Phuket town is a pleasant surprise; it has an authentic Thai atmosphere with Chinese influence. Though the beach hubs on the island (such as Patong), are an example of the generic tourist beat, the town itself has retained it's heritage.
The backstreets of Phuket have much to offer; narrow streets with Chinese lanterns, old style coffee shops, noodle bars, street stalls and fantastic shopping for textile lovers (fabrics are sourced from all over Asia). It is satisfying to wander and make your own discoveries, especially in regard to food, as the cheap eat options are many and varied (see LAM Bits).
To our eyes, no physical effects of the tsunami were evident. The reminder of the tragedy lies in the many 'evacuation route' signs that have been erected and of course, the emotional recovery continues for the people. We didn't raise the topic with the locals we met casually, but on a couple of occasions, they reflected on their experience.
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