Phuket and Krabi are popular beach destinations of Thailand. With many direct flights from Singapore, it’s no surprise that it makes a good weekend getaway from the city.

Where do you go in Phuket? Well, the most popular place must be Patong Beach and Walking Street, isn’t it? After this trip, my perspective of Phuket changed completely and we also learnt many new things about Phuket which you probably don’t even know!

familyfunthailand-phuketonair1

I was invited by Tourism Authority of Thailand (Singapore) to join this media trip called “Family Fun in Thailand” to showcase what Thailand has to offer for families. We flew into Phuket via Silkair and was glad to be able to fly with the new Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Sawasdee Phuket!

#1 Join the locals for some Dim Sum!

familyfunthailand-phuketdimsum

We arrived at (จ่วนเฮี้ยง สาขา 2), a well known dim sum restaurant which has been around for more than 60 years! Guess what, they are only open for 5 hours per day, from 6am  – 11am!

#2 Enjoy authentic  Southern Thai cuisine at Blue Elephant

familyfunthailand-phuketblueelephantfacade

Blue Elephant at Phuket serves up Southern Thai food which has some Peranakan influences. Southern Thai food is not easily available in Bangkok so if you want  a quality and authentic version, Blue Elephant is the place to be! Take a look at our dishes.

familyfunthailand-phuketblueelephantfood

#3 Check in to Novotel Phuket Phokeethra

familyfunthailand-phuketnovotel

Novotel Phuket Phokeethra is located near to the historic old town of Phuket, making exploration easy and convenient.  The rooms were spacious and clean and the comfy bed definitely gives you a good night sleep.

#4 Explore the old town of Thalang

familyfunthailand-phuketoldtown

Thalang  Road is the heart of Old Phuket Town. Looking at the shophouses, it does remind you of places like Penang, Malacca and even Singapore’s Chinatown. In fact, I’m surprised that the presence of the Peranakan community here is quite strong.

#5 Stop for coffee or Peranakan snacks at i46 Old Town

familyfunthailand-phuketheritagetour

i46 old town makes a good pit stop for you to chill out over some coffee or snacks.  Check out their internal courtyard and learn about the history of their shop.

#6 See the original, untouched version of the historic  shophouses

familyfunthailand-phuketoldhouse

It’s always interesting and fascinating to see the original version of the shophouses. You get to see how the houses were built, how they prepare their meals and how they get water (from the well)!

#7 Take photos of the street arts

familyfunthailand-phuketoldtowngraffiti

There are so many street arts around Old Phuket Town and you can take photos of them or with them for memories. In fact, it’s part of the town council’s restoration efforts and local and international graffiti artists have since left their mark there, giving more life and colour to this old town.

familyfunthailand-phuketwalkingstreet2

#8 Learn and eat at  COFFs&BURGH

familyfunthailand-phuketcommunityactivity

We had our final community tour of the old Phuket Town at Coffs&Burgh cafe. Some of us got to cook their version of “Hokkien Mee” and locals told us that this version we had was the best in the whole of Phuket Town. We were honoured to be able to try and you too have to drop by to try it for yourself!

#9 Visit Sunday Walking Street

familyfunthailand-phuketwalkingstreet1

Make sure you are around on Sunday to visit the Walking Street which is only open on Sunday. It’s filled with lots of shops selling handicrafts, clothes and street food!

familyfunthailand-phuketwalkingstreet4

One of the locals told us to try the unique street food here.

familyfunthailand-phuketwalkingstreet5

The charcoal biscuit and charcoal bread. I only managed to try the charcoal biscuit and it was indeed interesting and delicious. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to try the charcoal bread due to the long queue.

familyfunthailand-phuketwalkingstreet3

#10 Dinner at Raya Restaurant Phuket

familyfunthailand-phuketraya

Raya Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Phuket and you can’t miss them! If there’s only one dish that you need to try here, get the Crab Meat with Curry & Coconut Milk. It’s so good that we had to get a second serving!

#11 Bring your kids to Vanich Farm

familyfunthailand-phuketvanichfarm1

Vanich Farm offers agro-tourism activities. including the production of corn milk, green cornfield, rice paddy field, and various flower plots.

familyfunthailand-phuketvanichfarm2

We get to see how farmers work in the past and present and I must say that it’s really tough labour intensive work here! This is why we are always told not to waste food!

familyfunthailand-phuketvanichfarm3

We had lunch at Vanich Farm with the fresh produce here. Oh, every dish is so delicious and of course, the fried corn fritters were the most popular item here.

Off to Krabi!

Krabi is accessible by land from Phuket and our journey took about 2 hours. Our first stop in Krabi was at the Ban Ao Nam, Laem Sak where we get to see the local community.

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam

#12 Visit Thalay Nai

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam1

We took a boat to visit Thalay Nai, a coastal fishing village known for the lobsters and sea grapes (green caviar).

Will the price of green caviar increase tremendously next time? Do give it a try next time you see it. It is available at some night markets around Thailand.

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam2

Love the beauty of nature.

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam4

It’s time for sunset soon!

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam3

We stop midway for some live lobsters before heading back to land.

familyfunthailand-krabibanaonam5

I like this picture featuring the local community in a local boat.

#13 Grilled Seafood Dinner by Ao Nang Beach at The Last Fisherman Bar

familyfunthailand-krabithelastfishermanbar

We headed to Ao Nang Beach, the popular beach resort of Krabi but our motive here was for grilled seafood dinner. We were literally sitting on the beach enjoying the grilled seafood.

#14 Stay in a resort hotel,  Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort

familyfunthailand-krabidusitthani

This resort is so big that we had to move around via buggies. Thankfully, we can easily request for the buggy to send us to wherever we want within the resort.

familyfunthailand-krabidusitthani2

Staying at this resort, you practically can just stay here to chill out and enjoy the nature.

#15 Go for island tour in Krabi

familyfunthailand-krabiisland1

You can’t visit Krabi and not go for the island tour, at least for your virgin trip to Krabi.

Here we are at Koh Tub and looking across is Koh Gai. During low tides, you can literally walk over the island. So cool!

familyfunthailand-krabiisland2

Celebrity family Darren & Evelyn Lim having fun with their family!

familyfunthailand-krabiisland3

I love this shot! Doesn’t it look like some wallpaper?

familyfunthailand-krabiisland4

This is Koh Gai, and yes, Gai means “chicken”.

#16 Go snorkelling

familyfunthailand-krabiisland5

One activity to do while island hopping is going for snorkelling! Have you tried it before?

familyfunthailand-krabipodaisland1

Modern vs traditional boats.

familyfunthailand-krabipodaisland2

Having some fun at Koh Poda before we head back to the hotel to clean up, check out and fly over to Bangkok!

Sawasdee Bangkok!

familyfunthailand-bangkokradissonbluplaza1

Our last 2 nights in Thailand was hosted at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok, located at Sukhumvit Soi 27. I love the chic and classy decor of this hotel.

familyfunthailand-bangkokradissonbluplaza1

I can stay here forever if it’s free! :)

The next day, we headed to Siam Kempinski Hotel for the Family Fun in Thailand opening ceremony.

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop

Before that, we had a workshop discussing the future of family fun tourism and on what really is required for a family to really enjoy their holiday in Thailand.

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop2

Caught up with Wilson Ng from PlacesandFoods.com!

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop3

Our celebrity representative from Singapore!

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop6

Here’s a photo of the second Singapore team, consisting of agents and media!

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop4

Guess what, Singapore won the Family Fun Race competition! Congratulations to Darren & Family! Here’s a photo of them with Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

familyfunthailand-bangkoktatworkshop5

Love shots like this!

familyfunthailand-bangkokchaophraya

I just love taking photos of boats along Chao Phraya river.

familyfunthailand-bangkokneverendingsummer1

We had our last dinner of the trip at Never Ending Summer. I heard a lot about this place but didn’t have the chance to visit till now.

familyfunthailand-bangkokneverendingsummer2

Oh my god, the food here is insanely delicious. What have I been missing out! I will do a proper review of this restaurant soon!

familyfunthailand-bangkokneverendingsummer3

The desserts are not to be missed as well. Make sure you leave some space for your stomach.


Planning a trip with your family? Download Family Fun Thailand App  or check out the  website  for discounts and privileges  throughout Thailand.