If your idea of a vacation is to get off the beaten track and cover the spots in Phuket that have abundant untouched wonders, this is the right place to be. Phuket packages may sell for its splendid popular beaches and remarkable islands, but it is much more than that.
There are still hundreds of spots that have not yet received the limelight and that’s the best thing about them. These unconventional places have surprises hidden for you and leave you awe-inspired.
Here’s a list of some must-visit places for the ones who wish to avoid taking the regular routes in Phuket!
- Haad Laem Sing
Laem Sing Beach is one of Phuket’s most exquisitely beautiful beaches and lies hidden on the west coast between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach. It is flanked by a steep-sided bay, lined with swaying palm trees and punctuated by giant boulders. It has the feel of a secret beach and is ideal for bodyboarding, swimming and snorkelling.
Distance from Patong Beach
Laem Sing Beach is located at a distance of 12 kilometres from Patong Beach. It takes approximately 23 minutes to reach Laem Sing Beach from the Patong Beach via Route 4030.
The other option is rent a motorbike or a car and head for this beach. You will reach in 15 minutes.
How to Reach
Laem Singh Beach is located between Kamala beach and Surin beach and can be reached by parking your vehicle up on the road and walking down a steep path of stone stairs. After a walk for a couple of minutes, enjoying pleasant jungle views, you shall reach the Laem Sing Beach area. Car parking options are limited but there is enough parking space for motorbikes or two-wheelers. If you happen to visit Kamala beach then Laem Sing Beach would be about a walk of 30 minutes from there for enthusiastic hikers or habitual trekkers.
There are also other ways to enjoy Laem Sing Beach. Book a full-day or long-two-day Scooter Tour where you can enjoy the breath-taking views of some of the most spectacular viewpoints and enjoy the wonders of Phang Nga Province along with leisure hours at your disposal to enjoy the seclusion and serenity of Laem Sing Beach. You can book two wheelers that will carry two persons at the same rate as you book for one person. In case you don’t know how to ride a two wheeler, the tour operation service providers can arrange experienced local riders to take you Pillion for the tour. Enjoy the breezy drive through Patong to Kamala to visit the Tsunami Memorial Park, Laem Sing Viewpoint, Layan beach, Banana beach, Naithon beach, Sirinat National Park (Nai Yang), Sarasin Bridge, Ao Po pier and viewpoint and have lots of fun exploring the most romantic spots of Phuket in a breezy style. Accommodation in cosy Guesthouses and meal plans can also be included along with snacks and refreshments during these day tours.
- The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP)
The Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (or GRP) is located in the old tropical forest around Bang Pae waterfall, Phuket. It came into vogue in 1992. It exercises the wildlife conservation efforts and try and rehabilitate and look after the welfare of gibbons that are hunted or illtreated. GRP takes special care of gibbons and release them back into the wild.
Distance from Patong Beach
The Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is located at a distance of approximately 29 kilometres from Patong Beach. It takes approximately 41 minutes to reach The Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, Phuket, from the Patong Beach via Route 4027.
How to Reach
The distance from Patong Beach to The Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project can be covered by bus by paying a bus fare of 550-700 baht and takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to reach the destination. Another way is to cover the distance by Blue Songtaews which takes 2 hours 10 minutes time and bus fare is 250 – 280 baht. A hired taxi takes just about half an hour to reach but is expensive, charging around 680 – 850 baht to cover the same distance. Driving down to the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project via rented vehicles such as a two-wheeler or a car is another option that can save a lot of time. Driving down will also take the same time as hired taxis. Rates for renting of bikes and cars depend on the type of bike or car rented and the duration for which it is being rented.
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is located near Wat Chalong. The distillery was established by two French citizens for creating hand-crafted rum distilled from fermented local Thai sugarcane. The production process is an astute blend of Thai traditions and French techniques. Touring around the factory will reveal some of the secrets of rum production and you can also enjoy tasting some.
Distance from Patong Beach
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, Phuket, is located at a distance of 38 kilometres from Patong Beach. It takes approximately 50 minutes to reach Naiyang Beach, Phuket, from the Patong Beach via Route 402.
How to Reach
The distance from Patong Beach to Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, Phuket, can be covered by bus/Blue Songtaews by paying a bus fare of 60 baht and takes around 2.5 hours to reach the destination. You need to change bus once at the Phuket town. After de-boarding from bus, you just need to walk around 2 kilometres for about 22 minutes to reach the Museum. A hired taxi takes just 20 minutes to reach but is expensive, charging around 470 – 600 baht to cover the same distance. Driving down to the Museum by rented two-wheeler or car is another option that can save the hassle of looking for public transport. Rates depend on the type of bike or car rented and the duration for which it is being rented.
- OTOP Patong
OTOP Market in Patong, Phuket, is a shopping paradise. It was initially designed as a local market to promote the local handicrafts and authentic products of each province of Thailand. The name ‘OTOP’ is the acronym for ‘One Tambon One Product’, which literally means ‘One District One Product‘. The market is conveniently located on the second road of Patong Beach, about 750 metres from the famous Jungceylon Shopping Mall.
Distance from Patong Beach
OTOP Market in Patong is located at a distance of 1.7 kilometres from Patong Beach. It takes approximately 8 minutes to reach OTOP Market, Phuket, from the Patong Beach via Route 4055.
How to Reach
The distance from Patong Beach to OTOP Market in Patong can be covered by walk. It is located at a walking distance from Patong Beach. You can combine the visit to the OTOP Market in Patong with the more famous Jungceylon shopping mall, which is the biggest shopping mall till date in Phuket and offers an absolutely scintillating shopping experience.
- Soi Dog Foundation
The Soi Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization that works for welfare of stray dogs and cats. Its most important goal is to care for the homeless and abused dogs in Thailand. Its headquarters of this organization is located in Phuket. The org is legally registered in Thailand as well as in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
Distance from Patong Beach
The Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket, is located at a distance of approximately 40 kilometres from Patong Beach. It takes around an hour to reach Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket, from the Patong Beach via Route 402. It takes much longer if travelled by bus or Blue Songtaews.
How to Reach
You can reach Soi Dog Foundation from Patong Beach by bus, taxi or Songteause. The distance is approximately 40 kilometres and it takes 800-1050 baht by taxi and you can reach in 36 minutes. There are connecting buses or Blue Songtaews departing from Patong and arriving at Phuket Airport. From there you need to avail a taxi to reach Soi Dog Foundation. You take 1 hour 40 minutes to reach Phuket Airport by paying a bus fare of 130-180 baht. Buses connect Phuket Airport running on a regular basis, and operating every day. The next 8 kilometres or so by taxi takes less than 10 minutes to reach and fare would be 360-470 baht. If you travel by bus and taxi, the total journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes by bus and charges 500 – 655 baht. If you have a rented vehicle at your disposal, it offers hassle-free and convenient conveyance from Patong to the Soi Dog Foundation.
Did you like our blog on Unconventional Places to visit in Phuket. For complete information on any destination in Thailand like Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui, please visit https://www.thailand-tourism.net/. We also create bespoke packages for all destinations in Thailand.
