Phuket Thailand - Paradise on Earth
Phuket Thailand - Paradise on Earth
Phuket is Thailand's largest at 48km in length and 21km at its widest. It's in Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline, suspended from the southern tip of Phang Nga Province by a pair of short but substantial road bridges.
Phuket island in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most popular beaches, mainly situated along the clear waters of the western shore. The island is home to many high-end seaside resorts, spas and restaurants. Phuket City, the capital, has old shophouses and busy markets. Patong, the main resort town, has many nightclubs, bars and discos.
Phuket Town is the largest town in Phuket Province. It has a population of 63,000 and is the economic hub of the island. For the most part just an ordinary, scruffy provincial Thai town, it's hardly a major tourist attraction, but the Chinatown area is worth a quick look and there are some great Thai-style shopping opportunities too. Overall, accommodation and food in the town is cheaper than near the beaches, and can provide a refreshing change of pace.
Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline 862 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 trader’s ship logs.
In recent times, though, Phuket's top earner has been tourism, which has transformed the island into Thailand's wealthiest province. Expect prices to be a bit higher than on the mainland. The west coast of Phuket was hit severely by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, but almost no evidence of the damage now remains. Phuket enjoys great popularity as a travel destination. Most beaches are on the west coast, with Phuket Town to the southeast and the airport in the north.
Phuket is a melting pot of indigenous Thais, Thai-Chinese, ethnic Malays and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. Outside of the provincial town, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand. The provincial town’s economy having boomed over the past decade has led to a lot of the youngsters leading similar lives to those in Bangkok. Altogether, the lifestyle of the urban Sino-Thais in Phuket resembles that of their counterparts in Bangkok.
Swimming, snorkelling, diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Other activities include Freediving, windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and deep sea fishing. Popular kite surfing locations include Nai Yang in summer and Chalong Bay in winter season. Sea Canoeing is a popular activity in the Phang Nga Bay, as many grottoes are only accessible by canoe.
There are several small beautiful islands around Phuket such as Phang-nga bay, Phi-Phi island, Khai island, Racha island, Hae island or Coral island, Maiton island.etc. It is possible to charter boat to those islands from Rassada pier or Chalong pier, but may be too much expensive, so to buy the one day tour is a good idea.
Most beaches on the west coast are wide, containing white sand and clear waters, especially after the monsoon season (November-April). It is suitable to swim or sun bathe. You can do those activities in front of your hotel. Those who stay in town, can reach the beaches by local bus, rental car or motorbike. However,there are big waves during the monsoon season. It is too dangerous to swim at that time. Only surfing is advisable.
Phuket is the beating heart of diving in Thailand and has recently become the center of activity in the emerging Southeast Asian Freediving scene. It is also the home of the area's only AIDA Instructor Training Center.
Snorkelling 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. Full and half day trips are available to the islands surrounding Phuket. Most popular are Ko Hae, Ko Racha Yai, Ko Khai (a hidden gem in the Phang Nga Bay), and Ko Phi Phi. There are many tours available at very cheap rates and the speedboats will be filled with up to 65 people. Research your options before signing up for any tour.
Phuket has some decent dive sites and is the centre of diving in Thailand. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Bay. The reefs around the area are in a healthy condition with both solid hard corals and colorfully soft corals. There is also an abundance of marine life. Most of the dive locations are suitable for all levels of divers but there are also some that are quite deep.
Food in Phuket is surprisingly cosmopolitan, especially in Patong, as many foreigners have set up shop to cater to their fellow travellers. All the usual Thai favourites are of course still available, with a particular emphasis on seafood. See the individual town articles for detailed listings.
There are lots of options available in Phuket. But for the more popular hotels and resorts in the better locations you should book at least a couple months in advance during high season (Nov-May). Cheapest air con room rates start at around 1,000 baht in beach locations or 500 baht away from the beach, with proper resorts starting just under 100 USD and going right up. Best rates are usually found online by searching and many hotels offer best rate guarantees when you book direct. Most of the time you will pay more if you walk in.
Regions of Phuket
Western Phuket (Bang Thao, Kamala, Karon, Kata, Laem Sing, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Nai Yang, Patong, Surin) This region is what Phuket is known for the world over. There is a wide variety of beaches, some calm, some totally ruined by millions of visitors each year. Patong is one of the party capitals of Asia.
Southeastern Phuket (Chalong Bay, Cape Panwa, Nai Han, Rawai, Ya Nui) Slightly off-beat beaches that are worth the trip. Chalong Bay is the largest town that acts as a harbour for outgoing boats to Phi Phi island and others south islands.
Interior Phuket (Bang Rong, Ko Sire, Phuket Town, Phra Taew National Park, Thalang) Besides Phuket Town, the interior of Phuket is pretty much unvisited by foreign visitors. This fertile hilly expanse consists of mangrove forests, fishing villages, rubber and pineapple plantations, small Muslim communities and shrimp farms. The Phra Taew National Park is a nice escape from the tourist crowds, as is the Gibbon Project.
Small islands southern-eastern Phuket and Phang Nga Bay (Ko Bon, Ko Hae, Ko Lon, Ko Mai Thon, Ko Racha, Ko Maphrao, Ko Naka, Ko Yao, Ko Panyi, Ko Tapu (James Bond Island)) Famous for its beautiful beaches, clear water, coral forests, pearl farm, limestone cliffs, caves, mangroves, fishing villages and national park.
Cities of Phuket
Chalong Bay — home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage and the primary gateway to the islands off Phuket
Kamala — a quieter beach to the north of Patong
Karon — the second most-developed beach after Patong
Kata — busy, clean tourist beaches with good surf, split into Kata Yai and Kata Noi Beaches
Nai Thon and Nai Yang — two quiet beaches in Sirinat National Park
Patong — the largest beach resort, known for its night life
Phuket Town — the administrative centre of the province, and the island's main population centre
Rawai — set off point for lots of local islands, popular with locals for eating on the water front
Surin — an up-and-coming up-market destination
Phuket Weather & Transportation
Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The hot season is generally considered to be from March to early May. During the summer monsoon season from May to October, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider November to February the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centres around the Gulf coast. It's comparable to Florida's summer weather in temperature and intensity of rain storms: 25-33°C, flying clouds, short and thunderous rainfalls in the afternoons and evenings. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around. Public transport is very limited and taxis and tuk-tuks are the only practical means. Another option, albeit more dangerous, is to rent your own wheels. Hotels generally offer shuttle bus services into Phuket Town, and also have taxi and car hire facilities. Phuket smart bus is the new addition to local transport and is tailor made for tourist. The service is from airport to Rawai beach and back goes along the coastline and covers all the beaches in west coast. You need the rabbit card of phuketpay to actuali use the service but the operator accepts cash also though it will be more than what the actual fare is but is very cheap compared to other options available.
A lot to see in Phuket
Patong
Karon Beach
Phuket FantaSea
Wat Chalong
Big Budda
Kamala Beach
Hat Kata Noi
Phuket Simon Cabaret
Thanon Bangla
Hat Kata
Sirinat National Park
Promthep Cape
Ko He
Ko Racha Yai
Surin Beach
Flying Hanuman
Phuket Aquarium
Mai Khao Beach
Baan Saan Market
Siam Niramit Phuket
Bang Pae Waterfall
Naiyang Beach
Krabi
Splash Jungle Water Park
Tiger Kingdom Phuket
Monkey Hill
Ra Wai Beach
Khao Rang
Kathu Waterfall
Nai Thon Beach
Freedom beach
Phuket Sunday Night Market
Phuket Zoo
Phuket Trickeye Museum
The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary
Hat Laem Sing
Wat Phra Thong
Baan Teelanka - The UpsideDown House of Phuket
Yanui Beach
Rang Hill
Thalang Road
Rawai Beach
Dolphins Bay Phuket
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Thai Hua Museum
Banana beach
Ko Lon
Ao Sane Beach
( Phuket - Thailand ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Phuket. Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Phuket - Thailand
Join us for more :
No comments :
Post a Comment