The dry season
November to April: sunny, calm and quiet on Cape Panwa, with yachts at anchor in the bays and the clearest views from Khao Khad.
Wichit
District
The suburbs south and west of Phuket Town, with Central Phuket and many schools, running down to the quiet bays, aquarium and viewpoints of Cape Panwa.
Wichit in photographs
Wichit. Wichit. Wichit.
- Children
- Two aquariums, many schools
- Views
- A 360-degree tower on Khao Khad
- Quiet
- Cape Panwa's calm, green bays
- Facilities
- Central Phuket and everyday shops
- Access
- 15 to 20 minutes from Phuket Town
- Food
- Sea-view dining on the cape
About Wichit
Wichit is a subdistrict of Mueang Phuket that wraps around Phuket Town from the west and the south. Its office stands on Chaofa East Road, about 5 km from the provincial hall. Ratsada and Kathu lie to the north, Kathu to the west, Phuket Town to the east, and Chalong and the sea to the south; it has been a municipality since 2007.
It was made in 1942 by joining two old subdistricts, Ra-ngaeng and Ao Makham. The land is mostly lowland between the hills and the sea: fish and shrimp farms along the shore, farms on the slopes and homes on the flat. The council's own motto lists a lighthouse, the sunset at Cape Panwa, a trading port, pearls and Thailand's tin smelter.
The northern half is town in all but name. Central Phuket, a large mall in two wings, stands on Wichitsongkram Road, and housing estates, international and Thai schools and everyday shops spread along the roads around it. Rents are among the lowest on the island for the space they buy.
The southern half is Cape Panwa, a quiet, green headland 15 to 20 minutes from town: sheltered bays such as Ao Yon that stay swimmable in the monsoon, luxury resorts on the slopes, the Phuket Aquarium at the tip and Khao Khad View Tower on the hill above it.
What is good about Wichit
Rainy-day favourites
Aquaria, under Central Floresta, and the Phuket Aquarium at Cape Panwa's tip, with a turtle hatchery, both fill a wet afternoon; several international and Thai schools are in the subdistrict.
The whole island from one hill
Khao Khad View Tower, about 200 steps up on a hill above Cape Panwa, looks over Phuket Town, Chalong Bay and the islands. It is free and rarely busy.
The calm side of the island
Cape Panwa faces east, away from the monsoon swell: a residential headland of small bays, palms and yachts at anchor, with few facilities and few crowds.
Town life on the doorstep
Central Phuket's Festival and Floresta wings, supermarkets, schools and two private hospitals make the northern half of Wichit one of the easiest places on the island to live.
Dinner by the sea
A Thai dinner in a Sino-Portuguese house on a private beach, a rooftop bar above Ao Yon and small beach clubs on the bays.
Things to do at Wichit
Wichit. Wichit. Wichit.
Nature
Khao Khad View Tower
A steep road and about 200 steps lead to a round viewing room over Phuket Town, Kathu, Chalong, the Big Buddha and the islands of Ao Yon Bay. Free.
Family
Phuket Aquarium
A small aquarium of a marine research station at the tip of Cape Panwa, with a short tunnel, rescued animals and a turtle hatchery. 08:30 to 16:30; 300 THB for adults, 150 THB for children (2026).
Family
Aquaria Phuket
A large indoor aquarium on the lower floor of Central Floresta, four zones and feeding shows, an hour and a half to two hours. Daily 10:30 to 19:00, last entry 18:00.
Shopping
Central Phuket
A large mall in two separate wings, Festival and Floresta, on Wichitsongkram Road, with Aquaria on Floresta's lower floor.
Swimming
Swim at Ao Yon
A quiet bay with tall palms and yachts at anchor that faces east, so its water usually stays calm and swimmable in the monsoon while the west coast is rough.
On the sand
Beach club on Ao Yon Noi
A small, relaxed beach club with a good restaurant on the smaller bay; open 07:30 to 21:30.
On the sand
A resort day pass
Cape Panwa's luxury resorts sell day passes against food and drink credit: about 1,500 to 1,900 THB for an adult (2026).
Food and drink
Dinner at Panwa House
Thai dinner in a Sino-Portuguese house on the Cape Panwa Hotel's secluded beach; 18:30 to 23:00, closed on Mondays.
Food and drink
Rooftop drinks above Ao Yon
An upmarket rooftop bar with tapas on the hilltop above the bay, busy every evening from 17:00 to 23:00; book ahead.
Nature
Cape Panwa Viewpoint
A usually quiet lookout on the peninsula, with Ko Lon across the water; best at sunset.
Nature · monsoon months
Ton Ao Yon Waterfall
A small, little-known waterfall by a rocky bay past Ao Yon; no gate and no fee, go in daylight.
Culture
Wat Thepnimit
A local temple founded in 1937 on an old rubber plantation, with a golden chedi holding relics, a white pagoda and a bell tower decorated with lotuses. Free.
A day at Wichit
Climb Khao Khad View Tower in the cool of the morning, when the views are clearest. Khao Khad View Tower
Visit the aquarium and its turtle hatchery at the tip of the cape when it opens at 08:30. Phuket Aquarium
Swim in the sheltered bay, then lunch on the sand at a beach café or the beach club on Ao Yon Noi. Flamingo Beach Club
A resort day pass on the cape, or, if it rains, Aquaria and Central Phuket, 20 minutes away. Aquaria Phuket
Watch the sun go down behind the hills from Cape Panwa Viewpoint, or from the rooftop above Ao Yon. Cape Panwa Viewpoint
Thai dinner at Panwa House on the Cape Panwa Hotel's beach; it is closed on Mondays. Panwa House
Places in Wichit
Our picks
Khao Khad View Tower
Viewpoint · Khao KhadA viewing tower on top of one of the highest and most remote hills of Phuket, above Cape Panwa; the guide also calls it Panwa Viewpoint.
Phuket Aquarium
Attraction · Cape PanwaThe island's original aquarium at Cape Panwa, a working marine research station open to visitors.
Aquaria Phuket
AttractionA large indoor aquarium in the basement of Central Floresta, opened in 2019 and billed as the largest in Thailand, built around four main zones.
Cape Panwa Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Cape PanwaA quiet lookout on the Cape Panwa peninsula, popular at sunset, with a view of Koh Lon.
Ton Ao Yon Waterfall
Waterfall · Cape PanwaA little-known waterfall on the Cape Panwa peninsula, visited mostly by a few locals.
Wat Thepnimit
Buddhist templeA local temple in Wichit, near the subdistrict office and not far from Phuket Town, founded in 1937 by villagers on former rubber-plantation land.
The Cove Phuket
Restaurant · Ao Yon BeachA small open-air restaurant with bungalows on Ao Yon Beach, at Cape Panwa, away from the crowds.
Flamingo Beach Club
Restaurant · Ao Yon BeachA beachfront restaurant, bar and co-working space of the Bandara resort on Ao Yon Beach at Cape Panwa.
Panwa House
Restaurant · Cape PanwaThe Thai restaurant of the Cape Panwa Hotel, in an old Sino-Portuguese house by the beach; outside guests are welcome.
AKOYA | Star Lounge
Rooftop bar · Ao Yon BeachThe rooftop bar of V Villas Phuket – MGallery, 55 m above the sea at Ao Yon, Cape Panwa.
Sumpao Restaurant at Bandara Villas
Restaurant · Ao Yon BeachThe all-day restaurant of Bandara Villas, a pool-villa resort at Cape Panwa.
Bangkok Hospital Siriroj
HospitalA private hospital on Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road, founded in 1982 by Phuket locals and known before as Phuket International Hospital and Siriroj International Hospital.
Dibuk Hospital
HospitalA private hospital of the BDMS group on Chao Fah West Road, opened in 2014.- No photograph yet
HeadStart International School (Chaofah City campus)
The original and larger HeadStart campus, off Wichit Songkhram Road in Wichit, Mueang Phuket, for children from preschool to Year 13. 
Oak Meadow International School
An American-curriculum school in Wichit, off Khwang Road, with a kindergarten campus and a main campus 400 metres apart beside a lake.
Temples
Wat Nakaram (Wat Naka)
Buddhist templeA local temple in Wichit near Phuket Town, known for its golden and white marble chedi.
Restaurants
At the Beach Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant · Ao Yon BeachA rustic beach restaurant and bar on Khao Khad beach on Cape Panwa, a short walk from My Beach Resort and Veranda Resort.
Azzurro
RestaurantAn Italian restaurant in Central Festival Phuket, with indoor and mall-side seating.
Baba Hot Box
Restaurant · Cape PanwaA grill restaurant at Sri Panwa on Cape Panwa, by a forest pool among tall old trees, cooking in a Spanish Josper charcoal oven.
Baba Soul Food
Restaurant · Cape PanwaA Thai restaurant at the Sri Panwa resort on Cape Panwa, with a few tables indoors and more on a terrace facing the sea.
Bollywood Phuket
RestaurantAn Indian restaurant and bar on the bypass road on the outskirts of Phuket Town, next to the O'nya boutique hotel, in a green and white Sino-Portuguese-style building.
Chaiyo Seafood
Seafood restaurantA seafood restaurant by a mangrove stream on Sakdidet Road near Phuket Town, keeping its live seafood in the stream itself.
Cafés
Baboon Phuket
CaféAn all-day restaurant with a speciality coffee bar and its own bakery, in the garden behind Three Monkeys in Wichit; run by the same group, with its own menu and kitchen.
Capybara Cafe Phuket
CaféA café and mini zoo on Chao Fah West Road, Wichit, with capybaras as its stars.
N1 Cafe' & Green
CaféA modern, air-conditioned café in Phuket Town with its own garden and greenhouse of herbs and vegetables; a large car park.
The Shelter Coffee Phuket
CaféA small, quiet coffee shop in Phuket Town in bright tropical colours.
Us'Dog Cafe
CaféA dog café on Wirat Hong Yok Road, Wichit, with dogs of many breeds, from pugs to a mastiff.
Wake Cup Coffee and Tea
CaféA spacious coffee shop at Space Avenue in Wichit, with a large hall and outdoor tables among greenery; laptop-friendly; open until midnight.
Shops
Big C Place Phuket
HypermarketA Big C hypermarket with a small shopping mall around it, on the bypass road in Phuket Town, renamed Big C Place Phuket after a long renovation.- No photograph yet
BnB home Phuket
Home improvement storeA BnB home store for home goods near Central Phuket (Festival). 
Boonthavorn Phuket
Home improvement storeA Boonthavorn store (Google Maps: Boonthavorn Workspace Phuket).
Central Phuket
Shopping mallThe island's biggest mall, on the edge of Phuket Town: two wings on either side of the road, Festival and Floresta, joined by a sky bridge.
HomePro & MegaHome Phuket Chaofah
Home improvement storeA HomePro store with a MegaHome warehouse on Chao Fa Road, Google Maps' "HomePro & MegaHome Phuket Chaofah".
Index Living Mall Phuket
Furniture storeA large two-floor furniture store on Soi Chaloem Phrakiat, by the bypass road in Phuket Town.
Markets
Naka Weekend Market
Weekend marketA large weekend market south of Phuket Town, on Wirat Hong Yok Road near Wat Naka; known for decades as Talad Tai Rod.
Health
- No photograph yet
Phuket International Dental Center
Dental clinicOne of the oldest dental centres on Phuket, working since 1985 inside Bangkok Hospital Siriroj. - No photograph yet
The Dentist Studio
Dental clinicA dental clinic offering preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Work
- No photograph yet
Regus PKCD Building
Serviced officeA Regus business centre on the first floor of the PKCD Building in Phuket Town: private offices, coworking by the day, meeting rooms and virtual offices.
Schools
Darasamuth Phuket School
A long-established Thai private school on Wichit Songkhram Road in Wichit, led by religious sisters, for children from pre-kindergarten to Mathayom 3.
Kajonkiet Pattana School
A Thai private school of the Kajonkiet group on Chaofa West Road in Wichit, for children from pre-kindergarten to Prathom 6.
Kids
50FLY! Trampoline Club Phuket
Activity centreA modern trampoline park in Kathu for the whole family.
Hanuman Luge
Family attractionA luge on the hillside at Chalong, on the Hanuman World site but run separately: two concrete tracks, 650 m and 1.2 km long; opened in 2024.
Hanuman World
Adventure parkA zip-line park on Chao Fa Road in Chalong, the largest of its group by course size; a different company from Flying Hanuman.
Oto Play Park Central Phuket
Indoor playgroundAn indoor play park with a restaurant at Central Phuket Floresta, one of the island's biggest stand-alone play centres; air-conditioned.
Tarzan Adventure Phuket
Adventure park · Cape PanwaA small rope park on a forested hill on Cape Panwa overlooking the sea, suited to first-timers.
Golf
Limitless Golf Studio Phuket
Golf simulatorAn air-conditioned indoor golf training studio near Central Phuket in Wichit, with TrackMan and Foresight Sports simulators.
Gyms
Alpha Health Club
GymThe largest fitness centre in Phuket Town, over 3,200 m², with Life Fitness and Cybex cardio, a full strength area and the island's widest choice of licensed Les Mills classes.
Phuket Martial Arts Academy – RDC Phuket
Martial arts clubA martial-arts school in Wichit for children and adults.
Yoga
All Yoga Training
Yoga studio · Cape PanwaA yoga teacher-training school at Cape Panwa, running a 23-day, 200-hour Yoga Alliance course since 2009, with at most 18 students a course.
Yoga Love Panwa Beach Phuket
Yoga studio · Cape PanwaA yoga studio on Panwa Beach whose classes are held in an open-air sala by the sea.
Padel and tennis
- No photograph yet
Badminton court
Badminton courtsAn indoor badminton hall in Phuket Town with courts rented by the hour. - No photograph yet
The Dome Tennis Club
Tennis courtsA recently opened tennis club in Phuket Town with covered hard and red-clay courts and outdoor courts. 
Xplore Padel Phuket
Padel courtsA racket-sports club with padel, pickleball and tennis courts.
Sports
- No photograph yet
7 Soccer Club Phuket
Football pitchA football club in Phuket Town with its own pitch for training and games. - No photograph yet
PIDA Dance Academy Big C Phuket
Dance studioPIDA's dance school on the second floor of Big C, Wichit. 
Silan Football Lista field
Football pitchA city football facility in Wichit with a pitch for games and a children's academy.
- The zone
- A home and its rent
- A place, as the list numbers it
Homes and places on the map
Buddhist temple
Buddhist temple
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Waterfall
Attraction
Attraction
Rooftop bar
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Local eatery
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Café
Café
Café
Hypermarket
Home improvement store
Home improvement store
Shopping mall
Home improvement store
Furniture store
Department store
Wholesale store
Grocer
Community mall
Furniture store
Home improvement store
Supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket
Weekend market
Hospital
Hospital
Dental clinic
Dental clinic
Serviced office
Activity centre
Family attraction
Adventure park
Indoor playground
Adventure park
Golf simulator
Martial arts club
Yoga studio
Yoga studio
Badminton courts
Tennis courts
Padel courts
Football pitch
Dance studio
Football pitch
Homes in Wichit
Housing estates, townhouses and condos along the roads into Phuket Town and around Central Phuket; hillside villas and beachfront houses on Cape Panwa, with boutique and luxury resorts on its bays.
8 homes for rent in WichitWichit through the year
The monsoon months
May to October: Cape Panwa faces east, away from the south-west monsoon, so Ao Yon usually stays calm enough to swim while the west coast is rough; the beach ends can look neglected.
Wichit with children
Wichit is one of Phuket's most practical family bases: schools, two private hospitals and Central Phuket in the north, two aquariums, and sheltered bays on Cape Panwa where children can swim in both seasons.
- International and Thai schools, among them HeadStart, Oak Meadow and Kajonkiet, are in the subdistrict.
- Ao Yon's water is calm in both seasons, but there are no lifeguards and few facilities.
- Aquaria and the Phuket Aquarium are good rainy-day outings.
- Two private hospitals with 24-hour emergency care are in Wichit: Bangkok Hospital Siriroj on the bypass and Dibuk Hospital on Chao Fah West Road.
Getting to Wichit and parking
- From the airport, by car
- 35–60 min
- From Patong, with the traffic
- 25–50 min
- From Phuket Town
- 10–25 min
Wichit surrounds Phuket Town on the west and south: its northern half is 5 to 15 minutes from the town centre, Cape Panwa 15 to 20 minutes, and the airport 35 to 60 minutes away. There is no songthaew to the cape, so a car or scooter makes life easy.
- By car. Chaofa East and West roads, Wichitsongkram Road and the bypass carry most traffic; Cape Panwa is a 15 to 20 minute drive from town.
- By scooter. The easiest way to combine the cape's bays, the aquarium and the viewpoint tower.
- Grab and taxis. Ride apps work well around Central Phuket and town; on the cape, book the return ride ahead.
Parking. Central Phuket has large car parks; on Cape Panwa, Khao Khad has a big car park, while at Ao Yon residents may not let cars down to the beach, so park on the main road.
Who will love Wichit, and who will not
Will love it
- Families who want schools, a big mall and calm water all within 20 minutes.
- Long-stay residents who prize value and everyday practicality over a beachfront address.
- Swimmers in the monsoon: Cape Panwa's east-facing bays stay calm when the west coast is rough.
- Anyone wanting a green, quiet headland away from the tourist beaches.
- Travellers who want a secluded luxury resort with its own bay.
Will not
- Nightlife seekers: Patong is 25 to 50 minutes away.
- A first beach holiday: the long, lively beaches are on the west coast.
- Surfers: the east-facing bays are sheltered from the monsoon swell.
Tips for Wichit
Swim here in the low season
When the west coast is rough from May to October, Ao Yon and the cape's bays are usually calm enough to swim.
Aquarium hours
The Phuket Aquarium closes at 16:30; Aquaria in Central Floresta stays open until 19:00, last entry 18:00.
Park above Ao Yon
Residents may not let cars down to the beach; park on the main road and walk.
Book the rooftop
The rooftop bar above Ao Yon fills every evening; book a table for sunset.
Panwa House is closed on Mondays
Dinner runs from 18:30 to 23:00 on the other six days.
Bring your own transport
No songthaew serves Cape Panwa; rent a scooter or car, or book your taxi back.
Day passes buy lunch
The resorts' day-pass price is mostly food and drink credit; children under six are free at some.
Emergency care nearby
Bangkok Hospital Siriroj and Dibuk Hospital, both in Wichit, run 24-hour emergency departments.
Questions about Wichit
Where is Wichit in Phuket?
Around Phuket Town on its west and south sides: from Central Phuket and the bypass in the north down to Cape Panwa in the south-east. It is one of the eight subdistricts of Mueang Phuket.
Is Central Phuket in Wichit?
Yes. Both wings, Festival and Floresta, stand on Wichitsongkram Road in Wichit, with Aquaria on Floresta's lower floor.
Can you swim at Cape Panwa in the rainy season?
Usually, yes. The cape faces east, away from the south-west monsoon, so bays such as Ao Yon stay calm while the west coast is rough. There are no lifeguards.
How much is the Phuket Aquarium?
300 THB for adults and 150 THB for children (2026); it is open from 08:30 to 16:30 at the tip of Cape Panwa.
Is Khao Khad View Tower free?
Yes. Drive up the steep road and climb about 200 steps to a round room with a 360-degree view; it is rarely busy.
How far is Cape Panwa from the airport?
About 45 km, 45 to 60 minutes by car; Phuket Town is 15 to 20 minutes away.
How much is rent in Wichit?
About 13,000 to 28,000 THB a month for a one-bedroom (2026), shared with Chalong as some of the island's best value; sea-view villas on Cape Panwa cost much more.
Which beaches are in Wichit?
Small, quiet bays on Cape Panwa: Ao Yon, Panwa Beach and the Cape Panwa Hotel's private beach. There is no long beach strip.