• Follow Me on Twitter!
  • Like Me on Facebook!
  • View My Channel!
  • View My Snapshots!

Main menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • No Access
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Archives
  • Bucket List
  • Links
  • Contact Me

7 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand

Posted on November 29, 2013 by journeyingjames 5 Comments
Share
Tweet

Phuket creates pictures of beaches- a steady parade of thongs in the heat of the day and an invitation to party like its the eve of the New Year by night. Buy one a margarita and you get the idea of what Phuket is. Or do you? Hope these list would give you an idea of what to expect and what to do when you visit Phuket, Thailand.

1. Get lost in Old Phuket Town.

And by getting lost I mean dropping the guide book and tourist map and start exploring by foot. Old Phuket town is a safe place to explore even at night. Some of the discoveries I’ve seen were not in the tourist map. Of course you would not miss the beautiful Soi Romainee and the colorful apartments at Phuket center. Thalang Road would soon be initiated to be UNESCO Heritage (recently Phuket applied to be a UNESCO Heritage Site and I believe they would get it). If you are a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach you would also see the facade of On On Hotel where Leonardo met Daffy.

Soi Romainee.

Soi Romainee.

Phuket Center Apartments

Phuket Center Apartments

The Memory of On On Hotel (Famous for its appearance On DiCaprio's The Beach)

The Memory of On On Hotel (Famous for its appearance On DiCaprio’s The Beach)

2. Explore the small alleys for delicious Thai food.

The best foods are in the streets and when I say street foods, usually those who doesn’t have a name serves the best- kao phad (fried rice) kuay tiew (noodle soup) or pad thai (fried noodles). This is also a perfect way to start a conversation- ask the cook’s name and maybe the local guy eating on the next table. Adventure awaits for those who ask questions. And ohh don’t forget to order Tom Yam Goong (spicy-sour soup with prawns).

Dr. Prasit's fave Char Kuay Tiew (Charred Noodle Soup)

Dr. Prasit’s fave Char Kuay Tiew (Charred Noodle Soup)

3. Have a tea or coffee in one of the chic cafes in town.

I love their the smell of their black tea with condensed milk on the bottom of the small mug; add a roti and mussaman curry and you have a local breakfast. If its not your cup of tea then maybe a freshly ground coffee would do the trick. What I love about Phuket is the presence of local cafes- brands that you have only in Thailand, mostly local-based. Yes, I say give yourself a break and for a change try a coffee shop that is not Starbucks.

Tea and roti

Tea and roti

 

4. Surf at Kata or Karon Beach.

I have to put it here because I love the beach and surfing. But if you are not that adventurous then be contended with laying your beach towel on the white sand beach while you let the sun kiss your sunscreen-applied sexy bod. Order a mango shake too!

Surfing at Kata Beach

Surfing at Kata Beach

 

5. Learn how to haggle.

Bring only 1,000Baht for shopping and see how far your 1000Baht gets you. I was able to buy 2 shirts, 2 pants, local teas, spices, a bottle of beer, sent a postcard and ate breakfast and lunch with that amount. Famous souvenirs are paintings, Thai sarongs, elephant and Buddha figurines and shirts.

Paintings Souvenir

Paintings as souvenir yes?
You get to support local artists too. Price start at 300Baht

Souvenirs

Shirts start at 90Baht and small paintings

 

6. Appreciate art.

Learn something new and visit a museum. Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Rd. is one of the best looking and well-maintained Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket. The architecture is already a feast to the senses. If you are not into roofed buildings then appreciate art deco around Phuket Old Town- there are so many that is worth your SD card.

Just sit down and let time pass by.

Just sit down and let time pass by.

A fruit vendor at Krabi Road

A fruit vendor at Krabi Road

 

7. Visit a temple.

My favorite would be the Shrine of Serene Light or Ting Kwan Tang. Almost hidden on Pha Nga Road, visitors who are on the run might totally miss this beautiful old temple. On the inner walls I saw carved murals that tell about the legendary folk hero Si-in-gui. Built in 1889 by the local Hokkien Chinese family, this shrine full of garden inside provides serenity for the busy businessmen in the city.

Temple of the Serene Light's Roof

Temple of the Serene Light’s Roof

Temple of the Serene Light

 

I’m so sorry I missed Patong Beach. haha

 

So you want to go to Phuket from Manila, Philippines?

Cebu Pacific flies 3x to Phuket from Manila. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages (/cebupacificair).

Related Posts with Thumbnails
This entry was posted in Thailand and tagged 7 Things to do in Old Phuket Town Thailand, 7 Things to do in Phuket Thailand, Manila Phuket Direct Flight, Manila Phuket Flight, Phuket Thailand, Phuket Travel Guide, Things to do in Phuket, What to do in Phuket. Bookmark the permalink.

Post navigation

← A Non-Expert Advice on What To Do After Typhoon Yolanda
10 Lessons I Learned from My Comeback Southeast Asian Trip →

5 thoughts on “7 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand”

  1. Jonathan Orbuda said:
    Reply
    November 29, 2013 at 7:49 am

    James, may pang 8 ako, Experience the perfect nose-lift and cosmetics. hahaha

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 29, 2013 at 8:24 am

      haha! pwede pwede. daming ganyan sa patong beach

  2. Micamyx|Senyorita said:
    Reply
    November 30, 2013 at 11:40 am

    My friend and I have plans of visiting Phuket soon. Buti may direct flights na 😀

  3. Avel Manansala said:
    Reply
    December 2, 2013 at 7:56 am

    Nice list James.

    But no visit to the Giant Buddha? Awww…

    And you missed Patpong!!! Gosh Avelgosh! 😀

  4. MemorableDubai CityTour said:
    Reply
    December 5, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Outstanding place for tourist and pictures you posted here are also fantastic!

Leave a Reply to Micamyx|Senyorita Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA Image
Refresh Image

*

Search

Like Me?

My Newly Opened Homestay in Palawan

Palawan Homestays, Lifehouse

Puerto Princesa, MIMAROPA, Philippines
This is great for families or group of friends who wanted to have their own house. Japanese-themed house, cozy bedrooms and complete kitchen set. Enjoy the tea area where you can relax, listen to m...
Short Term Rentals in Puerto Princesa

Travel Partners:

Follow me on Instagram:

PRESS & MEDIA

Back-to-Back GMA News TV Interviews
Cebu Pacific's Featured Article: Around the Philippines for 100 Days
Manila Bulletin: Around the PH for 100 Days
TV 5: ISANGDAAN Journey Interview
ABS-CBN News Channel: ISANGDAAN Journey Live Interview
GMA News To Go: ISANGDAAN Journey Live Interview
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Hidden Paradise Feature
ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao: Short Interview
Living Asia Channel: Watch Me Dancing
Radio Guestings
Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine: Bacolod on a Budget
Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine: Zamboanga City on a Budget
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Tacloban on a Budget
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Not Your Ordinary Palawan
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Iloilo and Guimaras Travel Guide
8 Travel Tips to Save Money While on the Road
How to Start Your Own Backpacking Trip

Top 25 Posts

  • No To Mining in Palawan- A Petition Letter (313)
  • 100 Days of Backpacking the Philippines- The Cheapest Way Possible (241)
  • My Top 10 Philippine Travel Destination (167)
  • ISANGDAAN: The Most Epic Travel Challenge in the Philippines- A Success! (138)
  • Calaguas Islands Trip Guide: The Cheapest Way Possible (125)
  • Puerto Princesa City to El Nido Travel Guide (114)
  • Do-It-Yourself Puerto Princesa City Tour (86)
  • No Money, No Honey or Why I Travel Solo? (84)
  • Hundred Islands Travel Guide (83)
  • Cheap Accommodations in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (81)
  • Panampangan Island: Tawi-Tawi's Finest White Beach (80)
  • Why You Should Date a Traveler? (79)
  • Surigao Nature Fuck: The Most Depressing Road Trip Ever (76)
  • Dear Reader, I'm not a snob... (75)
  • Wrap Up of Mindanao 400 Challenge (73)
  • Cheap Accommodations in Camiguin Island (71)
  • Puerto Princesa City: Benchmark Of What Paradise Is (70)
  • I’m on TV! Thanks Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Summer Special (70)
  • Boracay Cheap Accommodations and Rates (68)
  • September-October Travel Plans in Bicol, the Visayas, and Ilocos (62)
  • 10 Travel Secrets of JourneyingJames (61)
  • 10 Things to Do in Quezon Province (58)
  • GMA News To Go Interview about ISANGDAAN Journey (58)
  • How to Fund Your Wanderlust? (58)
  • On Pursuing My Passion (58)
Copyright 2012 | Journeying James Designed by: Regine Garcia