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THE
CITY OF PHUKET :
Located
on Thanon Thep
Krasattri, the Centre
has artisans skilled in
silk
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 ships' logs. The
Portuguese, Dutch,
English and French came
to trade. Other visitors
were less friendly, and
Phuket's most famous
monument is the memorial
statue of the heroines
Thao Thep Krasattri and
Thao Sisunthon, who
rallied the islanders in
1785 to repel Burmese
invaders.Blessed by nature and
the smiling hospitality
of its people, and
supported by superb
tourism facilities,
Phuket is today one of
the world's premier
tropical resorts.
Palm-fringed beaches, an
island-studded sea,
superb accommodation,
delicious seafood
numerous sporting and
leisure opportunities
and, of course,
year-round sunshine,
combine to produce the
perfect recipe for a
truly memorable holidays
Climate:
Phuket has two main
seasons: rainy from May
through to October and
hot from November to
April. However, there
are sunny days
throughout the wet
season, showers
customarily lasting
little more than 2-3
hours. The best months
to visit are November to
February. Average
temperatures range
between 22 and 34
degrees Celsius.
Beach & Bay:
Phuket's glory is its
magnificent coastline.
Beaches ranges from
gentle crescents of
white sand to rocky
headlands.
Counterclockwise, from
the island's northern
tip, where the Sarasin
Bridge connects with the
mainland, the major
beaches and bays are :
Mai Khao Beach::
This pine fringed
stretch of sand is
Phuket's longest beach.
Each year, from November
through to February,
giant sea turtles
struggle ashore to lay
their eggs here.
Hat Nai Yang:
This forms part of the
Sirinat National Park,
and is backed by
casuarinas pines, as
well as a mangrove
forest. The tranquil
surroundings are ideal
for relaxation, picnics,
swimming and snorkelling.
The two scenic coves
offer very picturesque
settings, although
dangerous undercurrents
can make swimming
unsafe.
HAT KAMALA:
Another fine stretch of
sand. The northern end,
which is partly shaded
by casuarinw is suitable
for swimming.
HAT PATONG:
Phuket's most developed
beach offers numerous
leisure, sporting,
shopping and
recreational options
along its 3 km. crescent
bay. In addition to its
daytime attractions,
Patong is also known for
its vibrant nightlife,
among which seafood
restaurants prominently
feature.
Both beaches are
impressive, peaceful and
eminently suitable for
swimming, snorkelling,
windsurfing and
sunbathing.
NAI HAN BEACH:
This white sandy beach
fronts a shallow lagoon
between rocky headlands.
Conditions for swimming,
windsurfing, sailing and
sunbathing are all
excellent.
RAWAI BEACH:
The palm-fringed beach
is best known for its
village of "sea
gypsies", formerly a
nomadic fishing minority
believed to be of
Melanesian descent.
CHALONG BAY:
A location popular for
its several restaurants
serving some of Phuket's
best seafood.
PHANWA CAPE:
The southern tip of the
cape is the location of
the Marine Biological
Research Centre and
Phuket's Aquarium, where
visitors can see several
hundred exotic and
colourful marine
species.
MAJOR SIGHTS &
ATTRACTIONS
MUEANG PHUKET:
The compact provincial
capital serves mainly as
a commercial and
shopping centre,
although traces of the
old Sino-Portuguese
architecture provides
distinctive character.
KHAO RANG:
This provides a pleasant
view of the town, while
also having a Fitness
Park and a series of
hillside sculptural
tableaux.
THE THAI VILLAGE:
On Thanon Thep Krasattri,
the village serves
typical southern Thai
specialities for lunch
and dinner, as well as
staging cultural shows
featuring Thai dances,
sword-fighting, Thai
boxing, elephants and
local customs.
Handicrafts are also on
display.
THALANG NATIONAL MUSEUM:
Located near the Two
Heroines Monument, the
museum contains a
collection of exhibits
of ancient artifacts and
other materials
illustrating life in old
Phuket.
WAT PHRA THONG:
Inland from Hat Nai
Yang, the temple
enshrines a famous,
partially buried Buddha
image. Local legend
relates how a boy
tethered his buffalo to
what he thought was a
post sticking out of the
ground. Subsequently
both boy and animal fell
mysteriously ill.
Suspicious villagers
uncovered the post and
found that is was the
decorative topknot of a
buried golden Buddha.
They were able to
unearth no more than the
upper
part of the image, over
which the present temple
was constructed. When
Burmese invaders
attempted to remove the
statue in the 18th
century they were
attacked by a swarm of
hornets.
NAMTOK TON SAI & KHAO
PHRA THAEO WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY:
An idyllic setting
cooled by sonorous
cascades, this 22 sq.
km. area is rich in
wildlife, including
bears, porcupines,
gibbons and macaques, as
well as over 100 bird
species
WAT CHALONG:
A few kilometres inland
from Ao Chalong the
temple enshrines statues
of Phuket's two most
revered monks, Luang Pho
Chaem and Luang Pho
Chuang.
PEARL FARMS:
Several pearl farms are
located in and around
Phuket. Please contact
TAT's Phuket office for
details of arranging
visits. weaving,
lacquerware, silverware,
jewellery-making and the
crafting of parasols
PHUKET BUTTERFLY FARM :
Here, situated 3 km.
from town, is a
fascinating collection
of such tropical
creatures as
butterflies, insects,
all displayed in natural
surroundings. Open
daily 9.00 a.m. to 5.30
p.m. Tel: 0 7621 5616, 0
7621 0861.
NATIVE HANDICRAFTS
CENTRE
WAT PHRA NANG SANG:
A historical Phuket
landmark, Wat Phra Nang
Sang was originally a
fort built to resist
Burmese invaders.
Enshrined in the main
hall are three old and
large Buddha statues
made of tin
TOURS & CRUISES:
Several tour operators
arrange island tours,
visit to pearl farms,
island cruises, dive
safaris and more. Full
and up-to-date
information on these and
other sightseeing and
touring options are
available from TAT's
Phuket office on Thanon
Phuket Tel: 0 7621 2213,
0 7621 1036.
SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES:
GOLF
There are four top
18-hole golf courses in
Phuket, which offer
excellent and
challenging play: Phuket
Country Club (tel: 0
7632 1038-40) in Kathu;
Blue
HORSE RIDING:
Three
riding clubs - one on Thanon Patak, on the
way to Hat Kata; Ban Sai
Yuan, on the route to
Hat Nai Han and Laguna
Phuket at Bang Thao have
facilities for beginners
and experienced riders
alike.
WINDSURFING:
This sport can be
enjoyed at most major
beaches. Boards may be
rented by the hour,
half-day, full-day or
week. Expert tuition is
also available.
SAILING:
Small boat sailing is
popular especially at
Hat Nai Han, Hat Patong
and Hat Kata, Toppers
and Dinghies are found
at Hat Patong, while
Catamarans Hobie Cats
and Top Cats are
available at Hat Kata.
WATERSKIING:
Popular at Hat Patong on
a half-hour or hourly
basis. Cable waterskiing
is available at Phuket
Waterski Cableway,
located behind the Loch
Palm Golf Course in
Amphoe Kathu.
DEEP SEA FISHING:
Daily tours, departing
early morning and
returning late
afternoon, cruise around
the smaller offshore
islands for game fish.
SWIMMING:
Enjoyed throughout the
year, with conditions
good in most locales.
However, there are
undertones off certain
beaches, especially
hazardous in the rainy
season, and it is best
to seek local advice
regarding safety.
SNORKELLING:
This can be enjoyed at
many sheltered bays
around Phuket, the most
readily accessible spots
being Hat Patong, Hat
Kata and Hat Karon.
Fins, masks and snorkel
can be rented on a daily
basis from numerous
shops around the island.
SCUBA DIVING:
Dive boats regularly
leave Phuket for
expeditions of 1-7 days
around neighbouring
islands,as well as
further afield, notably
to Mu Ko Phi Phi, in
Krabi, some 2 hours east
of Phuket, and Mu Ko
Similan, which lie in
Phangnga some 110 km.
northwest of Phuket.
Several dive shops
concentrated in the
Patong, Kata and Chalong
areas have Thai and
expatriate dive
instructors how are
qualified to provide
expert tuition. All
diving equipment is
available for hire.
SEA CANOEING:
This form of
eco-tourism, exploring
islands and marine caves
that are accessible only
by canoe, has become
extremely popular in
recent years. Day tours
and overnight camping
trips, mostly in
Phang-nga, are offered
by various sea canoe
companies, with full
details being available
from TAT's Phuket
office.
YACHT CHARTERS:
Yacht charters, either
with or without crews,
as well as sailing
courses are available.
contact TAT's Phuket
office )r names of
charter Companies and
full details. |
