Phuket, Away From The Holiday Crowds

Graffiti-lined shophouses, private islands and luxurious Michelin-starred meals—Meenakshi Iyer takes you to Phuket, away from the holiday crowds

With crystalline blue lagoons, lush tropical greenery and unending beaches, Phuket may be every traveller’s dream destination. Add in the flashy nightlife and the incredible local street food, it easily tops our bucket list. But there’s more to Phuket than stunning panoramas and idyllic beaches. Despite a devastating Tsunami in 2004, this island resort town quickly put itself back on its feet and has managed to create a thriving milieu of luxury, art and culture. So, if you have 48 hours to spend here, these are some of the must-visit places and experiences you need to tick off your list.

PHUKET OLD TOWN (SOI ROMANEE)

Dotted with candy-coloured SinoPortuguese-style shophouses, Phuket Old Town is the perfect backdrop for those Instagram-worthy holiday shots and there’s enough to do and see for the culture vulture in you. Soi Romanee, which roughly translates to ‘naughty with the ladies’ was once a red light district for the many Chinese labourers working at the tin mines. Today, it’s a hipster neighbourhood with many artisanal cafes and quaint restaurants. You can stop for a cold brew at Rush Coffee Roasters or walk into i46 Old Town, an 80-year-old Chinese shophouse. Marvel at the heirlooms painstakingly collected over centuries as you sip a cup of Chinese tea and bite into a piece of history as the owner, Roengkiat “Nong” Hongyok regales you with tales of his forefathers who came all the way from China and settled here.