< PreviousKEP Come to KEP for its chill vibe and a stunning pier and yacht view over Chalong Bay. Reinvigorate yourself with a freshly-brewed coffee or smoothie and, if you’re hungry, the menu has something for everyone including Thai, Japanese, Italian and international dishes. People love relaxing in KEP’s tranquil garden on one of the comfy loungers under the shade of trees. WOO PHUKET WOO Phuket is a paradise for organic and healthy food and drinks, and a perfect spot for breakfast and brunch with its setting by a lake. The extensive menu offers nutrient-rich superfood bowls, incredibly tasty main courses, desserts, coffee and even alcohol drinks – all prepared with organic ingredients for guilt-free indulgence. PEANG PRAI The locals have long headed here for the tastiest southern dishes, and Peang Prai is now recommended by Michelin Guide. Enjoy the lush setting with stunning view over a lotus pond. Feast on delicious local dishes made with the freshest ingredients, including rarely-seen specialties. With its beautifully-presented dishes and attentive service at very reasonable prices, Peang Prai is a gem of a restaurant. PHUKETBANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 | 51 KETHO DIMSUM Dim sum is a local tradition for breakfast on Phuket, and Ketho Dimsum is where locals head to for its wide selection of dim sum, Bak Kut Teh and traditional rice noodles washed down with freshly- squeezed juices, local coffee and a complimentary pot of tea. The restaurant is always busy, another reason being that the prices are friendly, so remember to head over early because it closes at 12 p.m.! PISET RESTAURANT At Piset Restaurant, extra really means extra size! Their delectable Thai and Southern dishes include their famous lump crab meat and are served in very generous portions. Wash your meal down with the amazing Giant Thai Tea which has been rated the best on the island! Piset offers unbeatable flavours at reasonable prices. GO BENZ RICE PORRIDGE This local favourite has been serving up their signature pork with peppery broth and rice noodle rolls for over 20 years, and has by now been recommended three times by the Michelin Guide. Other comfort foods they are loved for are the dry-broiled rice porridge with crispy pork, tender pork offal and aromatic soup, sure to hit the spot! 52 | BANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 CAMPUS COFFEE ROASTERS Coffee connoisseurs, rejoice! This is the perfect spot to kick back and relax with a drink on a sunny day with its cosy atmosphere ideal for students and laptop-toting travellers. Since the owner is passionate about coffee, you can be assured that the place is always buzzing with caffeine-lovers! TORRY’S ICE CREAM Located on one of Old Phuket Town’s most iconic streets, Torry’s Ice Cream is a boutique parlour known for its creative selection of unique flavours! Think Bi Co Moi (black glutinous rice with coconut milk and shredded burnt coconut ice cream) and A-Pong (Phuket-style coconut crepe with A-pong ice cream), and you’ll know you won’t be able to find these flavours anywhere else. The ice creams are served up in brassware to give a touch of luxury and also an Instagram-worthy moment. PHUKETBANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 | 53 THE PLAYYARD PHUKET Explore a perfect mix of outdoor recreation and sports at the PlayYard Phuket. The unique playground offers a diverse range of exciting activities from skateboarding, sailing and kayaking, SUP boarding, trail running and BMX biking! For those wanting an adrenaline rush, look no further. CHILLVA NIGHT MARKET This lively night market offers a fun variety of shopping, street food, drinks and desserts, as well as live music. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxed evening, and there are also bars and restaurants nearby. It operates Monday to Saturday but we recommend to get there early to beat the crowds! ANDAMANDA PHUKET Experience the fun of the Andaman at Andamanda Phuket! The theme of this water park blends local culture with modern life and activities featured include organised fun zones with life guards watching out for your safety, and a F&B zone. Prepare for a thrilling time with plenty of rides and slides to choose such as the double rail and lazy river slides, wave pool with waves as high as three metres, the 300-metre-long white sandy beach, and much more! 54 | BANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 BAAN AR-JOR A Sino-Portuguese heritage property dating back to 1936, this historical mansion has since been transformed into a museum and cosy homestay with a restaurant that was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Explore its collection of artefacts from the Sino-Portuguese era and then enjoy the unique traditional culinary experience offered by the owners. OLD PHUKET TOWN Take a stroll through Phuket Old Town and be delighted by the Sino-Portuguese architecture, museums, galleries and shops, as well as the lovely restaurants and cafés. Get a glimpse of the local lifestyle, appreciate the street art (which also make for Instagrammable moments) and your visit to Phuket will then be complete! CHINPRACHA HOUSE (BAAN CHINPRACHA) This majestic mansion is a fine example of Sino-Portuguese architecture. It was built in 1903 by the Pratipak Chinpracha family originally from Fujian, China, and has been featured in movies including “Heaven and Earth” and “Young Indiana Jones”. It is a must-see for visitors seeking a glimpse of Phuket’s history and culture as it houses artefacts and items from that era as well as European furniture imported in the same period. Visitors can also rent traditional Baba-Nyonya clothing here for taking photographs. PHUKETBANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 | 55 WAT PHRA THONG Wat Phra Thong Temple, or “Temple of the Protruding Buddha”, is home to the mysterious half-buried golden Buddha statue named Luang Poh Phra Thong. According to legend, the villagers who found the image buried deep in the ground attempted to uncover the statue completely but were unsuccessful, leading to the belief that the Buddha was untouchable by humans. Wat Phra Thong is one of the island’s oldest temples and with its long and mysterious history, why not come explore it yourself? WAT SRI SUNTHON This is the only temple on Phuket with a Buddha in reclining pose, and it’s so large it can be seen immediately upon entering the main entrance. The temple complex with its unique architecture is well-shaded, making it an ideal spot for meditation and contemplation. 56 | BANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 WAT CHAITHARARAM (WAT CHALONG) Dating back to the 19th century with many stories of miracles and incredible sights, the temple today houses rare items such as a gilt-covered statue of Luang Poh Cham, the Wat Chalong Chedi within which is contained a splinter of Buddha’s bone, and an Exhibition Hall with life-size waxwork images of previous abbots. This is the largest and most visited temple on the island, so do go to pay respects there, enjoy the intricate temple architecture and learn about the local history. JUI TUI SHRINE One of the oldest and most revered spiritual centres on Phuket, this iconic Chinese temple plays a significant role in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Its exterior is stunning and it houses three large altars and statues of Chinese gods with Tean Hu Huan Soy, the God of Performing Artists, as the principal deity. PHUKETBANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEY 2023 | 57 BANYAN TREE BANGKOK An iconic destination for leisure and business travellers, Banyan Tree Bangkok is located in the heart of Bangkok with unparalleled panoramic cityscapes with integrated facilities. All the rooms and suites are sleek and contemporary with sophisticated design. Ten restaurants and bars, including Vertigo, one of Bangkok’s renowned rooftop bars and Saffron Cruise, luxury dining on the river of kings, afford the ultimate dining experience. The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa is an ideal escape for day spa seekers as well as in-house guests. types of dining and cool market at Cassia Phuket are sure to make your stay an exciting and relaxing experience. Cassia Phuket offers chic ambience in both suite and loft – one and two bedroom, each with stylish living area, kitchen fit for a chef, daily buffet brekkie, free Wi-Fi and swanky hangout spots in the resort or beyond Laguna Complex. ANGSANA LAGUNA PHUKET Discover the ultimate island escape at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Immerse yourself in paradise with a pristine white sandy beach, private access to Xana beach, and a 300-metre freeform swimming pool. Enjoy renowned restaurants offering Thai and Western cuisine, sip on your favourite drinks, and relax at the prestigious spa. It's the perfect getaway for couples seeking romance or families seeking fun. CASSIA PHUKET The most unique of all the Phuket beach resorts! The hip island vibe, vary HOMM BLISS SOUTHBEACH PATONG Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong sits on the quiet southern end of Patong Bay, overlooking white sand beaches with unbeatable sunsets and offering amazing views of the Andaman Sea. Whether you are looking for big city entertainment with international restaurants, amazing nightlife and fabulous shopping or a relaxing tropical getaway, Homm Bliss Southbeach Patong is the answer. 58 | BANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 HOTEL IN PHUKET ➜➜ LOCATION Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites, a tropical coastal resort only 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport in the northwestern part of Phuket. Guests may choose from one-, two- or three-bedroom suites, some with pools, and all perfect for friends and families to share. The laid back, tropical décor style extends to each suite, all of which offer a liberating sense of space. AVANI+ MAI KHAO PHUKET SUITES 887 Moo 3 Tambon Mai Khao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand +66 076 336 123 avaniplus.maikhao@avanihotels.com Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites avanimaikhao www.avanihotels.com/th/mai-khao-phuket T E FB IG WBANGKOK AIRWAYS BOUTIQUE JOURNEYS 2023-2024 | 59 ➜➜ DINING Talad (open from 7am. – 10.30pm.) is inspired by Phuket's bustling markets – teasing your tastebuds with a variety of salads, soups, curries, stir-fry’s, steamed dishes and more! Burger joint, Chop Chop (open from 5pm. to midnight) offers a range of delicious gourmet burgers made from the best and freshest ingredients. Also on offer is an extensive range of craft beers. Claws & Co (open from noon to midnight) serves up the best authentic Cajun seafood in Phuket. Satisfy your taste cravings with their ultra-sized seafood boils or buckets that include prawns, lobster, crabs, calamari and mussels accompanied by the most amazing sauces with just the right amount of heat. ➜➜ RECREATIONAL & ENTERTAINMENT When it comes to recharging, relaxing and working out, Avani+ Mai Khao offers a superb range of leisure facilities including a Muay Thai boxing ring, tennis courts, an outdoor climbing wall, a 25m swimming pool (with swim-up bar) and an AvaniFit gym. The resort offers daily fitness classes including pilates, jogging, aqua tai chi, circuit training, beach bootcamps and sunrise yoga sessions. Take advantage of the resort’s complimentary bicycles to explore the local villages on your own or with a guide.Next >