PHUKET

PHUKET

Phuket is Thailand's largest island with an area of 543 square kilometres and nestles against the Andaman Sea coast 862 kilometres south of Bangkok. Phuket traditionally derives its wealth from tin and rubber. The island is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, genuinely hospitable people, comfortable accommodation, super seafood, tropically vegetative mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese-influenced architecture, which creates an en-chanting ambiance perfectly suited to total relaxation.

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Krathu Cultural Conservation Center
Located approximately 7 kilometers from Amphoe Kratu town, the center is located in the compound of Ban Kratu School. This is where a collection of ore, mining equipment, utilities, etc. are put on display. The center opens from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Call 076 321035 for more details.

Hat Kata
Located approximately 17 kilometers from Phuket City are Kata Noi (Small Kata) and Kata Yai (Big Kata) Beaches. Both are renowned for snorkeling to see the coral, tropical fishes and the seas eco-system. Also worth visiting is Ko Pu, a small uninhabited island located off Laem Sai. Most visitors find snorkeling along the islands rich coral reef enjoyable. Diverse beach activities are available on both beaches. Accommodations on Hat Kata are set amidst tropical and cliff settings. Visitors can choose to stay in budget to top end accommodations according to their preference. Well known hotels located here are Club Med and the Boathouse.

Phuket City and Old Buildings
Besides its beautiful nature, Phuket has the distinguish style of buildings located in town. Most of the buildings were built nearly 100 years ago. The houses are long and all the doors and the windows are carved in a unique style.

Namtok Krathu
This relatively small waterfall with a simple view but unique atmosphere is located approximately 4 kilometers from Amphoe Krathu. The entrance to the waterfall is located next to the Log Palm Golf Club. Restaurants and basic tourist amenities are available.

Phuket Fantasea
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).

Islands
Phuket is well equipped to provide offshore trips making it a centre of tourism in the Andaman sea. Trips can be arranged to see forests and mountains, rocky formations,beaches, coral reefs and fishing. Most of Phuket's 39 satellite islands are located to the east. Islands of special interest include;-

Marine Biological Research Centre
Located on the southernmost tip of Laem Panwa, 7kms. south of the town, the centre houses an aquarium which displays hundreds of exotic, grotesque and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in Phuket's teeming waters. It is open daily between 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. for more information call (706) 391126, 391041.

This bay is some 11 kms. from the town and extends in a broad sweep. A few kilometres from the bay is Wat Chalong where statues of Luang Po Chaem and Luang Po Chuang, Phuket 's most revered monks, are enshrined.

Laem Ka Yai
This is another small beach, about 16 kms. from the town on Highway No. 4024, where boats can be rented to visit nearby isles.

Ko Kaeo
This is an offshore isle about 3kms. from Hat Rawai and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat. There are sandy beaches and underwater scenery, as well as a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island.

Hat Rawai
This palm-fringed beach about 17 kms. from the town is home to Phuket's sea gypsies. Several offshore island have gleaming white beaches and dazzling underwater scenery, which attracts fishing enthusiasts and scuba divers.

Laem Phromthep
The southernmost point of Phuket is the perfect place where picturesque sunsets are seen.

Hat Nai Han
This beach, nearly southernmost of the island, is about 18 kms. from the town. Beyond the beach is a large swamp called Nong Han. Although not so long, the beach has white, clean sand. Swimming is not recommended during May-October due to the monsoon season. A small bay next to Hat Nai Han past the Phuket Yacht Club is Ao Sen, which is peaceful and picturesque with white, clean sand. At the midpoint between Hat Nai Han and Hat Kata Noi, there is a viewpoint overlooking three adjacent beaches.

Hat Karon
Hat Karon and Hat Kata south of Hat Patong, both are long and peaceful beaches and eminently suitable for swimming and sunbathing.

Hat Kalim
Once in Patong, turn right to Hat Kalim, which is a small beach with large rocks and a coral reef. Accommodation is available.

Hat Patong
Phuket's most developed beach is 15 kms. west of the town. Cabin and bungalow complexes, hotels, bars, nightclubs, discotheques, shops, and restaurants front the crescent bay. Windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, sunbathing, and swimming dominate the major activities.

Hat Kamala
Located 26 kms. from the town, turn left at the Heroines Statues past Hat Surin and Laem Sing, Hat Kamala is about 2 kms long, quiet and not crowded.

Leam Sing
1 kms. from Hat Surin, this scenic rocky cape is next to a small white sandy beach. To reach the beach, visitors can ask permission to cut through a private road, or take a detour along the hillside slanting to the beach.

Ao Bang Thao
This is a long stretch of sandy beach north of Hat Surin suitable for swimming and other water sports.

Hat Surin
The hillside beach with groves of large pine tree is about 24 kms. northwest of the town. Drive along Route No. 402, turn left at the Heroines Statues, and proceed on for 12 kms. There is a golf course to the right. Hat Surin is not recommended for swimming because of its steepness and winds during the monsoon season.