IT’S FRIDAY!
For most people ‘Phuket’ brings to mind images of pristine beaches, crystal clear water, massages or even the madness of Bangla Road at night. But there is so much more to this island than many visitors realise so here’s a few suggestions for you this weekend …
If you enjoy a night out on the town, why not skip Bangla Road on your Friday night and instead explore the unique pubs, clubs and bars in Phuket Town. For the most part they are frequented by Thais and expats – very few tourists venture here but it is well worth a look. Wander into a hole-in-the wall bar and you’ll find live music and a relaxed atmosphere. Check out the clubs for some of the best DJ’s in Phuket. And the best part? You can bring your own liquor to most places at no extra charge and only pay for mixers and ice! What’s not to love?!
If that’s not your scene, Phuket Town has many cute cafes, restaurants and bookshops for you to explore on Saturday. Wander along Soi Romanee and Thalang Road for some of the best spots in the Old Town area along with the famous Sino-Portuguese architecture.
If you’re still in Town in the evening you should definitely visit the night time Weekend Market. The biggest market in Phuket, it has everything from food to clothes, to pets and second hand goods, this market is a must see while staying in Phuket. It’s certainly not just catered to tourists – expats and locals come here every weekend to buy household goods, grab a bite to eat or hunt for bargains.
After all of this, you’ll most likely want to spend your Sunday relaxing. There’s no shortage of beaches in Phuket! If you want to escape the crowds, there are plenty of small beaches around – by renting a scooter and driving around you’ll be surprised by how many spots are relatively unknown to most who don’t venture away from the main tourist beaches.
For even more of an escape, you can rent a longtail boat to take you to one of the small nearby islands for the day. Pack a picnic, climb on board and you’re on your way. The price is set and the boats can usually take up to eight people so pack a picnic and bring your friends – split the cost for a cheap day away.
And the sunsets. Oh, the sunsets. Phuket has some of the best sunsets you will ever see. If you fancy watching the sunset from somewhere other than the sand, head on up to the Big Buddha in Chalong for an incredible view of the island. Set on top of a hill, the Big Buddha itself (it’s not just big, it’s huge) is jaw-dropping and from up there you will see the sunset in all its glory on a clear evening.
Of course this is just a taste of what Phuket has to offer. There’s no shortage of places to go, things to see, food to eat and adventures to be had.
If you’re planning to come study at Patong Language School and have any questions about Phuket, feel free to contact us at patonglanguageschool.info@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to answer them!