Tour operator
John Gray’s Sea Canoe
The pioneer of sea-cave canoeing in Phang Nga Bay since 1983, best known for its Hong by Starlight tour with guided paddling into hidden lagoons.
Phuket Thai Cooking Academy
A cooking school in Kathu offering half-day beginner classes and a longer masterclass, with a guided market visit and dishes such as pad thai and tom yum.
At a glance
- Type
- Thai cooking class
- Area
- Kathu, Phuket, Thailand
- Official site
- phuketthaicookingacademy.com
Good to know
- Guided market visit
- Beginner and masterclass options
Why we recommend it
Phuket Thai Cooking Academy is a cooking school on Soi Namtok in Kathu, the green, inland district between Patong and Phuket Town. It offers two main formats: a half-day beginner class covering the Thai staples most visitors want to learn, and an extended premium Thai Cooking Masterclass for those who want to go further. Both include a guided visit to a local market, where the instructors explain the herbs, vegetables and pastes that give Thai food its flavour.
The beginner class covers classic dishes such as pad thai, som tam papaya salad, tom yum soup and a range of curries, along with how to make curry pastes from scratch rather than relying on ready-made ones. The Masterclass focuses on four specialty dishes in more depth. As with most cooking schools in Phuket, you cook and then eat what you have made, so arrive hungry and plan a light breakfast.
The school suits couples, friends, families with children old enough to handle knives and heat safely, and solo travellers who want a hands-on, sociable activity away from the beach. It is also a good option on a rainy day. If you have dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergies, tell the school when you book so dishes can be adapted, and mention how much chilli you can handle, as Thai dishes can be adjusted to taste.
Practical tips: wear light, comfortable clothes and closed shoes for the market and the kitchen, bring a hat and water for the market visit, and allow about half a day for the beginner class. Check whether hotel transfers are offered from your area when you book, and confirm class times and the meeting point, as schedules can change by season. Taking notes or photos as you go helps when you try to recreate the dishes at home, and many visitors buy curry pastes or spices at the market to take back.
Kathu is close to Patong, so the school is easy to reach from the west coast, and Phuket Town is a short drive in the other direction. Combining a morning class with an afternoon on the beach at Patong or Kalim makes an easy, varied day.
Phuket Thai Cooking Academy FAQs
Where is Phuket Thai Cooking Academy?
At 104/5 Soi Namtok, Kathu, between Patong and Phuket Town.
What classes are offered?
A half-day beginner class and an extended Thai Cooking Masterclass.
Is there a market visit?
Yes, classes include a guided market visit.
What dishes will I learn?
Classics such as pad thai, som tam, tom yum and curries, including curry pastes.
How many dishes are in the Masterclass?
Four specialty dishes.
Can they adapt for dietary needs?
Tell the school when you book so dishes can be adjusted.
What should I wear?
Light clothes and closed shoes for the market and kitchen.
How do I book?
Through the school's website or by phone on +66 98 885 4462.