Phuket

Phuket, Thailand

Surrounded by clear blue water, Phuket has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable tropical vacation: its palm-fringed beaches are of soft, clean sand, it has a vibrant nightlife, and you can enjoy the most wide-ranging cuisine – you name it, you can eat it in Phuket. For several years, Phuket has topped travel charts as a holiday paradise – and not without a reason – as the island is a spectacular destination. Add to this, the most welcoming people in the world and you can see why travellers love it here.

Population:

386,605

Currency:

Thai Baht (THB)
THB10 ~ US$0,30

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 191
Fire Brigade: 199
Emergency Tourist Police: 1155
Marine police: +66 76 211 883
Phuket International Hospital:
+66 76 249 400

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open from 09.00 to 22.00 in the evening, and are often open 7 days a week. Banking hours are strictly 08.30 to 15.30, Monday to Friday.

Newspapers:

Phuket Post
Phuket Gazette
Bangkok Post (National)
The Nation (National)
Look East (Magazine available for tourists in most hotels)

The Island

Phuket and its surrounding islands are some of the most beautiful and intriguing in the world. Tall outcrops of limestone rise vertically from the sea, and probably the most famous of these was used as a location for one of the James Bond films. It’s now known as “James Bond Island,” but its real name is Phang-nga.

Set just off the west coast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is about the same size as Singapore. The main town is Phuket Town, but many visitors stay in the beach resorts of Surin, Katu, Karon and the most famous (and busy), Patong. To get from Phuket to Patong takes about 20 minutes. Phuket Town has all the administration offices, bigger business hotels and department stores, whilst the beach resorts cater more to the holiday maker. However, excursions to the islands off Phuket go from the port at Phuket Town.

Do & See

Gorgeous white beaches, the bluest water you have ever seen and snorkelling, which is like swimming in an aquarium. This is the place to relax and enjoy yourself, either with scuba diving, spa centres or elephant trekking, there is always something to do.

Dining

Thai cuisine has become one of the country’s biggest exports, and naturally, nothing can compare to the real thing. Why not sample a bowl of tom yam goong (spicy prawn soup), or perhaps kaeng phed ped yang (roast duck in red curry) is more to your liking?

Many restaurants in the resort towns, such as Patong, will have a mix of Thai and western food. Chinese dishes are readily available at the many restaurants in the resorts, and there are also a fair number of Indian and Arabic places catering to those particular types of cuisine.

And here are the best places to eat in Phuket, Thailand:

Cafes

All the resorts from Surin to Chalong Bay have a beachfront road packed with cafes and simple eating places. Some are part of a hotel; some are just simple eateries on the roadside. Too numerous to mention, just have a stroll and see what appeals to your taste buds.

Here are the best cafes in Phuket, Thailand: