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”

The post 5 Best Things To Do In Phuket appeared first on Southeast Asia.

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.

Ayutthaya

• Ayodhaya Floating Market
• Bang Lan Night Market
• Hua Ro Night Market

Bangkok

• Asiatique The Riverfront

• Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Night Market

• Chatuchak Weekend Market
Home to over 8,000 stalls, Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Asia.

• JJ Green
• Patpong Night Market
• Pratunam Market
• Ramkhamhaeng Night Market
• Ratchada Train Market (Talad Rot Fai Ratchada)

• Sampeng Market
• Saphan Phut
• Srinakarin Train Market (Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin)
• Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada
• Sukhumvit Road Street Market
• Wang Lang Market

Chiang Mai

• Anusarn Market

• Ban Tawai

• Bo Sang Handicraft Centre

• Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
This Night Bazaar spreads across both sides of Tha Pae and Chang Klang Roads. There are hundreds of stalls and shops offering everything from street food and handicrafts to clothes and decor items.

• Suandok Park Night Market
• Tha Phae Sunday Walking Street
• Think Park
• Warorot Market
• Wualai Saturday Walking Street

Chiang Rai

• Chiang Rai Khon Muan Street (Sunday)
• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
• Chiang Rai Walking Street
• Saturday Night Walking Street (Thanalai Road)

Hatyai

• ASEAN Night Bazaar

• Greenway Night Market

• Hatyai Plaza Trade Centre

• Kim Yong Market
Shop for a variety of nuts, dried goods and more at Kim Yong Market.

• Lee Gardens Hatyai Walking Street

• Santisuk Market

Hua Hin

• Cicada Market
Shop for art, home decor items, costume jewellery, souvenirs and more at Cicada Market.

• Hua Hin Grand Night Market
• Hua Hin Night Bazaar
• Hua Hin Night Market

Krabi

• Catalunya Walking Street (Ao Nang)
• Krabi Night Market & Walking Street (Friday to Sunday)

Pai

• Pai Walking Street

Pattaya

• Jomtien Beach Night Market

• Mimosa Pattaya

• Pattaya Floating Market
Shop for a wide variety of local goods including traditional Thai crafts at Pattaya Floating Market.

• Pattaya Night Bazaar
• Pratumnak Night Market (Russian Night Market)
• Thepprasit Road Night Market

Phuket

• Banzaan Market
• Buntai Night Market
• Chillva Market
• Fun Friday Avenue Market (Bangtao Beach)
• Kamala Friday Night Market (Fantasea Market)
• Karon Temple Market
• Kaset Night Market
• Malin Plaza Patong
• Nai Yang Market
• Patong OTOP Shopping Paradise
• Phuket Indy Market
• Phuket (Sunday) Walking Street (Lard Yai)
• Phuket Weekend Market (Naka Weekend Market/Talad Tai Rod)

Sukhothai

• Sukhothai (Saturday) Night Market

The post Popular Shopping Streets & Markets appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Aromatherapy candles

Cashew nuts (from Phuket)

Ceramics

Chalong Bay rum

Coconut oil

Coconut sugar

Crispy pork skin

Dried fruits

Banana, coconut, durian, longan, mango, mangosteen, pineapple

Durian paste/cake

Elephant-shaped souvenirs

Fairy lights

Fruit/flower/carved soaps

Harem/elephant pants

Hilltribe items

Bags, bracelets, clothes, hats, pillow cases, pouches, shoes, wallets

Khon masks

Koh-Kae peanuts

Larb-flavour Pretz

Mama instant noodles

Mango Pocky

Muay Thai shorts

NaRaYa fabric bags and pouches

Nasal inhaler

Northern Thai sausage

Pork floss

Royal Chitralada milk candy and honey

Seashell items

Siang Pure oil/white balm/nasal inhaler

Silk scarves

Silver jewellery

Snake Brand Prickly Heat Cooling Powder

Spa products

Spiced nuts

Chilli, kaffir lime leaves, tom yum flavour

Sweet crispy rice crackers (khao taen)

Tao Kae Noi seaweed

Thai clothing

Thai coffee beans/powder

Thai curry paste and spices

Thai long-grain Jasmine rice

Thai ceramics and pottery

Thai silk

Thai T-shirts

“Same same but different” T-shirts

Tea

Thai red tea, butterfly pea flowers, hibiscus, rose flowers, chrysanthemum

Triangle pillow

Vintage costume jewellery

Wood carvings

Woven wickerware

The post Thai Souvenirs appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Ayutthaya

• Ayutthaya City Park
• Premium Outlet Ayutthaya

Bangkok

• Central Embassy
• Central Plaza Bangna
• Central Plaza Chaengwattana
• Central Plaza Grand Rama 9
• Central Plaza Ladprao
• Central Plaza Pinklao
• Central Plaza Rama 2
• Central Plaza Rama 3
• Central Plaza Rattanathibet
• centralwOrld

• Century Mall
• EmQuatier
• ICONSIAM

• King Power Complex
• MBK Center
• Pantip Plaza
• Platinum Fashion Mall
• Siam Center
• Siam Discovery
• Siam Paragon

• Siam Square
• Terminal 21

• Union Mall

Chiang Mai

• Central Festival Chiangmai
• Central Plaza Chiangmai Airport
• Kad Suan Kaew
• Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center
• Premium Outlet Chiang Mai
• Promenada Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

• Central Plaza Chiangrai

Hat Ya

• Central Festival Hat Yai
• Diana Complex
• Lee Gardens Plaza Shopping Mall

Koh Samui

• Central Festival Samui
• Outlet Village Samui

Krabi

• Outlet Village Krabi

Pattay

• Central Center Pattaya
• Central Festival Pattaya Beach
• Mike Shopping Mall
• Outlet Mall Pattaya
• Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya

Phetchaburi

• Premium Outlet Cha-Am

Phuket

• Banana Walk
• Central Phuket
• Jungceylon
• Limelight Avenue Phuket
• Premium Outlet Phuket

Suratthani

• Central Plaza Suratthani

Udon Thani

• Premium Outlet Udonthani

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