Where To Visit In Phuket?

[MartinL]

My wife & I have been discussing a short holiday in May and she’s decided that she wants to go to Phuket since she’s never been there before – neither have I.

I’ve read so much bad publicity about the place that I really don’t want to go but, at the same time, I want Mrs. L to visit at least once so I’ll just have to accompany her and hope it turns out well.

So can somebody please give us some idea of a suitable location to stay & interesting places to visit on the island over a period of 4-5 days?

Not looking for a specific hotel, rather a general area that’s reasonably quiet, not plagued by rip-off merchants – if there is such a place – and fairly easily accessible. It doesn’t have to be close to a beach – somewhere inland would be fine. We probably won’t be driving but might hire a vehicle for a day.

We’re both in our mid-50s, Mrs. L is a teacher, I’m retired. We live in rural Khon Kaen province.

We’re both quite fit & healthy and easily able to get around. We don’t drink so bars/nightclubs are not what we want. We’d like a good selection of eating places although we’re both happy with street food too. Not into lazing all day on the beach but might be interested in the occasional hour relaxing there, watching the world go by, in between doing more worthwhile things.

Mrs. L likes gardens, flowers, trees & similar. I’m into wilder, more off-the-beaten-track places & wildlife. A nice, wild National Park would probably go down well with both of us. We both enjoy walking, preferably far from crowds. Of course, Mrs. L likes shops (don’t most women?) and will probably want to go to temple at least once during our visit.

If you can make any suggestions, it’d help us a lot. Thanks.

[Peterocket]

The walk from Bang Pae waterfall to Ton Sai waterfall is nice...you can eat at either end and also there is the gibbon sanctuary to peruse. Takes about 2 hours although i have known people to take anything from 45 mins to 4 hours to do it. Hardly any people do it so it's quite pleasant. No water at the moment though so not sure about there being any water in the fall.

Maybe stay in Kathu or Phuket town if you dont need to be by the beach and want to meet more genuine Thai people and not be surrounded by farangs.

[Guest]

The walk from Bang Pae waterfall to Ton Sai waterfall is nice...you can eat at either end and also there is the gibbon sanctuary to peruse. Takes about 2 hours although i have known people to take anything from 45 mins to 4 hours to do it. Hardly any people do it so it's quite pleasant. No water at the moment though so not sure about there being any water in the fall.

I did not know that it's possible to walk from one waterfall to another. Thanks for the tip.

One option, for quiet place is to be in Ao Por. We have couple hotels here.

Supalai Phuket Resort and Spa and Chandara Resort & Spa. Not too far from the Bang Pae waterfall.

View to the Phanga bay is absolutely beautiful.

[thaiIand]

just spend your time convincing her to go to any other thai island. She'll have more fun. There isnt much beauty left in phuket as far as tropical islands go. Phangna would suit both of you better.

Edited February 17, 2012 by thaiIand

[LivinginKata]

just spend your time convincing her to go to any other thai island. She'll have more fun. There isnt much beauty left in phuket as far as tropical islands go. Phangna would suit both of you better.

I disagree. We drove up to Prom Thep the other day and I remarked to my wife how beautiful the area remained. For sure Patong is not for everyone and I don't recommend for the OP.

The north part of the island remain mainly untouched by commercialisaton and there is a National Park just before the Saracen Bridge, but no chance of accomodation.

[petercallen]

Plenty of interesting things to see here, the travel agents at

the hotels have plenty of pamphlets for day tours

Personally i see little or none of the things that cause bad

publicity about Phuket, since you are not interested in bars

i doubt you will

[thaiIand]

prom thep, home of the worst thai restaurant on the planet with the nicest view

[grumpyoldman]

You might consider Khao Lak, more closely accessable waterfalls and national park areas there.

[MissChris]

I went to the Siam Safari today. On the way up to the Big Buddha. I believe it costs an arm & a leg ($2800 THB for the full extravaganza). Check the brochures. It finishes with a sunset dinner on board a Burmese junk. For someone who gets seasick snorkelling, I was a happy camper the whole way, including the elephant ride. (Don't yell at me). Very touristy and maybe suited for people new to Thailand perhaps, but there was a guide there who seriously needs headhunting for some of the prestigious wildlife parks overseas. I've been to a lot of zoos and theme parks with wildlife and this girl was really personable, knowledgeable & hardworking.

Tips - wear walking shoes, joggers, etc. Beware of steps & banging your head at times. It's not a nanny state. I take my personal escort who is only just letting me cross the road unescorted but that's because I trip over unmarked steps, am tall and have a history of spectacular falls, especially on wet tiles. She allows me my walk down the soi if I promise to look behind me when something is coming my way.

Phuket never makes me feel personally unsafe. But then I smile at everything that moves and don't go to bars.

[KRS1]

Has Patong become as crazy as Pattaya these days ? Or is it a bit calmer and more relaxed?

[stevehaigh]

Has Patong become as crazy as Pattaya these days ? Or is it a bit calmer and more relaxed?

yes to part A, no to part B

[TaoNow]

IMHO....the magic of Phuket is the Andaman Sea. After all, this is an island. Forget the waterfalls.

The vistas on the west coast are magnificent. The east side provides a quieter, less crowded environment.

The only way to really see the island for a short-term visitor is to rent a vehicle -- jeep or motorcyle. Start at the north of the island and work your way down the west coast. Then try out the side roads on the east side. Don't miss the off-shoot Sirey Island in the process. There are greast hill-top look-outs such as Khao Khat (at Laem Panwa) or the Shrine at the top of the hill at Wat Sirey. For dining and views try the Thung Kha Restaurant atop Khao Rang or the restaurants on Khao Toh Sae hill.

If you like harbors, try the Tamarind bar/restaurant at Chalong or the Kan Eng@Pier restaurant at sunset for a more expensive experience -- with excellent service at both places.

But, in the end, it is the variety of views of the Indian Ocean that makes Phuket unique among Thai destinations.

Enjoy