Hat Kamala
Hat Kamala is a 2-kilometre-long beach north of Patong. The beach is beautiful and queit. Accommodation and seafood restaurants are available.
Hat Patong
Hat Patong Phuket’s most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3-kilometre-long cresent bay. Windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing, swimming and sunbathing number among popular daytime activities. Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife, among which seafood restaurants prominently feature. The following places offer enjoyable activities:
Phuket Water Ski Cableways , Tel: 0-7620-2525-7
Simon Cabaret, Tel: 0-7634-2011-5
Tarzan’s Jungle Bungy Jump, Tel: 0-7632-1351
Tazan’s Catapult Bungy, Tel: 0-1464-1581
Patong Go-kart Speedway, Tel: 0-7632-1949
Phuket Joyland, Tel: 0-7620-3005
Horror House, Tel: 0-7629-3123
Phuket Fantasea
Phuket Fantasea A large-scale night time amusement centre on 140 acres near the village of Kamala Bay, 4 kilometres north of Patong. Thai cultural traditions are mixed with the latest modern technology in “Las Vegas style”. Magic elephants disappearing into thin air, gymnastics, musical fountains, and a circus are among the many attractions. For information,Tel: 0-7627-1133
Amphoe Thalang
Ao Bang Thao
Ao Bang Thao 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 which can be reached by taking the road north from Surin beach.
Hat Surin
About 24 kilometres from town is Hat Surin , which can be reached on Route No. 402. After reaching the Heroines Monument, turn left and proceed on for 12 kilometres. The beach borders on a hillside. To the north are groves of large pine trees and a golf course. Surin beach is not recommended for swimming because of its steepness and heavy seas and winds during the Monsoon season.
Laem Sing
About one kilometre from Surin beach is Laem Sing which offers small but white sandy beach; to the left is a scenic rocky cape.
Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park is about 30 kilometres from town. Proceed on the Thepkasattri Road past the Thalang intersection. Take a left turn at Km.21-22 or go straight on to turn left for 2 kilometres at the road to the airport. The park occupies a total area of 90 square kilometres, and has an uninterrupted 13-kilometre-long stretch of beaches:
Hat Nai Thon nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of sand. This quiet bay is suitable for swimming.
Hat Nai Yang is where the park headquarters are located. The beach is blessed with shady pine trees providing excellent opportunity for swimming and relaxation. Off-shore is a large coral reef which serves as habitat for several species of sea life, particularly the sea turtles.
Hat Mai Khao , also known as the Airport Beach (Hat Sanambin), can be reached by taking the Thepkasattri Road on to the Thao Thepkasattri Bridge, then take a left turn at the direction sign pointing to Mai Khao Beach. It is the habitat of the sea cicadas and turtles.
Hat Sai Kaeo , just the northern portion of Mai Khao beach, is a long white sandy beach with groves of pines along the shore.
Mangrove Forest , situated on the island’s northern tip, cover a large area of 320 acres. A nature trail has been cleared for the convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the various species.
Thalang National Museum
Thalang National Museum is located near the Two Heroines Monument. The museum contain permanent exhibition of life in old Phuket, ancient artefacts and remains discovered on the coast and, materials used during war with Burma (Myanmar). It is open daily except national holidays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information call 0-7631-1426, 0-7631-1025.
The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary
The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Thalang district about 20 kilometres from Phuket town. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in July of 1969, it has 13,925 rai (5,570 acres) of rich and fertile land and is the habitat to several types of wild animals. Major attractions include:-
Namtok Ton Sai, 22 kilometres from town on the Thepkasattri Road past the Thalang district intersection, then turn right and proceed on for another 3 kilometres to the fall. Although small in size, it nevertheless provides a cool, shady area for relaxation and the flow during the rainy season is quite strong.
Another waterfall in the sanctuary is Namtok Bang Pae which is located at Tambon Pa Khlok past the Two Heroines Monument. There is an arboretum and a nursery to rehabilitate captured gibbons before returning them to the wild.
For nature enthusiasts, the sanctuary has mapped out some walking trails. Further information may be obtained from the Nature Study Centre.
Wat Phra Thong
Wat Phra Thong is where only the upper half of a large Buddha statue emerges from the ground. Legend has it that during the invasion of Thalang town in 2328 B.E. (circa 1785), the Burmese tried in vain to excavate the statue to take to back. Each time they dug into the ground, swarms of hornets would swoop on them and they had to give up. Later, the visible part of the statue was covered with gold by the villagers and has remained as such until today. It is located about 20 kilometres from Phuket town past the Thalang district office.
Wat Phranang Sang
About 20 kilometres from town is Wat Phranang Sang , located on the Thepkasattri Road at Thalang district. An old and historical landmark of Phuket, the temple was once a fort resisting Burmese invasion around 1785. Inside the old Ubosot are enshrined the three oldest and largest Buddha statues made of tin. Called the Three Kings, they are positioned in the midsections of another three large statues.
Amphoe Muang
Ao Chalong
Ao Chalong , Phuket's principal boat anchorage and the island's larest bay, is 11 kilometres south of the town. It is very picturesque but not suitable for swimming. Boats can be chartered to go to some small island south of Phuket. A number of restaurants are on the road leading to the bay.
Ao Sen or Sen Bay
A small bay next to Nai Han past the Phuket Yacht Club is Ao Sen or Sen Bay , peaceful and picturesque with white, clean sand.
Hat Karon and Hat Kata
20 kilometres and 17 kilometres respectively from town are Hat Karon and Hat Kata . Both beaches are long and peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming and sunbathing.
Hat Nai Han
Hat Nai Han is located next to Phromthep Cape about 18 kilometres from town. Although not so long, the beach has white, clean sand. Beyond the beach is a swamp called Nong Han. Not recommended for swimming during May-October because of the Monsoon season.
Khao Rang
Khao Rang , a small hill northeast of the town, provides a pleasant view of town while dining, and has a Fitness Park, a series of hillside sculptural tableaux which enhance calisthenics.
Ko Kaeo
Ko Kaeo is an offshore isle about 3 kilometres out from Rawai beach and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat. It offers picturesque beaches and underwater scenery. There is also a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island.
Ko Si-re
Ko Si-re , a twenty-square kilometre island, separated from the main island only by the small Thachin canal, is some 4 kilometres northeast of the town and hosts the biggest Sea Gypsy village in Phuket.
Laem Ka
Laem Ka , at the extreme southwest of Chalong Bay, is suitable for swimming.
Phromthep or Phromthep Cape
The nearby Laem Phromthep or Phromthep Cape forms Phuket ’s southern most point and is the perfect place from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets and the sea.
Phuket Aquarium
Phuket Aquarium is located at Cape Phanwa, on the island's extreme southeast. The aquarium displays hundreds of exotic, grotesque and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in Phuket ’s teeming waters. Open daily from 8.30 in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. A local bus can be taken from the town’s fresh produce market. Called 0-7639-1126 for more information.
Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium
Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium is only 3 kilometres from town via Yaowarat Road and the Sam Kong intersection. It has a fascinating collection of such tropical creatures as butterflies, insects, marine life all arranged in natural surroundings. It is open daily from 9 p.m.-5 p.m. Tel: 0-7621-5616, 0-7621-0861
Phuket Sea Shell Museum
Phuket Sea Shell Museum is located near Rawai Beach on the island's southwestern shores. The emphasis is on shells from Thai waters, which are among the most sought-after by collectors, however shells from every part of the world are featured. There are numerous rarities and freaks including the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils, and a shell that weighs 250 kilograms. The museum is open daily from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. Tel: 0-7638-1266 or 0- 7638-1274
Phuket town
Phuket town serves mainly as a dormitory and shopping centre. Splendid colonial style residences built by late 19th-century tin and rubber barons and shophouses from the same period provide distinctive character.
Phuket Zoo
Phuket Zoo ,located on the way to Chalong Bay, contains a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. Elephant and crocodile shows are performed every day. Call 0-7638-1337, 0- 7638-1227 for details.
Rawai Beach
To the south, the palm-fringed Rawai Beach about 17 kilometres from town hosts Phuket ’s Chao Le people (sea gypsies). Several offshore islands have gleaming white beaches and dazzling underwater scenery which attract fishing enthusiasts and scuba-divers.
To the south, the palm-fringed Rawai Beach about 17 kilometres from town hosts Phuket ’s Chao Le people (sea gypsies). Several offshore islands have gleaming white beaches and dazzling underwater scenery which attract fishing enthusiasts and scuba-divers.
Saphan Hin
Saphan Hin is a public park near the sea at the end of Phuket Road. 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 in dredge to Phuket in 1909.
Thai Village and Orchid Farm
Thai Village and Orchid Farm , on Thepkasattri Road about 3 kilometres from town, serves daily a typical southern Thai lunch that is followed by a spectacular cultural show including Thai dances, sword-fighting, Thai boxing southern customs and elephants. Handicrafts are also on display. Call 0-7621-4860, 0- 7623-7400 for details.
The View Point
The View Point is located mid-point between Nai Han and Kata beaches. The scenic Kata Noi, Kata and Karon beaches, and Ko Pu Island can be viewed from this point.
Wat Chalong
Wat Chai Tararam, or Wat Chalong, is the most popular temple in Phuket. Built in 1837, a recent additon to the temple is a 61.4-meter high chedi containing the Phra Borom Sareerikatat relic, a piece of Buddha’s bones brought over from Sri Lanka. Combining the architectural styles from the Southern, Central and Northeastern Thailand, the chedi is the first in this region to house this holy relic.
Bus
Air-conditioned coaches, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Phuket every day. Departure times are as follows:
VIP Bus: 5.30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus: 5.30 p.m., 5.45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6.30 p.m., 6.40 p.m., 7 p.m., 7.10 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus: 7 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Travelling time is about 13 hours. For further details, please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200.
Train
There are no direct train services to Phuket. Travellers by train must get off at Phun Phin railway station in Surat Thani and continue by regular buses to Phuket. Please call 1690, 66 2223-7010, 66 2223 7020 for more information.
Air
From October 23,2003, Phuket Air offers daily flights to Phuket and the journey takes only 1.20 hours. Flight time is available at 10.30 hrs. from Bangkok and 18.30 hrs. from Phuket. For more information, call Bangkok Office 66 2679 8999 or Phuket Office 66 7522 0184-6 or view www.phuketairlines.com
Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya and Samui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2265 5678 Reservation tel. 66 2265 5555 or view their website at www.bangkokair.com
Thai Airways has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Phuket route. In additon, they have regular flights connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2628 2000 or view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
