phuket, thailand, asia
The self-styled 'Pearl of the South' is the largest, most celebrated and most popular of Thailand's resort islands. Blessed with tracts of tropical rainforest, a myriad of clean sandy beaches and surrounded by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, it is easy to see what has made Phuket a top Southeast Asian getaway. Thai-Chinese believe that Phuket island, because of its distinctive shape, is a dragon arisen from the Andaman Sea.
Phuket has been occupied since the early days of mankind by prehistoric tribes and this still keeps archaeologists engaged to find out the history from the early days. On the ancient maps of the area around Thailand's South West coast, the name Junk Ceylon can be seen relating a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers halted for shelter. This beautiful Island is today known as Phuket. Phuket has plenty of great beaches where you can unfurl your towel. The busiest is in the main resort town of Patong. Hat Patong is a fully-equipped beach with sun loungers, sun umbrellas, watersports, beach bars and restaurants. The beaches at Kata and Karon tend to be a little quieter and when the surf is up they are popular with windsurfers and surfers, and even more relaxed beaches are on offer for holidaymakers willing to drive out to more remote spots. First came the spas. Then it was pool villas. Now the must-have flash facility for five-star Phuket resorts is a beach club, and others are getting in on the act, too. In recent months, a string of new resort-run or independent beach clubs have opened along Phuket’s Kata, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Thon beaches, with more to come. In place of bamboo stands selling cheap beer under sun-bleached umbrellas now sit elaborately designed restaurants and lounges with air-conditioned wine cellars. Among the enticements are beach parties, creative menus and VIP memberships. Phuket is considered the Asian birthplace of the modern pool villa. The renowned Amanpuri introduced them to the island back in 1987 and the Banyan Tree followed suit in 1994. And with no shortage of fine designs and private pleasure to choose from, international visitors with big bank accounts will have few problems finding the perfect spot to sit and swill margaritas as they take in a private seaview sunset. And just so we’re clear, the "Ph" at the beginning of Phuket is pronounced "p," not "f."
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Within City Walls (Clicking on red colored text will link to more info or videos or official sites)
Patong Beach
Patong is a party capital of Asia, with a world famous nightlife and a great beach. A heaven of nightlife, with numerous entertainment complexes and countless bars clustered together in and around Bangla Road. The town has a very obvious female, transgender and male sex industry to cater to every taste, however to only view it as this is a mistake, it offers so much more, for families and couples too. Massage parlors of the erotic as well the therapeutic genre exist together. Patong's three main axes are the aptly named Beach Road, Thanon Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi bisected at the midpoint by the world famous Soi Bangla. |
Karon Beach
3kms of tourist beach comprises of Karon. Not many hotels have direct beach frontage, most are across the road. Therefore practically the entire beach is public. Large resort complexes line the opposite side of the road from the shoreline. 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. Also, there is a wide pedestrian / bicycle path on the beachside of the road running the length of the beach. Nightlife is pretty much confined to dining and a few beer bars. At the south end is the Dino Park Mini Golf facility. |
Kata Beach
A busy, clean tourist beach with good surf, Kata is more relaxed than the very friendly neighbor to the north, but can still be touristy with many resorts playing host to vacationers and honeymooners. Kata Beach is a great place to spend a day or two to get away from it all, eat some spicy Thai cuisine, play Connect Four for tequila shots and lounge on a beach with views like what you see in the photo above. It's a scenic gem, its clear water flanked by hills, and picturesque Pu Island sits offshore. Safe swimming with no dropoffs. Closeby is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with fewer hotels and less development. |
Phuket Town
Phuket Town’s fortune was made on the back of tin mining, a once hugely lucrative industry that led to the creation of a major trade network throughout the region. Telephone links, cable wiring spoil a zillion tourist snapshots. Now on Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, two of the quaintest streets in the historic Old Phuket Town, the lines have been buried underground. Shuttered traders' homes and walkways can be viewed and enjoyed the way they should be for the first time in many decades. Great for a wander. When the aromas from the ancient herbalist hit you, stick your head in the door. |
Big Buddha
Although his recently implanted glistening black eyes now gleam over southern Phuket, the 45 meter white jade Big Buddha statue has a smile that spreads happiness. Mee kwam suk, the Thais call it. Tourists of every religionclimb the six kilometers from Chalong in their hundreds every day. Very few come away disappointed with the gigantic statue or the views, which from 380 meters up are fabulous. Wisely, this all white icon has his back turned on wicked Patong. To the Thais he's simply the Phraphutthamingmongkhol akenagakhiri Buddha. |
Phi Phi Island
The island is located just 48 km to the east of Phuket, off the western coastline of southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea. It is renowned across the world for its natural scenic beauty, with silver beaches fringed with palm trees, towering limestone cliffs and hills full of lush greenery. Offshore, a bank of coral reefs provide a glimpse of marine life whilst spots such as the historic ‘Viking cave’ add a fascinating dimension to exploration. You can enjoy swimming and snorkelling on blue crystal clear water, full of coral reefs and marine life. Visit the neighbouring Monkey Island. |
Bond Island
The boat from the mainland takes you across Phuket Island to the unique limestone islands in the famous Phangnga Bay. James Bond Island and Ko Panyi are just two of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds is to take one of the boat trips from the northern end of Phuket. A leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour. |
Gibbon Project
Gibbons, apes known for their speed and distinctive singing, were wiped out through poaching by 1980s on Thailand's popular Phuket island. Now they are making a comeback through WARF's Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. The gibbons you see being carried around as tourist photo opportunities started life high in the tree canopy of Thailands rainforests. The lucky ones are found and brought to this centre at Bang Pae Waterfall where the rehabilitation project has been set up. Tours are free but as this project is funded entirely by the generosity of visitors and volunteers. |
Chalong Temple
Visit the ancient temple of Phuket's monks that helped the people during Chinese rebellion. Poh Than Jao Wat is one of the more important Buddhist statues in Wat Chalong. The Grand Pagoda dominating the temple contains a splinter of Lord Buddha's bone. People burn firecrackers to show gratitude for prayers that have been answered, a common occurrence here. |
Jui Tui Shrine
A popular Chinese temple that plays a pivotal part in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Its principal deity is Tean Hu Huan Soy, the god associated with performing artists and dancers. His image is set in the middle and at the highest position on the main altar, accompanied by a statue of a dog and a chicken to each side. They are said to have been his favourite pets since childhood. |
Thai Village & Orchid Farm
Located on a former tin mine, Phuket Orchid Garden & Thai Village has four restaurant pavilions, a playground for children of all ages, handicraft shops, workshops and a twice-daily cultural show (at 11am and 5.30pm). Good chance to see displays of Thai martial arts and dancing. Also has a large orchid nursery with a number of exotic and rare varieties. |
The Beach Movie
The Beach is a 2000 film directed by Danny Boyle. While the story maybe be fiction, the real beach where “The Beach” was filmed is real. Most of the movie adaptation of “The Beach” was filmed on Phi Phi’s Maya Bay, an insanely picturesque spot with glass clear water that is completely flat. Although in the film, the cliffs were digitally altered to look as though they completely surround the bay. |
Coral Island
Coral Island, known locally as Koh Hae, is a beautiful getaway destination located three kilometres southeast of Phuket. The island features two main beaches, Long Beach and Banana Beach. It's not called Coral Island for nothing; the snorkeling off Banana Beach is thrilling and if you go out far enough from Long Beach you will also have a lot to discover, at its impressive coral reef. Both beaches have a lot of water sports activities - banana boats, canoes, and snorkeling. However, Long Beach features a speedboat to take you for a brief parasail outing. |
Prom Thep Cape
Promthep Cape (or Laem Promthep) is the name of the rocky headland than juts out into the sea at the far south west of Phuket. Located at Tambon Rawa, literally translated as 'God's Cape', the Prom Thep Cape is one of the islands most notable natural landmarks and lies to the far south, around 2 km / 1.5 miles from Rawai Beach. With high cliffs and uninterrupted views, the Prom Thep Cape is most famous for its dramatic sunsets, which regularly attract crowds. Close to the cape's peak you will find a small and interesting shrine, which features a number of wooden elephants. |
Two Heroines Monument
The life-size statues of heroic sisters, Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Soontorn, stand side by side on this decorated marble plinth located at Tha Rua. Built by local residents, and opened on 23 May 1967, an annual fair commemorates the bravery of these two girls who were instrumental in the defeat of the Burmese in 1785. By disguising hundreds of women in army uniforms and parading them through the town, they tricked the enemy into believing that they were troop reinforcements from Bangkok. This eventually forced the Burmese to withdraw. |
Saphan Hin
At the south end of Phuket Rd is Saphan Hin, is a large, multi-purpose park with fitness centres, a stadium, jogging trails, a software development centre, restaurants and food stalls, and a mangrove walkway. A popular site for festivals and fairs throughout the year. Muay Thai kickboxing matches in the stadium every Friday evening. Drive to the end and see picnicking families on the pebbled shore of Phuket Bay The tin mining monument dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian who brought the first dredge to Phuket in 1909, is located inside the park. |
Fantasea Show
A 140-acre complex, packed with a multitude of activities & entertainment: Palace of the Elephants, Similan Adventure Centre, Carnival village with games, handicrafts and shopping, 4,000 seater theme restaurant offering a breath taking Las Vegas style theatrical show, with state-of-art technology and special effects. With trapeze artists, a cast of hundreds, performing elephants and other animals and an exotic storyline that blends tradition with fantasy you'll have a wonderful evening out here. FantaSea also hosts one of the biggest buffets in Asia. |
Phuket Simon Cabaret Show
It’s a spectacular display of colour, originality and fun. Phuket’s Simon Cabaret has become one of Southeast Asia’s outstanding entertainment attractions drawing a thousand enthused visitors from around the world each evening. A single show runs the entire range of musical theatre from cultures around the world. Extravagant costumes, make-up and sets take the audience from Egypt to Latin America to China and back to Thailand in themed displays of classical dance and song. Mixed in, are professional soloists dressed like Tina Turner or Diana Ross. |
Joe Conrad Magic Theatre
Joe Conrad Magic Theatre is Phuket’s first and only nightly show featuring state-of-the art Las Vegas Style Illusions. Set in an intimate 700 seat venue, Phuket’s newest theatre promises guests an evening full of surprises and fun from beginning to end. We have 2 shows nightly at 6.30 & 8.30 pm & are located on the 3rd floor of Jungceylon above Robinson’s Department store. Jungceylon is a large shopping Mall situated in the centre of Patong, close to Bangla street and all the local nightlife. Regular seats are priced at 900 Baht for Adults. |
Soi Bangla
Like all night owls, Soi Bangla awakens when the sun sets. That's when Patong's liveliest party zone becomes closed to traffic and ready for action! Famous for its raunchy nightlife, Bangla goes all out to entertain with girls, beers and music that increases in volume as the moon rises. Jammed most nights year round, it's actually totally unthreatening and lively place to walk around as bars compete for customers. The girls aim to please. dancing around poles, engaging in banter, or coaxing customers to play simple bar games like "Connect" or "Hammer the nail" anything to entice. |
Phuket Aquarium
Located at Cape Panwa, this tropical aquarium offers a variety of fish and corals. An island vacation wouldn’t be complete without fish, and we're not talking about seafood, either. For an afternoon of fun – learning about what you eat and what might eat you (not really) – the Phuket Aquarium is required viewing. Recently renovated and with thousands of tropical, colourful and exotic marine creatures, the Aquarium is a hit with youngsters who may not have come up this close and personal with such unusual sea life before. The star attraction is a large tank with a tunnel through its centre. |
Phuket Zoo
Phuket Zoo, on Soi Phalai off Chao Fa East Rd, near Chalong, houses a wide variety of species in the animal kingdom, from Monitor lizards to tropical birds, butterflies to camels. Also has crocodile, monkey and elephant shows several times a day. Lush tropical gardens invite you to stroll around in the shade of giant trees across bridges onto islands containing all kinds of strange animals. It's little bit like a circus where Elephants, Monkeys and Crocodiles are trained to do many different tricks for tourists. After the show people can ride or feed the elephants. |
Khao Phra Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Thalang in Phuket province. The sanctuary covers an area of 13,900 hectares, of rich and fertile land which is home to several types of wild animals.The compound was declared a wildlife sanctuary in July 1969. The special palm called Chao Mueang Thalang Palm (Lang Khao Palm) can only be seen here. The Ton Sai waterfall is located in the sanctuary. To get there from town, follow the route to the Two Heroines Monument, proceed for approximately 7km. Khao Phra Thaeo is home to many types of wild animals like langurs, barking deer, mouse deer, bear, wild boar, etc. |
Butterfly Garden / Insect World
There are endless educational possibilities in the conservatory. Self guided tours or you can have a volunteer take you. The Gardens are designed and built specifically for the hosting and breeding of tropical butterflies and moths. You will have an opportunity to see various stages of the butterfly life cycle in action, from live eggs, larvae, pupae and mating butterflies. Experience an impressive collection of flowering plants, brightly coloured fish waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the indoor tropical paradise. Enjoy the beauty and colours of exotic butterflies. |
Snake Farm
Home to more than 50 species of snakes, including several poisonous varieties, and a spine-tingling (and safe) way to see them is at a snake show. Watch as seemingly fearless snake handlers charm, caress, harrass and even kiss various species of snakes, including spitting vipers and, most startlingly, King cobras. |
AC's Phuket Fishing Park
Located at Thepkrasattri Road in the Koh keaw District of Muang. A great freshwater fishing experience. Catch many species from three different continents such as Arapaimas, Red Tailed Catfish, alligator gars, Siamese giant carps, Piranhas, Siamese sharks and many more. Equipment and local guide included. |
Phuket Abalone Farm
Thailand's first and only fully integrated abalone farm. Abalone are highly valued but slow growing sea molluscs that have attracted attention as candidates for farming, since there is a worldwide decline in stocks.. The farm also has a restaurant and sells abalone by-products such as sauces. |
Phuket Sports Range
It has multiple activities in one location including: Clay pigeon shooting; Target Shooting Range; Paintball Gaming; Airsoft BB Gun Gaming (Varied Guns); Archery Range; Open Air Go Kart Racing; ATV Adventure; Elephant Trekking; Monkey School; Snake Farm; Tea Museum, Snake Shows. |
Central Festival Mall
An air conditioned, fully equipped shopping mall lying just outside of Phuket Town. Stores include Armani Exchange, FTV, Natalie, Chanel, Dior, Revlon, Etude, L'Oreal, Calvin Klein, Bvlgari, Clarins, L'occitane Oris, Tag heuer, Longines, Frederique Constant, Swatch, Maurice Lacroix, among many others. Prices are substantially lower than in the West and these are the real products, not fakes. On the top floor stands a huge Supersports outlet next door to Black Canyon Coffee, and the SFX Coliseum Multiplex. |
Premium Outlet Mall
Phuket's Outlet Mall is the largest of six in Thailand and presents shoppers with a choice of shopping. Premium Outlet is a village of pleasing quasi European architecture with two parallel streets about 400m long, connected by cross-streets. Every shop carries a brand name. There is, of course, a passel of famous brands: Nike and arch-rivals Adidas, Hush Puppy, Guy Laroche, Pierre Cardin and Van Heusen, along with Levi’s and Lee shoulder to shoulder, and a large Warner Bros emporium at one end. |
Jungceylon Mall
Diagonally opposite Bangla Road, the shopping complex has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson - a gleaming well-lit upper end department store, and Big C supermarket. The 200-plus other stores in this shopping heaven sell brand-name clothes, spectacles, sunglasses, colognes and perfumes, shoes, DVD-CD-VCD's, computer games, electrical goods, pewter, gold and silver, sportswear and goods amongst myriad other items. |
Night Market
Phuket night markets offer a variety of local and imported goods and food at very cheap prices as well as copies of DVDs, bags, clothes and watches. It really is worth a visit even if you’re not planning on buying anything. If you were to ask, “What’s for sale here?” The answer would probably be, “How much time do you have?” as the list of goods is endless. There are literally hundreds of stalls, each selling their own unique style of wares. Like anywhere in Thailand, the vendors expect you to haggle over the prices. |
Hilton Arcadia Spa
Relax into an ideal tropical beach getaway at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa. Admire breathtaking views of the serene Karon beachfront, offering an idyllic destination for truly unforgettable vacations. Enjoy a wide selection of room types, recreational, spa, and culinary amenities, designed to enliven and revitalize each visit to this large resort in Phuket. Nine restaurants and bars, Five outdoor swimming pools, 15 spa treatment rooms, Thai massage and Jacuzzi and extensive selection of international and Asian cuisine. |
Millennium Hotel
Located in the heart of Patong and tucked within the fashionable Jungceylon shopping centre – Phuket’s trendy shopping hub – this five star hotel epitomizes the true urban resort. Here, a modern and contemporary design sets the mood for guests within the immediate vicinity of Patong Beach and the island’s concentration of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Consisting of two wings, the Lakeside and the Beachside, with the 221 and 197 guestrooms respectively. Both wings are physically connected to Jungceylon. |
JW Marriott Khao Lak
Wiped out in 2004 by the big tsunami wave, this resort took its time coming back. Over the past five years, mostly as rubble, it has been a Novotel, a Sofitel, a Kempinski, a Rixos, and an independent Cher Fah. Now Marriott has wisely signed on for 30 years. This rambling resort is being described, quite rightly, as a ''Hidden Treasure.'' Nature has been both cruel and kind to a resort that offers Thai hospitality, incredible beauty and dollops of luxury in equal proportions. With a three-kilometre meandering pool, water still sweeps through the place. |
Patong Tower
Patong Tower, is the highest building in Phuket. It is also close to Patong Beach. Located on prime location, right in the heart of the golden Patong beach, banks, restaurants, entertainment and shopping areas are all nearby. On Site Amenities include: Pool, Elevator, Telephone, Laundry. Unit Amenities include: Pantry, Air Conditioning, Microwave, Toaster, Cofee / Tea making facilities, sofabed, TV, etc. Stunning views on either Patong Beach or Mountain view properties. Choose from 1, 2, 3, 4 bed fully furnished luxurious options. |
Below are popular side trips further from the city (Clicking on red colored text will link to more info or videos or official sites)
Bangkok
Locally known as 'City of Angels’, this truly is a vibrant city, dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples, magnificent palaces and numerous shopping centres. It is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone. |
Pattaya
Nestled along a picturesque bay near Bangkok city. Unlike other beach resorts, where natural surroundings are used as magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all out attempt to provide the best of everything, where a tourist can imagine while on holiday: recreation, entertainment, sports, sightseeing and fun. |
Ko Samui
The lush island is surrounded by the bluest of waters and beautiful white sand beaches that are a warm and welcoming sight. If you need peace and quiet, and that feeling of getting away from it all, you won't be disappointed. The name Koh Samui has been known among ancient boatmen for a long time. |
Chiang Mai
On the Ping River, nestled among high mountains in the north of Thailand, around 700 kilometres north of Bangkok. It is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. There are over 300 Buddhist Temples here as many as all of Bangkok, and the city has a peaceful and traditional feel to it. |