Give Phuket a chance
Whenever friends of mine visit Thailand, they inevitably start off in Bangkok and then cycle through the main tourist spots, such as Pai and Chiang Mai. But when I try and persuade people to visit Phuket, they almost always decline the offer, instead opting to go to overcrowded Koh Phi Phi or the messy-as-hell islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pan-ngan. Makes you wonder what’s wrong with Phuket.
Thanks to the lively nature of Patong nightlife and the overdevelopment of Patong, Phuket has a bad rep, but it’s not all justified. Sure, Patong is a dump and why people opt to spend their vacations there is a mystery in itself, but people seem to forget that Phuket is an enormous island that has about a dozen other beaches than Patong and just as many islands dotted around the coast.
Phuket still has a lot of its original appeal, but you just have to look away from the busiest beach spots to see it. If someone who lives in Phuket wants to go to the beach, he or she would never choose to visit Patong, but rather, would head out to Mai Khao Beach, Yanui Beach, Laem Singh Beach or anywhere the tourists don’t flock to en masse.
Phuket is a great island for a vacation and it’s a little disheartening to see so many people favoring the other nearby tourists traps. Although it’s perhaps not the most exciting place to live, Phuket is a great place to visit and, despite contrary reports, it’s actually really cheap.
This post was written by Matt from Phuket Vogue and Thailand’s Lost Boy.
Phuket is indeed a beautiful island. Even Patong has some nicer areas, though as a “local” I generally avoid Patong. The confusion is what led me to start a Phuket blog a couple of years ago. There were just too many people saying “Phuket” when they meant “Patong”.
:)
Jamie
Phuket
Hmm, not a big fan of Phuket myself. Or Phi Phi for that matter. I just love Lanta. Used to work there. My all time favorite island in Thailand has to be Koh Lipe, though.
Koh Lipe seems interesting. Will try that out someday. Thanks for the hint, Boris.
Have just returned from a tremendous holiday to Phuket, stayed at West of Eden in the north part which is less busy than southeastern areas, great hotel and awesome beaches. We rented a big motorbike for only 300 baht per day and would drive around the whole area. So many marvelous places to dine, our favourite spot was Ahan thai Aroy which had the most terrific view over the beach, the staff was rather nice and the food so delicious, we went for sunset cocktails. My husband and I had a wonderful time in Phuket Town and will be back for Easter.