One of these is Ao Yon, in the Khao Kad area, about 20 minutes south of Phuket Town.
Here you can still view parts of the way life used to be, back in the days before Phuket was a popular tourist destination, but most has changed.
Most of the residents living in the beach village used to earn an income from agriculture, such as rubber plantations, coconuts, and pineapple orchards.
But now, many have sold their land to property developers, or joined the tourism industry themselves. Less than 10 per cent of agriculture in the area remains.
You can see isolated houses, owned by local farmers, dotted along the side of the road with their rubber plantations and orchards.
Resorts and spa developments have been sprouting up in Khao Kad, making the area appear similar to other quiet tourist areas in Phuket. It won’t be long before many more resorts are built.
Fortunately, the green environment is still being maintained by the Wichit Municipality that continues to look after the area. Green trees still grow along the roadside, and Ao Yon beach has maintained its calmness.
With its diverse scenery, the Khao Kad/Ao Yon area has been dubbed one of the best driving and cycling roads on Phuket Island. The road leads the driver through several spots that show how diverse the area is. Mangroves, green forests, coconut fields, rubber plantations, and even calm beaches are located along the way.
Two viewpoints are recommended to visitors. One is located on the side of the road, and another at the top of Khao Kad Hill.
Three kilometres on you come to Ao Yong beach. The bay is small and calm, and provides a great location for a picnic.
Toenjai Boontong, 70, has been living on Ao Yon beach for 30 years and remembers clearly the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Though the tsunami had only a minor impact in this area, Ms Toenjai’s house was swept away by the wave which left her nothing but the clothes she was wearing at the time.
She received help from the government to replace her home, which now stands as a symbol of the tsunami because it was rebuilt so high off the ground.
“A lot of things have changed here,” Ms Toenjai said. “My life seems to be the same...except I’m getting older.”
Today the bay has become popular with sailors who anchor their boats there, or anchor to escape from storms.
Going forward, the most difficult aspect for Ms Toenjai and other residents will be to keep what is left of the village untouched from commercial developers. Soon there may be no village left here at all.
How to get there
Drive along Sakdidesh Rd heading south from Phuket Town. Turn right into Muang Tong-Khao Kad Rd, where there is a big sign saying Baan Boa Rae. Take the first left onto Khao Kad-Ao Yon Rd.