GuidesThailand
June 2024
GuidesThailand
June 2024

A cultural guide to Phuket

June 2024

Island hop, gorge on real-deal regional dishes, or stick to sipping from coconuts on the beach—at this popular Thai destination, there are no dull options

June 2024

KEY NEIGHBORHOODS

Kata

the vibe

Sitting pretty to the south of Phuket’s beach-hemmed west coast, Kata has it all: a lively, mile-long bay with bone-white sand and clear water; a diverse dining scene with chichi restaurants and down-to-earth Thai joints; and plenty of sights (the Karon Viewpoint, tiny Koh Pu island, and the pointy-roofed Wat Kittisangkaram temple among them). Its hotel scene ranges from budget-friendly to super swish: If you’re looking to splurge, the ultra-luxe Kata Rocks, with dazzling views from its hilltop perch, is hard to beat. 

Where to stay

Kata Rocks

186/22 Koktanode Road, Karon, Phuket, Thailand

The Boathouse

182 Koktanode Road, Karon, Phuket, Thailand

Surin

the vibe

Some of the island’s ritziest resorts have a Surin zip code, beckoning visitors with plush beach clubs and brilliantly white sand. The Surin, one of the most upmarket, lays claim to postcard-pretty—and semi-private—Pansea Beach, but even if you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of baht, the district is worth a stop. At nearby Surin Beach, vendors sell cold drinks, beach loungers and Thai massages at reasonable prices, while secret Laem Singh beach is home to one of Surin’s most charming (but nameless) Thai restaurants.  

Where to stay

The Surin

118 Moo 3 Pansea Beach, Choeng Thale, Phuket, Thailand

Twinpalms

106/46 Moo 3, Surin Beach Road, Choeng Thale, Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Town

the vibe

Culture-packed Phuket Town is the place to experience the island without the frills you find in its more touristy corners. Comb through local markets, and stop by the polychrome Jui Tui Shrine. The uber-cool Campus Coffee Roasters is the place to go for your caffeine fix, and on Sundays, the Old Town’s main drag turns into Phuket Walking Street, a long stretch of stalls selling cold drinks, street food and hand-crafted souvenirs. Book a boutique hotel housed in one of the district’s colorful buildings: The antiques-packed The Memory at On On Hotel offers a taste of Phuket’s vibrant Baba-Nyonya culture. 

Where to stay

The Memory at On On Hotel

19 Phangnga Road, Tambon Talad Yai, Phuket, Thailand

Woo Gallery and Boutique Hotel

43/1 The Old Town Phuket, Phangnga Road., Talad Yai, Muang Phuket, Thailand

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