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Phuket Travel Guides |
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 Welcome
to Phuket, a large island in the Indian Ocean, is 867
kms. from Bangkok. It is the only island having provincial
status, and was a regional headquarters as well, with
a rich and colorful history.
Known as the Pearl of the Andaman,
it derived much of its former glory and its enormous
wealth from tin production, which in Phuket dates back
over 500 year. Today, Phuket is the major tourist attraction
of Thailand. The surrounding waters contain much varied
marine life, and the town is notable for its Sino-Portuguese
architecture. It is a very attractive island.
Phuket hotel indeed act as a 'home
away from home' for the global tourists. Among the most
popular hotels is JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa
- which is like a mythic palace of relaxation, besides
the untouched, unspoiled Mai Khao Beach.
 Among
the Phuket hotel, the Le Meridien Phuket - situated
in a secluded bay known as Relax Bay, is truly unique
for its accommodation, facilities and services. The
Laguna Beach Resort in Bang Tao is a popular family
resort among the other Phuket hotel - nestled between
a tropical lagoon and the sparkling Andaman Sea, featuring
a stunning array of sports & leisure facilities,
including a four-acre water park.
Popular among the Phuket hotel in the
budget category, Kamala Dreams is perfectly positioned
between the bustle of high street seafood restaurants,
shopping, night time entertainment, and its own secluded
beach. While for the budget Phuket hotels in Patong,
Aloha Villa is quite  popular
with the tourists for the par excellence service it
provides to the guests.
With its fine moon-dust beaches, water
sports, island hopping opportunities and Thailand's
exotically spiced world-renowned food, the place has
become all the more popular with the tourists because
of the world-class Phuket hotel, along with the wide
range of the resorts, bunglows & villas available. |
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Phuket Attractions |
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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 |
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This Beach is the most developed, most vibrant, most
visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress
visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the
city, the beach has a wide range of accommodations and
shopping arcades, and provides magnificent leisure activities
and energetic night-time entertainment. It is a picture
perfect postcard view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy
beach that is perfect for swimming, lazing, and enjoying
challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing
snorkeling, sailing, and parasailing. |
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Bangtao
Beach |
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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. 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. |
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Kata
Beach & Karon Beach |
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 Kata
Beach (20 & 17 km from town) Beautiful
Kata is a scenic gem, its clear water flanked by hills,
and picturesque Bu island sits offshore. Kata retains
a village feel at its northern and southern ends and
is perhaps more family-oriented, its beach more peaceful
than Patong
Karon
Beach (20 & 17 km from town) 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. |
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Phromthep
Cape |
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Literally translate as Brahmas Cape, Laem Phromthep
is perhaps one of Phukets most important landmarks.
There is a saying that you havent been to Phuket unless
you visit Laem Phromthep. It is here that visitors soak
up the sun and savor the breathtaking panoramic view
of the Andaman Sea from the islands southern-most tip.
The Cape is crowded especially in the evening, as it
is a popular observation point at sunset. Laem Phromthep
is located approximately 2 kilometers from Rawai Beach. |
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The
viewpoint |
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The most famous observation point of the 3 beaches,
Kata Not, Kata and Karon, is located on the road half-way
between Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach. From this
spot, an intriguing view of the 3 beaches and Ko Pu
has constantly impresses visitors. |
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Phuket
City and Old buildings |
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 Phuket
City is a fascinating city that can be explored on foot
or by traditional means of transportation, tuk-tuk or
. Sino-Portuguese architecture that is evident in the
citys shop houses provides the town with a charming
atmosphere and a late 19th century ambience. For visitors
interested in strolling along the city, start the trip
at the central post office and walk west along Thalang
Road, then turn south at the Standard Chartered Bank
building and walk towards Yaowarat Road. Continue the
trip to Fountain Circle, then head west to Ranong Road
and proceed to Patipat Road, which connects with the
historic Krabi Road. |
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Wat
Chalong |
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 Phukets most popular and famous temple, Wat Chai Tararam,
or Wat Chalong, was built in 1837. Located approximately
8 kilometers from the city, the temple houses the famous
Luang Po Cham, a monk who helped the locals fight the
Ang Yi rebellion during the reign of King Rama V (in
1876). A recent addition to the temple is a 61.4-meter
high chedi containing the Phra Borom Sareerikatat relic,
a piece of the Lord Buddha's bones brought over from
Sri Lanka. The chedi is a mixture of southern, central
and northeastern architectural styles and is the first
in this region to house the holy Buddha's relic.
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Sapan
Hin |
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| 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.
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.
The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the
60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket. A sport
center is located in the park. |
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Phuket
Fantasea |
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 Located
on Kamala beach, Phuket Fantasea is dubbed as the ultimate
nighttime cultural theme park of Phuket. It has won
several awards from the TAT, among the distinctive ones
are Best Attraction Thailand Tourism Award (for the
years 2000 to 2003).
This large-scale night time amusement
center is spread out over an area of 140 acres near
the village of Kamala Bay, or just 4 kilometers north
of Patong. Attractions include the Culture-Illusion
Stage Show, Fantasy of the Kingdom, a spectacular buffet
restaurant Golden Kinnaree Restaurant, shopping village
the enchanted Festive Village, Cultural Parade &
Street Shows, Traditional Games and Carnivals, Handicraft
Demonstrations & Live Performances (performed in
Palace of the Elephants).
 Phuket
Fantasea's stage performance is exceptionally extraordinary
and beyond just a spectacular show. It is indeed a perfect
blend of Thai cultural traditions and the latest modern
Las Vegas style technology. Visitors can see magic elephants
disappearing into thin air, gymnastics, musical fountains,
and a circus. Tickets (including buffet dinner) cost
1,600 baht for adults and 1,100 baht for children, while
tickets without buffet dinner cost 1,100 baht for adults
and 800 baht for children. Call 076 385111 to reserve
your seats or browse www.phuket-fantasea.com for more information. The park opens from 5.30 p.m.
to 11.30 p.m. daily except Thursday. Show time is 9.00
p.m.
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Hat
Rawai |
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 Located
approximately 17 kilometers from town is the less crowded,
more peaceful and less commercial beach with a second-to-none
pristine beach. The Beach is home to a well-established
community of Phuket s Chao Le people (sea gypsies).
In addition, from this beach visitors can charter boats
to explore other offshore islands. Hat Laem Kha, located
to the northeast of the beach, is the departure point
for those wishing to visit Ko Lon, and Ko He. Laem Phromthep,
Phukets landmark, is located at the southern end of
the beach. This cape is an ideal spot for diving and
snorkeling. Accommodations range from budget bungalows
to middle range resorts. Getting to the Beach is easy by songthaeos,
which cost approximately 20 baht / person / trip. Songthaeos
depart from the stop at the circle of Ranong Road, while
chartered tuk-tuks will cost more at 150 baht / trip. |
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Racha
Island |
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 The
island consists of Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands located
south of Phuket. Ko Racha Yai (Big Racha) has an enchanting
beach located on the west between the valleys that resembles
horseshoes. The area is known as Ao Bungalow which is
famous for its white powdery beach and crystal clear
water. Visitors can marvel at the delightful panoramic
view of the whole island from the vantage point at the
peak of the mountain located south of the bay. Koh
Racha Yai is the ultimate place
to explore the wonders of the underwater world,
especially at Ao Siam, Ao Tue and Khon Kae. Accommodations
are available.
Koh
Racha Noi (Small Racha) is located
just 10 kilometers from Big Racha Island. Originating
from the accumulation of coral stones, the island
has more rocky hills than beaches, thus the island
is more suitable for fishing. To get there, visitors
can charter long-tailed or speed boats from Chalong
Pier. Alternatively, they can buy a package tour
from reliable travel agencies. |
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Phuket
Aquarium |
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Located at Cape Phanwa, southeastern-most end of the island
is an extraordinary aquarium that displays hundreds of
exotic and colorful marine species found in the sea around
Phuket. The aquarium opens daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00
p.m. Call 076 391126 for more information. To get by public
transportation, take a local bus from the towns fresh
produce market. |
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Phuket
Sea Shell Museum |
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 Phuket
Sea Shell Museum is located near Rawai Beach on the
island's southwestern shores. On display are private
collections of seashells from Thai waters (off Phuket
Island itself). They are considered the most sought-after
shells by collectors. In addition to such the collection,
seashells from other parts of Thailand and other parts
of the world are also on display. The main attractions
at this Museum are the worlds largest golden 140-karat
pearl, the worlds earliest known life form seen in sections
of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils and a gigantic
250-kilogram shell. The museum is open daily from 8
a.m. to 7 p.m. Call tel. 0 7638 1266 or 0 7638 1274
for more information. |
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Hat
Surin |
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| Located approximately 24 kilometers from town and only
in a short distance north of Laem Sing is an enchanting
beach lined with casuarinas trees. Isolated and secluded,
the beach is ideal for sunbathing and relaxing. The beach,
however, is not suitable for swimming as it has a steep
sloping beach and the weather fluctuates during the southwest
monsoon. In addition, there is a golf course which was
established in the reign of King Rama VII.
Several
Muslim fishing communities are located nearby and Mosques
are situated to the west of the beach. The local Mosque,
Matsayit Mukaram, is worth visiting as it is an elegant
whitewashed structure with lacquered wooden doors.
To get there,
travel along Route No. 402, after reaching the Two Heroines
Monument, turn left and proceed for approximately 12
kilometers. |
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Wat
Phra Thong |
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| The temple is a popular attraction for both visitors
and local residents. Located in the temple is the upper
half of a large Buddha statue which seems to emerge from
the ground. Legend has it that during the invasion of
Thalang town in 1785, the Burmese made several attempts
to excavate the statue in order to take it back to Burma.
Each time they dug into the ground, swarms of hornets
would swoop on them and they had to give up in the end.
Later, the visible part of the statue was covered with
gold by the villagers and has remained as such until today.
The temple is located approximately 20 kilometers from
Phuket City. Travel along Thepkrasattri Road, upon reaching
the Thalang District Office, turn right and proceed
directly to the temple. |
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