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Phuket Travel Information
Phuket and its surrounding waters
are world-renowned for their spectacular beauty and nature’s artistic
hand. Phang Nga Bay to the northeast of Phuket has been the set of two
James Bond movies, The Beach, and others.
Phuket is a true pearl in the Andaman Sea. A very popular island in the
South-West of Thailand that has everything to make a top tourist
destination: Great beaches, good shopping, intense nightlife, affordable
hotels and top class resorts. If you enjoy food and dining, Phuket is
definitely it! You will find both Thai traditional dishes to a very
reasonable price and all kind of International cuisine on the island.
For those who like to splash around in the water, one can go snorkelling
along one of shores of the west coast or take a dive trip to one of the
many islands lying off shore. You charter a yacht and spend your days
drifting from island to island or go windsurfing.
Visit this website for further information about diving in Phuket.
Elephant trekking is an attraction on the island. Due to a decrease in
the logging industry throughout Thailand, many of these animals have
been brought to Phuket. What a wonderful way to see the jungles of this
area, sitting atop one of the largest creatures that roam our planet!
On arrival, it is evident from the many plantations one passes that
farming is still a source of income on Phuket. Many tours take guests to
see how rubber is tapped or coconuts harvested or you can visit one of
the many orchid farms.
There is simply so much to do. If planning a business trip, rather than
a holiday, it may be advised to take a few days leave at the same time.
You’ll be well pleased that you did. Relax on the beach or around the
hotel pool, go out on the town or wander around the temples…this island
has much to offer!
Climate
Phuket has three seasons – cool, rainy, and hot. The most popular time
to travel is during the cool season from November through February, also
the best time for diving and water sports. The rainy season is from May
through October, with the heaviest rainfall usually in October. Rainfall
is normally disrupted by moments or days of sunshine. Hot, dry weather
occurs from March through April. Average year-round temperatures in
Phuket are from 25 to 30 Celsius. This is an island for all seasons and
there is something to offer the visitor, whatever the weather.
History
Phuket Island has a lengthy history dating back to 1025 AD. The first
inhabitants were probably the Negrito, and sea gypsy tribes, or Mon
migrants from the Pegu area. Originally known as Junk Ceylon, the name
found on old Portuguese navigation maps, it eventually became known as
Phuket, which is derived from the Malay word ‘Bukit’ meaning hill.
In the 15th to 16th centuries Phuket became renowned for its tin
production and became a centre of trade and commerce among Europeans who
were granted permission to trade on the island. The King at that time
appointed a French medical missionary named Rene Charbonneau to be the
Governor of the island from 1681 to 1685 A.D.
The island served as a way station on the route between India and China
and was, at one point, part of the Shivite empire that established
itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first millennium.
After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short gap
in Thailand’s reign, ended by King Taksin, who drove the Burmese out and
re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, weren’t happy about this
at all and outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces intending to
capture the people of Phuket and put them into slavery in Burma. This
led to Phuket's most memorable historic event.
A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were
en-route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by two heroines,
Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's governor and her sister Mook. Masquerading
as men, they along with thousands of other women in similar garb marched
up and down Phuket’s beaches wielding makeshift arms. This resulted in
the Burmese thinking that Phuket’s “army” was much larger than it
actually was. After a month long siege the Burmese were forced to depart
on 13 March, 1785.
The sisters were credited with the successful defence and in recognition
of their bravery King Rama I gave the two sisters honourable titles
normally reserved for royalty.
During the 19th century, Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to
work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior
changed to become predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements
remained populated by Muslim fishermen. In Rama V's reign, Phuket became
the tin mining administration centre and in 1933, with the change in
government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system; the island
was established as a province in its own right.
It was around this time that the second important industry on the island
became established, that of rubber farming. Praya Rasda ("Kawsimbi") a
Chinese grandee who governed Phuket from 1890 to 1909 is accredited with
introducing the first rubber tree into Thailand in 1901; this became
such a successful industry that Thailand is now the largest exporter of
rubber in the world.
With the opening of an international airport in 1976, Phuket saw a new
industry emerge, tourism. It is this latest influx of foreigners that
has helped make Phuket the wealthiest province in the country and it
continues to prosper.
The island has a large variety of accommodation. From cheap hostels and
simple bungalows to five star beach side resorts. Our cooperation with
Reservation 24 (R24) has lasted for many years and is a guarantee for
quality, good (and fast) service and really low prices.
Phuket Activities
There are literally hundreds of various activities that are available
when in Phuket. Some of these include (not in any particular order)
diving, mountain bike riding, sightseeing tours, elephant trekking,
water-skiing, parasailing, rock-climbing, golfing, boating, fishing,
jet-skiing, go-cart racing, paint-ball , and even firing live rounds at
a shooting range!
Phuket Spas & Saunas
Or if your idea of "Activities" involves nothing more than
taking an herbal sauna and following that up with a traditional
Thai massage, then Phuket is the place for you!. Phuket has some
world famous spas (Banyan Tree), as well as having many great
locations for a traditional massage (along it's many beautiful
beaches). In addition you will find many great "thai saunas"
which will cost anywhere from 100-300 baht.
Phuket beaches
Ao Yon
Ao yon is a scenic seclude beach consisting Ao Yon south and Ao
Yon North. It is located south of Cape Panwa. Ao yon is local
people’s favorite beach, because of its natural environment and
white sand and crystal water. Ao yon is famous for its white
sand, coconut trees, calm waves and natural blue color.
Karon Beach
Karon Beach is located on the west of Phuket, Thailand, and is a
popular destination after the famous Patong Beach. Karon Beach
is much neater and cleaner than the neighboring Patong beach,
and Karon Beach’s length stretches more than 2 miles end to end
and it offers a splendid panoramic view.
Kata Beach
Kata Beach is one of the most finest among the beaches located
on towards the southern end of Phuket with a 1.4 km stretch
divided into Kata Yai and Kata Noi. It is covered with a lush
jungle with cool breeze blowing from the Andaman Sea. Kata Beach
is one of the most popular beaches.
Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi, a beach, on the southwestern side of the island of
Phuket, Thailand Amongst the 100 best beach spots in
Australia/Asia, Kata Noi Beach was ranked at the 30th place
according to a survey conducted by discovery travel. Kata Noi
Beach stretches over till Kata (Yai) Beach to the south.
Emerald Beach Karon
This is north end Karon beach has a Quite corner adjoing.This
beach is privetly owned by Le-merdien Phuket.
Ao Nui Beach
Ao Nui Beach is a beach in Phuket while you visit in Nai
Harn view point,(almost every tourist miss this view point) just
look to south left,you can see a beach that is Ao Nui Beach.Less
crowded Ao Nui Beach ,full of sand,you can see in Ao Nui Beach
almost no sellers.
Ao Sane Beach
Ao Sane beach is small Sandy beach near Nai Harn Beach
Phuket.Water is so crystal clear,so Ao Sane beach is very best
for Snorkeling inside Phuket Island and Diving(Only at Hing
tide).There are many small rock diving difficult on Low
Tide.While snorkeling at Ao Sane Beach you can see many colorful
fishes,corals and sea urchins.