Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, lying on the west coast of the country and surrounded by the Andaman Sea. It is connected to the mainland by two bridges, and over the centuries has been an important part of the trade routes between India and China. Ships from all over Europe, Asia and the Middle East would visit Phuket helping to give the island its distinctive character. 21st century visitors are more likely to spend their holidays on the island, as it has something for everyone, whether it is the outstanding beaches and breath-taking cliffs, snorkelling, scuba diving and other water sports, or the fantastic nightlife.
Eco-tourism is growing on Phuket, with treks through the jungle and hill terrain of the interior a perfect way to complement time spent on the beach. Phuket is mainly mountainous, in fact, with mountains stretching from north to south on the western side of the island. The name Phuket may also have its origins in the word bukit which is Malayan for hill.
Top Locations
Phuket has many areas of superb natural beauty with perhaps the most famous being the limestone cliffs and caves, as well as the bright green sea of Phang Nga Bay. Located to the northeast of the island, Phang Nga Bay is also home to Khao Phing Kan, commonly referred to as 'James Bond Island', where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. Other popular attractions include the Two Heroines Monument in Amphoe Thalang and the nearby Thalang National Museum; the Wat Chalong Buddhist temple; the stunning waterfalls and pools of Ton Sai Waterfall Forest Park; and Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park, a conservation area of unspoilt jungle inhabited by many rare birds and animals.
There are excellent beaches with beautiful white sand in abundance on Phuket. Leading resorts include Patong Beach which is nearly two miles long and located nine miles from Phuket Town, and Karon Beach 12 miles from the capital. There are beaches all along Phuket's coastline including Kamala Beach north of Patong; Kata Beach on the west of the island; and the quieter northern beaches of Nai Thon and Nai Yang in Sirinat National Park. Many of these provide sporting facilities as well as restaurants, bars, hotels and a vibrant nightlife.
The island of Phuket is also referred to as Phuket Province and Phuket Town is the capital city. With a population of over 60,000 people, Phuket Town mixes Thai, Chinese and Portuguese architecture, and has many shops, restaurants and hotels. The Chinatown area in the northwest of the city has several temples and buildings of cultural and historical interest, and adds another dimension to those wanting more than just a beach holiday.
Phuket Accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation is available all over Phuket ranging from budget guest houses to boutique and luxury hotels. Most of the hotels in Phuket Town are located on the city's west side and close to the sea. Decent cheap hotels can also be found in the south of the city with some great deals available. The larger resorts like Patong, Karon, Kamala and Kata have plenty of choice too, often close to the beachfront and with swimming pools. The hotel buildings are frequently designed in a low-rise villa style, and come with their own spa and beauty facilities.
Top Activities in Phuket
Relaxation is the name of the game on the beaches of Phuket with its tropical climate and stunning sunsets. The hottest time of year is from March to early May, perfect for water sports aficionados to enjoy the clear sea and coral reefs. A full range of facilities are available on many parts of the island including swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, yachting, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and sea canoeing. Equipment is easy to hire along with organised trips and guided tours. If that is not enough, try your hand at windsurfing, kite surfing and deep-sea fishing.
Yachting and sailing are another big part of life on Phuket, attracting enthusiasts from all over Thailand and neighbouring countries. Boats for all levels of experience and budget are available to hire, from gentle fishing trips to serious ocean yachting, and the island hosts several races and regattas. Phuket's marinas and yacht clubs are located on the east side of the island, mainly in Chalong Bay, and provide an ideal base for exploring Phang Nga Bay and the nearby islands.
Eating
With all this fresh air and exercise, there has bound to be plenty of healthy appetites in need of attention. Good food certainly is not a problem on Phuket either. Thai cuisine is in plentiful supply, particularly of the seafood variety, but the growth of tourism over the last few years has also lead to many new restaurants springing up catering for a wide range of international tastes. From fine dining to noodle bars, food stalls and beachfront barbeques, visitors are spoilt for choice on Phuket.
Trying the local food is all part of the fun. Common dishes include Hokkien Mee, noodles with chicken or pork; Nam Phrik Kung Siap, smoked shrimps, dried chili and vegetables; Koit Diaow Rueah, also known as Boat Soap, a thick noodle broth made with buffalo meat; and Khao Man Gai, the simple chicken and rice dish sold from numerous stalls across the island. Khanom Jeen is a special type of noodles served for breakfast combined with curry sauce and fresh vegetables. Phuket is also known for its pineapples which are famed for their sweetness.
Patong is the largest resort on the island and that is reflected in the variety of restaurants. Arabic, British, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and more options are available with Rat-U-Thit Road and Thaweewong Road among the main locations for eating out. Many are also open-air or offer ocean views adding to the experience. Most restaurants in Karon are based along the beachfront road with Scandinavian cuisine well represented, while Phuket Town offers a cosmopolitan mixture of styles and tastes to suit most pockets.
Nightlife
The fun in Phuket does not have to end when the sun goes down. After a good meal, there is no need to call it a day, and for many the party has only just begun, no matter what night of the week it is. Patong is the place to be for some excitement after dark, particularly on Bangla Road with its many open-air bars and clubs. By day Bangla Road is an Aladdin's Cave of shops and market stalls to explore, but at night the bars take over with a soundtrack of pop, rock, hip hop and dance music. It is never less than lively with everything from exotic dancers and go-go bars to rock tribute bands.
Kids and Families
Phuket may be the perfect destination for the carefree young traveller, but there is much more to the island, and it is increasingly popular as a family holiday destination. For something both children and adults will enjoy, head for the Phuket FantaSea near Kamala Beach, billed as 'the ultimate cultural theme park'. Featuring singing and dancing, magic shows and pyrotechnics, re-enactments of battles and myths from Thai history, and the famous elephants who steal the show, Phuket FantaSea is an extravaganza of colour and spectacle.
Other family friendly attractions on the island include Phuket Butterfly Garden & Insect World, Phuket Aquarium with its large collection of tropical fish and corals, Phuket Zoo and the Chana Charoen Crocodile Farm. The stunning scenery is not confined to the coastline either, and a trip inland offers the chance to visit conservation parks and outstanding natural phenomena such as the Bang Pae Waterfall.