Attractions
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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