Phuket holidays

Paradise Beach is just 10 minutes’ drive along the coast from Patong Beach, and it’s where you can dance the night away at Phuket’s famous full moon party. As well as international DJs, there are beach barbecues, fire shows and pro dancers on the agenda.

At 11 kilometres long, Mai Khao bags the title of Phuket’s longest beach. This leggy stretch is part of the Sirinat National Park, so development’s discouraged and tourism’s kept on a smaller scale than the likes of Patong. What that means for you? Unspoilt sands and quiet sunbathing sessions.

Kata Beach is right up there when it comes to watersports. Surfing’s big business here, and catamarans can be hired by the hour. And if you fancy a bit of exploring, you can rent a kayak and row out to Pu Island – roughly half a mile from the shore.

Wherever you stay, you won’t struggle to find a market in Phuket, and some of the best stay open ‘til well after dark. In Kata, you can pick up everything from batik scarves to Thai boxing shorts at the main night market. Or there’s Kamala’s market, which flogs everything from toys to t-shirts – it opens up right next to the Phuket FantaSea theme park.

With around 200 shops, a cinema and a bowling alley, Jungceylon shopping centre in Patong’s a top spot for some retail therapy. There are loads of familiar faces from the high street here, including the likes of Timberland, Skechers and Havaianas, plus plenty of local brands, too.

Some of the best-known designers on the planet have a place in the Central Phuket shopping centre on the outskirts of Phuket old town. Balenciaga, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are just some of the big-hitters you’ll find here.

Phuket’s a firm favourite with party animals, but there are plenty of places on the island that keep things chilled. Kamala Beach swaps go-go bars with smart restaurants and beach bars, while further south, Kata and Rawai are family favourites, thanks to their relaxed beach clubs and chilled bars.

Patong stands head and shoulders above anywhere else on the island for wild nights out. Bangla Road’s where most of the action’s happening, with everything from Irish pubs to reggae bars and underground nightclubs standing side-by-side along here. And it’s just a 10-minute tuk tuk ride away from Paradise Beach – famous for its full moon parties.

If you’ve never tried Thai food and you fancy taking a cautious approach, then Pad Thai’s a great starting point. It’s made with noodles, bean sprouts, fish sauce, chillies and a shower of chopped peanuts. If you fancy livening it up, you can drizzle some hot sauce on, too.

This delicious dish seemingly has a bit of everything thrown in. It starts with a stewed meat, like beef, duck or chicken, which is cooked with coconut milk, potatoes, cashew nuts and chillies. Then a whole spice rack of flavours is added, including cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, star anise, turmeric and nutmeg.

These sweet snacks are a staple on Phuket’s street-food stalls. Very similar to a crepe, they’re made with flour, egg, condensed milk and sugar, then filled with whatever you like – banana’s a popular choice in these parts.

This light pale malt’s one of Thailand’s most popular beer brands, and it offers the best bang for your baht. And like most Thai beers, it’s pretty strong. So much so, the morning after following one too many has been dubbed a ‘Changover’.

For a salad with a twist, you can’t go wrong with som tam. A mix of shredded green papaya, fish sauce, palm sugar and lime make this sour, sweet, salty and bitter all at the same time.