Some tourists prefer to rent cars for travelling in Phuket as it is more convenient and cheaper than taxis. In order to enjoy your trip and avoid to get a fine from the traffic police, please ensure that you park your car on the same way that you drive. In Thailand, we drive on the left. This means you need to park on the left side of the road in spaces designated for cars (not scooters) otherwise the police will clamp the wheel of your car and then you must go to the police station to pay the fine. Only then, the traffic police will unlock their wheel.
For car parking, the rectangle spaces with the black & white beside the footpath are allowed to park but you need to read the sign about the allowable date & time on those days. The sign shows No Parking between the showing time in some areas. This means you are not allowed to park during those periods such as No parking on weekdays from 7 – 9 am & 5 – 7 pm on some roads near schools.
The red & white is prohibited for parking at all while the yellow & white can be parked only for public transportations.
Moreover, scooters must park at the motorbike parking line on the allowed dates. Please also ensure that you park at its parking.
Please also beware of odd or even day in Phuket Old Town which in the case which side of the street you can park on. For example, if the sign shows odd day on this side, you can’t park on that side on odd day (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, …. and 31st). However, you can park on another side of the road. Therefore, it is much easier to park somewhere nearby and then walk to Phuket Old Town because there is less car parking on Thalang road at Phuket Old town on weekdays and Saturday and no parking at all on Sunday afternoon as it becomes a walking street in the evening from 4 – 9.30 pm.
For pedestrians, it is better for them to double check before crossing the road When you cross the road as pedestrian, remember that in Thailand motorists are sometimes allowed to turn left at intersections on red lights. So, always be watchful and vigilant when crossing intersections. Therefore, please always check before you step on the road.
Another option to save up your budget is to use Phuket local bus “Pho Thong” to go to beaches around Phuket. Normally, they start from Downtown Market in the morning and finish in the evening. It takes only few minutes from Phuket Old Town or about a 10-min walk from In Phuket House. On the way back, please check their bus stops and timetable with the drivers.
Furthermore, it is very convenient to take an airport bus between Phuket Old Town and Phuket airport which costs 100 baht per person per way. The bus normally parks at Bus terminal1 and leaves every hour which takes only 5 – 10 mins walk from Phuket Old Town.
For the activities at Phuket Old Town, there are many shops, cafés and restaurants usually open from 8 am till 5 or 6 pm daily and there are more shops at Lard Yai, a popular walking street on Thalang road where you can find something to eat, drink or shop and go back with big smiles. It is worth to come and join in at “Phuket Old Town” where you will definitely come back or tell your family and friends to visit once in their life!!
