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Places
Of Interest
Beaches
Most people are familiar with the main
tourist traps of Bali in Indonesia, holidays
to Gran Canaria in Europe and in Phuket
(Patong, Karon and Kata) in Thailand, however the
less well known beaches and bays around the island
are, if anything, better than the main centres -
certainly less crowded!
Patong
Patong bay has a beautiful long beach totalling
a distance of several km suitable for swimming.
The place comes alive at night with bars, restaurants,
shopping and nightlife.
Hat
Rawai
This popular beach is famous for the Chao Le
"Sea Gypsy" tribal village.
Laem
Ka Noi and Laem Ka Yai
This cape, close to Hat Rawai, is safe for
swimming.
Ao
Kata and Ao Karon
These beautiful bays, next to each other, have clean
beaches suitable for swimming and are fast becoming
as popular as Patong for nightlife.
Ao Kata |
Ao Karon |
 Hat
Surin
This famous beach has fairly heavy surf rendering
it sometimes unsuitable for swimming. There is a
golf course above the beach line.
Hat
Nai Han
Small but peaceful.
 Hat
Bang Tao
Beautiful spot! Predicted to be the next major
tourist centre of Phuket, but so far still fairly
quiet. Possibly the best of all of Phuket's beach
areas.
Hat
Nai Yang
A long secluded stretch of beautiful white
sand.
Hat
Mai Khao
Famous for large size sea turtles that come
up on the beach to lay their eggs.
Around
The Island...
If you take the time to drag yourself away from
the beach, Phuket has some excellent spots to escape
the crowds. Phuket Town is, surprisingly, fairly
quiet during the day time and has some superb old
style architecture, as well as a real traditional
Thai industrial town feel. Here are some other places
that are worth a day trip.
Khao
Rang
This is a small hill maintained as a public park
by the Municipality. It is also the location of
Radio and Television Stations operated by the Department
of Pubilc Relations.
The
Native Handicrafts Centre
The centre has artisans weaving silk, manufacturing
lacquerware, silverware, jewellery and parasols.
Phuket
Orchid Garden and Thai Village
In the village there are cultural performance shows
giving a good feel of the Thai way of life with
folk dances, Thai boxing, the unique aspects of
Phuket, a handicraft center and an orchid farm.
The show is presented 2 times a day at 11am and
again at 5.30pm.
Crocodile
Farm
Just outside Phuket town, containing an aquarium,
estuarine crocodiles and alligators.
Sixty
Years Pillar Monument
Constructed in 1969 as a memorial to Mr.Miles who
devised the use of a dredger in mining operations
in the early part of the 20th century.
Ko
Sire
This island, a monastic community, is home of the
Chao Le, "Sea Gypsies"
Wat
Chalong
This monastery houses bronze images of the monks
Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who are highly
respected by Phuket inhabitants. Luang Pho Chaem
is famed for his part in quelling a rebellion by
Chinese mine workers who tried to occupy Phuket
during the reign of King Rama V.
Ko
Kaeo Pitsadan
This island is accessible by a 30 minute boat trip
from Hat Rawai and features beautiful sandy beaches
and a shrine containing a replica of Buddha's Footprints.
Heroines
Monument
Thao Si Sunthon Monument is at Tha Rua Square, just
north of Phuket town. It honours the women of the
south.
Khao
Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park
This excellent park has numerous birds, wild
boars and monkeys to enhance botanical beauty. There
is also a beautiful waterfall called Nam Tok Ton
Sai.
Thalang
National Museum
Displaying the way of life, culture and history
of Phuket and the south.
Wat
Phra Thong
This Golden Buddha Image monastery rises up from
the ground and is an impressive sight.
Laem
Sing
Sing Cape is located 1km beyond Hat Surin features
beautiful rocky reefs.
Pearl
Farms
There are pearl farms on Ko Nakha, Ko Rang Noi,
Ko Rang Yai and Ko Bon. Those who are interested
to visit the farm must have a permit in anticipation.
For details contact any one of Phuket's tourist
centres.
Marine
Biological Research Centre
The centre is the place where marine research is
carried out and has a sea aquarium displaying fish
of different species, marine animals and beautiful
shells.
Tin
Mines
Phuket has various types of tin mining operations
all over the island, especially land sluicing and
dredging mines.
Laem
Phrom Thep
Called by the local people, "Learn Chao", where
best scenery of Phuket can be seen.
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