Jutting out of the kneecap of Thailand’s Andaman leg, this massive island province (the largest of its kind in the country) has long been one of the jewels in the coastal crown of the country, a place packed with visitors both domestic and foreign right throughout the year.
All around its edges, beaches like the pink-hued Kata Yai and the palm-peppered Karon are punctuated by grand resort hotels and luxurious spas, catering for Phuket’s resident crowd of jet setters. On the western coast, backpackers converge on Patong to sip Chang and Leo in the laser-lit bars, before heading off on connection boats to Phi Phi Don and Ko Yao Yai nearby. In Phuket Town, on the cusp of the island’s southern edge, songthaews whizz and whir about the marketplaces, while more discerning visitors explore the Put Jaw Taoist Temples and the Phuket Culture Museum.
As any Phuket tour guide will tell you, this built-up enclave of activity is one of the most happening spots on the Andaman coast, perfect for beach lovers, luxury seekers, hedonists and culture vultures alike. Enjoy!