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Phuket Holiday Guide
Filed Under Thailand
Holidays in Phuket
In recent decades, Phuket has emerged as one of Thailand’s premier resort destinations. This large island is part of a long archipelago and boasts attractive inland mountains. The tourist infrastructure here is some of Thailand’s finest, and as a result it’s well-suited for families and independent travellers alike. While the primary draw card is the beach and water sports, the island’s nightlife is also well-established—making Phuket popular with almost every brand of tourist.
Flights to Phuket
Phuket’s a big island, and the airport is about a 40-minute drive from the city centre. Flights in and out of Phuket International Airport focus on Bangkok, though it’s easy to arrange incoming flights from a number of international destinations. Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok make regular trips to Phuket, and it’s also possible to charter minibuses here from several cities in Thailand.
Getting around the island of Phuket usually involves one of Thailand’s Big Three: songtaews, tuk-tuks and taxis. Any of these modes are generally quick and inexpensive. Car, scooter or bike rental is also possible, though many of the roads are more than a little treacherous. A little caution is an important part of independent transport on Phuket.
Sightseeing in Phuket
Wat Pra Tong and Wat Chalong are Phuket’s most popular temple, but don’t let this sidetrack you from checking out the numerous other religious shrines in town. The local Thalang National Museum is an important archive of Phuket’s historic journey, chronicling the fusion of native and Thai cultures. Most visitors balance sightseeing with time spent on the beach, where there are plenty of activities to keep things interesting.
The lazy view on Phuket’s most popular spot, Patong Beach.
Most daytrips revolve around island hopping. The sea gypsies, Phuket’s indigenous peoples, have capitalized on the international tourist market, and many of their villages can be visited via organized tours. The Phi Phi islands and a few others are quite picturesque. Many of them have been featured in blockbuster films such as James Bond and The Beach.
Wat Chalong - Phuket, Thailand
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Phuket’s nightlife is world famous. Places to party range from laid-back tiki-style beach bars to trendy nightclubs with live house bands. The most popular clubs and hangouts are strung along the beaches of Patong, Rawai and Kata, though you’ll find just as many places at or near the city centre. While its red-light district isn’t Phuket’s main attraction, there are a few go-go bars lining soi Seadragon.
There’s equally as much to do for families in Phuket. Family-oriented pubs are easily found about town, and activities like go-karting, mini-golf and bowling are offered in a variety of venues. Many of the larger hotels host kid-friendly cabaret shows and other live entertainment along with babysitting services for parents that need a night out alone.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping in an open-air market is a central element of travelling in Thailand. Phuket is no exception, with several bazaars and night markets that sell Thai silk, jewellery, ceramics and handicrafts. While the best (and most affordable) handicrafts can be found in Northern Thailand, there’s still plenty to found here in Phuket. The local concentration of tourists means prices tend to be a little inflated; but honestly, a bit of polite bargaining is one of the favourite pastimes in Thailand.
Daytrips
Phuket is conveniently located on the west coast of Thailand and as a result, there are a number of possibilities when it comes to daytrips. Popular daytrips include visits to secluded islands and dive sites off the Andaman coast. Many of these islands are uninhabited, which allows their natural beauty to shine through.
One of the most popular daytrips is to Phi Phi Islands. Boats make the short crossing to Phi Phi Don, where visitors can take advantage of the beautiful beaches and facilities. From here, long tail boats make regular crossings to Phi Phi Ley, which was the setting for the blockbuster film The Beach. Many people choose to stay on Phi Phi Don for a night to fully experience the island’s laid-back atmosphere. However, it is easy to visit the island on a daytrip.
Other popular daytrips include visiting Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island, Coral Island and Kaew Island. Diving and kayaking are available at all of these sites.
Must-see attractions
Most people arrive on Phuket to take full advantage of the beaches and sun but should you want a break from the sun, sea and sand, there are a number of options. Phuket is home to many must-see temples with the most famous being Wat Pra Tong. For amazing views across Phuket, head to the popular viewpoint, Phromthep Cape. Other popular attractions include museums, the surrounding jungle and of course, the shops.
Phuket is a busy tourist hub with many entertainment facilities and restaurants catering to tourists. Phuket Town is a great place to visit to see how the locals on the island live. To gain an insight into some of the southern tribes, a visit to any of the small stilted fishing settlements they call home is a must. These can be found around Phuket, on Koh Sirey and in Pha Nga Bay.
Best time to go
Phuket experiences three distinct seasons which are the cool, the hot and the rainy seasons. The cool season, from November until March, is the most popular time for travel. The weather is still considered hot by most tourists but without the extreme humidity and rain of the hot season.
However, regardless of when you travel you are guaranteed sunshine and warm weather - even in the rainy season. If you want to avoid the crowds, October is a good time to travel as the rain has stopped and the temperatures begin to cool down as winter approaches.
Rainy day suggestions
Phuket is home to a number of museums which will keep anyone interested and entertained while the rain falls. The Phuket Seashell Museum is home to the world’s most valuable collection of seashells, all of which have been found on the coast around Phuket. It also boasts the world’s largest golden pearls and fossils, which date back to the beginnings of civilisation.
Another popular museum is the Thalang National Museum. This displays ancient artefacts from Phuket which include relics from the famous Battle of Thalang, daily life in Phuket and the sea gypsy culture. The museum’s main aim is to detail the history of the Thais who call Phuket home.
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