We spotlight five fun things to do in Phuket.

1. Hang out at beaches and go island-hopping

As the biggest island in Thailand, it’s not surprising that Phuket is home to some of the country’s best beaches – Mai Khao, Karon, Kamala, Kata and Rawai.

Families with kids who appreciate beaches that are easily accessible from their hotels can check out popular beaches such as Patong, Kata and Kamala. At these beaches, there is an array of F&B establishments and water activities for every member of the family to enjoy.

Each beach is lined with ample restaurants, shops and nightlife at its doorstep. Rent an umbrella or a deck chair, set up camp for a day out at the beach and chill out with some refreshing coconut water.

Don’t spend your entire Phuket holiday on a beach though. There are many smaller islands such as James Bond Island, Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Similan Islands that are accessible by boat. Book a day trip out to hop around these islands and enjoy some water activities such as kayaking or snorkelling.

2. Enjoy thrills and spills at Splash Jungle Water Park

65/179 Moo 4, Mai Khao Soi 4, Tambon Mai Khao
Open daily from 10am to 5.45pm

A day of splashing fun in the sun awaits at Splash Jungle Water Park, located just 10 minutes away from Phuket International Airport. Dubbed the best water park in Thailand, this water theme park features six themed attractions with a selection of slides and rides for an adrenaline-packed or a relaxing experience.

Choose from thrilling rides such as the Superbowl and Boomerango or the six-level Wave Pool. For something more relaxing, drift gently on a tube along the 335m-long Lazy River that circulates around the park.

Younger kids can enjoy water play fun within a safe kids’ water playground. All attractions are manned by lifeguards and the park has shower and dining facilities too.

If you plan to make the water park the last stop of your Phuket trip before flying off, consider renting a room or a pool villa for the night so that everyone can enjoy a full day of fun across Splash Jungle’s attractions.

3. Explore Old Phuket Town

The provincial capital of Phuket, Old Phuket Town is steeped in history and architecture. The old town flourished in the 19th century due to the boom in the tin mining industry which saw the Portuguese and Chinese migrating to Phuket. The town’s architecture remains well-preserved, with an abundance of Chinese-Buddhist temples and beautiful shophouses. Many of its historical buildings have been converted into shops, hotels, restaurants and museums.

The old town isn’t very large, so it’s easy to navigate. The Phuket Baba Museum is a good place to get an understanding of the history and culture of the Peranakan community in Phuket.

Within the old town, you’ll find beautiful mural paintings and street art that are the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos. For a mid-afternoon respite from the heat, swing by one of the many cafes and artisanal ice cream shops to cool down the fun way.

If you visit on a Sunday afternoon, head for Thalang Road, the town’s most famous street, and witness its transformation into a lively night market with stalls selling souvenirs, street cuisine and more.

4. Shopping at Jungceylon

181Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road, Patong
Open daily from 11am to 10pm

No Phuket trip would be complete without some retail therapy. Phuket is home to a few shopping malls, but nothing beats Jungceylon, the largest mall in southern Thailand.

Situated conveniently in the heart of Phuket’s busiest areas of Patong and Bangla Road, this is arguably the most famous and best shopping mall in Phuket that is closest to the beach. The name of the high-end mall was inspired by the historical title used for the island of Phuket over a century ago.

Covering an area of 200,000sqm, the mall houses four zones and over 200 tenants which offer a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Entertainment facilities include a cinema, a 16-lane bowling alley, a gaming arcade, escape rooms and virtual reality experiences.

5. Eat and shop at Banzaan Fresh Market

74/51Nanai Road, Patong Subdistrict, Kathu District
Morning fresh market is open daily from 6am to 1pm; Patong night market is open daily from 6pm to midnight

If you’re looking for fresh food, Banzaan Fresh Market is a modern take on Thailand’s wet and dry markets. The two-level complex is well-ventilated with high ceilings. The market and its stalls are on the ground floor while a set of escalators lead you to a food court on the second level.

The word “banzaan” literally means “fresh market” in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect popular among the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket. Conveniently located at Patong Beach, you’ll be able to buy a wide range of vegetables, seafood, colourful Thai fruits and sweets in organised sections, reminiscent of the fresh markets in Europe. The market stalls are well-stocked and have high hygiene standards.

Pro Tip: Buy your fresh produce from the selection downstairs and take them up to the food court stall vendors. They’ll be able to cook the dishes in your preferred style for a small fee!

TRAVELLING AROUND PHUKET

Best Time to Visit
The dry and hot seasons in Phuket last from November to February. As a tropical island close to the equator, the weather in Phuket is warm and humid all year round. Rain showers are common, but they do not appear as frequently or last as long as the wet season which is typically from July to October.

Visit Phuket from July to October if you prefer fewer tourists and cooler, rainy weather.

Transportation
Grab private hire cars, taxis and auto-rickshaws (known locally as tuk-tuk) are the most commonly used modes of transport around Phuket. All are readily available to and from the airport.

If you’re hailing a taxi, be sure to request for your ride to be metered, instead of negotiating a fee with the driver. If you want to experience the thrill of a tuk-tuk, be prepared to negotiate a fee for the ride.

If you prefer to explore Phuket at your own convenience, there are plenty of options to rent a car or scooter from the airport.

This article has been edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “5 places to visit in Phuket for a beach getaway”

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Whether it’s serene relaxation, wallet-friendly shopping, fabulous views or delectable culinary gems you’re after, Bangkok has got them all! The vibrant city brims with a plethora of exciting activities for all age groups.

We spotlight six new and improved things for you to do in Bangkok, on top of your usual must-do shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market and feasting in eateries along Yaowarat Road (Bangkok’s Chinatown).

Visit ICONSIAM, the state-of-the-art mall by the river

299 Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San
Getting there: Board the free ICONSIAM shuttle boat at either Sathorn Pier (short walk from Saphan Taksin BTS Station) or Si Phraya Pier, operating from 9am to 11pm daily
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily

Making a 10-minute ride across the Chao Phraya River, what soon comes into view is ICONSIAM, Bangkok’s shiniest mall which boasts an indoor “floating” market, a plethora of delicious dining options and luxury shopping all under one gorgeous roof.

After a day’s worth of filling your bags with just about everything anyone could possibly want, make your way up to one of the mall’s rooftop restaurants to sip on wine as you soak up picturesque sunset views over the Chao Phraya River. Enjoy the great views with Thai classics plus fine cocktails at Baan Khanitha.

When dinner’s done, check out SookSiam, the mall’s indoor “floating” market located on the ground floor. Flowing through the heart of the market is a mini river-like water feature, adding a picturesque touch to an already exciting landscape. Besides a wide selection of food and drinks, there are also stalls selling clothing, handicrafts and cultural souvenirs from 77 provinces across Thailand.

And if all that wasn’t reason enough to make a trip down, surely the unique experience of getting ferried to the mall via a complimentary boat ride might tip the scales for you.

Café-hop at the quaint Ari region

25 Ari 4 Fang Nua Alley, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai
Getting there: A 9-minute walk from Ari BTS station
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 10am to 8pm, Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 8.30pm

Fans of Insta-worthy cafés will want to make a beeline for Ari, dubbed Bangkok’s trendiest neighbourhood and home to quaint and cool cafés. With a pastel pool-like photo spot and rows of cafes in the vicinity, you might just mistake Gump’s Ari for South Korea’s famed Stylenanda café. And in a similar fashion, there are also rows of photo booths so that you can snag a piece of the unique neighbourhood home.

For tea lovers, the bittersweet, creamy Matcha Latte from Grafika Coffee Stand is a must-try. Of course, there’s coffee and also dirty lattes for those who’re looking to switch things up a tad.

There’s also no shortage of dining options in the Gump’s Ari space. Satisfy your craving for cheeseburgers, hotdogs, fries and milkshakes at American diner Fats & Angry (yes, you read that right) and be transported to the funky world of the 80s.

Cuddle furry friends at Little Zoo Café

486 On Nut Road, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Suan Luang
Getting there: A 9-minute walk from Ari BTS station
Opening hours: 11am to 8pm daily

In its new location in On Nut, Little Zoo Café’s renewed space has vast areas for visitors and furry ones alike to interact with one another. Here, you can get up close and personal with the likes of raccoons, corgis, fennec foxes, meerkats, owls, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, cats and more. If you have a soft spot for all things small, the animal cafe will be your slice of fuzzy heaven for a couple of hours.

It also has a café space that’s dedicated for humans to refuel with coffee, desserts and other treats before resuming cuddle time with the tiny, furry ones. Be sure to have your phone on standby to capture the antics of the animals.

Eat your heart out at the new and improved Jodd Fairs

Rama IX Road, Huai Khwang
Getting there: A 5-minute walk from Phra Ram 9 MRT station
Opening hours: 4pm to midnight daily

The re-opening of Jodd Fairs brought hope to the previously despairing fans of Rot Fai night market and along with it, a bigger, bolder and more organised attraction. Now located in the Rama region, Jodd Fairs, and all its glistening fairy lights, is easy to spot even from a distance away.

Those familiar with the night market can expect the same classics such as leng saap (Thai dish of boiled pork bones served with a spicy sauce), fried chicken, fried squid, fried quail’s eggs and other Thai street food, as well as retail favourites like dresses, tees and bags. Essentially, it’s everything you came here for with an improved market layout that’ll make your shopping experience breezier, neater, cleaner and more socially distanced.

Dine at 747 Café, a repurposed Boeing 747 aircraft in the Lad Krabang district

627 1 Luang Phaeng Rd, Khwaeng Thap Yao, Khet Lat Krabang
Getting there: A 10-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm daily

Enjoy a drink or meal inside Thailand’s largest airplane café, housed in a 71m-long retired Jumbo jet that has been outfitted with a bar, plush interiors, comfy seats and LED lighting.

With an entrance ticket of 120 baht (approximately S$4.50), which can be used to offset your meal, you can pick up lunch and some drinks from the lounge area. By day, the aircraft houses cafegoers hoping to snag a cup of coffee. At night, the area around the gargantuan airliner transforms into Club 747 for live music, the occasional themed nights and drinking sessions.

If you’re lucky, you may get a chance to sit in the captain’s seat in the 747 cockpit!

Benjakitti Forest Park

Ratchadaphisek Road, Khlong Toei
Getting there: A 15-minute walk from Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station, Sukhumvit MRT station and Asok BTS Station
Opening hours: 5am to 9pm daily

First opened in 1994, Benjakitti Park has completed its expansion into a massive green space, taking over the area where a factory run by the Tobacco Authority of Thailand once stood.

Comprising a 5.8km nature trail, 2.8km running path, 3.4km dedicated cycling path, a large amphitheatre and sprawling lawn, the multi-purpose park boasts plenty of flora, fauna, waterways, and most importantly, stunning views at dusk. It also has an elevated 1.3km pedestrian walkway and cycling path (aka The Green Mile) which connects it to Lumpini Park.

The extensive walking trails are perfect for a post-dinner walk or a romantic stroll with your significant other. Its convenient location in Bangkok’s business district makes it a great stop for when you want to enjoy the outdoors and green views.

This article is adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “6 new things to do in Bangkok for your next weekend getaway”

The post 6 Fun Things To Do In Bangkok For Your Next Weekend Getaway appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Amphawa District

Samut Songkhram Province
• Amphawa Floating Market

• Ayothaya Floating Market

• Tha Kha Floating Market

Ayutthaya

• Bang Lan Night Market
• Chao Phrom Market
• Hua Ro Night Market

Bangkok

• Bang Khun Non
• Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market
Shop for local products like hand-woven baskets and sample Thai food such as boat noodles at at Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market.

• Banglamphu Market
• Bang Rak/Charoen Krung Road
• Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
• Khlong Toey Fresh Market
• Nang Loeng Market
• On Nut Market
• Or Tor Kor Market

• Patpong Night Market
• Phetchaburi Soi 5
• Ramkhamhaeng Night Market
• Rangnam Road
• Ratchada Train Market

• Ratchawat Market
• Sampeng Market
• Sam Yan Market
• Saphan Lueng (Rama IV Road)
• Silom Soi 20, 21

• Soi Ari
• Soi Rambuttri
• Sri Yan Market
• Sukhumvit Road Street Market
• Sukhumvit Soi 3/1 (Soi Arab)
• Talad Phlu
• Talad Wat Klang
• Taling Chan Floating Market

• Victory Monument (Anusawari Chai Samoraphum)
• Wang Lang Market
• Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)

Chiang Mai

• Anusarn Market

• Chang Puak Gate (North Gate)
• Chiang Mai University
• Huay Tung Tao
• Kad Suan Kaew Night Market (on Huay Kaew Road)
• Kalare Night Bazaar
• Suandok Park Night Market
• Sunday Walking Market Wat Sam Phao
• Thanin Market (Siri Wattana Market)

• Warorot Market

Chiang Rai

• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Hatyai

• Kim Yong Market

• Klong Hae Floating Market
• Lee Garden Plaza

Hua Hin

• Sam Phan Nam Floating Market

Koh Phangan

• Panthip Night Food Market

Krabi

• Chao Fah Night Market
• Krabi Night Market & Walking Street (Friday to Sunday)
• Maharaj Soi 10

Mae Sai

• Mae Sai Market

Pai

• Pai Walking Street

Pattaya

• Jomtien Beach Night Market
• Naklua Sunday Market
• Pattaya Floating Market
Pattaya Floating Market offers a wide variety of goods including traditional Thai crafts and food sold from boat vendors and waterfront shops.

• Pratumnak Night Market (Russian Night Market)
• Soi Buakhao Market
• Thepprasit Road Night Market

Phuket

• Banzaan Street Food Night Market
• Buntai Night Market
• Cherng Talay Market
• Karon Temple Market
• Kaset Market (morning)
• Kaset Night Market
• Malin Plaza Night Market
• Phuket Weekend Market (Naka Weekend Market)

Ratchaburi Province

• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Considered the liveliest and most famous floating market in Thailand, it opens from 7am till 5pm daily. The market takes its name from the Damnoen Saduak canal which is the straightest and longest canal in Thailand. There are hundreds of vendors and female traders in their wooden boats selling everything from cooked food, snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby farms to souvenirs and clothes.

Samut Songkhram Province

• Maeklong Railway Market (Rom Hup Market)

Sukhothai

• Sukhothai (Saturday) Night Market

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Beef Noodle Soup

Tuck into rice or egg noodles served with a choice of beef balls, stewed beef or sliced beef (some places serve beef tripe and tendon), bean sprouts and greens in a rich, thick beef broth.

Boat Noodles (Kuay tiao rua)

Savour beef broth rice or egg noodle soup with bean sprouts and water spinach, commonly served with pork/beef slices, pork/beef balls, pig’s liver and pig’s blood.

Cha Yen

Thai iced tea made with Thai black tea, sweet condensed milk and evaporated milk, finished with a drizzle of evaporated milk.

Deep-fried edible insects/worms/bugs

Bamboo worms, crickets, giant water bugs, grasshoppers, silk worms

Gai Yang

This popular Thai-style chicken dish features chicken marinated with fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, palm sugar, pepper, garlic, lime juice, lemongrass and coriander roots, grilled over wood or charcoal fire, and commonly eaten with sticky rice.)

Green Curry Chicken

This coconut milk-based curry is one of Thailand’s most famous curries. It is made with green curry paste, bamboo shoots, chicken, Thai basil, Thai eggplant, lemongrass, galangal and lime leaves.

Green Mango Salad

This refreshing salad is made up of shredded green mangoes mixed with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peanuts, dried shrimp and chilli, and tossed with fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind pulp and lime juice.

Jim Jum

Hot pot – pork broth in small clay pot served with morning glory, Thai basil, cabbage, pork, liver, eggs, glass noodles

Jok

Similar to Cantonese-style porridge, this Thai-style porridge is usually made with minced pork, and topped with soft-boiled egg, shredded ginger, green onions and crispy rice noodles.

Kai Jiao Moo Sap

This Thai-style omelette has crispy edges and soft inner layers made up of minced pork, tomatoes, garlic, chilli, pepper and fish sauce.

Kai Yat Sai

Minced pork cooked with vegetables, ketchup, fish sauce, oyster sauce and soy sauce, stuffed in omelette

Khanom Beuang

These sweet or savoury crispy crepes are filled with coconut cream, grated coconut and sweet toppings like raisins, persimmons or other dried fruit, or savoury toppings like dried shrimp, pork, egg, coriander leaves and onions.

Khanom Duang

These sticky morsels are made with tapioca and rice flour cooked with coconut milk and sugar, dipped in food colouring and rolled in shredded coconut.

Khanom Jeen

This dish of thin rice noodles is eaten with a variety of curries, fresh, blanched, and pickled vegetables like long beans, pickled mustard greens, shredded cabbage, sprouts and Thai basil leaves.

Khanom Krok

These small coconut cream and rice flour pancakes are filled with scallions, corn, taro or pumpkin.

Khanom Mo Kaeng

This coconut egg custard is made with mung beans, taro, sweet potato or pumpkin.

Khanom Tako

Tapioca or rice flour jelly with water chestnuts, topped with coconut cream, served in pandan leaf cup

Khao Kha Moo

A perennial favourite, this dish of braised pork leg is served with rice, pickled mustard greens, Chinese kale and hard-boiled egg.

Khao Soi

This Northern Thai speciality is a coconut-based curry egg noodle with chicken or beef, topped with deep-fried crispy noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, onions and lime.

Larb Khua

An Isan speciality, this dish of minced beef, pork, chicken, duck or liver is mixed with spices and crushed dry fried rice grains.

Luk Chub

These mini sweet mung bean marzipans are shaped into fruits and vegetables like mangosteen, mango and chilli, dipped in food colouring and glazed in gelatin.

Mango Sticky Rice

One of Thailand’s most popular desserts, mango sticky rice is made with glutinous rice mixed with coconut cream and sugar, and served with fresh mangoes.

Massaman Curry

Indian-Muslim coconut-based curry cooked with chicken/beef/lamb, potatoes, peanuts, cinnamon, nutmeg

Mookata

Mookata (Thai for “pork skillet) refers to the dome-shaped metal grill with a soup trough which allows you to enjoy a barbecue and a hotpot or steamboat at the same time.

Nam Tok Moo

Grilled pork mixed with lemon juice, green onions, chilli, mint leaves, fish sauce and toasted rice.

Pad See Ew

Stir-fried wide rice noodles, typically with pork, chicken or shrimp, dark soy sauce, egg, Chinese broccoli and garlic

Panang Curry

Savour this spicy red curry with chicken and coconut cream, sprinkled with sliced kaffir lime leaves and chillies, with steamed rice.

Phad Kra Pao

This is a classic rice and meat dish where Thai basil is stir-fried with meat or seafood, garlic, chilli and green beans, served with rice and topped with fried egg.

Phad Thai

Thailand’s most famous noodle dish, Phad Thai features rice noodles stir-fried with dried or fresh shrimp, bean sprouts, tofu and egg, topped with Chinese chives and crushed peanuts.

Sai Ua

This Thai-style spicy pork sausage is infused with herbs and spices such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal and chillies.

Sang Kaya Fug Tong

A whole pumpkin is deseeded and filled with creamy coconut egg custard and steamed.

Som Tam

The well-loved green papaya salad comprises tomatoes, long beans, peanuts, dried shrimp (sometimes with small black crabs) and chilli, tossed with fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind pulp, lime juice and garlic.

Steamed snapper/seabass with lime and garlic (Plah kah pung neung manow)

Thai-style steamed fish topped with lots of garlic, chillies and cilantro in a sauce made with fish sauce and lime juice

Sticky rice in bamboo

These white or dark purple glutinous rice are mixed with coconut cream and sugar, and often combined with red beans or black beans, and cooked in bamboo cylinders.

Thai coconut ice cream

Ice cream made with coconut milk, coconut water and sugar, often topped with peanuts, jelly, corn and sometimes mung beans and bits of fruit such as mango.

Tod Mun Pla

These fried Thai fish cakes are made from fish paste mixed with long beans, red curry paste, fish sauce, egg and kaffir lime leaves.

Tom Kha Gai

This popular Thai chicken soup boasts an aromatic broth made with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, onions, chillies, mushrooms and cilantro.

Tom Yum Goong

Thailand’s classic sour and spicy soup with prawns features a flavourful stock made with lemongrass, galangal root, kaffir lime leaves, bird’s eye chillies, fish sauce, tamarind paste and lime juice.

Tub Tim Krob

These Thai red rubies are made from water chestnuts dipped in red food colouring, tossed in tapioca flour and boiled, and served in sweetened coconut milk and shaved ice.

Yam Plah Duk Foo

This dish of deep-fried fluffy catfish is served with a sauce made with mango, lime juice, red onion, cilantro, dried shrimp, peanuts and fish sauce.

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