Travel

COVID-19 may have put your annual shopping spree in Europe, a snowboard trip in Japan, or a gastronomic getaway in Denmark on hold, but it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying Thailand’s own attractions. The beauty of Phuket beckons, and this time you can indulge without having to deal with hordes of tourists. Thanks to these jaw-dropping deals, you can get major bang for your buck —and enjoy complimentary extras—at one of the island destination’s best five-star hotels and resorts. Plan your next weekend getaway now! Read more: Everything you need to know about Phuket Sandbox What is a SHA Plus hotel? 

Phuket has long been praised for its culinary culture, which highlights the province’s distinctive Phuketian Peranakan cuisine—mainly a blend of Thai, Malay and Chinese cooking—and is now being elevated by the influx of fine-dining restaurants. The city was put in the spotlight last year after it was recognized as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO (the first time an Asian city was given this prestigious status). This year, Phuket’s culinary offerings come under scrutiny once again as the city becomes the new playground for Michelin inspectors testing its culinary offerings for the launch of The Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket, and Phang-nga 2019 happening in November this year. In celebration of Phuket’s shining moment, Time Out Bangkok travels to the resort town to check out its best restaurants and eateries. 

Following in the footsteps of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket is becoming a destination for cocktail connoisseurs as its tippling culture steadily evolves from overly-sweet, juice-heavy concoctions to more balanced spirits-focused drinks. Thanks to the initiatives of global leading spirit importer and distributor Diageo Moet Hennessy, which includes the annual World Class cocktail competition, Phuket-based bartenders are now equipped with more knowledge on mixology and top-quality spirits, and in effect, have refined the bar scene in the world-renowned beach paradise. To experience Phuket’s blossoming cocktail culture, we take you on a fun and heady journey through the best bars the province has to offer. (And please remember not to drink and drive). Read more: best restaurants in Phuket and where to stay

Phuket is one of the country’s best island destinations for a reason—several, actually. These include gorgeous sun-kissed shores, loads of great accommodations, and delicious food.  A trip to Phuket is not complete without sampling its many gastronomic pleasures. This coastal capital of the south is home to a wide range of dining options, from street food stalls to swanky restaurants. Here are our all-time favorite eateries in Phuket but we’re thinking we may add these (relatively new) hidden gems to the list.

High season in Phuket brings the clearest water of the year and some of the heaviest crowds. Piers overflow before sunrise, boats fill fast and most travellers end up rushing between stops instead of enjoying the journey. Sawanu Travel offers a different approach. Their premium full-day trips focus on comfort and timing from the moment you leave your hotel to the moment you return, turning island hopping into a smooth flow,  even at the busiest of times. Experience island trips in total comfort Instead of battling pier traffic at dawn, guests begin in the Sawanu Travel Premium Lounge, the only check-in lounge of its kind among Phuket operators. Coffee, pastries and breakfast bites set a relaxed pace while staff handle check-in quietly in the background. Round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off remove the usual transport stress entirely, so the trip feels polished before you even step onto the boat. Sawanu Travel operates more than 25 premium speed catamaran boats per day during peak season. These boats are built for stability and space, offering smoother rides and enough room to move without feeling squeezed. Curated meals, drinks, fruit and snacks are served throughout the day, with lunch on the island, keeping everyone energised for swimming and snorkelling. Better timing for Phuket’s biggest island highlights Photograph: Sawanu Travel The core of Sawanu Travel’s approach lies in its itineraries. Every route is designed around the best hours for sightseeing, snorkelling and photography, steering away from peak crowds at major sites. Whether you’re exploring Phi Phi Islands, Bamboo Island, Khai Islands, James Bond Island, Similan Islands, Surin Islands or Hong Island Krabi, the timing aims for quieter pockets, softer light and smoother transitions between stops. Some tours include an additional segment with local long-tail boat partners, bringing guests into shallow coves and offering a local authentic moment woven into a premium day out. Sustainability and great value during peak season Photograph: Sawanu Travel Sustainability-meets-comfort is all part of the operation. The fleet follows a plastic-free policy that supports cleaner oceans while reducing waste. CSR and community engagement further reinforce Sawanu Travel’s long-term approach to responsible island travel. Despite its premium positioning, the experience remains accessibly priced, offering strong value for couples, families and groups who want comfort without stepping into full exclusive territory. From start to finish, Sawanu Travel transforms one of Phuket’s most popular activities into a smooth, thoughtfully-timed and genuinely enjoyable way to see the region’s most iconic islands. If you’re planning a Phi Phi Islands trip or a full island day from Phuket this season, this is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to do it.