Phuket Travel - Hotels & Resorts - Information Guide in Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline 867 kilometres south of Bangkok. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign traders' ship logs. The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket's most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.

Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, and powdery, palm-fringed beaches; sparkling island-dotted seas; sincerely hospitable people; superb accommodation and seafood; delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture; numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a lush tropical landscape -- all of which combine to create a delightful ambient for truly memorable holidays.

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7'45" and 8'15" north latitude, and from 98'15" to 98'40" west longitude on the map. Phuket, Thailand's largest islands, is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus :

Rang Hill
This provides a pleasant view of town while dining, and has a Fitness Park, a series of hillside sculptural tableaux which enhance calisthenics.

The Thai Village
Also on Thepkasattri Road, the village serves daily a typical southern Thai lunch that is followed by a spectacular cultural show including Thai dances, sword-fighting, Thai boxing, southern customs and elephants. Handicrafts are also on display.

Thalang National Museum
Located near the Two Heroines Monument, this museum contains permanent exhibition of life in old Phuket, ancient artifacts and remains discovered on the coast and , materials used during war with Burma (Myanmar).

Mai Khao Beach (40 kilometres from town)
This pine-lined stretch of sand is Phuket's longest beach. Each year, from November through February, gigantic sea turtles struggle ashore to lay their eggs on Mai Khao Beach.

Nai Yang Beach (30 kilometres from town)
This forms part of a national park. The tranquil surroundings are ideal for relaxation, picnics, swimming and snorkelling.

Wat Phra Thong
Inland from Nai Yang Beach, the temple enshrines a famous, partially buried Buddha. Local legends relate how a boy tethered his buffalo to a post protruding from the ground. Subsequently, both boy and animal fell mysteriously sick. Suspicious villagers uncovered the post and discovered it was the decorative topknot of a buried golden Buddha. They were able to unearth no more than the upper part of the image, over which they constructed the present chapel. Burmese invaders attempted to remove the image in 1785 but failed when they were attacked by vicious hornets.

Ton Sai Waterfall
Forest Park & Khao Phra Thae o Wildlife Park (22 kilometres from town)
The 22-square-kilometre area teems with various mammals, including bears, porcupines, gibbons and macaques, reptiles and lizards, and over 100 bird species, in an idyllic setting cooled by sonorous cascades.

Pansea Bay, Surin Beach, (24 kilometres from town)

Sing Cape & Kamala Beach
These unfold in rapid succession. Swimming is not recommended at Surin Beach due to powerful surf and a treacherous undertow. The beach is a favoured spot for witnessing sunsets. The northern end of Kamala Beach is suitable for swimming.

Patong Beach (15 kilometres from town)
Phuket's most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3-kilometrelong crescent bay. Windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing, swimming and sunbathing number among popular daytime activities. Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife, among which seafood restaurants prominently feature.

Karon & Kata Beaches (20 & 17 kilometres from town)
Both beaches are impressively long, relatively peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming, snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing and sunbathing.

Nai Han Beach (18 kilometres from town)
The white beach fronts a shallow lagoon between rocky headlands. Swimming, windsurfing, sailing and sunbathing number among popular activities.

Phromthep Cape
Adjacent to Nai Han Beach, Phuket's southernmost point is the perfect place from which to view spectacular sunsets.

Rawai Beach (17 kilometres from town)
The palm-fringed beach is best known for 'sea gypsies', a formerly nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent.

Chalong Bay (11 kilometres from town)
This beach has several restaurants selling some of Phuket's best seafood.

Wat Chalong
A few kilometres inland from Chalong Beach, this Buddhist temple enshrines statues of Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, Phuket's most revered monks.

Phanwa Cape (10 kilometres from town)
The southernmost tip of this cape is home to a Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket's Aquarium where visitors may inspect several hundred exotic, grotesque and flamboyantly colourful marine species found mainly in Phuket's teeming waters.

Pearl Farms
Pearl farms are located on islands neighbouring Phuket, including Nakha, Rang Noi, Rang Yai and Bon. Special permission is needed to visit them. Details are available from Phuket's TAT office.

Horse Riding
Three riding clubs, one on Patak Road, on the way to Kata Beach, Ban Sai Yuan on the way to Nai Harn Beach, and Laguna Phuket, Bangtao Beach, offer facilities for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Windsurfing
This popular sport is enjoyed at most major beaches. Boards may be rented by the hour, half-day, full day or week. Expert tuition from Thai teachers is free.

Sailing
Enjoyed mostly at Nai Han, Patong and Kata beaches. Toppers and dinghies are available at Patong. Catamaran, Hobie Cats and Top Cats are available at Kata.

Waterskiing
Popular at Patong on a half-hour or hourly basis. Automated cable water-skiing is available at the Phuket Waterski Cableway behind the Phuket Century Golf Course in Kathu district.

Deep Sea Fishing
Daily tours are available, making early morning departures and late afternoon returns, mostly to lesser islands to fish for Red Snappers, Rainbow Runners and other game fish.

Swimming
This can be enjoyed throughout the year, and is mostly safe. However, undertows can be problematic during the Rains Season. It is best to seek the advice of local people regarding swimming conditions.

Snorkelling
This can be enjoyed in sheltered bays all around Phuket. It is particularly enjoyable at easily accessible reefs at Patong, Karon and Kata beaches. Fins, mask and snorkel can be rented on a daily basis from shops
all over the island.

Scuba Diving
Expeditions regularly leave Phuket for dives around neighbouring islands, and further afield, most particularly around the enduringly popular Phi Phi Islands in neighbouring Krabi province, some 2 hours east of Phuket, and the Similan Islands, in Phangnga province, some 110 kilometres northwest of Phuket, and the Raya Islands, 1-3 hours due south of Phuket, depending on the type of boat. Several dive shops concentrated in the Patong, Kata and Chalong areas have Asian and European expatriate(s) (speaking English and several other languages) and bi-lingual Thai dive instructors who offer inexpensive beginner's courses. All diving equipment is available for hire.

Sea Canoeing
This form of eco-tourism is available in several forms, as popular one-day tours, or more extended tours involving overnight camping on island beaches, and occurs principally in the neighbouring Phangnga Bay and Krabi province, where mangrove swamps and island grottoes are accessible only by canoe.. Complete details of the several companies offering such tours is available from the TAT office in Phuket, and the TAT information centre in Krabi.

Yacht Services
Yachtsmen visiting Phuket can enjoy a full range of services, including dry dock facilities and boat repairs, and safe and secure moorings, principally at Ao Chalong, the Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina and Laem Prao Marina. Yachts of ever shape and size can be chartered, either as bareboats or with full crew. Please check with the Phuket Immigration Office for details regarding bringing in a yacht, or leaving by yacht.

Mountain Biking
It 's easier than it looks Anyone can enjoy himself on a mountain bike, which has gearing sufficient to take the mightiest incline. (Andaman Trails : Tel. (076) 235353)

Herbal Saunas and Thai Massage
are available in a variety of price ranges and levels of expertise. The best known herbal sauna is : The Hide Away in Patong on Soi Na Nai Rd at Tel. (076) 340591.

Thai Boxing
"Muay Thai" as it is called in Thai, strikes blows at and with every part of the body. The stadium is located at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town and bouts are held Friday nights.

Target Shooting
Take aim with guns from small caliber to big bore and shot guns (Phuket Shooting Range at Chalong at Tel. (076) 381667-8; Fax. (076) 281054

Paintball Play at war with guns that shoot paint instead of lead. Loads of fun. (Top Gun at Chalong at Tel. (076) 381667; Fax. (076) 381665

Monkey School
at Chalong, show times are 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 daily except Friday Tel. 01-9569338.
Snake Farms and Cobra Shows :are located at Chalong and Patong.

Phangnga Bay
Located northeast of Phuket, and containing scores of limestone islands, some riddled with aquatic grottoes, this picturesque bay is an enduringly popular excursion. Tours are offered by hotels and tour companies throughout Phuket.

Phi Phi Islands
These picturesque islands in Krabi province are probably Phuket's most popular excursion.

Similan Islands
Phuket dive shops operate daily excursions to the Similan islands during the high season of November-May when underwater visibility is at its best.

Bangkok Airways offers direct flights linking Phuket with Ko Samui, the principal island in the Thai Gulf.

By Car
Take Route 4 from Bangkok to the south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap-Khirikan, and at Chumphon go right to Ranong. From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kapoe Districts to Phang Nga Province. In Phang Nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takuapa, and Thai Muang Districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy. Then, cross the Thao Thep Kasattri or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. The distance is 867 kilometers.

By Sea
Foreign and domestic cruise ships frequently berth at the Port of Phuket at Ao Makham, and off Patong Beach, yachts at Ao Chalong, the Phuket Lagoon Marina and the Laem Prao marina.

Please note that all pleasure boats and yachts arriving at Phuket must stop first and register with their Immigration Office and Customs Office, and with the Harbour Office within 24 hours of arrival

Phuket offers convenient intra-island transport services. Tuk-tuks serve within municipal area or can be hired to go to other places; rates are dependent on distance and negotiable.

Rot Song Thaeo (modified pick-ups) and regular buses run from the Talat Sot (fresh produce market) near the fountain on Ranong Road to the beaches and other places. Departure every thirty minutes starting from 06:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs. Fares are 10-20 Baht depending on the distance.

Travel to other neighbouring provinces
There are regular bus services to Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang-Nga, Ranong, Surat Thani, Satun, Hat Yai, Takua Pa and Samui Island. Departures are from the Phuket Bus Terminal on Phang-Nga Road, Tel : 076-211-977.