Phuket Holidays

Thailand’s biggest island is as famous for its deserted beaches as its wild nightlife, so holidays to Phuket are all about variety.

40-kilometre coast

Just off Thailand’s southwest coast, Phuket is heaving with 40 kilometres of beaches that bear the country’s trademark white sands and hammock-strung palms. But that’s about the only thing these sandy stretches have in common – in terms of their vibe, they couldn’t be more different.

Sun, sea and solitary

At Bang Tao Beach – a long stretch of quiet coastline peppered with deserted sunbathing spots – shops lean more towards quality antiques than touristy souvenirs. The sleepy beach scene here, and at the footprint-free sands of Mai Khao Beach in the north, defines the phrase ‘getting away from it all’.

Patong

Kicking back on peaceful Bang Tao Beach, you’d never know it was a 30-minute drive from the bright lights of Patong, the west coast’s liveliest party town. Chock-full of restaurants, bars and live music venues, this place is serious about having a good time.

At a glance

Trek through the jungle
Take a boat to James Bond Island
Check out a Thai boxing match

Destinations in Phuket

Top Destinations

King of variety

It would be handy if Phuket came with its own beach menu, because with 40 kilometres of the sandy stuff to choose from you’re spoilt for choice. There are miles of footprint-free stretches where you can kick back with nothing but long tail boats for company. But if you want something livelier, there are just as many places packed with watersports, bars and restaurants.
The big beach

As you’d expect from Phuket’s party capital, Patong’s beach is one lively stretch of sand. It runs 3.5 kilometres down the island’s west coast and you’ll find watersports, restaurants and beach shacks all the way along it. The action here isn’t just limited to daylight hours – the town’s noisy strip of shops and party-all-night bars is a stone’s throw from the seafront.
The secret beach

If you like your beaches with a hint of in-the-know exclusivity, head for Freedom Beach. Accessed by long tail boat from Tri Trang Beach or Patong, this peaceful beauty spot has white, powdery sands, and a lush green hill as its backdrop. It’s a no-go zone for vendors or watersports. In fact, you’ll find little more here than swaying palms and a quiet restaurant or two.

Bargain Buys

The busy, anything-goes Phuket Weekend Market is a place to experience as much as a place to shop. You’ll find it on Chao Fa West Road, just outside Phuket Town, on weekend evenings, hawking everything from deep-fried insects to fashion accessories. Handicraft and souvenir stalls are thick on the ground in the streets behind Kata Beach, too. Head here late afternoon to browse low-price textiles, jewellery and sunglasses.
Mid-Range Buys

Phuket is home to a handful of shopping malls, but the glossiest is the Jungceylon in Patong. This 300-store complex ticks off crafts, fashion labels, perfume, watches and TVs. If it’s chic souvenirs you’re after, pick up carved wooden elephants and hand-woven textiles at Laguna Phuket, near Bang Tao Beach, or head to Turtle Village, in Mai Khao for silk wall hangings and Thai art.
Designer Buys

You won’t find many genuine designer labels in Phuket, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop like a celeb. From one-of-a-kind shirts to bespoke ball gowns, tailor-made outfits are easy to come by. You’ll find a smattering of tailors in just about every resort on the island, where made-to-measure outfits can be whipped up in a few days at a fraction of the price you’d pay at home.

Laid-back evenings

If you’re after a quiet evening, the restaurants near Kata Beach are a good bet. Before the bars get busy around midnight, it’s a good spot for people-watching. Mai Khao is the best place for gourmet dining – the luxury hotels dotted along the shoreline here are great for beachfront meals and cocktails.
Lively evenings

Ex-pats have shaped the nightlife in parts of Bang Tao, where late-night sports bars show football on big screens. Over in Phuket Town, you can party with the locals at kitsch clubs and karaoke bars. But if you really want lively, Patong’s Bangla Road redefines the word. This neon-lit strip of adult-only bars, discos and live-music venues is the favourite spot for a wild night out.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is served the world over, but nothing beats a bowl of the stuff on its home turf. Noodles are stir fried with eggs, chillies and fish sauce, muddled with chicken or tofu, and sprinkled with crushed peanuts.
Kanom Jeen

Swap your cornflakes for a Phuket breakfast of Kanom Jeen– a spicy curry, usually fish based, served with noodles and vegetables.
Gai Phad Med Mamuang

Spicy chicken and cashew nuts, known as Gai Phad Med Mamuang, is a staple Thai dish. It’s a stir-fried combo of chicken, Thai-grown cashews, fresh chillies and soy sauce.
Thai iced tea

Tropical temperatures and spicy food call for drinks of the iced variety. Cool off with a glass of Thai iced tea, known as cha yen – a strong black tea sweetened with sugar and milk then poured over ice.
Sang Som

This Thai-brewed rum is the country’s most-guzzled spirit. In touristy bars it’s served in pint-sized buckets with soft mixers, but you’ll feel a lot better in the morning if you stick to splashing it in a glass of fruit juice.

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Account & Booking

Phuket Holidays

40-kilometre coast

Sun, sea and solitary

Patong

At a glance

Destinations in Phuket

Top Destinations

Top things to See and Do in Phuket

King of variety

The big beach

The secret beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Pad Thai

Kanom Jeen

Gai Phad Med Mamuang

Thai iced tea

Sang Som

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Our destinations in Phuket

Tri Trang Beach

Bang Tao

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