Phuket Island, also known as the “Pearl of the
Andaman,” is Thailand’s largest island and also one of its biggest
tourist draws.
With beautiful white sand beaches,
fantastic rock and lime stone
formations, and scads of activities for tourists to do, Phuket has
always been one of the favorite tourist destinations in Asia.
Phuket beach
Post Tsunami
While the tragedy wrought by the tsunami of December of 2004 devastated
villages and claimed lives, the Thais of Phuket
proved to the world that they indeed were indeed citizens of the "Land
of Smiles."
The natural beauty of Phuket was never lost, and what damage to
infrastructure are being put to rights on a daily basis. and have
already started putting not only their lives but also the reasons why visitors
come to Phuket
Most of the basic infrastructure remained standing though some resorts
have decided to close and renovate whatever damage is there. Still there
is more than 80% of the hotels in Phuket and its environs open for
business.
Phuket town
Visitors find upon
walking around Phuket town, that most of the town’s architecture styled
after the Chinese. This is because majority of the early settlers in the
area were Chinese who settled down in Phuket to work at the tin-mining
companies. They later prospered and
began to dominate the town of Phuket.
The best view of the town may be had from the top of Khao Rang Hill on
the northwest of town. Here, visitors may also sample some of Thailand’s
traditional cuisine from the restaurants to be found on the Hill.
Tourists who would like to get in a bit of shopping may also visit the
Night Market in
Phuket town and enjoy the
many selections of Thai food, fruit and desserts at very low prices.
About 8 kilometers from Phuket town is the
which is the biggest and most beautifully ornamented among Phuket’s 29
monasteries. Visitors to the temple may also have their fortunes told.
Admission to the temple is free. However, all visitors are encouraged to
donate 10 baht for restoration and maintenance costs. There are a few
rules when visiting the Temple.
1. Remove your shoes before entering any temple building.
2. Treat the Buddha images with respect.
3. It’s okay to take picture of the monks, temples, images and all
Buddihist ceremonies.
4. Women are not allowed to touch the monks.
For a truly memorable visit, tourists should time their trip for the
weekly holy day when the monks chant Buddhist scriptures in the
mornings. Check with the locals when the holy days are scheduled as
these are usually fixed according to the lunar calendar.
Things to do on the Island:
The crystal clear waters of Phuket is just one of the many reasons why
tourists continue to flock to the island despite the ongoing
renovations. A favorite dive haunt, the island offers not only fun
activities for dive enthusiasts but also snorkeling, boating, canoeing,
and of course, swimming opportunities for holiday-makers. The more
popular beaches are Patong Beach (check status of renovation,)
Kata Beach and Karon Beach.
Visitors who go for drives round the island, particularly along the
south coast between Kata Beach and Promthep Point, often find themselves
looking at the most beautiful and scenic views anywhere in the world.
Sunset from Cape Promthep is another thing to watch for during
these driving expeditions.
People wanting to experience a little bit of nature can go on one of
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park’s walking trails located on the north
end of Phuket Island.
Khao Phra Thaeo, with an
area of 13,925 rai, encompasses a dozen areas of virgin
forest and
actively
conserves a rich variety of wild animals, which would otherwise become
extinct in fast-growing Phuket. Visitors may get to see
different types of animals like langurs, barking deer, mouse deer,
gibbons, monkeys, and a whole lot more which are being
protected by the Park’s Conservation Center.
For visitors wanting an adrenaline rush, they can always try out
Bungy Jumping which is offered by some resorts. The jumper’s feet
are attached to clasps that lock around the ankles and are supported by
a long flexible bungy rope that ensures a gentle “landing” after the
jumpers launch themselves into air from the high platform suspended
above water.
Visitors with children may take in a family day at the Dino Park
found adjacent to the Marina Phuket Resort. The Park features an
open-air restaurant with waterfalls and streams, a street-side bar, and
a wilderness set up with roaring, life like dinosaurs in which the mini
golf course is set.
Visitors may also go on tours of monasteries, Chinese cultural sites or
visit one of the many parks in Phuket.
Day Trips Out of Phuket
Sea canoeing/kayaking is something, which every visitor to the country
should try. For most visitors, navigating the caves while perched in
their canoes turn out to be the main highlight of their trip. A visit to
Phang-Nga Bay by either canoe or small boat, affords tourist a view of
one of the true natural wonders of the world with its majestic rock and
limestone formations.
James Bond Island. Don’t ask me why but visitors just like
gawking at this little rock in Phang Nga bay named after James Bond
after it was featured in one of the Bond movies.
The Sea Gypsy Village at Koh Pannyi Island is another place most
tourists pay to see. Houses on stilts that has graced many post cards is
actually a village of Muslim fishermen and not sea gypsies.
The famous Phi Phi Islands known for their amazing rock walls
rising vertically out of the water and the twin bays with the coconut
split is another favorite of tourists taking boat tours around Phuket.
One of the islands almost wiped out by the tsunami, Phi Phi is taking
steps to recover their tourist trade with some resorts resuming
operations in the last couple of months.
The two Racha Islands –Big and small—may be seen clearly south of
Phuket on clear days. Bungalows may be rented on Racha Yai (Big) for
visitors wishing to spend the night.
Krabi, on the other hand, has become known for its stretch
of beach resorts and dramatic scenery.
Coral Island, just off the Southeast corner of Phuket is the place for
people who like friendly, communal fun. Here, jet skis abound, para
sailers dot the sky, while every known water sport has its place on the
beach’s waters.
Krabi Beach
Phuket Travel Tips
1. Would be visitors are advised to plan out their itinerary before even
leaving for the island. While there are plenty of Thai tour operators on
Phuket, tourists are warned to do their own research if they do not want
to be duped by smooth talking operators.
2. Plan your trip itinerary according to the seasons as most activities
in Phuket are governed by the weather. There are only two basic seasons,
the dry season and the monsoon season. The normal dry months stretch
from November till May, while the monsoon usually lasts from May or June
through October. September and October are usually the wettest months of
the year.
 3.
One of the popular modes of transport on the island is the motorcycle.
Visitors are reminded to always wear helmets as there are laws which
state the motorcycle riders should do so. The local police are very
infamous for their getting “tea money” from violators especially during
6:00-8:00pm. With Thailand’s reputation for crazy drivers, a helmet
would probably not be a bad idea.
4. The common mode of public transport is the tuk-tuks (taxis.) While
the original three-wheeled smoke belching variety has been replaced by
small red vans with open sides, the drivers remain as crazy as ever.
Tourists would be ill-advised to pay tuk tuk drivers to double as
tourist guides. They will only bring you to places that pay them
commissions and that can not exactly be a good thing.
5. Always ask around for fare rates and rental rates of motorcycles and
tuk tuks. The uninformed will always be charged more
6. Always check for tsunami updates on the tourist and meteorological
reports before when planning trips to the area.
7. Thais are trained from childhood to always keep a “cool heart.”
Blustering and public displays of anger will get you nowhere.
8. Thailand has entirely different road rules. Tourists who plan to
drive rental cars should remember two things: Thai drivers have no laws,
and the more expensive car has the right of way.
Don’t Miss
Thais just love celebrating with festivals and tournaments. Here’s a
listing of festivals which tourists should see and participate in at
least once in Phuket.
Loy Kratong – Annual floating of decorative boat offerings down
rivers on a full moon night in November.
Songkran – An annual water festival that takes place in April.
Expect to be soaked.
Vegetarian Festival – The island’s most famous festival, it is
during this time that thousands of Thais turn into strict vegetarians
for 10 days abstaining not only from meat but also from alcohol and sex.
Considered a rite of purification, participants usually white to signify
“purity.” Some exhibitions like piercing faces with skewer like sticks
may be disturbing for some.
King’s Cup Regatta – Begun in 1987, this has become Asia’s most
prestigious sailing event. This usually takes place in December lasting
for a full week to coincide with the King’s birthday.
Phuket International Fishing Tournament – Held around November
just before the King’s Cup, Anglers come in from all over the world to
try and capture the biggest fish they can. It is during this time that
hordes of sail fish inhabit the areas thus making for spectacular
fishing expeditions.
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