Phuket Town

Phuket Town sits on the island's east side and is where Phuket actually works: the provincial offices, the hospitals, the banks, the bus terminals and the marke…Phuket Town sits on the island's east side and is where Phuket actually works: the provincial offices, the hospitals, the banks, the bus terminals and the markets are all here, and so is the bulk of the year-round resident trade.

The Old Town is the draw for visitors. Thalang, Dibuk, Krabi, Yaowarat and Phang Nga roads hold a dense run of Sino-Portuguese shophouses from the tin-mining boom, now occupied by cafes, galleries, tailors, guesthouses and restaurants. Standing landmarks include the Thai Hua Museum, the Chinpracha House, the Shrine of the Serene Light and the row of restored mansions on Krabi Road. The Sunday Walking Street on Thalang closes the road to traffic from late afternoon.

Eating here is more local and cheaper than on the west coast, with Hokkien-influenced Phuket dishes such as mee hokkien, o-tao and moo hong on many menus. The town is the practical base for banking, visa runs, hospital appointments and shopping at Central and Limelight. It is around forty minutes from the airport and thirty from Patong.