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Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider

If you think Patong is over-rated, you probably should read this.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — Simon Douthett, general manager of the new Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong (pictured). The snazzy two-month-old design boutique hotel is right smack in the heart of Patong. And while facilities at the beachside property — rooftop pool, bars, muay thai ring, gym, among others — makes it hard for some to leave the hotel, Simon still gets out there to explore the Patong ’hood, okay? These are tips you may not usually find in travel guidebooks.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “Patong, although predominantly known for its entertainment, also has its own history and culture that is worth finding and talking about, Simon explains. For example, the fishing village at Coral Bridge in Patong is walking distance from the hotel. It still follows the traditional fishing values that have been passed down through generations, so why not buy fish directly from them that we can cook for you?

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “Two other places I would go to avoid the tourist crowds are Suwan Khiri Wong Temple and Wat Doi Thepnimit Temple (pictured) in Phuket.”

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “In the morning, purchase merit and give alms to the monks, or go buy food from the street stalls (pictured). Then, for those looking for a truly unique experience, head to the top of Patong Hill to witness Nang Klang Plang (a Thai outdoor cinema). When a movie is screened, it means that a wish has been granted as when a wish made at a holy place is granted, people have promised to play a movie at Nang Klang Plang.”

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “At Briley Chicken Rice, I would order Khao man gai (Hainanese chicken rice) that is priced from 100 baht (S$4.30). Sam Chor Restaurant has wild som tam (papaya salad). It is about 60 baht and is called ‘wild’ because the papayas are sourced naturally.” Briley Chicken Rice is at 143/6 Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi Rd, Tambon Patong, Kathu District, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand. Sam Chor Restaurant is at 39, Sainamyen Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — Kaab Gluay has many dishes and it’s too hard to choose just one so instead I have a list of items I would order: tom kati pak (mixed vegetables in coconut milk; 150 baht), miang gung sod (shrimp wrap; 150 THB), muek kai nueng manao (fish and squid steamed in lime juice with egg; 150 baht), pad kapi goong sod (fried noodles with shrimp; 165 baht), moo hong (pork belly stew; 150 baht), and nam prik goong seab (smoked shrimp chili dip; 150 baht). Kaab Gluay is at 58/3 Phrabaramee Road | Patong Beach, Phuket 83000, Thailand.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “Pots, Pints & Tikis (pictured) at Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong, of course. There’s no better place to relax and enjoy a range of international and local craft beers while having a pizza and jamming to our DJ until late! Another of my favourite bars is Full Moon Brewworks in Jungceylon because they brew their own craft beer – you can see where your beer is being made and then taste it. For international DJs, I would head to Illuzion.” Pots, Pints & Tikis is at Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong, Rat U Thit 200 Pee Rd, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand. Full Moon Brewery is at 193 Unit #2110, 2210 Raj-u-thit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150. Illuzion is at 31 Thanon Bangla, Tambon Patong, Kathu District, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “Sandwich Shoppe has the best sandwiches, Coffee Mania brews their own coffee with beans from local suppliers, and Hello Coffee has the best iced coffee.” Sandwich Shoppe is at 5/26-5/27 Aroomsom Plaza Patong, Phuket. Coffee Mania is at 69/1 Prachanukrao Rd, Phuket 83150, Thailand, Patong, Kathu, Phuket.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “Patong Beach is such a big beach that you can always find a place to chill, especially at sunset. Naina, the last rice paddy field in Patong, is another place I like to chill out at.” Naina is at 2/58 Sainumyen Road, Patong Beach Kathu Phuket 83150 Thailand.

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — “For stunning views of Patong and to enjoy a cooler, yet not chilly, temperature, I would go on a motorcycle ride over Mountain Road, [a hillside winding road above Patong beach, also known as the] 50 Year Road.”

Non-Touristy Things To Do In Patong In Phuket, According To A Travel Insider — Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong is at Rat U Thit 200 Pee Rd, Patong, Kathu Phuket 83150, Thailand. More info at https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/phuket/phupp/hoteldetail. Photos: Courtesy of Simon Douthett/ Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong

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By

Jasmine Teo

Anyone who’s been to Phuket would probably have been to Patong, the heart of Phuket that’s teeming with shops, eateries, nightlife spots… and tourists. But what if we told you there are places that even the seasoned Phuket travellers may have missed out on? Hear it from someone who lives and works on the island.

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