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Phuket Islands
At the far north of Phuket 's cruising grounds lie the nine islands of the Similans - noted for their magnificent dive sites - to the south, the brooding intensity of Taratao - a prison colony during World War II and now part of the fifty-one island Taratao National Park - and in between dozens of isles offering pristine beaches, spectacular scenery and a peace and serenity unique to the Andaman. |
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The sheltered waters of Phangnga Bay have their own gifts of nature peculiar to this region alone. Scattered around the bay, craggy, hollow limestone escarpments thrust up from the sea like primordial fortresses. |
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Caves, cut through the friable rock by salt water and usually only accessible at certain times of the tide, allow access to remarkable microcosms of nature. These lost worlds are havens for rare forms of flora and fauna and are also home to the swftlets whose nests are considered great delicacies by the Chinese.
Best explored by yacht, charters and day cruises around Phangnga Bay are readily available from Phuket , while ferry services and dive trips run to Phi Phi daily. |
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If time is of the essence, high speed motor launches can be hired from several locations around the island. |
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Islands around Phuket Si-Re Island
Phuket 's largest settlement of Sea Gipsies, or Chao Le, can be found on Koh Si-Re at Leam Tuk-kae. The muddy seabed means the island is not good for swimming. There are some popular seafood restaurants on the eastern shore. |
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Coral Island
Koh Hey is part of a marine preserve, but accommodation, restaurants, various watersports and diving are all available. Boats leave from Rawai and Chalong. Package tours are also available.
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Maiton Island
Those not wishing to stay overnight may take a daytime excursion leaving from Ao Makham Deep Sea Port. For details contact (076) 214954-7. |
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Phi Phi Islands
Despite misinformed protests and bad press regarding environmental damage to the island during filming, Phi Phi Le is, in fact, in better condition now than before filming began. International environmentalists report that the removal of two tons of tourist rubbish before filming could begin, did not adversely affect the island's delicate ecological balance. |
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Rang Yai Island
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sea kayaking, mountain-biking, playing miniature golf, and visiting the island's pearl farm. How to get there: Boats may be hired from Laem Hin Pier at Phuket Boat Lagoon. Package tours are providede by Richy Island Tour (Tel: (076) 238163) and other tour agencies. Raya Noi Island
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How to get there: Hire a charter boat at Ao Chalong or Rawai, or go to a travel agent for details on package tours to the islands. By long-tailed boat the travel time is about two hours. Larger boats operated by tour companies will make the trip in about one hour. Travel to Raya Islands is restricted to dry season and periods when the monsoon is not blowing. Raya Yai Island
On the west coast of Raya Yai is a fine beach, closed in by a horseshoe-shaped hillside, called alternately Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow. |
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From the top of the hill to the south of the bay is the viewpoint from which the whole island can be seen. On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is an excellent site for diving. Similan Islands
The waters around the islands are home to a considerable variety of fish and crustaceans, and other marine life flourishes. The water in the area is as clear as glass and makes an excellent deep water dive site. |
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Each of Phuket 's many beaches is blessed with a character and charm very much of its own. From busy fun beaches offering a range of water sport activities, to secluded coves of fine white sand backed by verdant hillsides and visited by little more than the bubbling surf of the Andaman, there is bound to be at least one to suit the mood and mindset of every visitor to the island. |
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Patong
Beach (15
km from town)
Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife, among which seafood restaurants feature prominently. Karon
Noi Beach |
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Karon
Beach
(20 & 17 km from town) Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses are at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south end, on the little road connecting the back road with the beach road. The narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses as well as the Dino Park Mini Golf facillity. Karon is the most up-scale of Phuket 's beaches. There is a regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town. |
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Kata
Beach
(20 & 17 km from town)
Kata retains a village feel at its northern and southern ends and is perhaps more family-oriented, its beach more peaceful than Patong. Kata
Noi Beach
(20 & 17 km from town) |
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How to get there: Take the narrow beach road up over the hill from kata. Naiharn
Beach
(18 km from town) A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October. One can walk to nearby Promthep Cape to observe sunsets, which are often fiery and spectacular. |
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Kamala
Beach
Singh
Beach (About 1 km from Surin Beach)
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Kalim
Beach
Some housing compounds are now being built on the hillsides and the whole area is steadily moving upmarket. Chalong
Bay
(11 km from town) |
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Panwa
Beach
(10 km from town) Surin
Beach
(24 km from town) |
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The steep incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim. Pansea
Beach
(24 km from town) Bangtao
Beach |
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Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations available outside Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities are available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale. Nai
Ton Beach How to get there: Located between Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Ton Beach can be reachd by taking Thepkrasatri Road. Turn at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang Road. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Ton.
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From
a few minutes by speedboat to a day's sailing away,
Phuket is surrounded by so many tropical islands, of such outstanding
natural beauty, that literally weeks can be spent exploring.
Perhaps
the most popular - and populace
- of the islands off Phuket are the twins, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi
Ley. The latter of these was the stage for the recent Hollywood
movie - The Beach, while the former has become a busy tourist destination,
offering a range of accommodation and watersport activities. 20km
southeast of Phuket , the Phi Phi islands also afford visitors some
excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities - the nearby islets
of Bida Ley and Bida Nok of particular note.
It
was in this region that part of the James Bond movie,
The Man with the Golden Gun, was filmed, and the gravity defying
Raya Ring Island is now one of the bay's busiest tourist sites.
Separated
from the mainland of Phuket by the Khlong Tha Chin,
a shallow mangrove swamp, this twenty square km island is connected
by a causeway to the city. Wat Koh Si-Re, on the hill, has a large
Reclining Buddha and provides fine views of the surroundings. 
Koh
Hey, off Phuket 's south coast, is so well known for its coral reef
that it is often referred to simply as Coral Island. In addition
to the splendid reefs there are two fine beaches on the north and
west of the island. 
This
tiny island off Phuket 's southeast coast is highly prized for
its still perfect natural environment, including fine white beaches
and crystal waters; ideal for swimming, diving, or fishing. The
only business of any kind is the plush Maiton Island Resort. 
Of
the two islands, Phi Phi Don is the larger and more developed.
The smaller, Phi Phi Le, recently took the title role in the film
adaptation of The Beach - starring opposite Leonardo Di Caprio.
Lying
off Phuket 's east coast, this small island has been developed
for the soft adventure tourist. Among the many activities are snorkeling
on the coral reefs, 
This
island, 10 km from Raya Yai, is
the result of coral reef build up, and there are more rocks than
beaches. In a small bay on the west is a boat anchorage. The waters
at Raya Noi are emerald green, and the fishing there is famous,
but swimming is not recommended.
The
clean, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai are
a major attraction for daytrippers from Phuket . 
From
the north to the south, the archipelago
comprises Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Payu, Koh Miang
(actually two islands), Koh Payan, Koh Payang, Koh Ku Yong. Except
for park officials and occasional tourist groups, these petite islands
are mostly uninhabited.
Welcome
to Phuket
Phuket
's most developed beach offers
numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along
its 3-km long cresent bay. Windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing,
swimming and sunbathing number among the many popular daytime
activities. 
A
4 km long straight beach with fewer visitors
than its big sister, Karon. Nightlife is pretty much confined to
dining and a few beer bars. 
The
second largest of Phuket 's tourist beaches.
Large resort complexes line the road behind of the shoreline, but
the long, broad beach itself has no development. The sand is very
white, and squeaks audibly when walked upon. The southern point
has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island.
Beautiful
Kata is a scenic gem, its clear
water flanked by hills, and picturesque Bu island sits offshore.
South
of Kata is Kata Noi, a smaller
beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The beach
is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless
shoreline stretching south.
South
of Kata Noi and north of Promthep Cape,
Naiharn is not Phuket 's longest beach, but it borders the most
gorgeous lagoon on the island. The middle of the beach is dominated
by the Samnak Song Nai Han monastery, which has obstructed excessive
development and is the reason that the beach is generally less crowded
than other spots on the southern part of the island.
The
beach is a favoured spot for witnessing sunsets. The northern end
of Kamala Beach is suitable for swimming.
The
name means Lion's Point. The beach
is in a small, curving bay with rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed
cliffs and is among Phuket 's most beautiful spots. 
Just
north of Patong Bay, starting from
about the Novotel Resort Hotel Patong to Thavorn Bay Resort, this
area consists of rocky but quiet beaches, and an interesting road
leading up into hills with high viewpoints and a few good quality
restaurants perched on the edge and top. 
This
beach has several restaurants selling
some of Phuket 's best seafood.
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 in the teeming waters of Phuket and
elsewhere. 
Evergreen
trees line this small, curving bay, beneath the foothills north
of Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket
's first golf course, a nine-hole course laid out more than sixty
years ago during the reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in
disuse except as a park. 
Pansea
is a mouth-wateringly scenic enclave
dominated by two deluxe resorts: Amanpuri and the Chedi. Film stars
or VIPs like to stay there, as they can get away from the crowds.
There are just a few restaurants and shops nearby.
Bangtao
is a large open bay with one of Phuket 's longest beaches.
It was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into
a luxury resort.
This
quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills
has a fine strip of sand. There is some accommodation but virtually
no other business.
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Nai
Yang Beach (30 km from town) |
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The large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs during the period from November to February; the population of these has however, dropped off greatly. First class accommodations are available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers. How to get there: Take the Nai Yang road, and look for signs indicating the park entrance. Mittrapap
Beach Friendship Beach Resort, on Mittrapap is the usual meeting point for Americans on the island, and holds regular Sunday jam sessions for any rockers, jazzers or bluesmen who happen to be passing. |
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Rawai
Beach
(17 km from town) Maikhao
Beach (40 km from town) This lonely beach is another area where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais call a sea cicada, which is a form of marine life. How to get there: Go to the northern tip of Phuket ; the beach lies along the road's length. |
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Laem
Ka Beach Promthep
Cape Local villagers used to refer to the cape as "Leam Jao", or the God's Cape, and it was an easily recognisable landmark for the early seafarers traveling up the Malay Peninsula from the sub-continent. |
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Ya
Nui Beach Ao
Sein |
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Those who visited the island two decades ago recall that it was once one of the most popular and populace of the island's southern beaches, and the bungalow operations still in situ attest to its headier days. Today, a treacherous road - suitable only for experienced motorbike riders and four-wheel drive trucks - runs down to the small beach of sand and boulders and its cheif appeal is the epic view it offers of Naiharn and Promthep Cape. Nui
Beach |
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Natural Wonders Natural scenery includes the splendid forested hill of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, an area where you can glimpse the last of Phuket 's virgin jungle. In addition there are numerous beauty spots, notable among them being Laem Phromthep, the island's southernmost point and a favorite place for watching Phuket 's famed sunsets.
Natural Attractions Khao Rang
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There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass s at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit, the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.
Bangpae Waterfall
How to get there: Ggo to the Two Heroines Monument and take the road running east, the Pakhlok Road. Bangpae is 7 km along this road. Look for the posted signs. |
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Khao Phra Taeo Wildlife Park
One species of palm, the Governor's Palm or White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs, barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and many species of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Taeo serves also as one of Phuket 's most important water sources. |
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Sirinat
National Park
Ton Sai Waterfall
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The trees, watercourses, and pools nearby provide one of Phuket 's loveliest scenes. The park headquarters and a small restaurant with an excellent view are also at Ton Sai. Located near Thalang Town, 22 km. from Phuket Town. Mangrove Forest
Anyone with an interest in horticulture will be interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here: mountain ebony (kong kang bai lek), red cycas (prong daeng), black myrsina (samae dam), the Lady's Nails quisqualis (leb mue nang), and various creepers and climbers are among the more significant. |
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There are also many mongrove-dwelling animals with unique evolutionary characteristics. A nature trail has been cleared for the convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the various species. | |
Phuket History
Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China for seafarers to stop for shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called the Tam Porn Ling in Thai) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first millennium AD. |
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Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires.
Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket 's emblem, by which it was known to others, in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog. During the Sukothai Period, Phuket was associated with Takua Pa, in what is now Phangnga Province, and another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period of the 16th century. The island's northern and central regions were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners. |
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This led to Phuket 's most significant historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled by two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of the recently deceased Phuket governer, and her sister, Mook, After a month's siege, the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense. In recognition, King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thepkrasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty. Her sister became Thao Srisunthorn. |
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During the 19th century, Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work for the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen. In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administrative center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket , and in 1933, with the change from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.
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Historical Sites Besides sun, sea and sand, Phuket is a multifaceted destination and offers ample scope for fascinating exploration. Phuket Town is interesting for its surviving examples of old Sino-Portuguese architecture - reminders of the island's long and interesting history - and for its shopping and entertainment possibilities. Wat Chalong
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How to get there: Wat Chalong is about 8 km outside town. Take Vichit Songkram Road to the Bypass Road and turn left, and drive for about 10 mins. Wat Chalong is on the left. Old Phuket
Other streets, forming what might be called " Old Phuket " , with similar structures are Phangnga, Yaowarat, Thalang, and Krabi, and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. |
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Some other old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall (Sala Klang), the Phuket Courthouse (San Changwat), and Nakhon Luang Thai Bank. Sapan Hin Mining Monument
In the circle is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit, dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909.
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Thalang National Museum Ancient artifacts from Phuket 's long history are on display, including exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang involving the Two Heroines, daily life in Phuket , and the Sea Gipsy culture. Tel: (076) 311025, 311426. Open daily except holidays 8.30 am to 4.00 pm. Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on the Pakhlok Road. Wat Phra Nang Sang The grounds of this historic temple are where the Battle of Thalang took place in 1785. Inside are three very old statues of the Buddhawrought in tin; they are the largest in the world and date from a time when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal. The bellies of the three big statues each contains a smaller statue, from which derives their name, "Monks in the Belly" in local vernacular. or "The Three Kings" in formal language. Located on Thepkrasatri Road, in Thalang Town at the tracffic light. |
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Wat Phra Tong
The story tells of a young boy who tied his buffalo to what he thought was a post. After doing so, he fell down in agony and died. The father of the boy dreamed that the reason his son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was a post was in reality the golden peak of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his neighbors the dream and they all went out to dig up the statue but had no success. |
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Golf Phuket At first glance. golfing and the ocean do not seem to go together. However, when you combine this popular sport with extraordinary beauty of the Andaman Sea and its long coastline, what you get is a golfing experience unlike anywhere else on earth. Thailand 's southern provinces of Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi have long been the destinations of people looking for rest and relaxation. Sea, sand and sun are in abundance, complementing great seafood, unspoiled national parks and a unique culture. For those that pursue an active lifestyle and enjoy the challenges of gofing, the three provinces offer perhaps the utimate high. Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi all have world-class golf courses some designed by renowed international architects and star golfers. The courses are set among a variety of exciting surroundings like amidst green mountains and by the azure sea. Wherever they are, all have modern facilities and impeccable services. Green and caddie fees are always very affordable. Some courses boast excellent cuisine and accommodation. All can cater to any program for groups large and small. |
This
is where the National Park office is located.
The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined with evergreens
that provide shade to picnickers.
Just
south of Chalong, , there are several
low-key and peaceful bungalows but the beach is muddy at low tide,
when you can almost walk halfway to Koh Lone. 
The
palm-fringed beach is best known for 'sea gypsies,'
a formerly nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian
descent. 
Many
kilometers of deserted beach characterize Mai Khao
where there is little tourist business. The water is fine for swimming
during the dry season; the rainy season brings big waves and strong
currents that are dangerous. 
Just
south of the Phuket Island Resort hotel,
and north of Rawai is a small rocky bay, popular with Thais at the
weekend.
Promthep
Cape is a headland forming the extreme south end of Phuket .
"Prom" is Thai for the Hindu term, "Brahma,"
signifying purity, and "Thep" means 'God.' 
Tucked
between Promthep Cape and Rawai, Ya Nui Beach is small but perfectly
formed. Steep headlands at either
end hem in this slice of sand which is visited by gentle waves from
December to March. However, the onset of the monsoon season brings
with it crashing surf and swimming during these months is not advised.
A few small, inexpensive bungalow operations have esteblished themselves
in the wooded area to the rear of the beach.
Often
overlooked due to its proximity to Naiharn,
and because the connecting road runs through and under the Meridien
Phuket Yacht Club, Ao Sein has a wan air of long lost glamour to
it. 
Possibly
the most difficult beach to visit on Phuket , Nui lies between the
Kata Viewpoint and Naiharn. A new,
wide, dirt road has recently been cut through the forested hillside
to replace the winding track down to the beach, however this is
just as steep and difficult to traverse and should only be attempted
by four-wheel drive trucks and moto-cross bikes. The company which
built the road and operates the only restaurant on the beach charges
a small fee for its facilities and does not allow visitors to bring
their own food and drink onto the sand.
A
great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island,
and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the
top of Khao Rang Hill, on the town's northwest border. 
Best
knownas the site of the Gibbon Fund,
a project to return domesticated gibbons to the forest, Bang Pae
is a small waterfall with a shady forest and thick foliage.
22.28
square kilometers of virgin forest
are coverd by this park, which also actively conserves a number
of wild animals; they would otherwise be extinct in fast-growing
Phuket . It is a center for study of the environment and the forest
vegetation is spectacular. Giant trees supported by huge buttresses
are thick with creepers and climbers of every description.
Located
near Phuket International Airport,
the national park covers an area of 90 square kilometers. The park
stretches all the way to the island's northern tip. There are a
number of interesting places to visit : 
A
small falls, over which pours a great volume of water
during the rainy season. 
Situated
in Sirinat National Park, near Ta Chatchai on Phuket 's northern
tip, the mangroves--saltwater swamps
with unique eco-systems much prized by scientists searching for
clues about adaptation and evolution--cover about 800 rai.
Phuket
's history dates back to 1025 AD.
The island's present name derives its meaning from the Tamil word,
manikram, or crystal mountain. 
After
Ayuthaya
was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, there was a short interregnum
in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and
re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return
to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces,
and carry off the population to slavery in Burma. 
This
is where stands the cast statue of Luang Por Cham,
who helped the people of Phuket put down the Angyee, or Chinese
Coolie Rebellion, in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are
also statues of Luang Por Chaung, and Luang Por Gluam, abbots of
the temple during later times.
The
beginning of the tin boom in the 19th century
led to construction of many fine mansions and shops, that are still
well preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region,
is described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strongly Mediterranean
chracter. Shops present a very narrow face onto the street but stretch
back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Road, have old wooden
doors with Chinese fretwork carving. 
A
land reclamation project provided abundant new land
now used for parks and public facilities at Sapan Hin, located where
Phuket Road meets the sea in Phuket Town. 
This
temple enshrines a golden Buddha image
that sprang up from beneath the earth long ago.
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This publication gives you valuable insight into the golf courses in the three provices, but there is nothing that can compare to actually playing on one, or a few, of them. We believe that after one visit, you will likely return for more glorious golfing by the Andaman Sea. Golf
Loch Palm Golf Club Phuket will become a fast favorite with all golfing enthusiasts. The 18-hole, par 72, 6,434 yards course sits amid beautiful rolling hills, providing a scenic backdrop to the lush green fairways. |
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This is one of the five most beautiful golf courses in Thailand, with a standard 18-hole, 72 -par, 6,483 yards course. The course has three distinct characters - in some parts hilly, in others laced with waterways, and in others it has lush green fairways. Golfers need to be good, and well-prepared, to perform well on this course. But whatever the score, there's no doubt that golfers will enjoy those lush green fairways. |
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The standard 18 hole, 71 par, 6,850 yard Laguna Phuket Golf Club is surrounded by the Andaman Sea and mountain scenery. Max Waxlor designed the first nine holes, with sand mountains, shady coconut trees and water obstacles in five areas. Part of the Laguna development at Bang Tao Beach, this is a true paradise for golfers. |
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Mission Hills Golf Course group has opened the new third golf course in Phuket, Thailand and named "Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa" following in Kao Yai, Nakornrajchasima and Kanchanaburi. New world golfer's destination, Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa is an opening 18 holes ocean views and an ongoing 9 holes bay views night golf course, designed by the world class golf course's artist, Nicklaus Design. |
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Measuring 6,806 yards from the back trees, the golf course is fulfilled with the best selected grass, Paspalum Sea Isle 1 for fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 for greens. One island two sharing greens, one hole two greens and beach bunkers are outstanding featured to challenge even the most conservative golfers.
A sea breeze while playing golf. What an experience! The only real Andaman sea course, |
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Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina offers panoramic views of the mountains and the sea. Regardless of your game, the course design alone will make this a round you will never forget. This temple enshrines a golden Buddha image that sprang up from beneath the earth long ago.
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Eco - Tourism Camping Camping: Sirinat National Park
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There
are also some inexpensive bungalows for rent on Nai Yang. Camping: Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park
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The park offers the best trekking in Phuket with a well preserved natural environment. May through October is the best time for jungle trekking, when the forest is full of blossoms. The park has a marked hiking route for visitors to follow. Scuba Diving Scuba Diving: Koh He (Coral Island)
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He Island is a part of a marine preserve, however, various water sports, and diving, fine accommodation and restaurants are all available. The Coral Island Resort can handle both travel and accommodation arrangements. Day trippers from Phuket make it somewhat crowded in the daytime during the high season. Scuba
Diving: Koh Racha Yai Racha Yai Island has clean, powdery beaches like those of the Similan Islands. On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is a coral reef where the diving is excellent. With well preserved hard corals in both shallow and deeper water, snorkeling and scuba diving are the favorite activities. |
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A foot path leads to the top of a hill on the bay's south side which provides a panoramic view of whole island. You can follow the footpath down to the other side of the island where there is a lovely, nearly deserted beach. Scuba Diving: Naiharn Beach
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A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed, but swimmers should be alert for the red flag which warns of dangerous currents during the monsoon season from May to October. One can walk to nearby Promthep Cape to observe sunsets, which are often fiery and spectacular. Scuba Diving: Phuket 's West Coast
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Also, regular diving cruises and private trips can be arranged to other highly regarded diving areas such as the Similan Islands. Scuba Diving: Rawai Beach
Still popular with Thai families, it is also frequented by foreign Scuba enthusiasts because it is convenient to the piers where Scuba trips to nearby islands can be arranged. |
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Phuket Entertainment Visitors to this island paradise may be more than satisfied by Phuket's remarkable natural beauty, but those in search of further stimulation can be sure to find something among the many activities and entertainment available to fill every moment of their holidays. Not only do most of the major hotels and resorts offer a wide selection of quality international restaurants and bars, featuring cabaret shows and live music, but every tourist centre has numerous other entertainment venues. Patong is undoubtedly the epicentre of the island's entertainment scene, boasting a wealth of bars, clubs, live music, and cabaret shows, yet there is still plenty the discover around the island, |
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with Kata/Karon and Phuket town offering such a diverse range of clubs and nightspots that its difficult to know where to start. Yet, it is not all after-dark diversions. If a little time away from the beach appeals during the day, then there are plenty spots offering other kinds of enlightenment, including cultural shows. In fact, with so much to see and do, both day and night, Phuket is guaranteed to keep you entertained. Simon Cabaret
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This hugely popular tourist attraction, on the hill just outside Patong, has been wowing audiences for years with its exotic, hilarious, often risqu?, transvestite cabaret. With sets and choreography that would do Broadway justice, and gowns dripping with diamante, the boys who are girls stiletto-strut their stuff to full houses each night at 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Thai Culture Show
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"living in the past", the show brings to life ancient rites and rituals, enacts classical Thai dances and offers displays of Thai boxing and swordsmanship. The complex also houses a dining hall decorated with over 20,000 varieties of orchid and tropical trees. Digestion is aided by the lilting sounds of Thai classical and folk music played on tradition instruments. Phuket Fantasea
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to life tales of history and mythology that will leave visitors in no doubt that Phuket was at least as, if not more, exciting way back when. Set upon 140 acres in Kamala Bay, this unique cultural theme park houses an immense theatre, a festival village offering carnivals, games and handicrafts, and reportedly the world's largest buffet of Thai and international cuisine. Dino Park Mini Golf
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dinosaurs are scattered around the mini-golf park, making for some interesting hazards. After your game, stop off at the park's own version of the nineteenth hole, the Dino-Bar, for a pterodactyl burger. Tel: 076 330 625 or Fax: 076 330 516, 076 330 999 for further information. Thai Boxing
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Loch
Palm Golf Club Phuket
PHUKET
COUNTRY CLUB
BLUE
CANYON COUNTRY CLUB
Laguna
Phuket Golf Club
Mission
Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa
Thai
Muang Beach Golf & Marina
Camping
is permitted on both Mai Khao and Nai Yang beaches
in the Sirinat National Park. They are the longest beaches on Phuket
and are quiet and serene, apart from the occassional landings and
take offs at the nearby Phuket airport. The beaches are located
on the northwest part of Phuket . The Park's Visitor's Center, located
near the south end of Mai Khao, rents tents and provides some minimal
facilities for campers. 
With
much of the island given over to tourism development,
there are few places left on Phuket for trekking. The only remaining
patch of virgin jungle, Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park, is home to
rare wild animals, such as langurs, porcupines, and macaques, which
would become extinct in fast-growing Phuket but for this nature
conservation area.
Only
5 kms off Phuket 's south coast
and easily accessible by boats from Rawai and Chalong, He Island
is well known for its unspoiled coral reef and is often referred
to simply as Coral Island. There are two attractive beaches on the
north and the west. 
Snorkelling:
Koh Khai
South
of Kata Noi and north of Promthep Cape,
Naiharn is not Phuket 's longest beach, but it borders the most
gorgeous lagoon on the island. The middle of the beach is dominated
by the Samnak Song Nai Han monastery, which has obstructed excessive
development and is the reason that the beach is generally less crowded
than other spots on the southern part of the island.
Phuket
's western shore is dotted with
a dozen pristine white sandy beaches, including Surin, Patong and
Nai Yang beaches, which abound with aquamarine life. Listed among
the top 10 Scuba diving destinations in the world, the beaches on
the west coast of Phuket offer some supreme Scuba diving with the
depths from about 30 to 45 meters. Good close-up photographs can
be taken. 
Rawai
beach is somewhat rocky, and generally
inferior to the cleaner beaches at Karon, Kata or Patong, but unlike
those West Coast beaches, it is safe to swim there year round as
it is not subject to riptides and undertows during the monsoon season.
There's
not a diva in the West who can compare,
and many a catwalk model has turned green with envy at the sight
of the lady-boy performers of Simon Cabaret.
Offering
visitors an opportunity to experience remarkable recreations
of historical and cultural aspects of Southern Thai life, the Thai
Culture Show, on Thepkrassatri Road, has made enormous efforts to
recreate the life and ambience of a typical rural village of the
past. Home to 500 workers and performers, who bring new meaning
to term
The
very biggest of all Phuket's extravaganzas,
Fantasea brings Hollywood-sized, Las Vegas-style entertainment to
the island. Remarkable acrobatics, dazzling light work, stunning
set design and a host of animal action combine in a song and dance
spectacular that brings
The
only chance you will ever get to play eighteen holes around T. Rex
and his pals. Karon's Dino-Park
offers an excellent, semi-educational, wholly fun, hour or two of
diversion that will excite both kids and adults alike. A rumbling
volcano and giant re-creations of
"Muay
Thai" as it is call in Thai, strikes blows at -- and with
--every part of the body. The stadium is located at Sapan Hin in
Phuket Town and bouts are held every Tuesday and Friday nights From
20.30 - 24.00. Price Adult 500/700/1,000 Child 250/350/500 for details
and information about tickets call 0-7621-4690 , 081-5352209.
Experience
Thai-Style Natural Healing. A massage
to restore balance between the elements. A herbal sauna to cleanse and
rejuvenate the body. A herbal pack to calm nerves and redirect energy.
All this may sound very New Agey in the West, but it has been part of
daily life here for centuries. 
Traditional
Thai massage is a proven physical therapy
that dates back to ancient India sometime before the lifetime of Buddha.
It has been practiced here for centuries, and many swear by it as an effective
cure for common ailments such as aches and pains, fevers and nervous strains.
Thai
food is internationally famous. Whether
chilli-hot or comparatively bland, harmony is the guiding principle behind
each dish. 
With their
Buddhist background, Thais shunned the use of large animals in big
chunks. Big cuts of meat were shredded and laced with herbs and spices.
Culinary
influences from the 17th century onwards included Portuguese, Dutch,
French and Japanese.
Thais
were very adapt at 'Siam-ising' foreign cooking methods, and substituting
ingredients. The ghee used in Indian cooking was replaced by coconut oil,
and coconut milk substituted for other dairy products. Overpowering pure
spices were toned down and enhanced with fresh herbs, such as lemon grass
and galanga. Eventually, fewer and less spices were used in Thai curries,
while the use of fresh herbs increased. 
It is generally
acknowledged that Thai curries burn intensely, but briefly, whereas
other curries, with strong spices, burn for longer periods. Instead of
serving dishes in courses, a Thai meal is served all at once, permitting
diners to enjoy complementary combinations of tastes.
Put the gluttinous-rice and flour
and the corn flour in a bowl. Add the mashed taro and knead to a soft
dough. Add the mashed taro and knead well. Roll into tiny balls and set
aside. Dissolve the palm sugar and salt in the coconut milk over a
low heat, stirring constantly. Bring to the boil and add the taro balls.
When they are cooked, remove from the heat. Serve hot. Make 4-6 servings.
Mee Ton Poh near the clock tower traffic circle
on Phuket Road in Phuket Town. 
Kanom Jin Phuket Noodles often compared to spaghetti
usually served with a spicy curry sauce, the most common made from fish.
It is usually eaten as a breakfast food and is, if you can stand its fresh
character, delicious. It comes with an array of fresh vegetables and boiled
eggs that are mixed with the dish by dinners at their table. It
is often found with the fried pastry called Pah Tong Go and the curried
fish mousse called Hor Mohk, both of which are very tasty. Some of the
curries are not spicy, so try a shop that has many curries to choose from
if you are sensitive to spicy cuisine. There are many shops to choose
from everywhere in Phuket but the most famous are in Phuket Town :
Oh Tao Oysters
fried with flour, eggs, and taro root. The best known places in Phuket
Town are : 
Cashews try
at : 
Phuket
Shopping
Phuket
Sea Shell Museum
Phuket
Sea Shell Museum
You
see art. You see life. Located at 58/34 Thepkasatree Rd., Km.5
(about 700 meters from Super Cheap Store), It is a new tourists ' attraction
where you see art, and you see life.
The
most enjoyable part of visiting the Phuket Rare Stones Museum is that
after the brief look at all stones, you select 5-6 your most interesting
ones.
Set
amidst the tropical splendour of dozens of rare orchid species,
the Thai Village and Orchid Farm brings living colour to Thailand's culture
and history. With two shows a day - at 11am and 5.30pm - visitors can
experience traditional Thai dance, a demonstration of the strength and
versatility of the Thai elephant, exhibitions of Thai handicrafts and
witness a lifelike recreation of tin mining as it was performed at the
height of the boom over a century ago.
Phuket
Zoo: Lies off East Chao Fah Rd, on Soi
Pa Laiy, about 6 km. south of Phuket Town in Muang District. This private
zoo conserves many Southeast Asian animals on the Endangered Species list.
There are more than 600 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles and
amphibians, and 45 species of manmals. Each of the five continents is
represented: vultures from the Himalayas, wallabies from Australia, African
Victoria Crown cranes, hornbills, camels, tigers, etc.
A'nocturnal
house' featuring hard-to-find creatures of the night, an aquarium focusing
on freshwater fish, an orchid farm, and a butterfly farm round out the
attractions. The zoo is especially famous for its daily animal shows:
elephants, crocodiles, trained birds and monkeys.
After
you tour through the Insect World you will enter a door to the most
beautiful picturesque garden in Phuket. A tranquil paradise where butterflies
flutter by freely throughout the garden. You will find more than 40 various
species of butterflies in their natural surrounding, well preserved. Enjoy
the many kinds of trees & plants & flowers also that make up this
beautiful green paradise. 
By mini-bus to Phuket
Town 100 Baht per person; to Kata, Karon 180 Baht per person; to Patong
150 Baht per person
Town to Beaches 