Phuket Town, Phuket

Phuket Town is the provincial capital and business centre of the island. It has an Old Town of Sino-Portuguese shophouses with a Sunday walking street on Thalang Road, the Central Phuket malls and the island's main hospitals and schools. New condominiums Escent, Phyll and The Origin Centre Phuket near Central Phuket and Midori townhouses suit year-round living.
The old police station with its clock tower in Phuket Old Town

Phuket Town: the island capital

Phuket Town is on the south-east side of the island and is the capital of Phuket province. Government offices, the immigration office, banks, major hospitals and schools are here. It is a town people live in all year, not a resort.

The best-known part is the Old Town: Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads and Soi Romanee, with Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and galleries. On Sundays Thalang Road hosts a walking street market.

Location and access

The west coast beaches are 20–40 minutes away, with Patong, Karon and Kata the closest. The airport is about 40–45 minutes away. Saphan Hin seaside park and the Rang Hill viewpoint are close to the town.

New condominiums are being built around the Central Phuket shopping area on the western edge of town, which makes it easy to reach both the centre and Kathu and Patong.

What the town offers

Shopping and services

Central Phuket, the island's largest mall, plus hypermarkets, markets, car dealers and service centres. Everyday tasks and paperwork are easiest to handle in town.

Healthcare

The island's main hospitals are in Phuket Town: the private Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Bangkok Hospital Siriroj and Mission Hospital, and the public Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Schools

International and bilingual schools operate in and around the town, which makes it one of the most convenient areas for families.

Property in Phuket Town

The town has the most affordable prices for new apartments on the island. The main format is condominiums with smaller units, with some townhouses and houses.

  • Escent Phuket by Central Pattana: studios and apartments next to Central Phuket, from 2.27 million baht in our catalogue.
  • Phyll Phuket: a completed condominium on the same site, one-bedroom units from 3.29 million baht.
  • The Origin Centre Phuket by Origin Property: studios and one-bedroom units from 2.69 million baht.
  • Midori by Porjai Group Development in Ratsada: three- and four-bedroom townhouses from 5.39 million baht.

We send exact unit prices and availability on request.

Who Phuket Town suits

  • Full-time residents who value urban infrastructure.
  • Families with school-age children.
  • Long-term rental investors with a budget from 2–3 million baht.

Renting in Phuket Town

Apartments in town are mostly rented long-term by company staff, teachers, medical staff, students and families. Short-term tourist rental is weaker than near the beaches, but demand is steady all year. We calculate yield for each specific unit.

The developments in detail

Escent Phuket

Escent is the residential line of Central Pattana, the company that owns the Central malls. The 513-unit complex is being built next to Central Phuket, with completion due in Q4 2026. Studios and compact apartments are on sale.

Phyll Phuket

A completed condominium on the neighbouring plot by Central Phuket, finished in 2023. It suits buyers who want to move in or rent out straight away.

The Origin Centre Phuket

An Origin Property project with 701 units near Central Phuket: studios and one-bedroom apartments. Completion is due in Q1 2027.

Midori

A small Porjai Group Development project in Ratsada, in the north-east of town: 20 three- and four-bedroom townhouses. Completion is due in Q4 2026. An option for families who want a house in town rather than an apartment.

Life in town

Phuket Town runs on its own rhythm regardless of the tourist season. It hosts city festivals, including the Vegetarian Festival, and has markets, coffee shops and the Thai and Chinese restaurants the Old Town is known for.

For a buyer this means predictability: rental demand does not drop in low season, and everything you need is within 10–15 minutes.

What to check when choosing a property in town

  • The neighbourhood. The area around Central Phuket, the Old Town and the northern districts differ a lot in noise, traffic and tenants.
  • Parking. It matters more in town than on the coast, especially for long-term tenants.
  • Size of the complex. Large condos have many similar units, which means more competition when letting.
  • Freehold quota. In popular projects the foreign quota sells out quickly.
  • Completion. Completed units can be let straight away, while off-plan units have a lower entry price.

How buying an apartment works

  1. Reserve the unit and pay a deposit to the developer.
  2. Sign the sale and purchase agreement and pay on schedule: in stages for off-plan buildings, in one payment for completed ones.
  3. Transfer the money from abroad marked as a property purchase: the bank issues a confirmation that is required for freehold.
  4. Register ownership at the Land Department once the building is completed.

We support the whole deal and bring in a lawyer who checks the contract before you pay.

FAQ

Can I live in town and drive to the beach?

Yes, many people do. Patong, Karon and Kata are 20–40 minutes away by car or scooter.

What are the advantages over the resort areas?

Lower prices, hospitals, schools and government offices close by, and rental demand that depends less on the season.

Can I own an apartment freehold?

Yes, a foreigner can register a condominium unit freehold within the quota of 49% of the building's floor area.

Where is best to live with children?

Near Central Phuket and in the northern part of town, with easy access to schools and hospitals.

Are there houses in town, not only apartments?

Yes, townhouses and houses are built in town and on the outskirts, for example Midori in Ratsada.

Send us a message on Telegram for current prices and a shortlist in this area: t.me/thai_dir