Phuket Town, Phuket

Best explored on foot, this bustling town is the provincial capital of Phuket. Centuries ago, Chinese merchants settled here, and tin mining and rubber growing led to its prosperity. Contact with Portuguese traders led to the development of a particular style of architecture known as Sino-Portuguese. The town offers many tourist facilities including accommodation, restaurants and some of the best shopping on the island, as well as Government Offices, the Tourist Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways, and the main Post Office.