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

Understand

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.

Get in

Buses and '''songthaews''' connect Phuket Town to major beaches around the island, and start from Thanon Ranong at the Ranong market. The most popular service is the one to Patong Beach (20 baht, 45 minutes) which leaves every 30 minutes between 07:00 and 18:00. Fares to other beaches range from 15 to 30 baht. If you miss the last bus back a taxi will cost 200-400 depending on your bargaining skills.

Phuket International Airport is 30 km to the north of Phuket Town, about 30 minutes by taxi (500 baht) or 45 minutes by shared minibus (100 baht).

Get around

Phuket Town is just a little too big to be covered comfortably on foot. There's little organised public transport as such, but motorbikes and four wheel '''tuk-tuks''' whizz about looking for fares.

See

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

  • '''Old Phuket''' (???????????????????). 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 strongly Mediterranean character. Shops present a very narrow face onto the street but stretch back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Road, have old wooden doors with Chinese fretwork carving.
  • Other streets, forming what might be called "Old Phuket", with similar structures are Phang-nga, Yaowarat, Thalang, and Krabi, 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.

  • '''Jui Tui''' and '''Put Jaw Temples''', corner of Thanon Ranong and Soi Phuthon (''just west of the Ranong bus terminus''). Put Jaw is the oldest Chinese Taoist temple in Phuket, first 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 the same side up the answer is "no", while if they land on different sides the answer is "yes". Free entry but donations welcome.
  • '''Wat Mongkol Nimit''', Thanon Dibuk. A classical Thai-style temple with a soaring roof and lots of colourful glass tiling.
  • '''Phuket Culture Museum''', at Rajabhat University. It's free and very informative. Phuket's history is told in pictures and still scenes.
  • '''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 model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.
  • '''Saphan Hin''' (????????). A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Saphan Hin, located where Phuket Road 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. A sport center is located in the park.
  • '''Phuket Butterfly Farm''' (??????????????????????????). 3 kilometres from town via Yaowarat Road and the Sam Kong intersection. It has a fascinating collection of such tropical creatures as butterflies, insects, marine life all arranged in natural surroundings. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission is 300 bath for adults and 150 baht for children. Tel: 0 7621 0861, Fax: 0 7652 3609
  • '''Phuket Cultural Center''' (??????????????????????????????). Located in the area of the Phuket Rajabhat University on Thepkrasattri Road. It displays 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. Furthermore, the library collects books on Phuket_fs history and culture. The center is open daily for free from 8.30 a.m. ? 4.30 p.m., except public holidays. For a group of visitors who needs a guided tour, please address a letter of request to the Phuket Cultural Center at 21 Thepkrasattri Road, Tambon Ratsada, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket, or call Tel. 0 7624 0474-6 ext. 148, 0 7621 1959, 0 7622 2370, Fax: 0 7621 1778.
  • '''Thai Village and Orchid Farm''' (???????????????????????????????). Located on Thepkasattri Road about 3 kilometres from town, serves daily a typical southern Thai lunch that is 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 orchid and tropical trees. Digestion is aided by the lilting sounds of Thai classical and folk music played on tradition instruments. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-9.00 p.m. Cultural shows are performed daily at 1.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Admission is 650 baht for adults and 330 baht for children. Call 0 7621 4860, 0 7623 7400 for details.
  • '''Phuket Zoo''' (??????????????) Located on the way to Chalong Bay, the zoo contains a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. Elephant and crocodile shows are performed every day. The zoo is open daily from 8.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Admission is 500 baht for adults and 300 baht for children. Call 0 7637 4430, 0 7637 4424 for details.
  • Do

    Buy

    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 '''Thanon Thalang''' offers a large selection of boutiques and galleries retailing traditional handicrafts as well as antiques from the region. Phuket Night Bazaar is a large area, where you can get local stuff (though you might find the same things much cheaper at the Big C supermarket!).

    Markets

  • '''Ranong Market''', Thanon Ranong, is the largest local market. A warren of stalls selling anything and everything, it can be a hot, sweaty and chaotic but an interesting experience if you've not been to one before. However it is closed (2008) as they are constructing a new building.
  • '''Weekend Market''' - endless stalls with the cheapest of Thai souvenirs.
  • Shopping malls

  • '''Ocean and Robinsons''' are next to each other on Tilok Uthit 1 Road. Robinsons is a big department store, and there is a Tops supermarket, as well as McD's , KFC etc.
  • '''Central Festival''', Thanon Chaloem Phra Kiat - 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.
  • '''SuperCheap''' claims to be the biggest and cheapest mall in Phuket, a cross between a Metro Market, Walmart, a Bazaar, and a normal local market for nearly everything from groceries to motorbike and car supplies and electronics. The best time to visit is in the evening. Take a small dinner in the nearby Thai restaurant (all you can eat for 69 baht - but when you leave something on the plate it costs 100 baht!) and afterwards join the Thai people at the market. SuperCheap is situated on the road to the airport, about 5 km out of Phuket Town centre, just behind the Esso site. Open until midnight.
  • Eat

  • All You Can Eat. t Super Cheap. But you have to empty your plate - otherwise it costs double. That's not a joke, but very useful in keeping guests eating things they really like to eat and not wasting food. If you order water with ice, the ice costs extra!
  • China Inn Cafe & Restaurant. 0 Thalang Road, T.Talad Yai, A.Muang, Phuket. 76 356239. Dinner in beautiful historic Sino-Portuguese building in Phuket old town with romantic atmosphere. Thai and European food. Open: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday-Saturday 11am-11pm Closed on Sunday
  • Circle Cafe. n the Ranong circle, between Rasada and Yaowarat. 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.
  • Farang Restaurant. ext to Index. haloem Kiat Rd, next to Index, Phuket City. 86-9463142. Italian and Thai Food
  • Ruam Jai Restaurant. local run restaurant with friendly staff serving delicious all-vegetarian food. The prices are very reasonable, for example a plate of white/brown rice choosable with two or more dishes from the buffet of about 15 different courses is around 25-35b. Try also locally made fresh juices, 10b each. Popular among locals; it can be crowded around mealtimes. One of 3 vegetarian restaurants in very close proximity near the local bus terminal.. 15 Th Ranong. 76-222821. .00 - 16.00.
  • Siam Bakery. 3 Thanon Yaowaraj, north of the Ranong traffic circle. French-run bakery offering pastries and drinks (~50 baht) in pleasant air-con surroundings.
  • The Living Room Restaurant. reat restaurant for tasty Thai and Thai-Chinese food. Relatively new with both an indoor and outdoor eating section / beer garden. Dimly lit interior for chill or romantic dining, they've got a spot for live music as well. You can try to it dishes from crocodile.. ibuk Road just past Montri Road.. 0-200 baht per dishes.
  • Weekend market. umerous stalls sell a variety of meats, vegetables, noodles, fruits and sweets that can fill a stomach for a handful of baht.. pposite Wat Naka..
  • La Romantica. est Italian food in Phuket Town, their pizzas and calzones, baked in a brick oven, rival those of Italy.. 0 Phang-Nga Road, across from the On-On Hotel.
  • Chaiyo Seafood. 7639 3124.
  • Fuji Japanese Restaurant. entral Festival Phuket 3 rd Fl.. 7624 9861-2. Fine Japaneses restaurant with reasonable price
  • Kra Jok See. erving Thai cuisine suited for western palates, the restaurant sheds its inhibitions at 10pm when the tables are pushed back and hostesses pull guests onto the floor for dancing. Guaranteed for heaps of fun!. 6 Takua Pa. 7621 7903.
  • Khrua Chamnong. oi Ao Ke. 7622 0021.
  • Laem Hin Seafood. 0/11 Mu 7 Ko keaw. 7623 9357.
  • Laem Thong. hana Charoen Road. 7622 4349.
  • Limoncello Italian FINE Restaurant. 3/202 Moo 2 Royal Phuket Marina, Thepkasattri Road. 76360869. ww.limoncello.co.th.
  • Mee Sapam. 8/6 Thepkrassartri Rd. 7623 9543.
  • Natural Restaurant. oi Phutorn. 7622 4287.
  • N C Bakery and Food. 83/6 Phang-nga Rd"0 7622 4668 email=".
  • Nai Yao. huket Road . 7621 2719.
  • Phuket View Khao Rung" address="Ko Sim Bi. 7621 6865.
  • Raya. ew Dibuk Road. 7621 8155.
  • Siang Sian" alt=??????????". imit Road. 7621 5928.
  • Stek Sam Kong. ??????????. 67/26-28 Yaowarat Rd. 7621 7190 -1.
  • Thainaan Restaurant. ????. 6 Wichit Songkhram Road. 7622 6164-7.
  • Thung Kha Cafe. ????? ?????. hao Rang"0 7621 1500 email=".
  • Watermark Bar Restaurant. huket Boat Lagoon Marina 22 /1 Thepkrassartri Rd. 7623 9730.

    Drink

  • '''China House''', 43 Thanon Yaowaraj. Chinese tea and other drinks in an impeccably tastefully restored shophouse that doubles as an art gallery. On the expensive side though, with drinks 50-100 baht.
  • '''Coffee Max''', on the roundabout where Thanon Ranong meets Thanon Yaowarat. Small, friendly coffee shop offering hot and cold coffee and tea drinks and a selection of pastries and cakes. Free Wi-Fi for customers.
  • '''Michael's Bar''', 12 Takua-Pa Road. Owned by a British expat, a friendly, low-key place to grab a few drinks at a reasonable price. Has Wi-Fi or a solitary PC for customer use, free for the first 20 minutes.
  • '''Smile Cafe''' Newly opened cafe near the junction of Thanon Montri and Thanon Phang-Nga, run by a friendly young Thai couple who make a great ice-blended coffee or green tea.
  • Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Ban Nai Inn''', 22/98 Luang Poh Cham Rd, Soi 1 A. Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel 076-214907-9, Fax 076-232276. Small guesthouse located directly behind the long distance bus terminal (walk past the motorbike taxi drivers). Rooms are basic but cheap, and include tv, refrigerator, A/C, separate shower and wardrobe with lockable drawer. Little English is spoken, suggesting that this is a destination more popular with Thai tourists.
  • Crystal Guest House (??????? ??????????) 41/16 Montri Road (Tel: 0 7622 2774-5, 0 7622 6245), 26 rooms: 250-450 baht
  • Damrong (??????) 52 Luang Pho Road (Tel: 0 7621 1704), 45 rooms: 180 - 280 baht*
  • Down Town Inn (?????????? ?????) 56/19 Ranong Road (Tel: 0 7621 6884-5), 24 rooms: 250-450 baht
  • Imperial Hotel 51 Phuket Road (Tel: 0 7621 2311, 48 rooms, Bt650-750
  • '''Crystal Inn''' (??????? ?????) 2/1-10 Soi Surin Montri Road (Tel: 0 7625 6789 Fax: 0 7625 6666 www.phuketcrystalinn.com), 54 rooms: 900 baht
  • '''Imperial Hotel''' 51 Phuket Road (Tel: 0 7621 2311, 48 rooms, Bt650-750 , rooms have free wi-fi, mini bar with fridge and cable tv.
  • '''On On Hotel ''' - 19 Th Phang-Nga, tel. 0 7621 1154; Old and a bit musty Sino-Portugese building with rich atmosphere, located almost in the center of the town. A small travel agency, laundry and cafe downstairs. Few scenes from the movie The Beach (2000) was shot here; check out room 38 for familiar views. Providing probably one of the cheapest accommodation of the island. Rooms from Bt 180 - 400. The cheapest rooms have shared bathrooms.
  • '''Phuket Backpacker''' [http://www.phuketbackpacker.com] - Tel: +66-7625-6680. New (2005) establishment for western travellers, with sociable common room and kitchen facilities. It is located in the heart of Phuket town, next to the local food market on Ranong Road. Its central location allows easy trips - via buses and taxis - to Phuket's surrounding beaches and sights. There is also abundant shopping and dining in the area. Fan cooled rooms at the back are popular with cockroaches and mosquitos, so be prepared to share or fight for your space (and bring your own lock for the door). Free Wi-Fi, but the range does not extend to the outlying rooms.
  • '''Phuket Cyberinn Hotel''' [http://www.phuketcyberinn.com] - Tel: +66-76220 100. Phuketcyberinn on Soi 4 off Bangkok Rd is located in the heart of Phuket Town. A 3-storey hotel is surrounded by many shops, street bazzars and wonderful old buildings. Easy to reach many beaches aound Phuket. It is just 30 minutes away from Phuket international airport. Bt750.
  • Mid-range

  • Daeng Plaza. ?? ??????. 7 Phuket Road. 7621 3752, 0 7621 3966, 0 7621 6428. 7621 3884. ww.phukettoday.com/daengplaza. ,000 - 1,400 baht.
  • Metropole Phuket. Soi Surin, Montri Road. 66 76 215-050, 214-020-9. 66 76 215-990. ttp://www.metropolephuket.com. Large hotel, 5-10 minute walk from the main bus station and the market. May once have been an opulent choice, but it feels like a decision was made some decades ago to spend minimal effort on upkeep or cleaning of the hotel - at least the cheaper rooms and the "gym" are in desparate need of renovation! Wi-Fi 3000 baht/day.
  • Sino House Phuket Hotel and Apartment. ??????????????? ??????. Montree Rd., Tambon Talad Yai. 66 76 232494, + 66 76232495. eserv@sinohousephuket.com. 66 76221498. ww.sinohousephuket.com. 4:00. 2:00.

    Splurge

    Get out

    ''see the '''Phuket Province''' article''