Phuket Town: Things to Do in the Historical Centre of Phuket
For foreign tourists, Phuket is often associated with its snow-white beaches and karst cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. However, for Thai tourists, the historical centre of Phuket Town holds greater significance. The old town is built in the Sino-Portuguese colonial style, which was brought over by the descendants of Chinese emigrants from Malacca and Singapore.
Phuket Town is the capital of Phuket Province, which administratively consists of the tambons (sub-districts) of Talat Yai and Talat Nua. However, the term «Phuket Town» commonly refers to the wider area spanning from Kathu in the west to Ko Sire in the east, and from Sapam in the north to Chalong in the south.
Thai villages or condominiums that are formally located in other areas often make up the housing stock in Phuket Town. Specifically, few people make the distinction between Central Phuket, with its new rental condominiums, or the Rassada area, where the popular HOMA co-living space is located, and Phuket Town.
Phuket Town Hotels
The hotels in Phuket Town are either small guesthouses in the historical part of the city or large city hotels from a previous era when Phuket was not yet an international tourist destination. Examples of such hotels include Royal Phuket City Hotel, Phuket Merlin Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott.
Popular condominiums in Phuket include Sugar Palm, located near Rama IX Park, Green Place situated on the hill behind Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Centrio opposite Central Phuket, and all Supalai complexes.
Tranio has a representative office in Phuket. Our managers and lawyers will organise a turnkey transaction without increasing the purchase cost.
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Who is Phuket Town For?
Since 2024, the area has attracted more and more foreign investors from Europe, Russia, and China, who purchase apartments both for rental and as a place to live. Over the past two years, several new residential complexes with club-like amenities, coworking spaces, cafés, and fitness centres have been opened here. The area is conveniently located near several international schools, making it even more appealing for long-term residents and renters.
Places of Interest in Phuket Town
Phuket Town has a number of attractions. These include the Old Town (Thalang Road, Phang Nga Road), Saphan Hin Park, Rama IX Park, Limelight shopping centre, and the Naka and Chillva night markets.
Property Prices in Phuket Town
Property prices in the Old Town area have increased by 10-15% over the past two years. This increase is especially noticeable for restored buildings that have preserved colonial architecture. The average price of an apartment in Phuket Town now ranges from 3.5 to 4 million baht, while new projects with a modern design can cost up to 5 to 6 million baht.
For a low-budget investment, we recommend considering real estate in Phuket, particularly serviced apartments or aparthotels. These properties have shown high profitability, with an average of 7–8% per annum gross, rising up to 10–12% per annum in popular locations. The influx of tourists in Phuket has recovered since the pandemic.
The occupancy rate of rental units is already high, and seasonality is less pronounced: there is a demand for short-term rental housing on the island almost all year round. However, there is still potential for growth in resort locations. The authorities are implementing measures to increase the number of tourists from India and strengthen partnerships with China.
Buyers from China have traditionally been active in the Thai market. Over the past year, the number of apartment purchases from them has increased by 84%, but has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. Demand for Thai real estate is also growing among buyers from the US, EU countries, and the UK, who invest in rental units at local resorts and often purchase second homes in Thailand.
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