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Phuket Holiday Guide
January 2, 2008 |
Holidays in Phuket
In recent decades, Phuket has emerged as one of Thailand’s premier resort destinations. This large island is part of a long archipelago and boasts attractive inland mountains. The tourist infrastructure here is some of Thailand’s finest, and as a result it’s well-suited for families and independent travellers alike. While the primary draw card is the beach and water sports, the island’s nightlife is also well-established—making Phuket popular with almost every brand of tourist.
Flights to Phuket
Phuket’s a big island, and the airport is about a 40-minute drive from the city centre. Flights in and out of Phuket International Airport focus on Bangkok, though it’s easy to arrange incoming flights from a number of international destinations. Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok make regular trips to Phuket, and it’s also possible to charter minibuses here from several cities in Thailand.
Getting around the island of Phuket usually involves one of Thailand’s Big Three: songtaews, tuk-tuks and taxis. Any of these modes are generally quick and inexpensive. Car, scooter or bike rental is also possible, though many of the roads are more than a little treacherous. A little caution is an important part of independent transport on Phuket.
Sightseeing in Phuket
Wat Pra Tong and Wat Chalong are Phuket’s most popular temple, but don’t let this sidetrack you from checking out the numerous other religious shrines in town. The local Thalang National Museum is an important archive of Phuket’s historic journey, chronicling the fusion of native and Thai cultures. Most visitors balance sightseeing with time spent on the beach, where there are plenty of activities to keep things interesting.
Most daytrips revolve around island hopping. The sea gypsies, Phuket’s indigenous peoples, have capitalized on the international tourist market, and many of their villages can be visited via organized tours. The Phi Phi islands and a few others are quite picturesque. Many of them have been featured in blockbuster films such as James Bond and The Beach.
Wat Chalong - Phuket, Thailand
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Phuket’s nightlife is world famous. Places to party range from laid-back tiki-style beach bars to trendy nightclubs with live house bands. The most popular clubs and hangouts are strung along the beaches of Patong, Rawai and Kata, though you’ll find just as many places at or near the city centre. While its red-light district isn’t Phuket’s main attraction, there are a few go-go bars lining soi Seadragon.
There’s equally as much to do for families in Phuket. Family-oriented pubs are easily found about town, and activities like go-karting, mini-golf and bowling are offered in a variety of venues. Many of the larger hotels host kid-friendly cabaret shows and other live entertainment along with babysitting services for parents that need a night out alone.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping in an open-air market is a central element of travelling in Thailand. Phuket is no exception, with several bazaars and night markets that sell Thai silk, jewellery, ceramics and handicrafts. While the best (and most affordable) handicrafts can be found in Northern Thailand, there’s still plenty to found here in Phuket. The local concentration of tourists means prices tend to be a little inflated; but honestly, a bit of polite bargaining is one of the favourite pastimes in Thailand.
[tags] thailand, phuket[/tags]
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