Phuket is one of the best places to go on a road trip in Thailand, as the road conditions are quite safe compared to many other locations in the country. Moreover, there is no shortage of seaside roads that will let you enjoy the view of the Andaman Sea and the island of Phuket in all its glory as you drive along. If you’re looking to go on a road trip, Patong is the best place to start. With that said, here are the top five locations you should drive to from Patong:

 

KARON VIEWPOINT

Karon Beach is located in the southwestern tip of the Phuket island. The nearby Karon Viewpoint is the perfect place to look out to the beach and enjoy the view of the open Andaman Sea. The viewpoint is only a short distance away from Patong, as you can take the main road south from the main beach and get to Karon within half an hour. It’s a short little drive along the stretch of Karon Beach up to the hills in the south where the viewpoint is located. Once you park your car, you can expect around a ten-minute hike up the hill, but the view is definitely worth the walk.

 

BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha at the top of Nakkerd Hill is the landmark of Phuket, as you can see it all the way from Phuket town and even Karon Beach. It’s a 45-meter tall golden structure, so it’s definitely hard not to miss. If you don’t have a car, you can even get on a scooter and take a nice, long ride from Patong. You can expect to get there within an hour from Patong, as you will have to take a detour around the center of the island. This trip isn’t just about the destination, as you will get to enjoy an incredible view of the southern Andaman Sea as you drive along the way. It’s definitely a worthwhile ride!

 

PROMTHEP CAPE

The Phromthep Cape is the southern-most point in Phuket that overlooks the open Andaman Sea. You used to be able to ride your bike up the hill and to the lookout, but in recent years, the authorities have closed the road, turning it into strictly a walking path. The drive from Patong will take you on the same route to Big Buddha, but you will get here before you reach the statue. Therefore, if you like the idea of a trip around the island with multiple stops, make sure that you include Promthep Cape in your travel plan.

 

SAMET NANGSHE VIEWPOINT

Now we’re moving up the road, as the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint is located on the mainland in Pang Nga province and not technically in Phuket. There’s a bridge that connects the cape of Pang Nga to the northern tip of Phuket called the Sarasin Bridge, which will be a nice change of scenery during your drive. It will take you approximately two hours to drive from Patong to Samet Nangshe Hill, so if you don’t want to spend four hours of your day driving, consider booking a stay in one of many guesthouses in the area and spending the night there.

 

KHAO LAK

Khao Lak is another location in Phang Nga, which means that it will be quite a long drive from Patong. That being said, it’s an excellent route that you should most definitely include in your trip. It’s quite literally a straightforward drive that will take you up a straight road up north from Patong. We recommend that you leave from Patong around 10 a.m. so that you get to enjoy the first half of the day in Khao Lak. By the time you get to Lak Hill, you will get to watch the sunset from the top. There are also quite a number of beautiful waterfalls and lush rain forests where you can enjoy a lovely hike. We suggest that you spend the night here, as there are many locations around the area that you should visit.

 

If you’re looking to rent a car or book a tour in Phuket and Phang Nga, Mamy Booking is the best place to go. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.