DELUXE TRAVELLER

Patong is Phuket’s most famous beach resort

Widely hailed as Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, Koh Samui and Phuket are home to an array of bustling resort towns. In fact, when it comes to choosing a place to stay on either of the islands, visitors are spoilt for choice. Whether you’re in search of a hip and happening scene with plenty of pubs and bars, or more of a low-key experience with a few quaint boutiques and coffee shops nearby, these tropical Thai islands will not disappoint.

In Phuket, Patong forms the thriving nucleus of the island’s tourism scene. Home to a plethora of bars, restaurants and shops, there’s always something going on. Phuket Town, on the other hand, offers visitors a more chilled out experience. Koh Samui, too, boasts a choice of buzzing or more laid back destinations for visitors to choose from.

We lay out the essential facts about each of the islands’ favourite resort hubs.

Heart of the action

Patong is known for its buzzing nightlife

Patong is, without doubt, Phuket’s most famous beach resort. By day, this bustling town is a buzzing hive of beach activity and there are plenty of vacation activities to enjoy, from swimming and snorkelling to jet skiing, massage to mountain climbing.

By night, Patong’s streets – particularly in the area surrounding Soi Bangla – turn into a thriving network of bright lights, plus bustling bars and pulsating clubs. If you’re after a taste of authentic Thai life, Patong probably isn’t for you, but what the town lacks in traditional Thai charm it more than makes up for with its energy. Bangla Road in particular becomes a festival every night of the week thanks to the range of bars and music on offer. 

For an meal to remember just north of Patong Beach, head to Acqua. Situated close to the shores of Kalim Beach, Acqua is a contemporary Italian restaurant with an irresistible choice of dishes on the menu, which can be enjoyed whilst looking out across sublime ocean vistas. Meanwhile, if its shopping you’re after, then head to Patong’s Jungceylon shopping complex. As well as being home to its own supermarket and department store, Jungceylon boasts a selection of more than 200 independent boutiques selling everything from clothes and makeup to electronics.

Beach appeal

Most of the action in Kata is focused at the northern end of the beach

Kata is another of Phuket’s most popular resort towns, and is particularly popular with families. Kata Beach itself can be split roughly into two zones – Kata Centre is at the northern end of the beach, while Kata South is home to several resorts. During the day, the area is popular with surfers and other sun seekers. There’s also an abundance of shops to entice visitors to Kata, plus an impressive selection of dining options, from humble street food to high-end restaurants.

In terms of shopping facilities, Palm Square is one of the town’s leading retail hubs. Designed in a Sino-Portuguese style, the mall is home to an array of shops, plus a fitness studio, two spas and a selection of restaurants. If it’s markets you’re after, be sure to include Kata Night Market in your itinerary. Home to a large food court and a selection of stalls, you could happily spend a whole afternoon browsing here.

For fine dining, head to Kata Rocks Restaurant. Featuring a glorious view over the Andaman Coast, guests can tuck into a sublime array of Mediterranean-inspired dishes prepared by the venue’s Spanish chef.

Old world charm

Phuket boasts an intriguing cultural heritage, thanks to Chinese, Malay and Indian settlers

If it’s traditional Thai charm that you seek, look no further than Phuket Town. While this characterful destination is often overlooked because it lacks a beach, the town still has plenty to offer beyond sun, sea and sand. Built on the wealth of Phuket’s 19^th Century tin mining industry, Phuket Town is rich in cultural heritage. A stroll around streets lined with Sino-Portuguese mansions and shop houses interspersed with quaint boutiques is the perfect way to spend a morning.

If you’re keen to fit in some serious retail therapy, head to Phuket town’s walking street market. Also known as Laryai, the market takes places every Sunday from 4pm to 10pm on the beautifully renovated Thalang Road. As well as a plethora of souvenir stalls, the market is the perfect destination for grazing between delectable street food stalls. For more of a mall experience, you can also head to Central Festival Phuket just outside of town.

Phuket Town is also a magnificent place to sample authentic Thai cuisine – especially at the weekly walking street market. Look out for Raya Restaurant, too. This traditional eatery serves a scrumptious choice of Thai fare in an old shop house that’s bursting with character.

Hip and happening

Chaweng is Koh Samui’s liveliest resort destination

Koh Samui’s answer to Phuket’s bustling resort town of Patong, is the east coast beach strip known as Chaweng. Once a secluded bay  and home to a small community of fishermen, Chaweng is now the heart of the action in Samui and a favourite with sun-seeking beach bums. It’s also a popular destination amongst those indulging in a little bit of retail therapy. The majority of the town’s shops are situated along the main beach road where you’ll be able to pick up everything from swimwear and fashion accessories to DVDs. Central Festival Samui, the island’s largest shopping complex, can also be found in Chaweng and also has a department store and supermarket.

You won’t be surprised to learn that Chaweng is the island’s main hub when it comes to nightlife. A lot of the action is centred around Soi Green Mango – Chaweng’s equivalent to Pattaya’s Soi Bangla. If you’re looking for a Thai night out that extends beyond the buzz of bars, pubs and restaurants, why not head to the Petchbuncha Boxing Stadium to watch a gruelling Muay Thai tournament? Contests are fought every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, starting at 9pm.

Step into the past

The quaint fishing town of Bophut has become a favourite laid-back destination for tourists

Nestled on the northeastern corner of Koh Samui is Bophut, a laid back contrast to busier resort towns like Chaweng. Bophut also started life as a quaint fishing town, but retains a great deal of its authentic charm and chilled out vibe. The beach is a popular destination for families – many of whom also tie in a visit to the Fisherman’s Village to do some dining and shopping. In addition to the permanent stalls, there’s also a walking street market that takes place every Friday from 5pm to 10pm. As well as providing ample opportunity to pick up all the souvenirs you could dream of, a trip to this walking street market will also open up the chance for you to savour some of Thailand’s tastiest street food. Whether you’re into sweet treats or savoury goodies, there will be plenty of yummy options for you to snack on.

Visitors can choose from a number of bars and pubs in Bophut, although the general atmosphere tends to me more laid back than other Samui towns like Chaweng and Lamai. Most places are centred around the Fisherman’s Village, and offer an excellent chilled out setting for an evening with family and friends. The town also boasts an eclectic dining scene, ranging from street food stands to high-end restaurants.

East cost attractions

Lamai benefits from bustling nightlife, plus an array of cultural attractions

Our guide to Samui’s most popular resort destinations wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Lamai. Situated on the central-eastern coast of the island, Lamai is a great base for exploring some of Koh Samui’s finest cultural gems, which are situated just outside the town (see our Top Tips box for more information). The beach may be the town’s major draw, bit its dining, nightlife and shopping scene also mean there are plenty of attractions.

For shopping, head to the Night Plaza, which is a little, like a mini version of Bangkok’s popular Patpong market. There are souvenir stalls galore, plus a selection of clothes and accessory stalls, too. If you enjoy a good walking street market, make sure you head to Lamai’s answer to this concept as well. This fun weekly event takes place every Sunday on Lamai Beach Road.

Like Chaweng, Lamai offers a host of entertainment opportunities after sunset. There are an impressive number of pubs, clubs and bars packed into the town. In fact, the eclectic choice of venues means there’s always one that fits with your idea of a good night out. The Ocean Club at Beach Republic is a favourite destination for a chilled evening, with poolside dining and laid-back music establishing an irresistibly relaxed vibe.

Historical culture

A stroll around Phuket Old Town will reveal an authentic glimpse into local culture

Holidaymakers based in or near Phuket Town have an excellent opportunity to discover more about Thailand’s authentic culture. Over several hundred years, Phuket attracted settlers from China, India, Malaysia and Myanmar. This has resulted in a stunning melting pot of cultures, and many of the colourful trappings of this can be seen in Phuket Town. If a stroll around the quaint restored shop houses doesn’t satisfy your thirst for the region’s history, then there are numerous museums in the area, including the tin mining museum. There’s also the Trick Eye museum for those who are in the mood for something a little quirkier.

TIPS

Lamai on Koh Samui is home to a selection of cultural attractions:

• The unusual rock formations of Hin Ta and Hin Yai on Samui’s southeast coast are a short drive from Lamai.
• Visitors staying in Lamai are a short journey from Wat Kunaram, which is home to the island’s famous mummified monk
• Visit the Laem Sor pagoda on the southern-most tip of the island to immerse yourself in Thailand’s Buddhist culture and some fantastic photo opportunities.