Dear Wandering Spirit,
When travelling to Thailand, there are two places you really can’t miss. One is the capital city of Bangkok, and the other one is Phuket island (Ko Phuket).
In the southern part of the country and along the west coast in the Andaman Sea exists Phuket and 32 smaller islands. 🏝️ These are very popular destinations among backpackers, freshly married couples and even families with children.
Reasons to Visit Phuket Island
Phuket island is a touristic hotspot in Thailand, connected by land through the Sarasin Bridge, but also reachable by frequent planes from Bangkok. 🛩️ The plane journey lasts 1.5 hours and prices start at 20 €.
I visited Phuket island over the Christmas period in 2019, and I remember how warm and relaxing this winter break was! Phuket is surrounded by beautiful beaches. The most known is Patong, followed by Karon, Kamala and Rawai.
If you are looking for parties, then go for Patong; if you are looking for something calmer, then I recommend Mai Khao and Nai Thon. 🥳 All beaches offer varied water activities and half-day trips to near islands. Whatever your taste, you will be spoilt for choice.
What to See on Phuket Island
I stayed at the wonderful Baan Laimai Resort at Patong Beach in a bungalow with an ocean view. The hotel was just a few steps from the beach, so I enjoyed watching the sunrise 🌞 after a rich breakfast buffet.
The daily activities included visits to the Old Phuket Town. Chinese, Portuguese, and Indian venders traded goods here and merged with the local population, creating a colourful, multicultural mix.
Visits to temples were included in the Phuket trip, of course. 🛕
I recommend the huge Wat Chalong, that dominates the surroundings with red, gold, and white, as well as the 45-metre high marble Big Buddha on the Nakkerd Hills.
Finish your Phuket exploration at the Three Bay Viewpoint, where you can admire three bays and some of the small islands all around.
What to Do on Phuket Island
At night, I enjoyed walking through the markets, discovering local street food and, of course, experiencing the busy and loud Bangla Road. 🎶 The Patong nightlife is a mixture of discos, beer bars, and shows for every taste.
You will see unusual street food vendors, and even more unusual entertainment forms. Stroll around but pay extra attention to possible pickpockets.
If you are looking for a good compromise between untouched nature and party scenery, then Phuket is the best place for your Thailand travel. While you can peacefully relax 🧘 during the day, you will experience great vibes at night too.
Beach parties are common almost everywhere, and great international cuisines welcome tourists from all over the world – you will be especially thankful for this if you are travelling for the first time to an Asian country!
If you are looking for a day trip in the nearby of Phuket island, consider the beautiful Phi Phi islands. You will fall in love with this untouched slice of earth.
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