Thailand - Travels with Verne and Roy

One Week in Phuket, 2nd Part: Patong and Kata Beach, 7-12 Feb

One week in Phuket is barely an introduction to this lovely Thai island. After two tremendous nights in Phuket Old Town (see 1st Part), Roy and I spent five fabulous days on the popular west coast of Phuket – a good balance of gorgeous beaches, copious cocktails, Soi Banglah girly-bar sleaze, and pukkah Royal Thai cuisine.

When it comes to choosing accommodation, it’s tricky to advise anyone where to stay on their first visit to Phuket. That said, I think you’d be safe choosing any of the western or southern coast beaches.

Phuket accommodation and restaurants, Patong Beach — Patong Beach, Phuket west coast

But which one? – Kalim, Patong, Karon, Kata, Kata Noi? And which hotel? Here’s a map of just the Patong hotels – the choice is mind-boggling.

Kalim Beach, closest beach to Indochine Resort & Villas where we spent three nights

One Week in Phuket, 1st Part: Phuket Old Town, 5-7 February

With just one week in Phuket, here’s where to eat and stay – starting with two nights in the fabulous culinary melting-pot of Phuket Old Town

“I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine.” Me too, but not that far above the waistline. Right in the region of the stomach, actually.

Travel doesn’t have to be all about food – but for us it often turns out that way. Phuket is no exception: Southern Thai is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Burmese and Chinese cultures, and Phuket was named “Thailand City of Gastronomy” by Unesco in 2017.

Roy and I visited Phuket at least half-a-dozen times during our Singapore years (2001-2016), but never spent any time in Phuket Old Town. I hadn’t been to Phuket since around 2014. For Roy, it had been even longer. Thailand is our favourite Southeast-Asian country – apart from Singapore of course. I was itching to get back.

Green papaya salad, laced with slivers of fiery fresh chillies

Though it pains my dearest to take time off from watching our new house in Iluka WA not being built (here and here), he agreed to a fortnight away from Perth. It helps that spicy green papaya salad (above) is one of his favourite dishes ever. We’d have a week in Singapore, plus a week-long side trip to Phuket.