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Budget Travel

Wat Sri Sunthon Phuket

Wat Sri Sunthon – Phuket Reclining Buddha

    Wat Sri Sunthon (Wat Srisoonthorn) is known for the immense golden Buddha reclining at the top of a large building in the ‘Pang Sai Yat’ posture, which corresponds to “Realizing Nirvana”. The statue seems to be staring endlessly at the frantic traffic on the nearby road to Phuket International Airport. Of course, you already knew that ‘Wat’ is the Thai word for ‘Temple’.

    Chicken Rice Kota Khao Mun Kai Phuket

    Kota Khao Mun Kai – Chicken Rice Restaurant in Phuket Town

      Kota Khao Mun Kai is an excellent and famous Chicken Rice restaurant in Phuket Town. Everyone in Phuket knows this place, expats of locals. It has been open for more than two decades and is still running strong without having changed a thing. That might be why it is still so popular; once you have a simple winning formula, don’t touch it. If you ask a friend if he feels like having chicken rice for lunch, he will probably picture this place.

      Laem Sai Seafood in Phuket

      Laem Sai Seafood

        Laem Sai Seafood is a local restaurant hidden far away on the east coast of Phuket. The restaurant mostly consists of a vast wooden terrace over the sea or the mud, depending on the tide.

        Wat Mongkol Nimit

        Wat Mongkol Nimit in Phuket Town

          Wat Mongkol Nimit or Wat Putta Mongkon might not be the most impressive temple in Phuket but this one means a lot to people living around Phuket Town. All temples are of course worth visiting but since Wat Mongkol Nimit is close to Thalang Road, the historical streets of Phuket Town it would complete your visit perfectly.

          Go Benz Phuket restaurant

          Go Benz Phuket

            Go Benz Phuket has been one of Phuket’s most popular local restaurants for over 15 years. Go Benz served a relatively small choice of noodle soups and rice porridge, and by keeping it focused, they became very good at preparing them.

            OTOP Market Patong, Phuket

            OTOP Market Patong

              Initially designed as a local market, OTOP Market Patong was created to promote the handicrafts and original products of each province of Thailand. Long ago, it became a night spot with those round bamboo bars that used to be so famous on Bangla Road twenty years ago.

              Wat Suwan Kuha in Phang Nga

              Wat Suwan Kuha – Buddha Cave in Phang Nga

                Hidden in a vast cave in Phang Nga Province, Wat Suwan Kuha is a surprising religious site sheltering an immense reclining golden Buddha. If you feel like a little drive outside Phuket island, this is your chance to explore another side of Phang Nga! This region is not only famous for incredible limestone cliffs plunging straight down into the sea but also for some unexpected jewels. Renting a car or even a scooter, if you are experienced enough, and driving along the majestic cliffs of Phang Nga is a great way to discover the impressive landscapes and the surprising Wat Suwan Kuha cave.

                Karon Viewpoint

                Karon Viewpoint

                  The Karon Viewpoint Thai name is Kho Sam Haad, which means ‘The Hill of the Three Beaches’, and once we reached the place, just as promised, we saw three beaches. So if this is your first trip to Phuket, you probably will stop for a few minutes at this popular panoramic landmark.

                  khun jeed radna phuket 1

                  Khun Jeed Yod Pak Restaurant in Phuket Town

                    Khun Jeed Yod Pak Restaurant is an institution in Phuket Town and one of the best local restaurants on the island. It is open as far as I can remember, which is more than 20 years now. It became famous for a dish Thai people love called radna.

                    Wat Kao Rang

                    Wat Khao Rang and Phuket Golden Sitting Buddha

                      Wat Khao Rang (Kao Rang Temple) is a modest temple in Phuket town that would be somewhat anonymous if it was not for its large and majestic golden sitting Buddha. But is the giant Buddha not supposed to be much bigger and made of white marble? True, this one is the golden Buddha of Phuket Town, one of the first sitting Buddha in Phuket, built long ago on the hillside of the famous Khao Rang Hill.

                      Ko Yoon Hokkien Noodles

                      Ko Yoon Restaurant

                        Ko Yoon Restaurant is a very small and discreet place serving amazing Hokkien Noodles. If you happen to visit Phuket Town, chances are you walked passed it without noticing it, it looks like any other anonymous local hole-in-the-wall restaurant. But Ko Yoon has prepared those delicious big yellow noodles for decades and locals know how good they are.

                        Black Rock Viewpoint Phuket

                        Black Rock Viewpoint in South Phuket

                          The Black Rock viewpoint, in the south of Phuket, has been known for a while, but it’s among the most challenging ones to reach if you are not familiar with the area. It also requires a car or, even better, a motorbike to get there. You will need to be in a decent physical condition as it involves some steep walking.

                          Wat Phra Thong in Phuket

                          Wat Phra Thong (Wat Prathong)

                            Wat Phra Thong (or Wat Prathong), meaning ‘Golden Buddha Image Temple is a very old temple with an incredible legend behind it, the kind of story that irresistibly attracts people. It’s not very big or impressive, but everyone first wants to see the famous half-buried golden Buddha. So what is this strange legend about a temple in Thalang on the way to Phuket Airport?

                            Nam Yoi Restaurant Phuket

                            Nam Yoi Restaurant

                              Nam Yoi Restaurant is a discreet local place tucked away on a remote street in Phuket Town. While it’s challenging to find, the effort is worth it for their excellent local and southern Thai cuisine. The setting is simple, prices are very affordable, and the food is exceptional.