Phuket’s World of Attractions

With the crowds of the high season still months away, there’s never been a better reason to escape to Thailand’s most popular and exciting island.

Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket, or “Pearl of the South” as it is known in the tourist industry, is Thailand’s largest, most populous, and most visited island. There’s more to do in Phuket both in and out of the water than any other island in Thailand. So whether your ideal vacation involves relaxing on a pristine beach, diving the ocean depths, deep sea fishing, sailing, horseback riding, walking in the jungle, bungee jumping, nightlife, or shopping, Phuket has got it covered.

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous. Most tourists head for the coastal areas with their wide, sandy bays, rocky peninsulas and limestone cliffs, and of these tourists, most end up at three beaches located adjacent to each other on the southwest side of the island —  Patong, Karon and Kata. All of these “beach towns” are developed and Patong is particularly lively, both night and day. However, Phuket has numerous beach areas and depending on your style of island vacation, from party central to remote seclusion, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

In the sixteenth century, Phuket, or Junk Ceylon as it was known then, was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The Dutch established a trading post and the tin trade was worked by foreigners. During the nineteenth century, Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the interior of the island became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements were populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

Since the early 1980s the tourist industry has been Phuket’s chief source of income. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and souvenir shops are predominant on the west coast. Agriculture also remains important to a large number of people, and covers by far the most part of the island.

The Beaches

Patong Beach is Phuket’s central tourist and nighttime entertainment district. Over the years Patong has transformed from a fishing village into one of the island’s two cities. The famous bay and 4-kilometer beach remain as they were, with development limited to the area behind the beach road. There, however, virtually every kind of entertainment imaginable awaits visitors, with beer bars, nightclubs, restaurants and cafes catering to every nationality. Accommodations range from budget to five star and shopping opportunities appear to be endless. Plenty of tour companies are also on hand to help visitors plan their vacations. There’s a saying locally, “If you can’t find it in Patong, it doesn’t exist in Phuket.”

The second largest of Phuket’s principal tourist beaches is Karon Beach. Large resort complexes line the road behind the beach, but the strand itself, long and broad, has no development. Karon is the most upscale of Phuket’s beaches. Kata Beach is the smallest of the three main tourist beaches and different in appearance and style from Karon or Patong with low-rise structures bordering the beach. The waters are perfect for swimming and at the north end there’s a coral reef, home to many species of fishes.

It’s impossible to list all of Phuket’s numerous beach areas here but a few of the more well-known ones include Chalong Bay, Phuket’s principal boat anchorage and the center of the island’s yachting businesses; Rawai Beach, with its many restaurants and bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and good waters for swimming and snorkeling on the reefs offshore; and Kamala Beach, the perfect place to get away from it all. Moving north, Bangtao Beach is a large open bay mostly occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-star hotel development with golf course; and Nai Yang Beach is on a long curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnickers, a very popular activity here.

What To Do

The options are endless… You may well never run out of things to do in Phuket!

For the adventurous…

Scuba Diving:  Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an advanced diver, you’ll find everything you could ever want in Phuket, which is one of the world’s top 10 dive destinations. Phuket is surrounded by numerous smaller islands with some excellent dive sites and, further afield, the world-famous Similan and Surin Islands. All instruction and equipment is available at the main beaches and beginner courses are very inexpensive.

Snorkeling: The bays in Phuket contain many interesting coral reefs. Equipment can be rented from dive shops around the island.

Yachting: A popular pastime here; Phuket is one of South-East Asia’s main destinations for yachts.

Wind Surfing: Boards may be rented by the hour, half day, full day, or week at most major beaches. Tuition is available free.

Deep Sea Fishing: Many tours are available. Sailfish and marlins are the prized fish.

Sea Canoeing: Touring the limestone caverns in Phang-Nga Bay is an unforgettable experience. Inflatable canoes squeeze into and under islands.

On land…

Golf: Phuket has five top golf courses with service that makes this a worldwide center for golf lovers.

Jungle Tours: Forest walks, river canoeing, elephant trekking, and tours by Land Rover.

Horseback Riding: Guided tours on horseback are another way to relax while sightseeing.

Khao Pra Taew Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center: Twenty-two square kilometers of virgin forest with spectacular vegetation; giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every description making it look like a Tarzan movie set. Langurs, barking deer, mousedeer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons and many species of birds inhabit the forest.

Phuket Butterfly Farm and Insect World: Tropical species of butterflies, other insects and reptiles are on display.

Snake Farms, Cobra Shows and a Monkey School are located at Chalong and Patong.

Shop till you drop…

Large department stores are located in Phuket Town and Patong. Souvenirs such as pearls, batiks, and pewter ware are Phuket’s best known products.

Central Festival Phuket: The ultimate in one-stop shopping and entertainment. Located in Phuket town, Central Festival Phuket is the newest, largest and most complete shopping complex in the South. Inside you’ll find Central Department Store, mega concept stores, a 7-sceen multiplex, fashion boutiques, exotic souvenirs, and 150 specialty shops including Asian arts and crafts, jewelry and gems. Satisfy your appetite with choices of Thai, Japanese, Italian Western and Asian cuisine, as well as international family restaurants.

Jungceylon: World-class shopping and dining on Patong Beach with over 200 shops divided into 4 zones: Silang Boulevard is decorated in tropical resort style and features international fast food, fashion boutiques, spas and a Thai product center called “That’s Siam”; Phuket Square has Robinson Department Store, Carrefour Hypermarket, and SF Cinema City; Sino Phuket is a reproduction of Sino-Portuguese style shop house buildings and home to international restaurants, bars and clubs; and The Port, located outside, has a huge pond with plenty of trees for shade, a life-sized reproduction of a Chinese junk boat, and a musical fountain with an amazing free light & sound show every evening and movies projected onto a water screen.

When the lights go down…

Phuket Fantasea: The ultimate cultural theme park, Fantasea represents a new dimension in nighttime entertainment using ultra-high technology to create fantastic illusions and special effects.

Phuket Simon Cabaret: Dubbed the mother of all cabarets, the glamorous performers found here have made Simon Cabaret a leading Phuket entertainment venue since 1991.

Thai Boxing: “Muay Thai” as it is called in Thai, strikes blows at and with every part of the body. The stadium is located in Phuket Town and bouts are held every Friday night.

A time for healing…

Massage & Spa: Phuket has become an outstanding destination for spa. Phuket spas offer both Thai traditional style and western holistic spa treatments to create a fusion of health and healing choices.

Medical Tourism: Phuket is ideal as a health and wellness destination. With the investment of international medical facilities, Phuket can provide high standards of medical care at affordable prices. Visitors are able to combine their holiday package tour with medical treatment such as a physical check-up, dental work, plastic surgery, etc.

Beauty and the Beaches

It would be no exaggeration to say that the Land of Smiles boasts a number of the world's most beautiful and magnificent beaches. Whatever your taste or activities you opt for indulging yourself, there are many beaches along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea to suit your preference and budget.

Only one-hour drive to the southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya is the nearest seaside city on the eastern coast of Thailand. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, the area is complete with beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery.

To the south of Pattaya is a nice and quiet Jomtien beach. This 6-kilometres long beach has been known among windsurfers and water sports enthusiasts. It is also a major residential area with beachside hotels, restaurants, numerous forms of leisure activities, and entertainment for all family members.

Also famous in this attractive city is Pattaya beach. The beach occupies an area from the north to the south and is paralleled by a tree-lined promenade and beach road. The northern section of the beach is truly tranquil, while the central and southern parts are lively, because of a juxtaposition of shops, department stores, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Another well-known holiday beach of Pattaya is Bang Saen, which is only 14 kilometers from the provincial town. It has been popular among Thai holiday-makers who usually take a stroll along the beach and enjoy the mouth-watering seafood available. Fronting the beach are hotels, bungalows, food shops, as well as recreational gears and bicycles for rent.

Only 330 kilometers east of Bangkok is Koh Chang of Trat province. The largest of the 52-island Marine National Park, it is actually the second largest island of Thailand, behind Phuket. Though least known, undeveloped, and left idle for decades, Koh Chang is a dream escape and secret retreat yet to be explored.

Along the coastline of Koh Chang is a spectacular work of nature’s art and there are pretty beaches, coves and bays around the island. Since Koh Chang is perfectly set to be the new holiday destination within an old natural Marine National Park, soon it will be a secret no more. Beyond Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kud of Trat are also inhabited and feature wonderful beaches, well worth a visit.

Downing to the south of Bangkok is Hat Chao Samran and Hat Cha-am of Phetchaburi province. Only 15 kilometers from the Phetchaburi provincial market, the former beach used to be a famous seaside resort in the old days and still remains its charms up to the present days. Hat Cha-am, meanwhile, is located 41 kilometers from the township. A truly tranquil beach, it is always a must stop for most Thai and foreign visitors. It boasts a white sandy beach and provides a wide choice of recreational activities.

Just not far from Cha-am beach is Hua Hin beach of Prachuap Khiri Khan, a province located some 281 kilometers south of Bangkok. This long white sandy beach gives an excellent all- year-round weather and cool sea breezes. It also abounds in seafood restaurants and local night markets, which offer food stalls with a wide variety of affordable products. The beach, however, is always busy on weekends and holidays.




The South of Thailand has also been recognized for its numerous fascinating beaches. Koh Samui, for instance, is an island of natural beauty and wonder. A place where you can have a true escape, it has lovely beaches to suit everyone. The most famous and active ones are Chaweng and Lamai, which offer similar activities to Pattaya, plus mountain bike and motorcycle hire. Northwards of the island is Koh Phangan, which is cheaper and quieter, except for the riotous full moon parties at Had Rin. Also, Koh Tao is an ideal getaway with great diving, but it is always busy during the high season.

A southern province of outstanding beauty on Thailand's Andaman seaboard, Krabi is also a paradise for beach lovers. Many pretty beaches can be found here. Of major importance is two noteworthy islands of Koh Poda and Koh Gai. Koh Poda is fringed by crystal clear waters, and offers chalet accommodation nestling amid palm trees, with beachside bar and restaurant facilities. Meanwhile, Ko Gai, twenty minutes to the west, has excellent waters for diving and snorkeling. Koh Poda and Koh Gai truly epitomize everyone's ideal of the perfect tropical islands.

Leave the busy world and hectic paces of modern city life behind and spend your days in the realm of total relaxation and natural attractions at any beaches of Thailand. The sun, sand, and sea await you there.

The Thai Amulets

Do you fear invisible things and perilous situations? Thai amulets are believed to help you. Since antiquity, faith and belief have been essential parts of human beings of all races and languages. Consequently, several forms of amulets have been devised to give support to worshipers. In many times, when people dreaded unseen things or were in a dangerous situation, they would conceive of amulets they had great faith in. They then would acquire the sense of right and wrong and became unwavering to tackle with obstacles and dangers. Their strong resolve facilitated them to succeed. Accordingly, people of different periods preferred to have amulets as their spiritual protectors.

Since human beings right now have a religion as their guidance in life, symbols of their former faith and belief were developed to be more artistic and handy. Particularly, most Thai people would carry with them tiny Buddha images to enhance their spirit and render their happiness and prosperity. Today, Thai amulets such as Buddha images are pretty well-liked among the Thais and Chinese in Southeast Asia. They generally consider them as an ancient venerated substance. Amulet collectors and believers hold the strong belief that they might work for them as well as could bring hope and peacefulness.

You can see boys and men in Thailand wearing the Buddha image on a cord of chain around their neck. These sacred objects are said to protect them against diseases, witchcrafts and accidents. When a boy becomes mature these objects with their caring power become ever more important in his life. The Buddha images vary in size. Their height may be as small as 2 centimeters but can extend to 8 centimeters, while their width may range from 1 to 5 centimeters. The Buddha images can be cast from metal or carved out of a piece of wood and ivory but the most common traditional ones are those created from a blend of different ingredients, pressed in a mould and baked.
The manufacture of tiny Buddha images or Thai amulets is mostly done by older monks. To make a pressed or printed image, a monk needs, aside from the mould, a recipe, the right ingredients, the holy script, the magical drawings and considerable knowledge of spells. For history buffs and historians, it is rather sad to hear that one of the common ingredients of printed image is the ash derived from burning the oldest handwritten sacred book of the monastery. All the genuine Thai amulets had been blessed before releasing out from the temples. There is no need to bless them again.

Some more Thai amulets supposed to guard wearers from misfortune and ill luck include “pharyan” or holy cloth and “leklai” or fluid metal. Pharyan is usually hung or affixed inside Thai houses to drive out evils and wickedness. Hung in front of the shop, it is believed to bring prosper to the business. Leklai meanwhile is probably one of the most famous holy substances in Thailand. It is believed that this substance can release magic power in various ways but for the most part in shielding worshippers against dangers and expelling hazardous enemies or animals. Even today, there are not many people who can actually describe the properties of this consecrated object in more details.
The metal medallions which illustrate the head of a revered person on one side and often some blessed ancient writing on the other are also as celebrated as Buddha images. Among the well-known medallions are those with the face of King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V, but even more well-known are those with a monk who is extensively recognized for his magical power. These medallions are made by commercial companies on order from the organizing committee of a fund-raising ritual. Thai amulets are typically given as gifts among friends, family and those who travel a lot. Many people around the world who wear Thai amulets have good benefits and experience.

The most renowned amulet market in Bangkok is located on Tha Phrachan Road, near the Grand Palace. Amulet collectors and even the monks always come here to rent, trade and watch different amulets. In Thai we do not call it buy, we call it rent. Inside the market, there are innumerable kinds and shapes of Buddha images for you to choose from. Many people spend a day here to get only one amulet they yearn for. Buying a Buddha amulet is a personal thing. Do not shop by price. Opt for an amulet by your personal feeling toward the amulet and let your heart be the judge.

In Thailand, there are many substances that cannot be explained by the laws of science. Nonetheless, some people have strong faith in their protective power. The fact that we cannot witness or cannot prove the existence of something does not signify it is not real. Supernatural phenomena or amulets are what people are curious about but cannot wholeheartedly deny. But whatever their significance and properties, Thai amulets have insightful meanings and act as a spiritual guide for worshipers and wearers.