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A come-hither pillow of soft-serve chocolate ice cream made from Phuket cacao is just one reason to visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paradaiphuket?mibextid=LQQJ4d?DestinAsian">Paradai Chocolate Factory</a>. In the mood for something more exotic? This craft bean-to-bar chocolatier sources cacao from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Chanthaburi, and Phuket itself, transforming them into bonbons inspired by Thai flavors like Tom Yum, Som Chun (a rare Thai dessert), and Miang Kam—the herbaceous appetizer of toasted coconut, caramelized palm sugar, chili, and savory herbs. They also serve rich cold and hot cocoa and an array of chocolate bars. Unlike many Thai businesses with hyperbolized names there really is a working chocolate factory at the back. The founder, “Fook” Thanomkiat, a Phuket native  grew up with cacao trees in his mother’s back yard, and wanted to showcase authentic local flavors in a creative, meaningful way—to prove that Phuket is “not just the ocean and the beach.” With the Paradai Chanthaburi 70 percent dark chocolate bar, he’s done exactly that, while earning two gold medals at the 2025 <a href="https://enter.chocolateawards.com/competitions/asia-pacific/asia-pacific-bean-to-bar-and-craft-chocolatier-competition-2025-winners/">International Chocolate Awards</a> for Paradai Phuket Milk 60 percent and Paradai Phuket Dark 70 percent White Flowers. —<a href="https://destinasian.com/contributor/christopher-wise">Christopher Wise</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/paradaiphuket?mibextid=LQQJ4d">facebook.com/paradaiphuket</a> 
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/36+Yaowarad+Rd,+Tambon+Talat+Yai,+Amphoe+Mueang+Phuket,+Chang+Wat+Phuket+83000,+Thailand/@7.8843444,98.3849802,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x305031faf21e1699:0x63f35c9243aba499!8m2!3d7.8843391!4d98.3875551!16s%2Fg%2F11h8mqd829?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">36 Yaowarad Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000</a>

The exterior of Paradai Chocolate Factory, Phuket.

Paradai Chocolate Factory: Sweet Satisfaction