"At the Kanchanaphisek Lighthouse, Laem Phromthep, today the sun sets at…" This sentence, which I often hear on the radio in the morning, made me want to see the sunset there so much that I decided to travel to Phuket. For this trip, I decided to go alone to watch the sunset at Laem Phromthep without having to wait for anyone. It was one of my dream places to see the sunset this year, and I also wanted to find new experiences and challenges. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. So, without further ado, I booked my flight and accommodation and waited for the day of my trip. This trip took place from February 28th to March 1st, for a total of 3 days and 2 nights.


Hello friends of readme.me, I would like to apologize in advance that this is my first time writing a review on a social network. The places and stories may not be very interesting, the storytelling may not be fun, and my photography skills are not very good. But I would like to share my travel experience with others, in the hope that it will provide a new perspective and inspiration for those who want to travel alone. If there are any mistakes, I apologize in advance.


Day 1, February 28, 2016


For this trip, I used Nok Air flight DD7512 from Don Mueang to Phuket at 11:00 AM. After checking in and checking my luggage, I went to sit at the gate to wait. While I was waiting, I was a little nervous. This was only my second time traveling alone. I thought about all sorts of things, like what would happen, how the trip would be, would I be lonely, would it be as fun as I thought, would there be any danger...

It took about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel. After waiting for the luggage, I walked out to catch the airport bus to the city. Because the hostel I booked was in Phuket city. As for the bus ride to the city, it took about an hour. I fell asleep on the way, so I don't know what was along the way. Haha.

The hostel I booked is located on Dibuk Road. For this trip, I chose Ai Phuket Hostel. I did some research online and read reviews ( http://www.aiphukethostel.com/). After reading the reviews, I felt it was okay, so I decided to book it a month in advance. The room I stayed in was a dormitory-style room with six beds. There were lockers, lights, and plugs at the head of the bed. The bathroom was shared, and there was a common area with a TV and a kitchen where guests could cook their own food. It cost 330 baht per night. Most of the guests were foreigners. It felt strange because it was my first time staying in a hostel. I was a little scared, but I also wanted to experience something new. Staying alone in a private room would have been too lonely. A dormitory room was the answer! Haha

(This group photo is from the hostel's Facebook page. Permission to share.)

This is the room where I sleep. ↓

After checking in, putting my stuff away, and exploring the hostel, I went out to find something to eat. It was already 2 pm and I hadn't eaten lunch yet. There was a local restaurant next to the hostel, which was big, served delicious food, and was affordable. I had a plate of stir-fried basil with rice for only 40฿. After I was full and energized, I planned to visit Wat Chalong, one of the top places to visit in Phuket.

For all my transportation during this trip, I rented a motorbike from the hostel for 250฿ per day. No deposit or ID card was required. Once I got the bike, I opened Google Maps to navigate to Wat Chalong.


- Wat Chaiyatharam or Wat Chalong -

Wat Chalong is a prominent temple in Phuket, considered a symbol of the city. It is highly recommended to pay respects to Luang Pho Chaem before visiting other attractions. When I visited around 4 pm, there was a moderate crowd, mainly consisting of foreign tourists and Chinese tour groups, with a few Thai locals.





Next, we walk to the **Phra Maha Chedi Phra Chom Thai**, where the only Buddha relics in Thailand on the Andaman coast are enshrined at the very top.

Outside the chedi, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the temple. The breeze is cool and refreshing, but when I was there, the sky was overcast, the wind was strong, and clouds were gathering, as if it was about to rain.

↓ Chinese tourists worship the relics. After the worship, they put money into the door slot to make merit.

After visiting the temple and enjoying the atmosphere, the next destination is Laem Phromthep. From Wat Chalong, run along Route 4024 to Laem Phromthep. The distance is about 2 kilometers.


- Promthep Cape -

We finally arrived at Promthep Cape, another landmark of Phuket. Promthep Cape is considered one of the most beautiful sunset viewing spots in Thailand. It is the southernmost point of Phuket Island, just 2 kilometers from Rawai Beach.

The weather today is not very good. It's cloudy and rainy, and it's raining in the middle of the sea. But I'm glad to be here at my dream place.


The atmosphere at that time was cool and comfortable. I walked around the area, taking pictures as I went. There were a lot of people from Phuket there, including teenagers taking pictures, as well as Thai tourists, Westerners, Chinese tour groups, and professional photographers. It was a real mix of people.





It's crowded, but not too crowded. There's enough space to sit and walk around, but you might have some people in your photos if you're taking them. Even if you're alone, you won't feel lonely. I thought to myself that I would like to bring my family or girlfriend here. It would be a happy time in a beautiful place.


After spending about an hour and a half playing and taking photos, it started to drizzle, so we had to leave quickly. On the way back to the city on the motorbike, it drizzled intermittently. We got a little wet, and there were a lot of cars, so we had to drive carefully.

We arrived back at our accommodation around 7 pm. When we went in to put our things away, the hostel staff told us that there was a walking street nearby with lots of food. So we decided to walk there and have dinner.


- Lard Yai -

The Phuket Walking Street, or Lard Yai, is held every Sunday from 4 pm to 10 pm. It is located on Thalang Road and is mostly food stalls. There is so much food that it is difficult to choose. Most of the people who come here are locals and foreigners. There is also live music here, and you can enjoy listening to music while walking along the street. There are also shops in the buildings that are open until late, and there are bars where you can relax and have a beer.

↓ There are quite a lot of people walking around. It's crowded and there's not much space to take photos.

↓ This seems to be a Japanese person playing music for tips. There are quite a few people standing around listening.

After walking around the big market, I went back to my accommodation, packed my things, and took a shower. While I was packing, a new guest arrived. He was a Thai man staying in the same room. He had just come from Koh Tachai and was going to explore Phuket the next day before returning to Bangkok. So we chatted for a while. He asked me where I was going the next day, and I honestly replied that I didn't know yet (I hadn't even thought about it). So that took care of my loneliness for the first night. I also got some travel tips. I lay in bed playing on my phone, looking for information until around 11:30 pm. Two foreign women arrived, and then around midnight, another one came. The room was full, so I wasn't lonely anymore. Haha.


Day 2, February 29, 2016


On the second day, I woke up around seven o'clock. I had a restless sleep last night, probably because I was in a new place and sharing a room with other people. I got up, washed my face, brushed my teeth, changed my clothes, and went out to buy something to eat at 7-Eleven. I also filled up my motorbike with gas. After that, I went back to the hostel to decide where to go for the day. But I happened to meet the guy from yesterday, so we sat in the room and watched TV. He showed me the photos he had taken. He had gone out to take photos since five in the morning. He first walked around taking photos of the old Sino-Portuguese buildings on the nearby streets. Then he went to eat dim sum at the Juan Heung restaurant. He recommended it to me, saying it was delicious and not too expensive. After that, he went to take photos of the sunrise at the Hin Kong Bridge. After we finished talking, I was interested, so I'll go out and follow his plan tomorrow morning. While we were talking, the housekeeper walked by and joined the conversation. She said that Khao Rang was also worth visiting, especially at night when you can see the city lights. She had been there and said it was very beautiful. She showed us the photos she had taken at Khao Rang. After talking for about half an hour, we went our separate ways.

I rode my motorbike to the Khao Khad Viewpoint. I had done some research on it the night before. On the way there in the morning, the traffic in the city was similar to Bangkok, with a lot of cars.

From the city, I followed Highway 4023 and turned onto the hill. There were signs for the Khao Khad Viewpoint. There were a few houses along the way. I arrived at the Khao Khad Viewpoint around 9:30 am.


- Khao Khad Viewpoint -



The atmosphere around here is cool and breezy. When I first arrived, there were two foreigners sitting there, and then after a while, these three came. There aren't many people coming up here, so it's really quiet.




There's not much to see here. The view is about 180 degrees, with some trees blocking the view in front. It's a bit difficult to take pictures, but you can see the Andaman Sea in its full glory. It's really beautiful. I've never been to the Andaman Sea before, so I think it's very beautiful.

I sat there for about half an hour, and then I realized something was wrong. Why doesn't this place look like the information I saw online? The internet says that the Khao Khad Viewpoint offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area, but I can only see one side, about 180 degrees. So I checked my phone again and found out that I was in the right place, but I hadn't arrived yet. This is just the Khao Khad Viewpoint, not the observation tower. So I opened Google Maps and navigated there. From here, it's just a short walk to the Khao Khad Observation Tower.


- Khao Khad Viewpoint -

Finally made it to the Khao Khad Viewpoint. It took me a while to get here, and I even took a wrong turn along the way. Once I arrived, I had to climb up to the white tower, which was quite a climb. By the time I reached the top, I was a little out of breath. When I went up, there was no one else around. From the top, you can see a 360-degree view of the sea, trees, and the city. On my way down, I finally saw a family walking up. It was really quiet.

Khao Khad Viewpoint is another scenic spot in Phuket province. It was built under the project of Wichit Subdistrict Administrative Organization, located in Ao Makham area, near Cape Panwa. This viewpoint is not well-known among tourists or even locals, as it has only recently opened and is not located in a tourist area of Phuket. However, it offers a new perspective and is just as charming as other viewpoints in Phuket.

Wide angle ↓


- Laem Panwa -

After taking a break at the viewpoint, I rode my motorbike down. At that time, I didn't know where to go next. I looked left and right and saw a sign pointing to Laem Panwa. I thought it must be nearby, so I opened Google Maps and navigated there. I decided to go there next. When I arrived, I found the Laem Panwa Scenic Viewpoint. The area is a long walkway along the beach.




The fine white sand beach, looking out is a comfortable blue-green color. At the end of the walk there are stairs down to the beach. On the opposite side there are resorts and hotels almost all the way along. You will see mostly foreigners.

↓ The water is so clear that you can see small fish.

It was almost noon then, the sun was very strong, I looked for a place to escape the heat. I saw a sign pointing to the aquarium, so I decided to go there.


- Phuket Aquarium -

Let's go in to escape the heat, watch the fish, and enjoy the cool air.

This place is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The entrance fee for adults is 50 baht per person.

The Phuket Aquarium is a learning and exhibition center for various freshwater and saltwater species, with over 130 species. There are many rare fish to see, and the aquarium is divided into zones according to the type of exhibit. Model fish, marine animals, freshwater and rainforest, brackish water and mangroves, ornamental fish, coral, economic fish, deep-sea animals. The Phuket Aquarium is also a leader in raising awareness of the environment and marine resources, especially rare marine animals. This knowledge is important to inspire young people to love the environment and the Thai sea. There is also a nature study trail along the beach. It is the same path as the one to Laem Panwa, but unfortunately I did not continue walking.

↓ An acrylic tunnel simulating the seabed to learn about the life of large fish.

This is a simulated coral reef. There are many types of coral. When you press the button, the coral will light up and a description will appear. ↑

There is also a souvenir, water and snack shop before the exit. ↑

After finishing my visit to the aquarium, I rode my motorbike back to the hostel. It took about an hour. I stopped to eat Hokkien noodles nearby, then took a shower and rested. It was already noon and the sun was very strong, so I couldn't go outside. I decided to rest and regain my energy before going out again in the late afternoon.


- Karon View Point -

This evening, I was thinking of going to Promthep Cape again, so I looked up what was nearby. There are Kata Beach, Karon Beach, and a viewpoint where you can see all three beaches. It seemed interesting, so I decided to go there. I started my journey around 3 pm. I left the city center and followed Highway 4021 straight ahead. When I reached the roundabout, I turned onto Highway 4028, followed by 4233. The road started to get steeper as I went up the hill. There were some resorts along the way. When I reached the viewpoint, there were quite a few people there.

Karon View Point is a viewpoint located on a hill on the west side. From this viewpoint, you can see views of three beaches: Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon. They are shaped like a crescent moon.

↓ This is a popular angle. Almost every tourist who comes up here takes a picture from this angle.


- Windmill Viewpoint -

After leaving the Three Beaches Viewpoint, I continued on the same road I came in on, skirting the mountainside as I headed towards Laem Phromthep. ...But on the way, as I was getting close to Laem Phromthep, I saw a pavilion with people standing around taking pictures. I saw a large windmill, and I decided to turn my motorbike around to see what it was. This was the Windmill Viewpoint.

This wind turbine viewpoint is the location of a renewable energy power plant, or what is called a wind farm, which uses wind power to generate electricity. It is located on Khao Daeng, about 1 kilometer north of Laem Phromthep. From this viewpoint, we can see Laem Phromthep, Yanui Beach, and Nai Harn Beach.



This scenic viewpoint is a popular spot for pre-wedding photoshoots. There are also foreigners who come here to fly remote-controlled airplanes and drones.





From this windmill viewpoint, you can also see Laem Phromthep. And the road is the way to Laem Phromthep. As for the beach you see in this picture, it is Yanui Beach. After enjoying the view and taking pictures, it was almost 5 pm, so I hurried to ride my motorbike to Laem Phromthep. The weather is good today.


- Promthep Cape -

Since the weather wasn't cooperating yesterday, I decided to come back to Promthep Cape again today. Today, the sky is clear and the sun is shining brightly. I'm sure I'll be able to watch the sunset today. There are still a lot of people here, just like yesterday. The sun is shining brightly, and there's a foreigner playing some kind of musical instrument that I've never seen before. It sounds like the sound you get když you rub your hand across a gong. On the other side, there's an old man playing the guitar and asking for donations. I'm just enjoying the music and the atmosphere.


This evening, the atmosphere around is lively, probably because of the good weather and cool breeze. I walked around and saw the Erawan Shrine, where both Thai and Chinese people were constantly paying their respects. A little further on, there is a monument to Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsakdi, next to the Kanchanaphisek Lighthouse at Laem Phromthep (which was built by the people of Phuket and the Royal Thai Navy as a tribute to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his reign in 1996. It is used as a navigational landmark in the Andaman Sea and is also the reference point for sunset in Thailand).

After that, I walked to the cliff where people were sitting and waiting to watch the sunset. There were many people waiting to take pictures. Some were sitting and chatting, some were locals, some were tourists, some came in pairs, some came in groups, very diverse. But everyone was waiting to watch the sunset here. It was a magical moment with beautiful scenery and atmosphere.





Looking out at the sea, I saw a yacht sailing by to watch the sunset in the middle of the sea. I secretly thought to myself that I would like to take a boat to watch the sunset too, but I'm sure I couldn't afford it.




↓ The sun sets at Promthep Cape on February 29th, once every four years.

After soaking in the special atmosphere for a while, the sun began to set. It was time to say goodbye to Promthep Cape, the only thing that made me come to Phuket. For some, it may not be an interesting place, for Phuket people it may be an ordinary place, but for me, I think it has meaning. With the feeling of wanting to come here for a long time, and then trying to find a way to come until I got it. It's a bit of a disappointment to my mother, but what can I do? I've already pinned this place for this year's trip..

After that, I rode my motorbike back to town. At first, I was going to go back to the hostel. I remembered that the housekeeper at the hostel told me this morning that in the evening, I should go to Khao Rang, a viewpoint in the middle of Phuket town. Looking down, you can see the city lights at night, beautiful. So I decided to go to Khao Rang as the last stop of the day.


- Khao Rang -

From Laem Phromthep to the city, take Highway 4024 straight ahead and continue on Highway 4021. Go towards Patiphat Road and you will reach Khao Rang. It takes about 40 minutes. On the way up the mountain, there may be some dark spots with tall trees on the side of the road, but it is safe to ride. The distance from the bottom to the top of the mountain is about 1.8 kilometers. When I went up, it was almost 8 pm. There were few people, mostly locals, and no tourists at all. The atmosphere was beautiful with lights and a cool breeze. It was quiet and perfect for enjoying the view.

Khao Rang is a low hill located in Phuket Town. It is easily accessible by car. The top of Khao Rang offers a panoramic view of Phuket Town, with houses below and a distant view of the sea. There is also the 100th Anniversary Hall of Honor of Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisorn Phakdi (Ko Simbi Na Ranong), the Governor of Phuket Province, which serves as a pavilion and a viewpoint for Phuket Town.

The lights of Phuket city at night ↓

I sat down and enjoyed the view, taking pictures as I went. From the viewpoint, I could see the beautiful city lights. During the day, you can even see the sea. There were also restaurants and a health park in the area, but I couldn't see much because it was already night. After that, I went back to the hostel, grabbed some food nearby, packed my things, took a shower, and went to bed.




Day 3, March 1, 2016


Good morning, March 1st. Hello March... Originally, I planned to wake up at around 5:30 this morning, go out and take pictures of the old buildings in the area, and then go to Juen Heng for dim sum. Finally, I went to watch the sunrise at Saphan Hin. But everything fell through because I woke up late. Hehe, I woke up almost at eight o'clock. I had to change my plan, so I decided to go out and take some pictures of the old buildings in the area, which was still good. Then I found something to eat.


- Old Sino-Portuguese Buildings -

The first Sino-Portuguese buildings were built in 1903. Due to the growth of mining, many Chinese and Westerners flocked to Phuket. When entering the Phuket municipality, the first thing that visitors will notice is the old buildings that stand tall in the old commercial district of the city. These are Sino-Portuguese style buildings that blend Western and Eastern art harmoniously, creating a unique identity for Phuket. These old buildings are scattered throughout Phuket Town.

Amidst the old Sino-Portuguese style buildings, there is still a temple. This is Wat Mongkol Nimit, a royal temple.

When I went out to take pictures, it was around ten o'clock. There were a lot of cars, making it difficult to take pictures. It was hard to find a moment when the road was clear. Most of the pictures I took had cars in them. Plus, I was already running late, so I didn't have enough time to see everything. There are actually a lot of beautiful buildings on other streets. It's a shame I didn't have time to see them all.

After walking around and taking pictures, I stopped by a noodle shop near the hostel. After eating, I went back to the hostel, checked out, and went to the airport. I was going to Nai Yang Beach. I did some research online and found that it's a popular spot for taking pictures of airplanes landing up close. Part of the beach is behind the runway of Phuket Airport. I thought it was pretty unseen, so it was an easy decision to go there next. On the way to the airport bus, I got a little lost. I had to go to the bus terminal. When I got there, I was the last one to get on the bus. It took a little over an hour to get to the airport. When I got to the airport, I was originally going to rent a motorbike near the airport and ride to Nai Yang Beach. I wanted to see if there was anything else unseen in the area and kill some time. My flight was at five o'clock in the evening. I had originally booked a ticket back to Bangkok on a flight at half past three in the afternoon, but Nok Air canceled a bunch of flights during that time. The flight I was on was also canceled, so I had to reschedule it to five o'clock in the evening. But that was okay, it gave me a little more time to explore.


- Sirinat National Park, Nai Yang Beach -

After leaving the airport, I turned right and walked along the road. On the opposite side was a 7-Eleven and a motorbike rental shop near it. When I arrived at the shop, it turned out that all the bikes were gone. What to do now? I had walked a long way, a kilometer, and was very hot and tired. So I stood there for a while, wondering what to do, and then decided to walk to Nai Yang Beach. I thought to myself that if I couldn't take pictures of the planes or ride a motorbike around there, it wouldn't matter. So I walked on and arrived at Sirinat National Park. Thai people pay an entrance fee of 20฿.

Nai Yang Beach: A Tranquil Escape in Phuket

Nai Yang Beach, nestled within the Sirinath National Park, lies just 1 kilometer from Phuket International Airport on the northern tip of the island. Stretching approximately 3 kilometers, the beach boasts a pristine 1-kilometer stretch within the national park and an additional 2 kilometers beyond its boundaries.

Unlike the bustling beaches of Phuket, Nai Yang offers a tranquil escape, attracting both locals and tourists seeking serenity. Its crystal-clear waters, pristine sands, and coral reefs teeming with marine life create a picturesque haven. The beach also serves as a nesting ground for sea turtles, adding to its ecological significance. Lush pine trees provide shade and enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings.


Upon entering the park, I stopped by the park's concession stand for lunch. After eating and resting, I decided to check out how far the plane photo spot was. I couldn't quite judge the distance, but it was pretty far. The sun was scorching hot.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I read a review from someone who had taken pictures of airplanes here. He recommended downloading the app flightradar24 to see when the planes would be landing. I downloaded it and used it. It worked well. The app showed the results in real time, which was great. When I arrived, there were already some people waiting to take pictures, both Thais and foreigners.

"It's coming, it's coming!" While I was sitting there waiting, I heard someone shouting to their friend. I quickly grabbed my camera and got ready.

My first plane has arrived! ↓

Whoosh! The wind rushed past me with great force. ↓




The first flight has passed. While waiting for the next flight, let's take a look at the runway. Watch the plane take off. I also took a picture of it.









As the plane accelerates to take off, the wind is very strong and hot. It is recommended to find some shelter, as hats and clothes may be blown away.




"Here it comes!" Hearing this sound again, my second shot is here. I tried changing the angle to be under the belly of the plane. I quickly pressed the shutter.

I managed to capture about three planes before I decided to just sit back and enjoy the show without the camera getting in the way. But after a while, I had to say goodbye and head back to the airport because it was scorching hot and the sun was relentless.

..All good things must come to an end, and eventually, I found myself back at Phuket Airport. After checking in and dropping off my bags, I sat down at the gate, feeling a mix of exhaustion, contentment, and a tinge of regret that the trip was over. It was an experience that enriched my life, and even if I return countless times, I doubt I'll ever encounter anything quite like it.

DD7515 brought me back to Don Mueang safely. : )

Expenses for this trip

Plane ticket 2000฿

Hostel 2 nights 660฿

Rent a motorbike for 2 days 500฿

Fill up with 50฿ of gas

Airport bus round trip 200฿

Aquarium entrance fee 50฿

Approximate food cost 600฿

Total = 4070฿

This concludes my review. Thank you to everyone who clicked to watch ^^







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