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| Photo Credit to Scott_ |
Formerly known as Ko (island) Thalang, Phuket was only noted for it’s rich tin ores, from which it’s wealth was derived. Today, it is better known as a tourist paradise, a most rewarding place for holiday seekers. With it’s magnificent long white beaches, it’s luxuriant vegetation, it’s crystal blue sea water, it’s fantastic undersea scenery, it’s calm and relaxing tropical atmostphere, and it’s fresh prawns, lobsters and other kinds of seafood, Phuket – The Pearl of the South- entices many travelers to visit again and again.
Located in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge. It is 862km away from Bangkok by road and one hour and 20 minutes by air.
Phuket is the largest island of Thailand but the second smallest province in area (the smallest being Samut Songkhram). The main island itself has an area of about 529sq.km, about the same size as Singapore. The total land area of the province, including 39 small nearby islets, is about 570sqkm.
There are only two seasons in a year, the rainy season from May to October and the hot season from November to April. September and October are the wettest months. The best period is from November through February. But whatever the season, there is always a breeze blowing. The average temperatures range between 23°C and 33°C.
70% of the area are mountains stretching from north to south, while the other 30% are plains, mainly in the central and eastern parts of the island. There is no important river but a total of 9 brooks and creeks. The west coast are stretches of white sandy beaches which are major tourist developments.
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| Town Festival in Phuket. Photo Credit to Binderdonedat |
The numerous places of attraction in Phuket are grouped into the following routes: in town, northern route, beach route, southern route, and nearby islands.
• In Town
Old buildings in the Sino-Portuguese style mixed with modern constructions form the unique identity of the town of Phuket.
i. Khao Rang (Phuket Viewpoint), a low hill near the town centre, is an excellent place to view the beautiful scene of the town, especially on a full-moon night. Several restaurants are located there.
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| The viewpoint at Khao Rang. Photo Credit to Campbells_coming |
ii. Saphan Hin Mining Monument was built in 1978 to commemorate the first metal ore-dredger used in Thailand, introduced by Australian Captain Edward Thomasmile in 1909. With the large ground in this area and shady pine trees, this is where town people frequent it.
iii. Phuket Butterfly Garden & Insect World is a wonderful place to view plenty of butterflies of different species, numerous (including rare) insects and reptiles.
iv. Phuket Zoo is one you can get a close encounter with an amazing range of animals like crocodiles, camels, tigers, ostriches, emus and other rare birds. There are also crocodile wrestling, elephant and monkey shows.
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| Be mesmerized at Phuket Zoo. Photo Credit to Four/Four Photography |
v. Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village charms the visitors by elephants at work, handicraft shops and workshops, demonstrations of tin mining and rubber manufacture, cultural shows and an exhibition of exotic varieties of orchids.
• Northern Route
Monument of the Two Heroines comprises of two statues of women, the two heroine sisters of Phuket who courageously rallied islanders to repel Burmese invades in 1785.
i. Thalang National Museum was built in a southern architectural style, the museum exhibits the way of life, culture and history of Phuket and the South. Open everyday except national holidays, 9am to 4pm.
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| Lavish is an understatement for Wat Phra Nang Sang. Photo Credit to JRaptor |
ii. Wat Phra Nang Sang is an old temple enshrines 3 historically valued bronze heads of Buddha images, estimated to be over a thousand years old.
iii. Wat Phra Thong is the temple where the Buddha image of Phuket or known as Phra Thong (Gold Buddha) is kept. In the temple area is a museum exhibiting collections of historical objects.
iv. Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park is the only perfectly preserved rain forest abundant in flora and fauna in Phuket where people can camp all year round.
v. Naithon Beach is backed by casuarinas trees, this beach has a large open cove which serves as an excellent shelter from the wind and is suitable for swimming.
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| Naiyang's famous sapphire-coloured sea. Photo credit to Kittas |
vii. Mai Khao Beach or Airport Beach is stretched for 9km, which is also the longest beach in Phuket. It is here that until recently giant sea turtles had lumbered ashore to lay eggs.
• Beach Route
Driving along the beach rouet running prallel to the west coast from Rawai Beach in the South to Bangthao Beach in the North, you can appreciate the fascinating views of the beaches along the Andaman Sea.
i. Rawai Beach is a good beach area where sea people reside and where several restaurants provide different styles of delicious food, especially seafood.
ii. Phromthep Cape is sometimes called Laem Phra Chao or God’s Cape. Phromthep is a very special place at the southernmost tip of the island. It is a cliff where you can view the breathtaking panorama of it’s nice surroundings and striking sunset.
iii. Naihan Beach is a place for those who love peace and quiet. But a swim here is not suggested during the monsoon season from May to October.
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| Kata, Patong & Karon beach view. Photo Credit to Scottsee |
v. Kata Beach composes of two lovely beaches called Kata Yai (Big Kata) and Kata Noi (Small Kata). These two beaches are separated by a small headland. Kata Beach is a thriving resort suitable for holidaymakers who look for tranquil surroundings with bright sun, white sand, a calm clear sea and a colourful underwater world.
Kata is located only 6km from the Chalong Intersection. The way leading to the beach can overlook the elegant scene of Chalong Bay on the southern coast of the island. Except those who like to stay in a busy area, Kata Beach has never disappointed any visitors. Various kinds of accommodations, restaurants, shops and aqua sports facilities are avalaible to tourists of different tastes.
vi. Karon Beach is situated across a low hill to the north of Kata, the long white beach of Karon stretches magnificently with pines and palms standing tall over the rolling sand dunes providing a unique scene. It is flourishing side by side with Kata Beach but is more placid. The sea water here is clean and the sand is powdery. It is one of the best places for swimming, diving and sunbathing. You can come from Kata to Karon easily by road or by a path along the coast.
vii. Patong Beach is the foremost beach resort of Phuket which can compete with any other famous beaches in the world. Widely known for it’s white sandy beach, plentiful sunshine, clear turquoise sea, fantastic underwater life and soft breezes. The other factor is the availability of a wide range of man-made facilities. Here you have a big choice of accommodation from luxurious hotels to palm cottages, a host of restaurants and shops, all kinds of aqua sport equiptment and numerous places for nightlife including enchanting transvestite cabaret shows. Vacationers who love nature and modern comforts would find Patong an ideal place.
viii. Phuket Simon Cabaret is an entertainment centre on Patong beach offering a splendid cabaret performance given by over 100 performers with lights and sounds in luxurious surroundings.
ix. Kamala Beach is the only major beach in Phuket that does not have extensive hotel development and thus is still much peaceful.
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| Fun in under one roof, Fantasea. Photo Credit to Nene |
x. Phuket Fantasea is a unique cultural theme complex, offering a festival village with carnivals, games and splendid shows.
xi. Laem Sing Cape has a small white baech with scenic rocky cape on the left.
xii. Surin Beach is a good place to see the golden sunset of Phuket. Swimming is not suggested because of it’s strong tides and waves.
xiii. Bang Thao Bay has 8km sandy beach along it’s way which are suitable for swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
• Southern Route
i. Marine Biological Research Centre or Phuket Aquarium displays a varied collection of tropical fish and turtles and other marine lives.
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| Majestic Wat Chalong. Photo Credit to Thailand Travel |
iii. Chalong Bay is the main pier for traveling to all the islets off the east coast of Phuket. Chalong Bay is too muddy to swim in but is popular for seafood restaurants on the shore offering fine surrounding views.
iv. Laem Ka Beach is a quiet and lovely beach frequently visited by local people.
Nearby Islands
Some interesting nearby islands of Phuket are as follows: Noppharat Thara Beach – Phi Phi Islands Marine National Park consisting of several attractions, like Phranang Bay, Noppharat Thara Beach, many scenic beaches on Phi Phi Don Island, Maya Bay which is “The Beach” film location, on Phi Phi Le Island and Phai Island; Phang-nga Bay attractive for it’s numerous weird limestone outcrops and cliffed islets rising from the sea; Similan Islands, another world’s famous tourist destinations most suitable for swimming, diving and fishing; Coral Island (Ko He), one of the most popular destinations for a one-day tour from Phuket with colourful coral reefs, offering air-conditioned air-conditioned bungalows, aquatic sport shops, dive shops and restaurants.
Some interesting nearby islands of Phuket are as follows: Noppharat Thara Beach – Phi Phi Islands Marine National Park consisting of several attractions, like Phranang Bay, Noppharat Thara Beach, many scenic beaches on Phi Phi Don Island, Maya Bay which is “The Beach” film location, on Phi Phi Le Island and Phai Island; Phang-nga Bay attractive for it’s numerous weird limestone outcrops and cliffed islets rising from the sea; Similan Islands, another world’s famous tourist destinations most suitable for swimming, diving and fishing; Coral Island (Ko He), one of the most popular destinations for a one-day tour from Phuket with colourful coral reefs, offering air-conditioned air-conditioned bungalows, aquatic sport shops, dive shops and restaurants.
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| Overlooking Phi Phi Island. Photo Credit to ehrhardt |
Transportation
Airport to Tow and Beaches
By van (at the limousine counter at the airport) to Phuket Town, 100 baht per person; to Patong, 150 baht and Kata, Karon, 180 baht per person. By Taxi at the same counter, to town, 400 baht; to Patong, 550 baht; to Kata, Karon, Rawai, Naihan, Phanwa 650 baht.
In town
Taxis and motorcycles taxis are communal service and available everywhere. The taxi meter fares are 50 baht for a distance of no more than 2km and 7 baht/km for every next km. Green air-con microbuses run around town at a fare of 10 baht.
Town to Beaches
There are local buses (songthaeo) services between the town and various beaches. Buses leave for the beaches at the market on Ranong Road at half-hour intervals from 7am until 5pm. After that, you must hire a local taxi (chartered tuk-tuk). The fare must be agreed before departure. Normally from town to Patong Beach, the fare is around 210 baht, to Kata and Karon beaches, 240 baht and 270 baht respectively.
Private cars, jeeps and motorbikes can be hired for a car-rent company for your convenience.
Visitors to Phuket should not miss the opportunity to have a state of Phuket's many kids of famous seafood which are always fresh and palatable. Prices are also very reasoable. Various seafood dishes are available in town and along famous beaches such as Patong, Kata, Karon, Rawai and Chalong Bay. But if you want to try local food, mi sapam, misua (something like Chinese noodle), khanom chin (Thai rice noodles with curry soup and vegetables), ho mok (steamed curried fish), kaeng luang and namphrik kung siap are recommendable.
On top of that, when you are in Phuket, you have no need to go to Bangkok just to buy some quality goods and souvenirs. Since apart from pearls, nielloware, seashell ornaments and dried seafood which Phuket is famous for, Phuket also offers large selection of best buys of Thailand. The shopping areas are mostly on Ratsada Road, Montri Road, Yaowarat Road, Phangnga Road, Thalang Road (in town), north of town on Thepkasattri Road, Patong, Kata and Karon Beaches.
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Town to Beaches
There are local buses (songthaeo) services between the town and various beaches. Buses leave for the beaches at the market on Ranong Road at half-hour intervals from 7am until 5pm. After that, you must hire a local taxi (chartered tuk-tuk). The fare must be agreed before departure. Normally from town to Patong Beach, the fare is around 210 baht, to Kata and Karon beaches, 240 baht and 270 baht respectively.
Private cars, jeeps and motorbikes can be hired for a car-rent company for your convenience.
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| Thai's version of "fast food". Photo credit to kzembera |
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| Shop till you drop in Phuket. Photo Credit to divemasterking2000 |
