Phuket Town is the main city of Phuket. Planning your own trip

is a luxury island off the west coast of Thailand. FROM mainland connected by three bridges and washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea of ​​the Indian Ocean. Phuket is a highly comfortable resort of interest to those who love cool vacation full of vivid impressions and diverse entertainment.

Of particular interest in this regard is Phuket Town, the most Big city in the province of Phuket and "concurrently" the capital and economic center of the island. The ancient architecture of Phuket Town, the measured rhythm of life of its indigenous population and the unusual local flavor attract many tourists from all over the world.

Phuket Town on Phuket Island: how to get there

To get to Phuket Town, after arriving at Phuket, you need to transfer to the yellow city bus, the parking lot of which is located immediately near the exit from the airport, on the left. The fare for this transport is approx. 90 baht. You can also use the shuttle Taxi. However, the fare on it will cost a little more - about 150-200 baht.

If you do not want to use public transport, you can take a taxi. But here you have to be very careful. As in the rest of the world, private taxi services here can cost differently, and to be precise, exactly as much as you can bargain with a car driver. For comparison, a trip on a government taxi will cost something around 500 baht (meters work).

Phuket Town Map:

What to see in Phuket Town

Tourists, greedy for new experiences, are, of course, interested in what to see in a new place. At first glance, Phuket Town does not make much of an impression. But this is only if you do not walk along it on foot and do not consider everything in detail. It is better to plan a walk in the evening. A cloudy day is also suitable, when it is not particularly hot.

Behind the outwardly inconspicuous, wired buildings, you can see the amazing old architecture that bears the imprint of different eras. The streets in the city are narrow, with one-way traffic, but very cozy and conducive to walking. The Old Town is especially striking, where cozy cafes or live music lurk on every corner. Since there is no nearby, then in shops, restaurants, shops and hotels it is much lower than in Phuket's beach area.

There are many in Phuket Town beautiful buildings. If you are interested in cities, take a look at China Inn. (China Inn.) This building has been recently renovated and is now a nice little cafe surrounded by a lush garden. One of the most beautiful streets in the city Soi Romanee- will attract connoisseurs of measured rest and pleasant walks. In many stores you can buy for quite a moderate fee unique products self made.

And fans of the work of the famous Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio should definitely look into the street Pang Na (Pang Nga). It houses the hotel "On On": it was here that many scenes from legendary film about heaven on earth "Beach". And late in the evening it is best to climb to the observation deck Rank Hill and love

Thousand magnificent views of the night city.

Those who are thirsty for unusual spectacles can be recommended to visit Monkey mountain. This is a special observation deck, which offers a picturesque view of the huge settlement of wild macaques. The spectacle is truly extraordinary! lovers wildlife must visit and gorgeous Butterfly Garden (Phuket butterfly garden & insect world). Luxurious beauty of wild nature strikes here in every "inhabitant". And to admire it, as well as to learn a lot about the life of butterflies, moths and other insects in this reserve, of course, is best with children.

And of course shopping...

Experienced tourists know that Thailand is a place where you can buy the most unusual and colorful souvenirs in the world. But souvenirs are not limited. Be sure to check out Phuket Town, which bears a festive name. A huge building with several floors contains hundreds of shops where you can buy everything in the world for a fairly symbolic price.

In any store in Phuket Town, you can - and should - bargain. This local tradition, inherent in many eastern cities, makes it very profitable and not without pleasantness to purchase everything that your heart desires. Phuket Town is pure pleasure.

A special phenomenon of the city is where you can buy and just see many different curiosities. This is mainly a food market, but so many different vegetables, fruits, seafood, fish and other food, immediately Thai-style fried in boiling oil, cannot be found anywhere else. It is at the night market that you can try all the national dishes that exist in nature.

There are also departments of industrial goods: clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, jewelry and much more. And all at the most ridiculous prices. However, even here it is necessary to bargain. Tradition is tradition.

Phuket Town on the map of Phuket Island:

An important economic and cultural center of the region. It is not surprising that the entertainment industry in general and the tourism industry in particular are developed here on to the fullest. In addition to many attractions and very diverse entertainment, Phuket City also stands out for its huge selection of budget hotels and restaurants with quite affordable prices.

Previously, the capital of Phuket was called Phuket Town, now it has been assigned to the city official name Phuket City. Many beautiful old buildings in the Portuguese colonial style have been preserved in the center. In addition to architectural monuments, temples and museums, Phuket City is famous for its magnificent parks - Khao Rang, Rama IX Park, Park named after. Queen Sikirit, "Sapan Khin". For tourists in the capital of Phuket there is a whole street, which at the beginning of the 20th century was the red light district - Soi Rommani. Now it is full of guesthouses, cozy cafes and souvenir shops, but paper red lanterns have remained hanging over the entrance to each house.

How to get to Phuket Town

It is most convenient for travelers from Russia to get to Phuket by air - there are regular direct flights from Moscow. The price of a round-trip ticket is from 350 USD. There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg - you can fly with a transfer through Bangkok, flights from Russia are accepted international Airport Suvarnabhumi. The price for a connecting flight to Phuket (most often with transfers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi) varies around 600 USD. There is another option: fly to Suvarnabhumi, take a bus to Don Muang domestic airport, and from there get to Phuket by local flights (flight cost is around 200 THB). Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Hotels in Phuket

Phuket City has a variety of accommodation options to suit every budget. A double room in a solid "four" here will cost around 900-1800 THB, a three-star hotel will cost 600-1500 THB, only a hostel is cheaper - from 300 THB.

Of the budget hotels, the 2016 Traveller's Choice 2016 winner, the three-star The Tint At Phuket Town, has won the favor of tourists. It is located near the pier and is especially suitable for those who are going to travel to the islands.

One of the oldest and, paradoxically, cheap hotels, as well as one of the famous places in the city - the On-On Hotel - the filming of the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio took place here. Price per room - from 300 THB.

shopping

Thailand is famous for its exotic goods: in any province you can buy interesting souvenirs and unusual food, and Phuket is no exception. In its northern part is the largest market of the island - "Super Chip". It is worth coming here for spices and spices, oils and balms. There is also a wide selection of silk clothing. In addition, large shopping centers are also concentrated in Phuket City: Tesco, Makro, Index Living Mall and Big C. The Sentral Festival shopping center presents stores of famous European brands: Calvin Klein, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Lacoste, but the prices are pleasantly different from European.

Thai cosmetics and all kinds of care products deserve special attention - body and hair oils, creams, balms, toothpaste. They cost a little here, it is better to buy them at the Chatuchak market, which is in the southern part of Phuket City. Pillows and mattresses made of latex foam are also brought from here - they are compactly packed in vacuum bags. At the huge Phuket Night Bazaar, you can find fruits, national clothes and souvenirs at very reasonable prices.

Cuisine and Restaurants in Phuket Town

Phuket City has many establishments offering Thai, European and even Russian cuisine. Those who do not want to experiment with exotic cuisine will find both borscht and pancakes here. There is pizza, and fast food familiar to Europeans.

The world-famous tom yam spicy soup with shrimp and coconut milk is considered the hallmark of Thai cuisine and is definitely worth a try in Phuket.

"Tom kha" - also soup with coconut milk with chicken (dietary and not at all spicy). The most common products of Thai cuisine (found in many dishes in different combinations): rice, shrimp, noodles, meat - chicken and pork. Many dishes are very spicy - check with the waiters before ordering. In the restaurants of the city, a dinner for two with drinks will cost 1000 THB.

An interesting institution in Phuket City is All You Can Eat, its rules state that if a guest does not finish his meal, he must pay for it twice the price stated on the menu. The city is also famous for its coffee houses offering delicious and unusual fruit desserts. One of the best coffees is served at the Circle Cafe, which also offers free Wi-Fi.

Street food is diverse: portions are small, almost all dishes are above average in spiciness. For 50-100 THB you can buy a full meal in makashnitsa (street stalls).

Entertainment and attractions

The two main symbols of the capital of Phuket are the Promthep clock tower (the clock is out of order, but given fact does not detract from the beauty) and the statue of the Golden Dragon in the park. Queen Sikirit. There are many beautiful Chinese temples in the city, since the main population of the city is Chinese. The oldest of them, the Taoist Pud Jor, dates back to the 19th century.

The most popular tourist street in the capital of the island is Soi Rommani. Each building on it is a monument of history and architecture, the most comfortable cafes and souvenir shops are located here, in the evening multi-colored paper lanterns flash over the houses, creating a unique atmosphere for romantic walks.

The place shrouded in legends is the mansion of the Chinpracha family, built in the 19th century. It is located on Krabi Road and is famous for the fact that many Hollywood films were filmed here (for example, "Heaven and Earth" by Oliver Stone and "Indiana Jones Adventures"). Now the School of Culinary Arts operates here, offering master classes in Thai cuisine for tourists.

A place that must be visited by couples in love and just romantics is Cape Promthep. This magnificent natural observation deck is located 30 km from Phuket City, it is most convenient to get here by taxi. Locals believe that this cape is sacred, and the gods protect it from tsunamis.

The main event of the year is the Vegetarian Festival, which is held on the 9th lunar month (most often this is the end of September-beginning of October). A large-scale Asian carnival with ritual costume processions, performances of street dancers and musicians and an evening fire show usually lasts 9 days.

5 things to do in and around Phuket City

1. Go on a tour of the oldest On-On hotel and look into the 37th room, where the movie "The Beach" was filmed.
2. Participate in the Vegetarian Festival and watch the legendary artists pierce their cheeks with swords.
3. Visit the "Upside Down House" and wander in the labyrinth garden next to it.
4. Sign up for a cooking class at the School of Culinary Arts to learn the secrets of local cuisine and learn how to cook Thai dishes.
5. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset at Promthep Cape.

Phuket town for kids

There are several places in Phuket City where it is interesting to go with children. Both adults and children will be curious to visit the zoo (

Phuket is the largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand. Today it is in the top of the best vacation spots in Southeast Asia. With a developed infrastructure, rich history, interesting sights and picturesque landscapes, the island attracts many tourists from all over the world.

General information

Translated from Malay, "Phuket" means "hill", and indeed, from afar, the island looks like a mountain that has risen directly from sea ​​depths. Initially, the region was named Thalang (Thalang), which is a derivative of the old Malay "Telong" - cape. The northern region of Phuket, where its capital used to be, still bears this name. Today, the administrative center is located in the southeastern part of the island, the city of Phuket.

Atmosphere of Phuket

Climate

In Phuket, the hot season starts in March and continues through May. At this time, the temperature varies between 24-33.5°C. Around April, the first signs of the impending rainy season begin to appear. Temperatures drop a little and occasional showers fall. With the beginning of summer, monsoons come to the island, which bring with them tropical thunderstorms. The rainy season lasts until October, and from November dry weather sets in again and the tourist season begins, which ends in February.

Geography

Phuket, sometimes pronounced Phuket, is a province of the same name in Thailand. It is located in the southern part of the country, 862 km from the capital, and is located in the Andaman Sea. At 48 km long and 21 km wide, the island has an area of ​​543 km². It is separated from the mainland by the narrow Pak Pra strait, in the north, the width of which reaches 5 kilometers, and in the west - only 600 meters. The island is connected to the province of Pha Nga by a pair of bridges.

Population

The population of the island, according to estimates in 2010, was 525,018 people. The main part of them are Buddhists, but there are many among the inhabitants and Muslims, about 30%.

Phuket is the most multinational region of the kingdom. An interesting fact is that the number of Thais here is less than half of total residents. Phuket is the northernmost part of Asia with a large Malay community (approximately 30% of the local population). Another nationality that has created a large settlement on the island is the Chinese.

Nature and landscape

The territory of Phuket, mostly mountainous, the highest point on different versions reaches 750 meters. Most of the island, approximately 70%, is covered with tropical forests.

Economy

Tin and rubber are mined here, pineapples, rice, coconut palms are grown and palm oil is produced. However, the province receives its main income from tourism, thanks to which it is the richest in Thailand.

Time in Phuket

7 hours are added to UTC in Phuket (UTC +7). Moscow is 3 hours behind island time.

Language

The official language in Phuket, as well as throughout the kingdom, is Thai. But with tourists, locals easily communicate in English. In addition, due to the significantly increased recent times the flow of tourists from Russia, the Russian language is also being actively mastered here. Very often, inscriptions on signs, in restaurant menus, in price lists and information brochures are duplicated in Russian.

Story

Thanks to large deposits of tin and a favorable location on the sea trade route, for which in the 17th century. colonial powers actively fought, the history of Phuket is full of interesting facts. In order to weaken the influence of the Dutch and the British in 1681, King Narai of Siam appointed the French missionary doctor Rene Charbonneau to the post of governor, and after him, in 1685, Sieur de Billy - former maitre d'. The French had a monopoly on the tin mines of Phuket until 1688, when the Siamese revolution broke out and drove them out.

In 1785, the Burmese tried to occupy the island. However, the governor's widow, Phu Ying Chan, successfully held the siege for a month, and the invaders had to leave with nothing. Ms. Khunying Chan became a national heroine and received the honorary title of "Thao Thep Kasattri" from King Rama 1.

In the 19th century, Chinese magnates had significant influence on the island. Building up the city in a pseudo-Portuguese style, they gradually gave it the look that we see to this day. By the 20th century economic development Phuket has reached such heights that it was second only to Bangkok.

In December 2004, a tsunami that rose in Indian Ocean near the coast of Thailand, caused significant damage to the western coast of Phuket. But today, there are practically no traces of destruction left. Two years after the tragedy, the Thai government launched 22 water installations for tracking the movement of a mass of water in the ocean. They were installed 1000 kilometers from the coastline, just between the kingdom and Sri Lanka. The behavior of the system of buoys is monitored from space by US satellites, and in case of danger they warn in advance of its approach.

Orientation

Phuket is shaped like a drop with a diagonal of about 40 km. Nearby there are several other small islands, some of which are inhabited. On the southeast coast is Phuket Town. From there, to the north, deep into the heart of the island, there is the main road - No. 402. It connects Phuket to the mainland along the Sarasin Bridge and merges into Route No. 4 there. There is a checkpoint on the bridge where private vehicles are checked, regular buses pass through it without stopping .

Districts

Phuket has three districts (Amphoe):

1. Mueang fuket (Mueang fuket);
2. Kathu (Kathu);
3. Thalang.

The districts, in turn, are divided into 17 micro-districts called "tambon", and those into 103 villages, or, as they are called on the island, "muban".

Phuket Province is divided into 9 municipalities (thesaban).

Phuket City has the status of "thesaban nakhon" - the administrative center. The tourist centers with the status of "thesaban mueang" are Patong and Kathu. In addition to them, there are 6 more municipal district with the status of "thesaban tambon":

• Karon;
• Thep Krasattri;
• Ratsada;
• Choeng Thale;
• Rawai (Rawai);
• Wichit

The rest of the non-municipal entities are managed by 9 Administrative Organizations (TAOs).

Island map

The map of Phuket is available in high resolution.

Recreation features

Phuket is considered one of the most prestigious resorts in Southeast Asia and is a favorite holiday destination for tourists from Russia. Here you can have a great time on the beach, horseback riding, diving or playing golf. BUT a large number of cultural and religious monuments will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the Buddhist religion and the way of life of the kingdom. But when planning a trip here, you need to be prepared that prices will be slightly higher than on the mainland.

island of lovers

With beautiful Bounty-style scenery, many come to Phuket for a romantic experience. Here you can often meet newlyweds who have arrived here to enjoy their honeymoon among the riot of tropical nature of the island. Most hotels provide special rooms for two, designed to create a special atmosphere.

Vacation with children

Phuket is a great place for families with children. It is relatively easy to get here - there are direct flights from Russia to Phuket. The island has a very comfortable and developed infrastructure and a wide hotel base. A huge number of restaurants offer dishes for every taste. And a large number of excursions and entertainment will not let little discoverers or their parents get bored.

Features of life in Phuket: wintering or longstay

After Pattaya, Phuket is the second Russian resort in Thailand, so this is perfect place for those who want to spend the winter or live for a while in the kingdom. The island has a number of undeniable advantages so that those who wish to live in the conditions of eternal summer make their choice in its direction. The most important thing is a good environment. There is clean air and sea than Pattaya, unfortunately, cannot boast of. At the same time, Phuket is devoid of typical island problems with infrastructure, as it is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Of the minuses, only large distances between the center and the beaches can be noted, which sometimes causes some inconvenience.

Visas

In accordance with the Thai-Russian agreement Russian tourists can enter the kingdom under a visa-free regime for up to 30 days. For a longer visit, you need to apply for a visa or put a new thirty-day stamp in your passport. This can be done on the border with Myanmar (Burma) in the city of Ranong. A three-month tourist visa and a business visa can be obtained from the embassy on the Malaysian island of Penang. Please note that some changes have recently been made to the procedure for issuing business visas. I must say that the trip to extend the visa from Phuket will be somewhat more tiring than from Chiang Mai or Pattaya.

In addition to a large influx of tourists from Russia, Phuket also sees an increase in the number of Russian entrepreneurs (including illegal ones), which cannot but cause discontent among the local population. Many of them feel that their jobs are being stolen from them. In view of this, the Phuket authorities began to show increased attention to all forms foreign business on the island, and especially with the participation of Russians. Thorough checks are carried out, and if violations are detected, businessmen are detained and they face fines from 2 to 100 thousand baht or imprisonment up to 5 years.

Transport

The transport infrastructure on the island is very well developed. You can get around Phuket by tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, taxis, buses, songthaews or rented motorbikes or cars.

Taxis in Phuket are relatively expensive. Compared to the rates of Bangkok, here you will have to pay an amount of two, and sometimes even three times more. In this case, it is better to use the services of an official taxi, with a meter installed on board. However, such machines are in short supply here, which is filled with great enthusiasm by private traders. In addition to ordinary sedans, taxis are also represented by mini tuk-tuks of red or yellow color. A company of six people can save a little by using this type of transport. On average, a short trip can cost from 40 baht. From Phuket to Patong you can negotiate for 400 baht.

The main thing is to agree on the price in advance, otherwise it will be prohibitively high at the end of the journey.

In addition, you can use a motorcycle taxi. It will be somewhat cheaper, but you should always remember about safety and wear a protective helmet.

Public transport in Phuket, represented by buses or small songthaews, can sometimes be not very convenient. This is due to the fact that the starting point of all route directions of the island is the bus station in Phuket Town (Phuket Town bus station). Therefore, often, in order to get from one place of the island to another (sometimes even close to each other), you first have to go to the main station, and from there to the intended place. At the same time, there are no stopping points along the route, all stops are made on demand. But it should be noted the relative cheapness of this type of transport: from 10 to 35 baht.

It is because of the inconvenience public transport and the high cost of taxis, many tourists prefer to rent motorbikes or cars.

Beaches

The beaches are an undoubted advantage of Phuket, which often covers all the shortcomings here. The east coast of the island is not suitable for swimming, but the western coast is at the disposal of vacationers.

Nai Harn Beach is recognized as one of the best in Phuket. The most populated is the main beach - Patong Beach. There are always a lot of people here, and a vibrant day and night life is in full swing. Kata (Kata Noi Beach) - relatively small, but very good for swimming. Nobody swims on Rawai Beach and Chalong Bay, but these areas are good for those who are looking for inexpensive accommodation for a long stay. In addition, here you can have a great dinner with delicious seafood dishes.

Food

There is no problem with food in Phuket, there is a huge selection of places Catering different levels, for every taste and budget.

On the street here you can refresh yourself by paying from 50-60 baht. In more comfortable cafes on the second line, you will pay 100-140 baht for breakfast, 60-70 baht for rice with seafood or pad thai, 250 baht for grilled fish with a side dish and 80-100 baht for salads. But prices in a cafe on the first coastline will be 1.5 times higher: the cost of dinner in a respectable establishment can cost you 1000-3000 baht per person.

In addition to cafes and restaurants, everyone can be fed in local 7-eleven stores, they sell ready-made food, which, if desired, will be warmed up there.

You can also have tasty and inexpensive lunch at the food courts of Tesco Lotus hypermarkets. In addition to national Thai dishes, there you can find non-spicy food for children or people with a sensitive stomach.

Phuket is not without the presence of well-known chain restaurants and cafes. You can find them on the main streets or in the shopping centers of the island.

Accommodation in Phuket

If, on your trip to Phuket, you plan to stay in a hotel, then you will have a great choice. As a rule, the price tag depends on the season and starts around 400 baht / day per person.

If you want to stay in Phuket for long time you will need permanent housing. There are apartments, or as they are called condos here, in Phuket, but not so many, and most of them are concentrated in Phuket Town, and not on the beaches. Condo prices are sometimes comparable to the price of renting a house: about 8,000-10,000 baht / month for a modest room. While the house can already be rented for 10,000-15,000 baht. Renting a luxury villa with all amenities and sea views can cost 30,000-100,000 baht per month, depending on your wishes.

Attractions

Most of Phuket is covered tropical forest. It is not surprising that the most interesting sights of the island are nature reserves and National parks. One of them is the amazing Khao Sok National Park. Here you can go boating on the lake, admire the waterfalls or go on a night raft safari. Another beautiful natural creation in Phuket is Phang Nga Bay. Here, like stars in the sky, forty mini-islands are scattered, which can be visited during a one-day cruise on a yacht.

Of the man-made sights of Phuket, the most interesting is the 45-meter statue of the Big Buddha, installed on Mount Nakkerd. Here you can explore the surroundings from the observation deck, visit a Buddhist museum or a functioning Buddhist temple.

Entertainment

The most popular daytime activities on the island are beach holiday, with accompanying water activities, shopping and excursions to nearby islands. From Phuket you can go to the Phi Phi or Similan Islands, visit James Bond Island or national park Khao Lak.

Many are wondering if there are transvestite shows and other exotic shows in Phuket. entertainment programs unique to Thailand. Yes, there are some! The nightlife here is no less vibrant and rich than in the famous Pattaya.

Prices

On average, prices in Phuket are higher than on the mainland, but lower than on other islands of the kingdom. At the same time, the cost of taxi services is especially highlighted, which, by generally accepted standards, is perhaps the highest in Thailand. It should be noted that prices in Phuket Town for food and housing are always somewhat lower than on the coast.

How to get there

Due to the fact that Phuket is connected by a bridge to the mainland and has its own international airport, getting here is relatively easy.

The airport is located in the north of the island and is the second largest transport center in Thailand after Bangkok. You can get here both by domestic flights from the capital and other cities of the region, and by international ones. And in the high tourist season, direct charters from Europe, Russia and Australia are organized here.

From the mainland to the island can be reached by train from Bangkok to Singapore. Sitting on it, you need to proceed to the Phun Phin station, which is not far from Surat Thani, and then, transferring to the bus, drive another 5 hours to Phuket. Also from Bangkok to Phuket there is bus routes both public and private. Their cost varies from 900 to 1100 baht.

In addition to public transport, Phuket can also be reached by private (rented). The total route from the capital will take 862 km. Leaving Bangkok, you need to head along Highway 4 towards Nakhon Pathom. Then through Kra Buri to Tai Muang district. The entrance to the island is via the Thao Thepkasattri Bridge, next to which there is a large police checkpoint. Most cars pass through it unhindered, but suspicious ones can be subjected to inspection.

Cellular and Internet

Roaming on the island is very expensive. It is much more profitable to buy a local SIM card, and it is a tourist one. There are three telecom operators in the kingdom: 1-2-Call, TrueMove and DACT Happy. 1-2-CaII is considered the best. If you do not speak English, then it is better to buy DACT, as this card does not require activation.

You can connect to the Internet on the island using Wi-Fi, ADSL or 3G hotspots. In general, the connection quality is acceptable, but much worse than in Moscow. Usually people complain about frequent breaks in the connection.

Safety

Phuket's roads are mostly winding and have many twists and turns. Given the particular driving style local residents with their habit of ignoring the rules of the road, accidents in Phuket are not uncommon. Therefore, when forming articles of medical insurance, we recommend taking this into account.

Like all major tourist centers, Phuket attracts lovers of easy money. Fraudsters, thieves and pickpockets can ruin your holiday if you are not vigilant enough.

The tropical nature of Phuket also requires special treatment. Sometimes she can bring surprises in the form of acquaintance with dangerous representatives of flora and fauna, both on land and at sea. Interactions with jellyfish, sea urchins, snakes, and certain types of insects can be very frustrating. Believe me, they are not looking at all human society, but if they attack, it is only because they were disturbed. Therefore, you should always be careful and watch where your foot steps and what your hand grabs.

Among other things, I would like to draw the attention of tourists to one nuance regarding a beach holiday.

Off the coast of Phuket, especially in the low tourist season, when the western monsoons come, undercurrents (Rip current) are formed. They may represent serious danger for bathers, and are able to carry away in the blink of an eye into the open sea, even from a very shallow depth.

Hotels in Phuket, where to stay?

The map below contains accommodation options from all major booking services, so you can easily find the right hotel for yourself and book it online right there.

Good day, dear readers. We continue to tell you about the island. Today we go for a walk in Phuket Town, where the history of the island began. We invite you too, are you ready? 🙂

Old Phuket town is my favorite place on the island. Here we will walk along the wonderful streets and look at colorful shophouses, amazing doors and arches, battered by antiquity, with a slight touch of some kind of nostalgia. We will look inside, fill with sensations and feel the spirit of the past.

The most atmospheric part of Phuket Town is the Old Phuket town area, a combination of several streets of Thalang, Krabi, PhangNga, Rassada and Dibuk. It is here that I recommend to come and just go wherever your soul calls.

Welcome to Phuket Town

A hundred years ago, Phuket Town was the home of the workers of the tin mines for which it was famous. Thousands of workers from China came to the island "to earn money", to mine tin. They settled in Phuket Town and brought their families here, gradually pushing the sea gypsies out of here. Chinese settlers intermarried with Phuket residents, as a result of which a new ethnic group was born, which is called "Baba".

The architecture of Phuket Town is called a mixture of Chinese and Portuguese (Chinese-colonial). Surprisingly, it was the Malaysian Penang that became a model of the architecture of the old Phuket Town. I'll tell you why.

Tin was shipped to Penang, which was easier than sending it to Bangkok. And not only tin was sent to Malaysia. Phuket's rich tin business sent their children to Penang to study. From here began the commercial and cultural connection with the island of Penang, from which came his influence on the architecture of Phuket Town. It was from the British Penang that architects, carpenters, artisans were attracted to decorate mansions and shophouses.

On the streets of the old town of Phuket, you can see shophouses, these are residential two-story houses, where the first floor is for business, and the second is residential. Each shophouse is as if squeezed on both sides by neighbors. Why is that? Everything is simple.

Previously, the property tax depended on the size of the façade, so people built long rather than wide. Moreover, the length also concerned the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house, despite the narrow facade, inside the house went far deep into many, many rooms.

Shop on Dibuk street

Entrance to the house in Phuket Town

Each house has its own temple, in which only family members pray, although now the entrance is open for tourists.

Home temple on Thalang street

I will show our favorite in Phuket Town, the Kopitiam restaurant. This is a Chinese coffee shop. And he's amazing.

There are many original restaurants on the streets of the old city, but it so happened that this one is our favorite.

There is something attractive about him. Shabby, with old photographs on the walls, an ancient typewriter, Chinese lanterns and hieroglyphs. We fell in love from the "first step", just entering it.

The restaurant is full of old things, as if you got into a time machine and moved back a century.

There are several dozen dishes on the menu: the entire list of Thai cuisine, big choice tea and coffee.

Traditionally, we order a teapot of oolong tea (on the menu, this teapot is listed as a “cup”).

Remember this place: Kopitiam by Wilai on Thalang street 🙂

Between the two rooms of KopiTiam is the oldest shop of spices and herbs (Oldest Herbs Shop).

Spices, spices, like in India. And the same magical smells are in the air.

And surprisingly, everywhere they sell kebayas, sarongs and Chinese altars, wooden, with red and gold ornaments, like in our Balinese house, only rectangular in shape. Well, I heard that the first Balinese were from China, but I didn’t think this version through to the end, and then new thoughts came for reflection ..

We turn the corner of Thalang Street and go to PanNga.

And we look into the Chinese temple with the magical name Shrine of the Serene Light Phuket Sang or the sanctuary of serene light.

We go inside the gate and see the temple of Ting Kwan Tang.

graffiti around the temple

The hotel has now been refurbished and is popular with tourists.

Hotel interior (museum)

We return to Thalang street. On Sundays, from 16:00 to 23:00, the Lardyai evening market is held here. The street becomes pedestrian.

Despite the fact that I had to walk quite a long time from one sector of the airport to another, I covered this distance quite quickly, so there was still a little time left before boarding the flight to Phuket. However, very soon I was already sitting in a large Boeing, which was preparing for takeoff, the lights of the night city flickered outside.

Early the next morning I was already there, in Phuket. The flight went perfectly. I liked Qatar Airlines themselves, they feed quite well, they even pour alcohol. Flight attendants are very friendly.

In the meantime, having received a stamp in my passport and finding my luggage, I immediately began to look for a bus stop to Phuket Town. Yes, you can drive to Phuket Town different ways, but the most budgetary among them, of course, will be the yellow bus that runs between Phuket Airport and Phuket Town.

As it turned out, the stop of this bus is not near the international terminal, but near the terminal of domestic flights. That is, you need to exit the airport building, turn left and walk another 150-200 meters, depending on which exit you go outside. Alternatively, you can use the transition that connects the International Terminal with the Domestic Terminal.

Keep in mind that the first bus leaves for Phuket Town only at 8 am.

I just caught this first bus towards Phuket Town. The fare to Phuket Town is 100 baht or about 200 rubles for our money (there is a conductor on the bus) It takes an hour or a little more.

At about half past ten in the morning, I ended up at the final bus stop: Bus terminal 1 (or the old terminal). Yes, there are two bus stations in Phuket Town, and the airport bus just arrives at the secondary bus station. Most of the flights are operated from Bus teminal 2.

My guest house was located on a quiet street not far from the bus station. It wasn't hard to find him. But, given that I arrived too early, my room was not yet ready. It was decided to leave things here and go for a walk around Phuket Town with a small backpack.

Briefly about Phuket Town. The city itself is not large, with a population of about 85 thousand inhabitants.

Since March 2004, it has become officially known as Phuket City. In architectural terms, the city has distinct features of the Portuguese colonial style, despite the fact that it has never been a colony. The city is multinational, the main peoples inhabiting it: Thais, Chinese, Malays. It is almost not written officially anywhere, but in fact quite a few Burmese also live in Phuket Town.

The city itself is not particularly touristy - from the signs that are noticeable at least somehow, there are only a few souvenir shops and cafes adapted for tourists in the center. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot of tourists in Phuket Town, but they clearly do not dominate in comparison with the local population.

So let's walk through the streets of Phuket Town