5 Things to Do in Phuket

Written by Team Expique
Published: April 20, 2020

Phuket is well known as being the Pearl of the Andaman, and gained a reputation around the world as a beautiful and exclusive destination. Whilst it has lost some of it’s charm as it has grown, there is still a lot to do.


Phuket is Thailand’s largest island that is located almost 900 kilometers to the south of Bangkok. From the endless beaches, to a wealth of history, traditions and cultures, there is more to do than just soak up the sun on visit to Phuket. In this article, we bring you 5 things to do in Phuket.

Go on an Island-Hopping Tour

Racha Beach image from karin_isme: https://pixabay.com/th/users/karin_isme-1002814/

Phuket is a full blown beauty with vibrant marine life and turquoise blue seas. There is no better place to island hop and fully appreciate the magnificent scenery that makes up the group of islands. Book the right boat and you can even enjoy a glass of champagne with great cuisine.

You can rent a yacht, speedboat or go on a tour to the Racha and Coral Islands, in order to experience this beautiful area. It’s a fast trip and the experience will give you time for snorkeling, exploring the island or simply bask in the free sun lounges. The pristine waters in Racha Islands makes it perfect for water sports. Coral Island displays a variety of natural elements and gives you a full display of what peak nature and life really are.  

Racha Island image from Phuketian.S: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124790945@N06/48912480387

Small enough to navigate and explore by foot, these islands provide an escape from the busy life of Phuket. The beautiful vibrant corals and bustling aquatic life make it a sight to be seen and appreciated.  


Phuket’s Simon Cabaret Show 

If you’re looking for pure entertainment and just a night of energy and enthusiasm, then nothing beats the Simon Cabaret show. The show features lights, beautiful costumes that are diverse and a very enthusiastic and unique set of performers.  

This unique show will blow you away with the bling and glamour that it puts on. It really is a visual spectacle and you will be left wishing that there is more to see. The stylish venue complements the performance and gives a glimpse at the culture of freedom and open mindedness in this transgender based show.  

The Simon cabaret show lasts a bit less than an hour and it’s a fun time. To be clear; the ‘ladyboys’ lip sync to the songs, but the energy, costumes, and music are great. Not Broadway calibre, but certainly a well-done show with lots of talent. Keep your eyes peeled for a few dancers who have extra energy, providing a perfect opportunity for unique and memorable photography sessions after the show.


Phuket Old Town  

Phuket Municipality Police Station Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phuket_Town_Thailand-Phuket-Municipality-Police-Station-01.jpg

The main town of Phuket that is often overlooked for the beach and sea life! However, it is the heart of culture and tradition on the island. It has also gained a reputation as a gastronomy city! Bustling with cafes and restaurants that are full of local culture and food, adhering to your preferred taste buds.  

The rich history behind the old town makes it fascinating to explore. Much of the Siamese-Portuguese architecture is reminiscent of the times of a century ago. The area basks in cultural heritage. It is made of up 5 main roads (Phang Nga Road, Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Krabi Road, and Ranong Road).

Street Art in Phuket Town image Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phuket_Town_Thailand-Murals-in-Phang-Nga-Road-03.jpg

Phuket’s old town boasts an array of preserved old buildings, charm and captured time through the romantic vibe and uplifting, salubrious history. There are shrines that date from Chinese architecture, expressing spirituality and ancient history.  

If you happen to drop by on a Sunday, make sure you visit the Phuket Walking Street, that bustles with a variety of food and shopping. The culture and history fashioned together will surely make you feel alive in this shopaholic paradise.  


Patong

Patong Beach image from Brownie13: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TH_Phuket_-_Patong_Beach.jpg

This place gets mixed reactions! Some love, many hate it.

It is the heart of Phuket nightlife, and offers Phuket’s widest variety of shops, food, bars, nightlife. It is full of bustling resorts and hotels. Of course it also has a long white beach. Also known as Patong Beach, it is a simple beach road in the daytime; but at nighttime has a totally different character.  

Patong’s main entertainment area is Bangla Road. It is a place like no other, demonstrating life and energy as soon as you enter it, with bars and clubs in every single corner. The entertainment stretches many streets and caters for many interests. There are also many Thai-oriented unique experiences for those that are adventurous and looking for something new.

The nightlife hub also offers exclusive nightclubs such as Sugar Phuket and Illuzion Phuket that are very well known across the country and internationally.  

As we mentioned earlier, some love this and some would prefer to avoid. What we can say it is an interesting place to people watch!


Chalong Bay Rum Distillery  

The perfect place for keen rum drinkers and alcohol connoisseurs, the rum distillery is a perfect tour for any visitor to the island of Phuket. It offers a great opportunity to see behind the scenes in a distillery as well as sample the rum! Also and opportunity for visitors to indulge in a very enjoyable and flavorful lunch at the distillery’s restaurant. Chalong Bay Distillery prides itself on producing 100% natural rum using only ‘best-of-crop’ Thai sugarcane and centuries-old French distillation methods. 

A visit to the distillery for a family friendly tour lasts about an hour. It is interesting if you’re a person who appreciates alcohol tasting or has a curiosity to know how rum is made. You get to join one of Chalong Bay’s knowledgeable guides for a glimpse into the inner workings behind the distillery. They will show you how the award-winning rum is beautifully and gracefully crafted from local sugarcane, and presented elegantly in the bottle.  

In addition to enjoying rum tasting, snacks and additional drinks at the destination, you can also take one of their cocktail courses. Perfect if you love Mojitos or a rum based cocktail. Furthermore a bottle of rum may prove a great souvenir to take home and comes packaged in neat boxes with a great cocktail recipe book. Buy them as a gift or an addition to your collection.  

If you have time, then also drop by Phuket’s Old Town or Wat Chalong that is located near by.


Photos by karin_isme, Phuketian.S, CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Brownie13



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