can be obtained here. Picture (can be done there) is requested. The charge 1900 baht

Catch a ferry from Rassada Pier to Ko Phi Phi, Rai Leh, or any of the surrounding islands.