Phuket Town (10-12 Feb 15)

---

Back on the road again!

So a four-day Phuket getaway with some friends had me thinking, why stay for just a few days when the visa's good for a whole month? So here I am, back to the Southern Thai island resort paradise, barely six months after I'd left last year. Having pretty much seen just the hedonistic and tourist-heavy Patong, this time I'll be able to explore at least a few other places on the island.

And my first destination was the old Phuket Town, the administrative centre of the island. In truth, I'd passed Phuket Town en route to Patong when I arrived at the Rassada Pier on the island last year from Koh Phi Phi, so this wasn't exactly my first visit. But the 30 min-1h ride through town and waiting for the public bus transfer probably didn't count as a proper visit, so here I was again.

Sporting heavy influence from the Southern Chinese diaspora, Phuket Town especially in the old Chinatown region resembles the likes of Penang in Malaysia, and certainly some parts of my home country Singapore. Many ethnic Chinese-Thai local denizens too speaking with their Southern Chinese accents.

Stayed at Phuket Old Town Hostel.

---

Photos

Kopitiam in Phuket Town
Yes that's what it's called. The Southern Chinese diaspora have made Phuket Town almost indistinguishable from similar Chinese enclaves in Malaysia and Singapore.

Patong-Phuket Town Bus
Back to the budget grind. Zippin' around, THB30-style.

Pork Bone Noodles
Thanks to John of Ocean & Ole for bringing us there!

Hokkien Mee
Ala Phuket Town. The middle-aged uncle tried to sweet-talk me. Memories of Vietnam Mekong Delta region mosquito repellent salesman coming back...

Phuket Town Cat Cafe
"One person one drink" but apparently you need to order some food on top of that too. THB220 to enjoy the company of these lazy felines.

Muslim Roti Restaurant
You could've been right smack in the heart of Malaysia and you wouldn't even have known it. Muslim roti restaurant here in Old Phuket Town playing its part in the Visit Malaysia campaign. Easy to see where the Muslim Southern Thai loyalty lies.