Kathu (Phuket) — a historic thai district & cultural hub in Southern Andaman Coast at 33 m elevation, connected via Phuket Rassada Pier & Old Town Terminal (9 km).
Why Visit Kathu (กะทู้)
Kathu is a historic thai district & cultural hub in Southern Andaman Coast (located at 7.9146°N, 98.3333°E, elevation 33 m). Renowned for Kathu Morning Talad Sod & Night Market, Wat Phra That & Central Temple of Kathu, Kathu Morning Fresh Market & Night Street Food Stalls, Phuket Cultural & Nature Heritage Trail, Southern Andaman Coast Temples & Street Food, Kathu rewards travelers over 1–3 days with walkable historic squares, regional markets, and easy rail links via Phuket Rassada Pier & Old Town Terminal (9 km) (9 km).
Best Neighborhoods & Quarters in Kathu
Kathu District Center & Market Square
Key local quarter, market area, and dining hub in Kathu.
Phuket Highway & Transit Quarter
Key local quarter, market area, and dining hub in Kathu.
Top Sights & Things to Do in Kathu
- Wat Phra That & Central Temple of Kathu — signature temple, natural landmark, and cultural highlight in Kathu.
- Kathu Morning Fresh Market & Night Street Food Stalls — signature temple, natural landmark, and cultural highlight in Kathu.
- Phuket Cultural & Nature Heritage Trail — signature temple, natural landmark, and cultural highlight in Kathu.
Local Food & Where to Eat in Kathu
In Kathu (Southern Andaman Coast), everyday dining revolves around morning Talad Sod fresh markets, made-to-order Tam Sang wok stalls, and evening night markets serving authentic Southern Andaman Coast flavors. Expect made-to-order street dishes for ฿50–฿120 and sit-down regional mains for ฿120–฿280; say 'Phed Noi' for mild spice or 'Mai Sai Phong Churot' for no MSG.
Signature Local & Regional Dishes to Try
- Gaeng Poo Bai Cha Plu — Phuket Crab Curry with Wild Betel Leaves (แกงปูใบชะพลู) (฿250–฿480): Jumbo Andaman blue swimmer crab lumps in fiery southern yellow coconut curry with aromatic wild betel leaves, spooned over fermented rice vermicelli (Khanom Jeen).
- Moo Hong — Phuket Hokkien Braised Pork Belly (หมูฮ้องภูเก็ต) (฿180–฿280): Peranakan-style pork belly slow-simmered with black peppercorns, garlic, cilantro roots, and dark soy sauce.
- Massaman Nuea / Kai (แกงมัสมั่น) (฿120–฿240): Velvety Southern Thai-Malay curry scented with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, potatoes, and roasted peanuts.
- Oh Aew — Phuket Old Town Shaved Ice Jelly (โอ๋วเอ๋ว) (฿40–฿70): Cooling fig-seed and banana herbal jelly over crushed ice with sweet red beans and palm syrup.
Recommended Dining Quarters, Markets & Night Markets & Street Food Stalls in Kathu
Kathu Talad Sod (Morning Market) & Night Market
Local open-air stalls and shophouses in central Kathu serving made-to-order Southern Andaman Coast dishes (฿50–฿140).
Kathu Khao Gaeng (Curry-Over-Rice) & Noodle Shophouses
Family-run lunch and dinner kitchens offering wok-fried basil dishes, noodle soups, Cha Yen iced tea, and seasonal tropical fruit.
Food markets & dining streets: Phuket Old Town Lard Yai Sunday Market, Lock Tien Hawker Center, Krabi Town Weekend Night Market & Trang Dim Sum Breakfast Quarter · Regional drinks: Cha Chak Southern Pulled Milk Tea (฿40–฿65), Kopi Phuket Traditional Sock-Brewed Coffee & Fresh Andaman Coconut
Getting to Kathu & Local Transit
By Train & Coach: Phuket Rassada Pier & Old Town Terminal (9 km) (9 km). Check our SRT Sleeper Train vs. Domestic Flight Calculator (฿ THB) and Bangkok BTS, MRT & Chao Phraya Boat Calculator to compare rail and transit fares. By Air: Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Closest Neighboring Towns to Kathu
Combine Kathu with these nearby Thai towns calculated by direct geographic distance:
- Ko Phuket (5 km away)
- Patong (5 km away)
- Wichit (6 km away)
- Ban Talat Nua (7 km away)
- Ban Kamala (7 km away)
More Cities & Towns in Southern Andaman Coast
Explore other destinations across Southern Andaman Coast:
Phuket · Trang · Krabi · Krabi & Railay Beach · Satun · Takua Pa · Ao Nang · Ko Lanta · Koh Lanta · Khao Lak · Ko Phi Phi · Koh Phi Phi