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Phuket Town, Thailand
Start in Phuket Town for the legendary Sunday Walking Street market and authentic local food stalls. The Old Town neighbourhood has incredible Sino-Portuguese architecture and cheap street eats like mee hokkien and oyster omelettes. Hit Dibuk Road and Thalang Road for the best local dining away from tourist traps.
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Patong, Thailand
Patong is the undisputed nightlife capital of Phuket — Bangla Road comes alive after dark with bars, clubs, and street food vendors everywhere. During the day, grab a longtail boat to nearby Coral Island or Freedom Beach for crystal-clear water. Don't miss the Banzaan Fresh Market for insanely fresh seafood at local prices.
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Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Take a ferry or speedboat from Phuket for a 2-3 night stay on Ko Phi Phi Don — the party beach scene here rivals Patong but with stunning island scenery. Maya Bay (The Beach filming location) is a must-do daytrip by longtail. Loh Dalum Bay has beach bars that go all night with fire shows and cheap buckets.
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Koh Racha, Thailand
Just 45 minutes by speedboat from Chalong Pier, Koh Racha Yai is Phuket's best day-trip island for snorkelling with incredible visibility. The beach is powdery white and the water is impossibly turquoise — a perfect recovery day from Patong nights. Pack a cooler and grab fresh grilled seafood from the beachside shacks.
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Kamala, Thailand
Kamala is a chilled-out alternative base between Patong and Surin, with a great local food scene and the famous Phuket FantaSea cultural show nearby. The Friday Kamala Night Market is one of the best on the island for authentic Thai dishes at street prices. It's close enough to Patong for nightlife but far enough to actually sleep in.
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Rawai, Thailand
Rawai in southern Phuket is the local foodie hub — the seafront seafood restaurants let you pick your own fresh catch and have it grilled on the spot. It's the best launching point for island-hopping to Koh Bon, Koh Hae (Coral Island), and the Similan Islands on day tours. The Rawai Night Market on Friday and Saturday nights is unmissable for cheap, authentic eats.