The other side of Phuket Town
While most tourists rush to the renovated old Phuket Town, mostly located around Thalang Road, we start to prefer the more authentic west side of Phuket Town, which is mostly around Phuket Town Central Market, Ranong Road and Krabi Road. Here, the colourful renovation hasn’t started and Thai people still live and run their businesses the way they have been doing for many decades.
There are local markets, small shops selling all kinds of snacks and candies you have never seen before, people talk to you with a genuine smile, happy to recommend you some local drinks or candies. It’s like being in a village in town, or maybe like time travel. There are small streets to nowhere, tiny restaurants in heritage shophouses, and hundreds of photo opportunities. Here and there you can admire a few street paintings people may have seen on the internet but never saw in real life.
Ranong Road
Ranong road is mostly known for the Phuket Town Central Market, Thai Airways office and Jui Tui Shrine, which is a significant landmark during Phuket Vegetarian Festival that occurs each year.
Phuket Town Central Market
The Phuket Town Central Market is not to be confused with the other fresh market located on the other side of town. The market is surprisingly split into two parts: the main area is inside a large concrete building, and the open-air market is hidden in a small area across the street.
Location: Phuket Town
Address: Ranong Road, Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Hours: 12 am – 12 pm
Jui Tui Shrine
Jui Tui Shrine is one of Phuket Island’s oldest and most important Chinese temples. The place is relatively quiet on weekdays and a little busier on weekends, but if you visit it during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, you will have a huge surprise as It plays a significant role during the event, usually held in October and November each year.
More photos of Ranong Road
Krabi Road
Kaeng Liang Restaurant
Kaeng Liang Restaurant is a small place in a beautifully decorated old shophouse hidden on Krabi Road. The name Kaeng Liang is the name of a traditional spicy shrimp paste soup from central Thailand. The food is good (we had some Hokkien noodles), and the owner is very friendly, plus she speaks a bit of English. The decor is a beautiful photo opportunity for selfies (apart from the strange fridge on the front terrace).
Address: 51 Krabi Road, Talat Nuea, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000
Hours: 11 am – 9 pm (closed on Monday)
Phone: 087 284 2735
Krabi Road Photos
Phuket Town West Map
Other Streets of Phuket
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