Amphoe
Krathu
Hat
Kalim
Once in Patong, turn right to Hat Kalim which is a small beach with
large rocks and coral reef. Accommodation is available.
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: 0-7638-5000
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.
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