Choosing a district in Phuket

Phuket is an island of about 528 km², and the guide divides it into its seventeen districts — the administrative sub-districts, each with a page of its own — with Natai and Khao Lak, on the mainland to the north, as the two beyond the bridge². Which one suits you comes down to a few questions: do you want a beach on foot, and which; is there a school run; do you work from home or from an office in town; how much quiet you want. Here are the districts side by side, with what the guide's own records say about each: its beaches, its named areas and what the guide lists there today.

The west coast: the beach districts

Patong (23 km²) is the island's resort town: Patong Beach itself, Kalim at its north end and, round the headland to the south, Tri Trang, Paradise and Freedom beaches and Relax Bay¹². The guide lists 44 restaurants here, 10 Muay Thai gyms, 12 health places and 6 markets².

Karon (23 km²) has three beaches in a row — Karon, Kata and Kata Noi¹ — and 36 restaurants and 4 temples in the guide².

Kamala (21 km²): Kamala Beach and Laem Sing¹; 12 restaurants, 2 viewpoints and a waterfall².

Choeng Thale (30 km²): Bang Tao, Surin, Pansea, Layan and Banana beaches, and Laguna¹². More beach clubs than any other district — 10 — and 26 restaurants².

Sakhu (26 km²): Nai Yang and Nai Thon¹; 14 restaurants².

Mai Khao (50 km²), the island's north: Mai Khao Beach and Sai Kaew¹; 12 restaurants and 2 golf courses².

The south

Rawai (21 km²): Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Ao Sane and Rawai beaches, Promthep Cape and Sai Yuan¹²; 5 schools, 9 gyms, 9 Muay Thai gyms and 19 restaurants²³.

Chalong (26 km²): Chalong Bay and its marina; no beach of its own in the guide¹². Nine schools — more than any other district — 10 Muay Thai gyms and 14 cafés²³.

Wichit (30 km²): Ao Yon, Cape Panwa, Khao Khad and Ao Makham¹²; 4 schools, 16 shops and 16 restaurants²³.

The town

Talat Yai (8 km²) and Talat Nuea (5 km²) are Phuket Town, with the Old Town and Saphan Hin in Talat Yai². Between them the guide lists 77 restaurants, 37 cafés, 19 temples and 9 markets².

Ratsada (30 km²), east of the town: 8 restaurants and 2 viewpoints².

Ko Kaeo (24 km²): Boat Lagoon, Royal Phuket Marina and Sapam²; 3 marinas and 2 schools²³.

The middle and the east

Kathu (38 km²), between Patong and the town, with Loch Palm²; 4 schools, 3 golf courses, 3 museums and 7 Muay Thai gyms²³.

Si Sunthon (48 km²), with Bang Jo²; 6 schools and 2 museums²³.

Thep Krasatti (66 km²), with Thalang town²; 2 schools, a golf course and 4 temples²³.

Pa Khlok (60 km²), the east coast: Cape Yamu, Ao Po marina and Bang Rong²; 2 marinas².

Across the bridge

Natai (190 km²) and Khao Lak (291 km²) are in Phang Nga province, on the mainland north of the island; the guide covers both, with a page each².

How to decide

• A beach on foot: the six west-coast districts and Rawai hold every beach in the guide but Ao Yon, which is Wichit's¹.
• A school run: the guide's schools are on Schools in Phuket, by district; Chalong, Si Sunthon and Rawai hold the most today³.
• Town life: Talat Yai and Talat Nuea².
• Then open the district's page: each lists its places by category, its beaches and the homes for rent inside it².