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Real Phuket

Nai Dam Restaurant Phuket

Nai Dam Restaurant in Kathu

    Nai Dam Restaurant in Kathu looks just like any restaurant by the roadside of Phuket. It’s not fancy, there are no exterior signs of luxury and even the restaurant signboard is hardly visible.

    Wat Kao Rang

    Wat Khao Rang Samakkhitham – Phuket Golden Sitting Buddha

      Wat Khao Rang (Kao Rang Temple) is a modest temple in Phuket town that would be somewhat anonymous if it was not for its large and majestic golden sitting Buddha. But is the giant Buddha not supposed to be much bigger and made of white marble?

      Chinese Temples and Shrines in Phuket

      19 Chinese Shrines in Phuket ⛩️

        There are quite a few Chinese shrines in Phuket, and each has its own characteristics and unique features, which always offer excellent photo opportunities. The large ones are very popular during the Chinese New Year in February or the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October.

        Monkey Hill Phuket

        Monkey Hill Phuket Town

          Phuket Monkey Hill is the best-known monkey playground on the island, a hill covered with immense red and white antennas in the back of Phuket Town. That hill may be easy to see but not as easy to reach: the road climbing to it is opposite the provincial hall

          Phuket Seafood Restaurants

          Kan Eang 2 Seafood Restaurant

            Kan Eang 2 is not the most accessible place to find, but it’s one of Phuket’s best local seafood restaurants. Everyone here knows that there are 2 Kan Eang Seafood restaurants on the island.

            Super Cheap Phuket

            Super Cheap Market Phuket

              Super Cheap is quite amazing: you could organize a giant treasure hunt in it. We were writing a ‘Phuket Price Check’ story, trying to find 10 simple items we had written down on my list, but gave up halfway when we suddenly realized there was no way we could spot half of them.

              Bang Pae Seafood

              Bang Pae Seafood

                Bang Pae Seafood is a great local restaurant, very hidden on the east coast of Phuket. It’s not so easy to find, and yet, it’s busy on weekends with a mix of Thai, expats and some tourists brought by local friends.

                Wat Sri Sunthon Phuket

                Wat Sri Sunthon – Phuket Reclining Buddha

                  Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Srisoonthorn) is known for the immense golden Buddha reclining at the top of a large building in the ‘Pang Sai Yat’ posture, which corresponds to “Realizing Nirvana”. The statue seems to be staring endlessly at the frantic traffic on the nearby road to Phuket International Airport. Of course, you already knew that ‘Wat’ is the Thai word for ‘Temple’.

                  Phuket Waterfalls

                  Kathu Waterfall

                    Kathu waterfall is small but can be attractive during the rainy season when the strong stream and the tropical vegetation are dense and green. It is more pleasant than the higher Tonsai and Bang Pae Waterfalls, and access is free of charge.

                    Banzaan Market in Patong

                    Banzaan Market in Patong Beach

                      Banzaan Market in Patong Beach is an excellent experience during your holiday. It’s easier to access than most local markets since it is just behind the gigantic Jungceylon Shopping Mall.

                      Wat Phra Thong in Phuket

                      Wat Phra Thong – วัดพระทอง

                        Wat Phra Thong (or Wat Prathong), meaning ‘Golden Buddha Image Temple is a very old temple with an incredible legend behind it, the kind of story that irresistibly attracts people. It’s not very big or impressive, but everyone first wants to see the famous half-buried golden Buddha. So what is this strange legend about a temple in Thalang on the way to Phuket Airport?

                        Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market

                        Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market

                          Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market is the most popular attraction in Phuket Town. This 360-metre long street market was an instant success, adding a much-needed event to the historical part of town.

                          Wat Khaorang - Phuket Temples

                          31 Thai Temples in Phuket

                            Phuket Thai temples, or Wats, are always worth a visit; from the temple hidden inside a cave to the famous Wat Chalong, a visit to Thailand would not be complete without exploring a few of these magnificent and beautifully ornamented buildings.

                            Phuket Fresh Markets

                            Phuket Fresh Markets

                              Fresh markets in Phuket are always a great way to get close to real, local life with minimal effort. Markets are everywhere around the island, every community and every village has one, small or large, permanent or occasional.

                              Wat Suwan Kuha in Phang Nga

                              Wat Suwan Khuha – วัดสุวรรณคูหา

                                Hidden in a vast cave in Phang Nga Province, Wat Suwan Khuha is a surprising religious site sheltering an immense reclining golden Buddha. If you feel like a little drive outside Phuket island, this is your chance to explore another side of Phang Nga!

                                Nam Yoi Restaurant Phuket

                                Nam Yoi Restaurant Phuket

                                  Nam Yoi Restaurant is a discreet local place tucked away on a remote street in Phuket Town. While it’s challenging to find, the effort is worth it for their excellent local and southern Thai cuisine. The setting is simple, prices are very affordable, and the food is exceptional.