PhuketPhang-nga Karon View Point CONTENTS PHUKET 8 Beaches & Bays 9 Major Sights & Attractions 11 Recreations 15 Special Events 18 Getting There 19 PHANG-NGA 20 Islands 21 Other Attractions 22 Sporting Opportunities 25 Special Event 25 Getting There 26 3 PHUKET PHUKET Phang-nga 4 5 6 Phuket 6 Phuket 7 7 Laem Phromthep PHUKET 8 Often referred to as the Pearl of the Andaman, Average temperatures range between 22 and Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, shaped 34 degrees Celsius. like an irregular pearl. It is located 867 kilometres south of Bangkok and measuring BEACHES & BAYS approximately 21 kilometres long. Connected Phuket’s glory is its magnificent coastline. to the mainland by a causeway, it has a coastline Beaches range from gentle crescents of white fringed with white sandy beaches and quiet sand to rocky headlands. Counter-clockwise, coves, bathed by the clear blue waters of from the island’s northern tip, where the Sarasin the Andaman Sea and set against a backdrop Bridge connects with the mainland, the major of green hills, coconut groves, and rubber beaches and bays are: plantations. Hat Mai Khao Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and has a rich and colourful This pine-fringed stretch of sand is Phuket’s history. The island was on one of the major longest beach. Each year, from November trading routes between India and China, and through to February, giant sea turtles struggle was frequently mentioned in foreign ships’ logs. ashore to lay their eggs here. Every year, The Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French Hat Mai Khao organises a “doen tao” festival came to trade during that time. in which the locals join hands in cleaning up the beach and taking care of the turtle’s eggs. Phuket’s most famous monument is Visitors who seek tranquility would enjoy the memorial statue of the heroines Thao a cluster of deluxe resorts available here. Thep Krasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied the islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders. Hat Nai Yang Blessed by nature and the smiling hospitality This forms part of the Sirinat National Park of its people, and supported by superb tourism and is backed by casuarina pines, as well as facilities, Phuket is today one of the world’s a mangrove forest. The tranquil surroundings premier tropical resorts. Palm-fringed beaches, are ideal for relaxation, picnics, swimming and an island-studded sea, superb accommodation, snorkelling. delicious seafood, numerous sporting and Hat Pansea & Hat Surin leisure opportunities and, of course, year-round sunshine, are a few of what makes a trip to The two scenic coves oer very picturesque Phuket a truly memorable holiday. settings although dangerous undercurrents can make swimming unsafe. CLIMATE Hat Laem Sing Phuket has two main seasons: rainy from One end of Hat Laem Sing is connected to Hat May through to October and hot from Surin, whereas the other end is only 5 minutes November to April. However, there are sunny walking distance from Hat Kamala. Even though days throughout the wet season; showers it is dotted with rocks, this beach is popular customarily lasting little more than 2-3 hours. amongst the foreign tourists for its beautiful The best months to visit are November to April. white sandy beach and crystal clear water. Phuket 9 Ko Racha Noi Royal Phuket Marina Hat Kamala Hat Rawai This is another ne stretch of sandy beach where The palm-fringed beach is best known for the northern end is suitable for swimming and its village of “Sea Gypsies”, formerly a nomadic is partly shaded by casuarinas. shing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent as well as a place where you can nd Hat Patong fresh seafood. Phuket’s most developed beach oers numer- ous leisure, sporting, shopping, and recreational Ao Chalong options along its 3 kms. crescent bay. In addition A location popular for its several restaurants to its daytime attractions, Patong is also known serving some of Phuket’s best seafood, Ao for its vibrant nightlife and prominent seafood Chalong is also the largest port of Phuket that restaurants. takes visitors to several nearby islands including Phi Phi Island. Hat Karon & Kata Both beaches are impressive, peaceful and Laem Phanwa eminently suitable for swimming, snorkelling, The southern tip of the cape is the location windsurng, and sunbathing. of the Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket’s Aquarium, where visitors can see Hat Nai Han several hundred exotic and colourful marine This white sandy beach fronts a shallow lagoon species. between rocky headlands. Conditions for swimming, windsurng, sailing and sunbathing Ko Si Re are all excellent. The small island separated from the mainland only by the Tha Chin Canal, is located 4 km. 10 Phuket northeast of the town. There is a sea gypsy Khao Rang village considered the largest in Phuket. This provides a pleasant view of the town, also Sirinat National Park a park and series of hillside sculptural tableaux. The Park, located near Phuket International Phuket Fantasea Airport along Routes No. 402 and 4026, some Inspired by Thailand’s rich and exotic heritage, 30 kms., occupies a total area of 90 sq. kms. and Phuket Fantasea not only showcases the charm has an uninterrupted 13 kms. long stretch of and beauty of Thailand, but also enriches beaches namely, Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang, ancient Thai traditions with the wonder of Hat Mai Khao, and Hat Sai Kaeo. cutting edge technology and special eects. The result is a stunning 140-acre theme MAJOR SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS complex packed with a multitude of activities Mueang Phuket (The Old Town Phuket) and entertainment: a festival village with carnivals, games, handicrafts and shopping; a The compact provincial capital serves mainly 4,000-seat restaurant oering a grand buet as a commercial and shopping centre although of Thai and international cuisine; a breath- traces of the old Sino-Portuguese architecture taking Las Vegas-style theatrical show, where give Phuket a distinctive character. state-of-the-art technology and special eects Sino-Portuguese Buildings Phuket 11 enhance the beauty of Thailand’s myths, The highly professional production team, mysteries and magic in a wondrous extravaganza sound, light and stage personal with high certain to delight everyone. For more information, technical qualifications and the latest call +66 7638 5111 or www.phuket-fantasea.com technology in stage set up ensure the highest quality entertainment. Show times Siam Niramit are 5 .00 p.m., 6.30 p.m.,8.00 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. The theatre is located on Pracha Uthit 3 Road, For more information, Tel. +66 7661 2888, +66 Tamboon Ratsada. This is an entertainment 7624 8666 or visit www.phuket-aphroditecab- venue of Phuket, presenting a beautiful show aret.com. of Thai traditions and culture, with state- of-the-art technology in light and sound Phuket Seashell Museum spectacular performances and specia eects This museum is located near Rawai Beach on in extravagant setting; such as, ying angel, the island’s southwestern shores. The emphasis lightning, rain, etc. It is open daily except is on shells from Thai waters, which are among Tuesdays. oering one show time at 8.30 p.m. the most sought-after by collectors; however, For more information, contact Tel. +66 7633 shells from every part of the world are featured. 5001-2 Fax: +66 7633 5065 Bangkok Tel. There are numerous rarities and freaks +66 2649 9222 or www.siamniramit.com including the world’s largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sectons of sedimentary rock Simon Cabaret containing shell fossils, and a shell that weighs There’s not diva in the west who can compare, 250 kilogrammes. The Museum is open daily and many a catwalk model has turned green with from 8.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. Tel. +66 7661 3777 envy at the sight of the lady-boy performers Marine Biological Research Centre of Simon Cabaret. This hugely popular tourist attraction, on the hill just outside Patong, The Marine Biological Research Centre at Laem has been wowing audiences for years with Phanwa oers the opportunity to observe local its exotic, hilarious, and transvestite cabaret. marine life up close without the necessity of With sets and choreography that would do diving beneath the waves. More than a hundred Broadway justice, and gowns dripping with a quatic species are housed at this facility, which diamante, the boy who are girls stiletto-strut is one of Thailand’s principle centres for research their stu to full houses each night at 6.00 p.m., into the whales, dugongs, sharks, dolphins and 7.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. Tel. +66 7634 2114-6, sea turtles that make their home in the water +66 87888 6888 or www.phuket-simoncabaret. around Phuket, The centre is open daily from com 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Tel. +66 7639 1126 or visit www.phuketaquarium.org for further Aphrodite Cabaret information. It is situated on the Bypass Road opposite Ban Chinnapracha Tesco Lotus. The cabaret theatre is built to accommodate 950 seats and to offer It was built in 1903 A.D. in the later period of an utmost comfort with cool elegance. King Rama V by Phra Phithak Chinnapracha (Tan Ma Sieng), son of Luang Bamrung Chinnaprathet 12 Phuket (Tan Neow Yee). He was born in Fujian province, china, and held the military title of “Boontek Chongkul”. Most of the furniture in the house was in the house was inherited from Chinese ancestors and other materials used were imported from foreign countries because trading between Penang and Phuket at that time flourished tremendously.