Phuket,
has much to offer its visitors. White sandy beaches abound the west coast and mangrove lined shores, the east. A range of hills runs down her back from north to south, dividing the island in half. Waterfalls, especially in the ‘wet’ season spill into rock pools, scattered down the slopes. In the distance, islands rear out of the Andaman Sea, waiting to be explored. Whether coming here on business or a holiday, accommodation and entertainment are both reasonably priced and varied. From hotels to resorts to bungalows, whatever your ‘pocket’; the tourist will find somewhere to stay.
As to entertainment, whether it’s water sports, horse riding, jungle walking, eating out, watching a show, dancing, elephant trekking, or playing golf, whatever your fancy, this island has it all. Some hotels offer "in-house" entertainment that include the above as well as their own gymnasiums, saunas and the like. Phuket and its surrounding water’s are world renowned for their spectacular beauty and nature’s artistic hand. Phang Nga Bay to the northeast of Phuket has been the set of two James Bond movies as well as others. Not forgetting the more recent filming of ‘The Beach’ on the islands to the south of Phang Nga.
For those who like to splash around in the water, one can go snorkeling along one of shores of the west coast or take a dive trip to one of the many islands lying off shore. You charter a yacht and spend your days drifting from island to island or go windsurfing. Elephant trekking is a new attraction on the island. Due to a decrease in the logging industry throughout Thailand, many of these animals have been brought to Phuket. What a wonderful way to see the jungles of this area, sitting atop one of the largest creatures that roam our planet, away from the buzz of cities and the office.
On arrival, it is evident from the many plantations one passes that farming is still a source of income on Phuket. Many of these offer tours where one can see how rubber is tapped or coconuts harvested or you can visit one of the many orchid farms. There is simply so much to do. If planning a business trip, rather than a holiday, it may be advised to take a few days leave at the same time. You’ll be well pleased you did. Relax around the hotel pool, go out on the town or wander around the temples…this island has much to offer.
Khao Rang
A great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the city’s northwest. There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular view of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass for picnickers at the top with a bronze statue of Pharaya Ratsada Nupradit the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V’s reign.
Antique Buildings
The beginning of the tin boom during the Nineteenth Century led to construction of many fine old mansions and shops still well preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region, is described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strongly Mediterranean character. Shops present a very narrow face on the street but stretch back a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Rd., have old wooden doors with Chinese fretwork carving. Other streets, forming what might be called “Old Phuket”, with similar structures are Phang-nga, Yaowarat, Thaland, and Krabi, and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. Some other old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall(Sala Klang), the Phuket Courthouse(San Changwat), and Nakhon Luang Thai Bank.
Phuket Aquarium
More than one hundred species of sea life are on display at the aquarium, many of them taken from the water around Phuket. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The aquarium is located at Cape Panwa, on the island’s extreme southeast; admission is 5 baht for children and 20 Baht for adults. A Songtaew(local bus) can be taken from the Talad Sot, or Fresh Market. Tel.(076) 391126.
Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium
Tropical species of butterflies, other insects, and many kinds of marine life are on display. Located in Sam Kong about 3 kms. From downtown Phuket. Open daily, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Tel.(076)215616, 210861
Thai Village and Orchid Farm
A show of Thai dance, handicrafts, culture, elephants and a demonstration of old time tin-mining takes place among the orchids. Located in Sam Kong, about 3 kms. From downtown Phuket. The morning showing starts at 11:00 a.m. the evening showing at 5:30 p.m. Tel.(076)214860, 237400
Saphan Hin
A land reclamation project provided abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Sapan Hin, located where Phuket Rd., meets the sea in Phuket Town. 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 tin dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging in Phuket. The Sport Center is located in the park.
Phuket Sea Shell Museum
Perhaps the world’s most valuable collection of seashells has been put on display at Phuket Seashell near Rawai Beach on the island’s southwestern shores. The emphasis is on shells from Phuket and Thai waters, which are among the most sought-after by collectors, however shells from every part of the world are featured. Wherever they originate, each shell in the Shell Museum is the best of its type very often the only of its type. Displays have been created in a logical order, and visitors can see at once differing characteristics among related species. There are numerous rarities and freaks including the world’s largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils that represent the earth’s earliest life-forms, and a shell that weighs 250 kilograms. One of the world’s great private museums, the Shell Museum is open daily from 8:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. For details call (076)381266, 381274
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple) is located on the airport bypass road north of the traffic circle at Chalong. Even though Wat Chalong is the temple with the biggest influx of tourists, it is still far from crowded.
This temple is the most elaborate and famous on the island, revered for being the site of resistance to an invasion by Haw Chinese in the nineteenth century. The temple underwent refurbishment in 1993, and today it is a stunning example of traditional Thai architecture and colorful and vivid decoration.
Luang Po Chem
The abbot of the temple gave pieces of his robes to the Thai soldiers to wrap around their heads. These cloths, legend has it, protected the Phuketians from the bullets of their enemies, and Po Chem’s healing arts saved many wounded fighters. Today amulets bearing Po Chem’s image are sold at the Wat and still believed to protect the wearer.
To This day, Wat Chalong is famous for its healing poweres and Thai people from all over the country flock to this place in order to regain their physical and spiritual powers, Many local Thais and Asian tourists will set off fire crackers and ask for the lucky lottery numbers, and have their fortune told.
If you are looking for holy phallus fetishes or other Buddhist amulets and souvenirs. This might be the right place, since there is a market for these things located nearby the temple buildings.
Wat Phra Nang Sang
With more than 200 years, the Wat Phra Nang Sang in Thalang is the oldest Buddhist temple on the island, built to a time as Thalang was still the capital of Phuket. To reach it, drive from the heroines monument north to the main intersection of Thaland, the temple is located on the west side of the streets.
The place, where the temple stands is of historic interest, because the battle with the Burmese invaders in 1785, a crucial date in the history of Phuket, took place right here.
Legend says, that the Burmese tried to invade Phuket, because the temple owns ancient manuscripts, who show the location of a buried treasure. These manuscripts, of a religious nature rather than this more worldly one, are called Lai Tong and are folded like an accordion – the Wat Phra Nang Sang claims to have the longest of whole Thailand.
The two main buildings of the temple provide an interesting contrast between old and new architectural styles. The metal heads in front of the Buddha images in the ordination hall or bot are thought to be the oldest metal images of the Buddha in the world. The temple walls are decorated with large bilingual paintings or storyboards, that are telling the recent history of Phuket
These following tour operators offer daily sightseeing and tours, check their website or contact them for more information.
