Phuket

Since I’d already explored plenty of beautiful islands in Vietnam and Malaysia, I wasn’t super motivated to visit the Thai islands. As gorgeous as they look, the extreme tourism, overcrowding, lack of authenticity, and high prices really put me off.

I even considered going diving, something I absolutely love, but to reach the best dive sites, you basically have to commit to a week-long liveaboard… which gets pricey fast.

 

That said, I did end up visiting Phuket. Phuket is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Thailand, known for nightlife, beaches, and resorts. And I know this is controversial… but I hated it. With my whole heart. 

Thai culture felt completely lost here. Everything was so touristy (which, yes, I expected) but the vibe was just not for me. And on top of that, everything was way more expensive than anywhere else I visited in Thailand.

Where I Stayed

Despite my feelings about the city, I stayed at Capzule Bed Phuket, and honestly… it was one of my favourite stays of the entire trip. Super clean (probably the cleanest hostel I’ve ever stayed in), absolutely gorgeous interior, and the staff were incredibly sweet. Highly recommend this place if you do find yourself in Phuket.

What To Do In Phuket (If You Must)

  • Phuket Old Town: Not gonna lie… it was a little underwhelming. A lot of temples were closed for renovation, and those that were open weren’t that exciting. It’s fine for a walk around, but nothing mind-blowing.

  • Monkey Hill: This was actually pretty cool. You’ve gotta hike up (and be ready to sweat), but seeing the monkeys up close was fun, as long as you respect their space. A lot of them had babies, which was super cute. Just don’t feed them, don’t touch them, and don’t act like a fool, please. 

  • Bukit Elephant Park: I was really skeptical about visiting any elephant sanctuary because I absolutely didn’t want to support unethical practices. After a ton of research, I chose Bukit Elephant Park. It’s not perfect, but it’s one of the better ones I could find.

 

There’s no riding, no bathing, and they emphasised that heavily. These elephants were rescued from captivity and unfortunately can’t be reintroduced to the wild. They had lots of open space and each elephant had a dedicated caretaker. You could come closer for a photo, but only with certain elephants that didn’t have trauma histories (I personally skipped that part). The guides shared stories about each elephant’s personality and background, which I appreciated.

Final Thoughts on Phuket

If I’m completely honest, Phuket was not for me. If you’re someone who enjoys nightlife, busy beaches, and a more resort-style vacation, you might love it. But if you’re looking for authentic Thai culture, peaceful nature, or budget-friendly experiences… skip it. That said, my stay at Capzule Bed and the visit to Bukit Elephant Park were the silver linings of my trip. If I could do it again, I’d probably skip Phuket entirely and spend more time up north or in less touristy parts of Thailand.