Phuket Town –
The Main Attractions Are Architecture And Shopping

When I say that Phuket Town is not a great tourist attraction I do not intend to be unkind: I am just being realistic.

After all Phuket Town, which incidentally is officially a city now with a population of around 60,000, is a typical busy economic hub.

The town was first established around the mid 1890s and grew rapidly with the tin mining industry, an industry dominated by immigrant Chinese. Today some 30% of Phuket Island’s population is descended from these Chinese settlers.

It is the old part of the city with its Sino-Portuguese architecture from the tin mining era that, to my mind, makes the city worth at least one visit. You will find some wonderful old mansions and buildings on and near Krabi Road.

Personally I love just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere of a town and Chinatown (in any city) is a great place to do that. Here you will find shophouses and Chinese temples including The Shrine of the Serene Light, said to be between 100 and 200 years old.

At the heart of Phuket Town are the markets and particularly the early morning and night market on Ranong Road. During the day you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, spices and a whole lot more besides. As you might expect you probably will not want to actually buy anything here but, if you are like me, you will just find the whole experience captivating.

The atmosphere changes at night and becomes more like a fair. You will be able to find the usual tourist trinkets and there are food stalls galore. Incidentally many of the handicrafts that you will find here and elsewhere on the island are made in the north, particularly Chiang Mai.

For the more serious shopper you do not have to settle for just the markets. There is: Robinsons Department store, which I hear is particularly good for women’s shoes; Ocean Department store; the Big C for general bits and pieces; and the Phuket Shopping Centre, which offers less choice but usually cheaper prices.

Incidentally, if you have not been to Thailand before it is worth noting that the prices in the Department Stores are fixed (although they seem to have lots of Sales), whereas in most other shops you are expected to haggle. Never accept the first price offered.

Outside these main shopping centers there are plenty of small independent shops where you can put your negotiating skills to the test.

When it comes to what to buy I am afraid I am the last person to give advice. I really dislike shopping and spend as little time doing it as possible. I suppose the only advice I can give is a universal truth – if it (the price) sounds too good to be true it probably is.

There are a number of good restaurants in the city for dining out and for the young, and young-at-heart there are clubs, live music venues and, of course, karaoke bars.

So Phuket Town is good for people who love shopping with lots of great spots to pick up clothing, local handicrafts and more; it is good for markets, both day and night; the streets of downtown are good for exploring on foot; and the architecture of ‘old’ Phuket is fascinating.

Maybe Phuket Town is worth more than one visit after all. What do you think? Please let me have your feedback.

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