Phuket-Thailand

Restaurants in Phuket - Where to Eat on Thailand's Top Island

2008-07-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

If you're planning a trip to Phuket, Thailand, you'll most likely be looking for information about two things: nightlife and restaurants. As one of Thailand's most popular destination, the restaurants in Phuket have a lot to offer. However, if you're only visiting Phuket for a fleeting visit, you won't have the time to weed out the good from the bad.

Thai restaurants in Phuket are everywhere. There is less of the street food than you might find in Bangkok, but there are countless small restaurants where you can eat like a king for a couple of bucks. With its close proximity to the sea, there are a large number of seafood restaurants in Phuket. The Thais have a knack for concocting some of the most amazing seafood dishes around.

Italian restaurants in Phuket are seemingly everywhere, but the quality of the food is usually a bit hit and miss. Furthermore, a lot of the Thai restaurants that also serve Italian food create such bizarre dishes as pasta with ketchup. If you've never had pizza with ketchup, you'll be in for an experience, too. Breaking the mold are a few places in Phuket City.

Some of the best restaurants in Phuket can be found at the high-end resorts. While they are expensive, if you want incredible Western or Japanese dishes, you often have to pay for the privilege. Some of the luxury resorts in Mai Khao play host to some fine restaurants.

There are far too many Indian restaurants in Phuket, most of which are located in Patong. Patong is expensive and the focus is on mass tourism. As a result, the food is often substandard. If you want to eat Indian food in Phuket, you'd be better off checking out places in Phuket Town.

The Famous Exotic Beaches of Phuket

2008-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Phuket is blessed with several mind-blowing beaches; each has its own peculiarities. Surrounded by beaches, Phuket is the best place for enjoying your vacation. You can see different types of beaches in Phuket from the smallest to the biggest and the most admired to least admired.

The Beaches of Phuket are well-liked by the people around the world and most of the people like to enjoy their vacation in these exotic beaches. The Beaches of Phuket suites every taste and you can enjoy swimming, diving, fishing, surfing, and sailing in the beeches. These make the Beaches of Phuket an amazing place for tourists and native people alike.

You have to follow the Thai rules and regulations while in Thailand. Sunbathe is prohibited there in Thailand because it is considered offensive according to Thai culture.

You have to take certain precautionary measure while in the Beaches of Phuket. You have to avoid the contact with the animals like dogs and cats while in the beaches because they may have rabies.

As Thailand is a tropical country, most of the animals there will be more dangerous than anywhere else. If you come to face any attack from dogs or cats in the beaches, you should visit a hospital directly to consult a specialist for advice on treatment and vaccinations.

The Beaches of Phuket are sandy and have clear water which attracts everyone's eyes. Unlike other beaches around the world, the Beaches of Phuket consists of crumbly sand, blue-green water and the beaches are filled with Casuarina trees and palm trees. Strutting mynah birds are also seen in the beaches.

Dan Wallace

These peculiar things make the beaches in Phuket different from other beaches around the world. It is sure that the beaches of Thailand will surely satisfy all kind of tourists. You can rent a jeep or a motorcycle to travel around the beaches in Phuket.

Beautiful beaches, balmy air and warm sea are the main attractions of Phuket. Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Bang Thao, Pansea, Surin, Kamala, Nakhale, Laem Sing, Kalim, Patong, Emerald Bay, Karon Noi, Karon, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, Nui, Nai Harn, Ya Noi and Rawai are some of the major beaches in Thailand.

With over 8 kilometers of snowy white sand, Mai Khao is the longest beach in Phuket. Its pristine state and crystalline sand makes the beach more attractive to the travelers. A visitor's center and Sirinat National Park is situated in the adjoining mangrove area. It is the only beach among the Beaches of Phuket where Cicadas are seen.

Nai Yang Beach is filled with tall casuarina trees and in the northern part there is a national park. Ridley Sea Turtles are commonly seen in this beach. Swimming and sunbathing are permitted here, but you have to find your own changing room. Nai Thon Beach is in the north-west part of Phuket.

This small beach has a private beach at the southern end. Most of the tourists visit this beach for sunbathing and several accommodation facilities are also available. Situated in the north-western part of Phuket, Bang Thao Beach is maintained by the Laguna Phuket integrated resort development. Facilities for water sports are also available here.

Patong is a modern, fast-paced, long crescent beach situated 15 km west of Phuket town. Facilities for water sports, shopping, dinning and nightlife are available at cheap price. Karon, lies in the western part of Phuket, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. The only one negative aspect of this beach is it may be dangerous during the monsoon season. This sandy beach is very clean and mind-blowing one for each and every visitor.

Emerald Bay lies in the western part of Patong and is a quite wonderful place to relax. There are several luxurious hotels nearby and corals are abundant in this beach. It will be an ideal getaway for the visitors who are seeking calmness. Located beyond Leamka Cape, Rawai is in the south-eastern part Phuket.

This beach is filled with coconut trees which permit the visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature and the sea. Sea gypsy village is located nearby and Ko Bon and Ko Hae coral islands are easily reachable from here. Rawai is the first resort for recreations in Phuket. Other beaches are also filled with various attractions. It is sure that the Beaches of Phuket will be an ideal getaway for your next vacation.

Phuket Resort Spa Relaxing Sunbathing Luxuriant Tropical Environment

2007-12-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

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Plan Your Complete Vacation Book Phuket Hotels Online

2007-12-17T07:11:00.000-08:00

The Phuket hotels and resorts guide provides a brief summary, customer ratings and reviews for hotels or resorts. Patong is the largest beach resort on Phuket, and is mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and various tourist attractions. Our great rates on Phuket hotels will leave you with more money to spend on having fun during your beach holiday. View each Hotels Phuket page to find guest reviews, pictures and photos and to do searches for hotels in Phuket. For others types of rooms, please use the search box and check rates for Phuket hotels. Our guide to Hotels Phuket provides a wonderful directory for helping make decisions on choosing accommodations.

Hotel Bangkok Thailand Phuket thailand hotels resorts hotel resort phuket thailand hotels resorts hotel resort , excellent accommodations, quality price. You may see below comprehensive listing of Phuket hotels sorted by price. You may also view Phuket lodgings and hotels alphabetically or Phuket hotels and rooms sorted by price. For a quick summary see the list of hotels and resorts in Phuket.

Book Phuket hotels online, plan your complete Phuket vacation or custom build your vacation package. All prices are slightly higher than in Phuket Town, and most of the hotels are quite expensive. However please note that the use of other Laguna Phuket hotels sports and leisure facilities may be restricted or subject to a charge. Read Phuket hotels descriptions, reviews by former hotel guests or place your own Phuket hotels review. You can begin browsing for hotels in the Greater Phuket area by selecting one of the links shown below. We felt that by doing some solid groundwork on phuket hotels we would eventually source a fine phuket hotels provider ... Agents rates for on-line bookings at international class hotels in Phuket. Features Phuket hotel rates and discount hotels and vacation packages in Phuket and surrounding areas. Popular with tourists there are many bungalows, resorts and hotels in Phuket so you will never be short on accommodation.

By Suwat Muenpen

Phuket City Hotels on the Phuket Hotel Discount in Thailand

2007-12-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

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By Suwat Muenpan

Phuket Hotel is One The Most Charming Places In The Andaman Sea

2007-12-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

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Scuba Dive The Similans, Andaman Sea, Thailand

2007-11-30T23:11:00.000-08:00

The Similan Islands in Thailand are commonly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. Comprising of nine granite islands covered in a tropical jungle, washed by a clear blue tropical ocean the Similan Islands (also referred to simply as the Similans) provide some of the most beautiful and diverse dive destinations in Thailand. The Similans lie in a 25 km long north-south chain of islands, 65 km offshore from Phang Nga Province in the Andaman Sea, about 100km from Thailand's main tourist city, Phuket.

The eastern fringes of the Similans feature pretty hard coral gardens in the shallows and sloping reef banks down to thirty metres. At some dive sites such as East of Eden, large bommies (coral heads) rise from the sea bed and are blanketed with soft corals, fan corals, and swarms of smaller tropical fish. East coast Similan Islands diving is relatively easy-going, allowing you plenty of time to explore the sites at your own leisurely pace.

The western side of the Similans along with the north and south points can offer more exciting diving as currents swirl around huge sunken granite boulders, which form a series of arches, tunnels and swim-throughs at sites such as Christmas Point and Elephant Head Rock. Growing on, and between, these enormous rocks you find a tapestry of colourful soft corals. In the channels between the boulders, sea fans can grow to some three metres across, and in such numbers that you cannot possibly swim through. The contrast between the east and west coasts and the variety of underwater topography is one of the reasons the Similan Islands are so popular - every dive offers you something different.

For underwater photographers and lovers of marine life, then diving in the Similan Islands is difficult to surpass for variety and abundance of tropical fish. Leopard sharks make appearances on a regular basis and you'll also see white-tip reef sharks. It's not a 'big fish' paradise, but it's consistently great for sheer diversity of marine life. You may find anything from tiny ghost pipefish to turtles and giant bumphead parrotfish.

Although the tsunami of 2004 did affect a few of the reefs here, most are in excellent condition and many divers in the last seasons have commented to us that they could not see any reef damage.

Liveaboards leaving from Phuket are typically 4 day tours, and visit both the Similans and Surin Islands including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. Some shorter tours (2 or 3 day) visit the Similan Islands only. Day trips for diving and snorkeling are now becoming more common from Phuket.

For more of the world's greatest diving destinations including The Great Barrier Reef, Grand Cayman, the Red Sea, Micronesia, Thailand etc visit Great Dive Destinations Of the World

By Colin Lim

4 Most Beautiful Thailand Beaches

2007-11-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

Thailand has one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. For those that have traveled there they know that the beauty of this untouched place makes for some of the best vacations in the world. This is coupled with the vast amount of historical culture that abounds the countryside and there is never a shortage of things to do in this country. Because much of this land is untouched by development you will find that relaxation and peaceful living is more than possible. The reaches of the mighty have not gotten this far and that means that you will get the very best in the vacation arena, especially when it comes to the Thailand beach areas.

Khao Lak is a wonderful Thailand beach. Just a short drive from the airport, this paradise offers a remote vacation area like no other. Thanks to the area being largely uninhabited, there is lush rain forest nearby along with a whole host of wildlife to be viewed. The water remains warm in the November through December months and the fishing and scuba diving is out of this world.

Phuket Thailand Beach is another great spot. Enjoy this resort November through March. There is more than enough to do. It is a bit more crowded than other beaches as this area thrives on the tourism dollars that it brings in. The scuba diving is top notch in this area and you will also find some of the warmest most clear water in the world. There are several nearby attractions to keep one busy for quite a few days.

Phi Phi Don Thailand beach is quite the turn around. Once a remote and nearly unknown place, this Thailand beach came to life when Hollywood came in and filmed a movie here. It is now considered to be one of the most popular beaches in the entire country and is frequented by many big names. This is a site that you will not want to miss, as the views are breathtaking and the water warm and inviting.

West Railiy Thailand beach is one of the undiscovered diamonds in the rough. There is very little that is expensive here and one can stay at the “resort” for over a week and barely tap the budget. The sands are milky white and the water clear. Scuba diving is very popular here as well as the fishing. This location is only accessible by long tail boat so plan for a bit of a long ride.

By Monice Dulcinea

Songkhran Warrior in Phuket Thailand

2007-11-22T00:41:00.000-08:00

If you don't know already, Songkhran is the Thai New Year Festival.This festival is celebrated in accordance with the full moon in April each year. It lasts from 1-5 days depending on the area. It is a time of renewal, to wash off the old year and prepare for the new. It's also a time to honor your elders and hope for a blessing from them. It is a time of tradition and many ceremonies and rituals. Songkhran is very interesting and exciting, culturally and socially.

>For many Thais, expats and tourists, it is also a time for the biggest water "fight" in the world. People, young and old, male and female, rich and poor, local and foreign, line to streets of Thailand and use a variety of methods to propel water onto other people.It's like being a kid again. So much fun to get crazy for a few days. One thing I learned quickly while participating in this festival is you must waterproof anything of value, such as your wallet, passport, and mobile phone.

The weapons used for this celebration come in all shapes and sizes. I have seen large water rifles water tanks attached, water pistols, bowls, hoses, water guns attached to tanks you can strap to your back with plenty of water, and even buckets. There used to be a cylinder that resembled an air pump for balls or tires but the pressure was so great it caused injuries so it was banned. My weapon of choice is the water rifle and a water pistol for emergencies. Shops and some private residences keep plastic trash cans or other receptacles full of water so it's easy to keep your weapons full.

A few years back I had to pleasure of spending Songkhran in Phuket. The authorities limited the water playing activities to one area near Patong Beach and only for one day. The streets were closed to traffic which made the playing more enjoyable. Bands were playing, cold beer was flowing, lots of food available but expect to eat it soggy. It was a great time roaming the streets and engaging other water soaked people washing away the previous year. When I got a bit tired I would find a spot, sit and enjoy a cold beer while watching others having fun. All in all a great time. After a day of revelry, sun and water I hit the sack early, my body drained but my heart and mind content.

The water playing aside, this is a very important holiday and festival for Thai people and Thai culture. A time for families to come together and renew, a time of blessings and honoring, please keep this in mind at you are celebrating. Songkhran is during the full moon in April. If you want to join in this festival you should plan early. It has peak travel time for locals and tourism alike. It is truly a unique experience.

By Darwin Dennis

Learning to Fight in Phuket-Thailand

2007-11-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Mixed martial arts or MMA is a combination of the most effective forms of fight sciences like Muay Thai, boxing, and jiu-jiitsu. The popularity of MMA based programing on television and cable like the Ultimate Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, and Cage Rage have fueled the expansion of training camps and schools throughout the world.

Today, fighters, young and old, travel around the world searching for training that will make the the next "Ultimate Fighter." You want to learn Jiu-Jitsu, then head for Brazil. Looking for boxing skills then you might try the U.S. And if you are looking for Muay Thai, there is no better place than Thailand; the home of Muay Thai and the national sport of Thailand.

From one end of the country to the other, Muay Thai is the pride of the Thai people. The fight sport has become popular around the world and now boasts organizations in more than 35 countries promoting tournaments, fights, and amateur and professional titles. For years, martial arts enthusiast and athletes have ben coming to Thailand to learn the science of eight limbs from professional Thai fighters. With the explosion in popularity of MMA in the rest of the world, and here in Thailand, there is a new breed of fighter making his way to Asia and the land of smiles. MMA fighter's are quickly learning that Thailand is the place to be to learn the secrets of striking through hardcore Muay Thai training.

Thai fighters are known for their aggressiveness, stamina, and ability to ignore pain, which are all prerequisites of the modern cage fighter. They want to learn the secrets of of the Siam warriors abilities and bring it back to the cage. In 2001, MMA programming on in Thailand took the country by storm, and is now one of the most popular sports viewed on cable TV. The Thai people immediately took to the sport as they quickly recognized Muay Thai as a key aspect of the ultimate fight game. If you are standing up, you are fighting Muay thai style. If you are on the ground, you are using wrestling and jiu-jitsu. The Thai people were proud to see their national sport in the world spotlight.

Starting in 2005, fighters from all over the globe were given the chance to save money and participate in comprehensive training in Muay thai and MMA in Thailand. Modern fight camps, like Tiger Muay Thai & MMA, Phuket, Thailand and Bangkok Fight Club opened their door to professional and amateurs looking to train Muay Thai and MMA all at the same place. Fighters can work their stand-up striking game with Muay Thai and then train Jiu-Jitsu to work on their ground fighting skills. Now fighters would not have to travel from one country to the next to find the training they need. Everything they needed was in one place; a great training environment in the tropics which is conducive to hardcore training, training partners with the skills needed to improve, and the ability to live and train under the same roof without going broke.

As if that was not enough, Thailand offers Muay thai fights seven-days-a-week in most big cities. It used to be difficult for most fighters to find a place to train and finally land a fight. Now fighters coming to Thailand can plan a training regimen and a fight before even arriving in Thailand. I you are in shape and are looking for a fight, head to Thailand and one of the many training camps that accept foreigners. Train for six weeks and then strap on the gloves against a Thai or another foreign fighter. You will head back home with experience and the experience of a lifetime after training in Muay Thai and MMA in Thailand.

By Will McNamara

Will McNamara is a sports writer and owner of Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training camp in Phuket, Thailand. http://www.TigerMuayThai.com

Stunning Daytrips From Phuket

2007-11-22T00:16:00.000-08:00

Nicknamed ‘Jewel of the Andaman’, Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions and all year round the island welcomes huge crowds of visitors coming from every part of the world. Phuket is like a vast beautiful playground. And even if you think you’ve found the perfect beach to sunbath and chill out on, there still a lot to see. Therefore Phuket sightseeing trips are simply a must.

Joining day trips from Phuket is an unforgettable and rewarding travel experience. Within a few hours drive or navigating by boat are some mind-boggling landscapes such as the famed Phi Phi islands, the pretty Khao Lak coast, the breathtaking Pha Nga Bay, great scuba diving options off the Similan islands, and Krabi’s stunningly beautiful karst-scapes. There are national parks which feature lush forests, idyllic fishing villages, dramatic waterfalls, blue crystal clear waters, tiny private islands, secluded mangroves and fabulous beaches to seek out.

Phuket is definitely the most visited and best developed island you can find in Thailand. During the last 20 years Phuket has transformed into an upmarket and jet-set travel destination. If you’re decided to visit Phuket for your next vacation you’ll find yourself located at one of the several wonderful bays dotted along the West Coast. From this spot you can both hire a private vehicle or use the opportunity taking one of the various day trip tours to your chosen destination. A daytrip is really a great idea and there are numerous options as well as travel agents.

If you come here for the first time it is absolutely wise to explore the island itself. There are plenty of lively and wonderful beaches. Located south from Kamala you’ll find some of the best beaches, past the crowded and always popular Patong, and onwards to the sweeping Karon and trendier Kata. You should make a stop at each beach and sunbath for a few hours while enjoying some barbecued freshly caught seafood. Keep going south and you’ll finally arrive at the unspoiled Nai Harn beach, an excellent spot for enjoying the serene atmosphere and get away from the crowds. Phuket beaches all have their own special atmosphere.

To reach the northern part of Phuket will take a drive lasting about one hour. This non-developed area is not crowded with tourists while the mangroves on the eastern shore provide different scenery of the island. While you find yourself in this region you might want to cool off in the Bang Phrae Waterfall situated in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park’s or visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre where you can observe these fascinating and clever animals. Touring this area is extremely rewarding!

Some of the most beautiful panoramas can be found offshore, on top of your itineraries list should be travelling to the Phi Phi Islands. This distinctive craggy island has the form of a butterfly. The island was the main location for the Hollywood feature The Beach and Phi Phi was world news when the Tsunami struck. Actually there are more than two islands, and usually all of the trips stop off giving you the option to snorkel en-route. Your lunch is served once you access Phi Phi Ley’s heavenly Maya bay. The only souls which are allowed to spend the night here are campers and park rangers so you’ll have the unspoilt beach all to yourself. Phi Phi Don features more dramatic scenery and unfortunately the island started to overdeveloped before the powerful Tsunami washed everything away. On a little sandwich of coconut trees the resorts are positioned between two lovely bays, with sky karst cliffs, rising up to the blue sky, all around. Once you’ve arrived here you may find it a drag going back to Phuket!

Similarly astonishing and popular is Pha Nga Bay’s distinctive karst seascape, which enjoyed a lot of free promotion in the Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. Now the island is even renamed as the James Bond Island, on all trips from Phuket this is a must-see but its all part of an enormous theatre of pillars, positioned along this extensive bay and it is probably one of the world’s most photogenic spots. Koh Phan Yee is a picturesque fishing village which is situated in the sea on stilts and it is here where lunch will be served. Buying some souvenirs is something that you should not forget and also walking around this peaceful community. Particularly popular is kayaking among the impressive karst cliffs and wonderful caves.

If you are a diving enthusiast and there is only one chance to see the finest sites, then you might want to take a diving trip to the gorgeous Similan islands. These islands are situated West of Phuket and the trip lasts a few days. Also located here is a protected marine reserve and boat tyrips are the only means of reaching the area’s untouched reefs, or enjoy swimming in the clear soothing waters. You don’t have a dive certificate? No worries, there are many courses offering dive lessons. Hong Island makes a great daytrip as well. This remarkable island lies between Phuket and Krabi and features a hidden lagoon which is only accessible via a cave tunnel during low tide.

Drive into the hinterland by rented car is also a rewarding option. Phuket is connected by a short causeway and after you reach the mainland you are free to explore the beautiful Southern Thai provinces. Driving north to Khao Lak, you have the option to explore a wilder and unspoiled coastline, and some impressing coastal parks. The Khao Sok National Park is just a bit beyond this with its enormous lake, lush rainforests and idyllic landscapes. The park’s chalets offer overnight accommodation. The tropical national parks in Thailand boast fabulous ecosystems full of birdlife, waterfalls, streams, nature trails, and a few animals.

If you’re driving out of Phuket it is a great idea to explore the region for a couple of days, with its rubber plantations, and weird landscapes. Visiting the majestic and less visited parks such as Than Bokkharani National Park and Sa Nang Manora Forest Park as you travel en-route through Pha Nga onwards to Krabi town, is especially a great experience.

By Andrew Bond

Andrew Bond lives four months of the year in Phuket, he is a travel writer and when planning his journeys he uses:
http://www.1stopphuket.com/
http://www.1stopkrabi.com/

Patong And Karon Beach, The Hearts Of Phuket

2007-11-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

Thailand, Siam, The land of smiles, situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, with a highly inspiring culture and something for everyone has made it a very appreciated tourist attraction for decades. From Bangkok with its rich heritage of ancient architecture merged with today's traffic jams and skyscrapers to the green paradise-like tropical islands in the south and the rolling hills and fertile valleys of the north, Thailand will be the most exciting and magical adventure which you'll never forget.

Located 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Patong Beach is the most developed, most vibrant, most visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city, the beach has a wide range of accommodations and shopping arcades, and provides magnificent leisure activities and energetic night-time entertainment. It is a picture perfect postcard view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, lazing, and enjoying challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing snorkeling, sailing, and parasailing. On the hills behind Patong you will find Phuket villa rentals which rank amongst the best in the world. The rich and famous from all of the world come here to enjoy the stunning beaches and sample the vibrant nightlight which Patong is famous for.

Also popular is Karon beach, located south of Patong Beach, Hat Karon is a curving beach that lies beautifully in the sun with small sand dunes, casuarinas and palm trees. The crescent bay is the beach's signature that drawing travelers attention. From May to October, the beach may be affected by serious undertows, as the bay open. Watch out for those warning flags before going swimming or surfing at the southern end of the beach.

During the high season, the beach is ideal for relaxation, swimming or sunbathing. A wide range of accommodations, from top-end to budget and mid-range, are available. Other facilities such as nightclubs, restaurants and other evening entertainment are located along the beachfront road. Again, luxury Phuket villas are dotted along this beautiful stretch of coast, offering great accessibility to Phukets attractions.

Thailand constantly is winning awards for its tourism infrastructure, recently The Swedish travel publication, Travel News, recently presented the annual Grand Travel Award - the equivalent of the travel and tourism industry's 'Oscars' - for the fifteenth consecutive year.

Thailand ranked first in the "World's Best Tourist Country" category, making this the fifth consecutive year that Thailand has won the Swedish Grand Travel Award. The other top ten travel destinations deemed to be popular with Swedish travelers include South Africa, the United States, Italy, China, Greece, Denmark, Spain, France and Croatia. Other awards include Asia's very own award-winning luxury travel and lifestyle magazine, DestinAsian, awarding Bangkok with 'Best Leisure DestinAsian City' and The Oriental Bangkok won the DestinAsian 'Best Hotel, Bangkok' award.

From Bangkok, guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury villas for rent. Stunning locations are within hours of the capitol making weekend breaks very popular these days, High flying professionals can fly in from Hong Kong and be relaxing beside their private pool a their Thailand villa in no time, and enjoying the Thai pace of life.

By Dan Wallace

MyAsianVilla.com is a vacation site for real time rentals of luxurious vacation villas in Phuket and Ko Samui, Thailand. Plan your dream vacation in Thailand, faster and easier than ever through with My Asian Villas - Luxury villa rentals in Phuket

Water Sports Holidays In Thailand

2007-11-19T02:07:00.000-08:00

You get treasures of ethnic, scenic, gastronomic, and oceanic pleasures in Siam. Thailand certainly is the fascinating and exotic land of lovely people known for their fantastic culture, cuisine, and overall lifestyle. The land, of course, is well known for its beautiful beaches and pelagic pleasures. It is a wonderful destination for water sports in Southeast Asia.

Thailand definitely is the best pick, if you are looking to have fun & adventure packed water sports holidays. You can really have great holiday, beaching, playing beach volleyball & other beach sports, and enjoying numerous water sports activities, such as swimming, rafting, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, and scuba diving in Thailand. Some famous destinations for water sports destinations in Thailand are – Mae Hong Son, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chumpon, Ko Chang, and Koh Tao.

Mae Hong Son, located near the border of Myanmar along the banks of the river Pai, is a wonderful town in the North West Thailand. The town offers you a nice opportunity to enjoy rafting the Pai River. You can join one of the rafting expeditions that are commonly organized in the heart of Mae Hong Son. Mae Hong Son can be accessed by car or bus from Chiang Mai via the Mae Hong Son loop. The town is also served by the Mae Hong Son Airport.

Hua Hin, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok, is a celebrated beach resort town in Thailand. It is best known for kitesurfing. You can hire your kitesurfing equipment, have kitesurfing instructions from experts, and enjoy kitesurfing. You can also joint kitesurfing lessons & courses for beginners. You can also enjoy numerous other beach and water sport on the beach resort, with an area around 86.36 km². You can also enjoy swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, and rowing.

Phuket, the largest island and the southern province of Thailand, is best known for its beaches. It is popular destinations for beach & water sports. You can enjoy numerous beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, kitesurfing, yachting, windsurfing, wave surfing, rowing, snorkeling, diving, scuba diving, etc. in Phuket. Famous Phuket beaches include Bang Tao, Surin Beach, Laem Singh Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Yai Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Ao Chalong, and Rawai Beach.

Chumphon or Chumpon, the capital of the Chumphon Province at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand, is a fantastic town in southern Thailand. Located about 463 kilometers away from Bangkok, Chumpon is famous for kitesurfing or kiteboarding, and other water sports activities. You can enjoy numerous beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and rowing. The town can be accessed by bus or by ferries.

Ko Chang, located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand, is the second largest island of Thailand. It is famous for sailing and scuba diving. However, you can also enjoy several other beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, snorkeling, diving, and rowing in Ko Chang. The island can be accessed by ferries operating from Laem Ngop.

Ko Tao, an island located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, is widely famous for scuba diving. Diving in Ko Tao is easy and full of fun. Often, you have encounters with turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, and reef sharks. The island is a great place for divers. It is a great place to learn diving, as there are hardly any currents. You can also enjoy several other water related activities, such as wake boarding, water skiing, sumo tube, wind surfing, and sailing. Ko Tao can be accessed catching ferries from Surat Thani, or Ko Samui, or Ko Pha Ngan.

By James Burrows
Author writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for Hotels, Villas, Holiday apartments in Phuket, and Thailand holiday villas.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival - Great For Tourists

2007-11-19T01:49:00.000-08:00

The most important Phuket festival that is held each year must certainly be the Vegetarian festival. The Vegetarian festival in Phuket takes place during the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar.

The Vegetarian festival normally falls in the last week of September of within the first week of October.

The Phuket vegetarian festival is organized each year to celebrate the start of the Taoist lent. Due to the large number of Phuket residents with Chinese roots, the Taoist lent is celebrated among a large group of the population of Phuket. The vegetarian festival starts of by devout Chinese religious believers completely abstaining from all dairy and meat products.

The festivities in Phuket that are held during the vegetarian festival can be found at one of the five main Chinese temples on Phuket. The best Chinese temples to visit are the Bang Niaw Chinese Temple and the Jui Tui Chinese Temple.

The vegetarian festival involves more then only the abstinence of dairy and meat products. Other parts of the Phuket vegetarian festival includes the temple offerings to the Monks, offering of gifts to the nine emperor gods which awake during the vegetarian festival, fireworks and cultural shows but to name a few.

A number of participants to the vegetarian festival on Phuket act as mediums between the 9 deities to earth. These mediums try to achieve a special state of trance. Once this state of trance is reached, their cheeks are pierced by numerous sharp objects such as spears and knifes.

Afterwards these special Vegetarian festival mediums all join a large procession which takes them by many shops which have places altars along the street with special offerings. These mediums pick up the fruits which are offered to them by the shop keepers and they add the offerings to the sharp items which are sticking out of their cheeks. If there is no space available the mediums will give the offerings to bystanders.

It is said to be a sign of good luck and a true blessing if one is to receive a gift from one of the mediums during the vegetarian festival procession.

The atmosphere of the vegetarian festival is certainly unique and should be experienced by every traveler who is staying on the island during the event. If one was to describe the whole event in a few words then the festival could be described as a religious frenzy.

Where ever you look you will see spectacular ritual dancing, loud fireworks, blood stained shirt worn by the mediums and ancient religious worshipping activities.

If you ask the Phuket residents with Chinese roots as to the origin of the vegetarian festival then they will tell you a tragic story. They say that a Chinese theatre troupe visited Phuket around one and a half century ago.

The Chinese troupe was struck by tragedy when all members of the Chinese theatre troupe turned seriously ill. The story goes that they had turned ill because they had neglected to offer respects to the nine emperor gods of Taoism. The only way in which the Chinese troupe members could cure themselves was with a 9 day lent which included solely vegetarian foods, long periods of meditations and acts of self piercing.

By James Bukovsky

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Phuket in his Phuket Guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bukovsky

The History of Phuket

2007-11-19T01:41:00.000-08:00

Phuket History The first records in Phuket history originate in the beginning of the 11th century. As far as historians have been able to trace, the first inhabitants of what is now known as Phuket were the sea gypsy’s and theNegrito's.

Phuket Negritos The Negritos are considered by historians to be the indigenous inhabitants of South East Asia. The Negritos include tribes from the Malay Peninsula, Andaman tribes, Pilipino tribes and the Semang tribes. The Negritos were small people and were pygmy sized. They are in fact considered to be among the smallest races when looking at population size. Genetic expert consider the DNA of the Negritos to be among the purest of any human race.

Junk Ceylon Junk Ceylon. was the first name of Phuket in its history. Historians have found the original name of Phuket on the maps of Portuguese sea merchant maps. There was an earlier mention of Junk Ceylon in a book written in the year of 157 AD. The book was written by a well known Greek philosopher. Cladius Ptolemy.

The Greek philosopher mentioned that if one was to travel to the Malaysian peninsula, one would have to pass a cape which he called the Junk Ceylon. The Junk Ceylon was given a location between the latitudes of 6 N and 8 N which would be the position of present day Phuket. It seems that the Junk Ceylon was visited by sea merchant from various countries as the bay of Junk Ceylon offered a superb protection against the forces of nature and gave the merchants an opportunity to rest and restock.

Recent Phuket History Phuket become later known as Thalang after the city which still exists in the northern region of Phuket. An important part of Phuket history was during the 15th century when Phuket obtained the reputation as a leading tin mining producer. Due to the local mining industry, Phuket become somewhat of a trading hub.

Due to the large volume of European merchants and traders that were calling port in Thalang, the Thai King during that period decided that Phuket should be administered by a European. Between the period of 1681 and 1685, Thalang was administered by a French missionary named Renee Charbonneau.

Burmese Invasion Another imporrant event in Phuket history was in 1785 when enemy troops from neighboring Burma attempted to invade and rule Phuket. Two Phuket ladies decided to stand up and defend the Island in the name of the King of Thailand. The former governor’s widow, Chan, and her loyal sister Muk organized a defense which lasted nearly a month.

The Burmese troops were left with no supplies after they had been unable to get past the defence for over a month. The aggresors had no other option but to withdraw as their suplies had run. The king of Thailand heard of the heroic actions of the two sisters and bestowed upon them the noble titles of Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon. Even in present day Phuket, the two sisters have not been forgotten and are in fact still honored and respected. In 1966 the two sisters were honored by their very own statue which stands at the Tha Ruea Intersection.

By James Bukovsky

Read the remaining article on Phuket history in the Phuket guide: http://www.all-phuket.com/phuket_history.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bukovsky

Spa Resort in Phuket

2007-11-19T01:11:00.000-08:00

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Indulge in a rubdown with fiery critical oils. loiter by the oversized hydro spa combine. indulgent accent lighting, tainted-schooner windows, light murals and the sounds of malleable melody construct a fiery, peaceful greeting as you appear at the newest coastline front spa resort in Phuket.

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What you have learned while reading this informative article, is knowledge that you can keep with you for a lifetime. Maypopup M. is the Webmaster of Phuket Resort Smart Choice of Booking Hotel, Golf Course , Water Activities , DayTip All Phuket Thailand With Coupon discont up 50% More at http://www.hotel2phuket.com/

Phuket - the gateway to the Indian Ocean

2007-11-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

To be the only yacht in sight from horizon to horizon, anchored off a pristine, deserted, tropical island beach, may seem like a distant dream to most sailors - but sailing in Phuket it is everyday reality.

Unique, too, among cruising destinations is Phuket's climate. There is no winter; there are no hurricanes and no typhoons. Temperatures range between 25° and 32°C throughout the year, and the sea rarely varies from 28°C.

Located in the Andaman Sea (off Thailand's southwest coast) Phuket is best known amongst regional sailors for the most advanced sailing infrastructure in Thailand. As a cruising base, Phuket is unbeatable. The mystical waters, islands and limestone karsts of Phang-nga Bay are just a few hours' sail east from the major anchorages; the stunning Similan Islands are a day's motor-sail to the west, while Myanmar's practically unexplored Mergui Archipelago is easily accessible to the north.

To the south is the almost uninhabited Butang Group - part of the 51-island Hat Chao Mai National Park - teeming with an abundance of fascinating and unusual wildlife. A short sail east brings you to the mysterious unspoiled island of Tarutao, just 6 km (4 miles) from the Malaysian island of Langkawi, and just one day out of Phuket. A former penal colony, Tarutao abounds with interesting caves and hidden creeks leading into the mountainous interior; a primeval world where time stands still.

Phang-nga Bay itself, bounded by Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi provinces - boasting over 100 islands and sheer-sided mountains rising vertically out of the sea - has produced some of Thailand's most spectacular tourist images. As a result, it is a popular destination with day tours and kayakers exploring the bay's islands and sea caves. Yet, despite its international renown, the bay is practically deserted by mid-afternoon.

For enthusiasts who prefer as much luxury and convenience as possible combined with their sailing, Phuket is already home to three international-standard marinas, The Yacht Haven Marina, Boat Lagoon Marina and the recently-opened Royal Phuket Marina, which was voted "The Best of the Best Marinas" by British Airways' First Class in-flight magazine, First Life. Many more marinas are planned.

Yet, for those who prefer to sail away from civilisation, just a couple of hours sail from Phuket - will seem like a world away.

Boasting only one regatta until a few years ago, there is now a multitude of choice, in terms of time, style and location, for those who prefer to mix a touch of action with their sailing holiday in Thailand.

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta, now in its nineteenth year, attracts around 100 yachts and is held in early December. Phang-Nga Bay Regatta, bringing together up to 40 competitors for a more relaxed week, takes place at Chinese New Year, against what must be the most dramatic scenic background of any regatta in the world. Phuket Race Week in its second year also plays an important part in the regatta calendar, being staged in the windy month of July during the southwest monsoon.

Whilst the competitive fun of racing in tropical waters is why people take part in Phuket's regattas, they all leave with fond memories of the beachside regatta parties. These relaxed, informal parties have become a keynote feature of yachting events in the kingdom.

Whether racing in a tropical regatta or simply cruising among Phuket's pristine islands, the warm Thai welcome, superb cuisine and the cultural charm - that together make Phuket one of the world's favourite cruising destinations - make for an unforgettable experience not to be missed

Get ready to experience this wonderful area yourself with a sailing charter in Thailand

By Andrea

Overview of Phuket and Andamans

2007-11-12T02:05:00.001-08:00

Thailand is blessed with a multitude of human and natural resources. International travelers can enjoy the rainforests, plains, mountains and beaches all amongst the most beautiful in the world. A major reason why nearly 10 million visitors come to Thailand each year.

The islands in the Andaman are some of the worlds best tourist destinations, and include a wide variety of activities such as diving, jet skiing, wind surfing for the adventurous to relaxing on the beach or staying at one of the numerous world famous spas of which Thailand is famous. A vast choice of accommodation awaits the millions of visitors to the Andaman's from traditional thatched roof bungalows to luxurious penthouse style houses.

As remarkable as Thailand's renowned variety of attractions, scenic and cultural is the diversity to be found in any one part of the country. The Andaman coast is certainly one of the most striking areas, and Phuket is famous for its beauty and wealth of attractions. Southern Thailand stands apart from the rest of the country as being more tropical. It has the highest rainfall, giving a deeper green to the vegetation, while the geological make up of sheer limestone formations adds drama to the landscape. The six provinces along the Western coast are characterized by the Andaman sea which has numerous excellent coral reefs making it a paradise for divers. The water is warm year round and so is always comfortable to swim in.

Phuket is Thailand's best known and most popular tourist destination. It is the largest island in Thailand and an administrative kingdom unto itself. The island is 48 kilometers long and 21 kilometers at the widest point. The island encompasses scenic diversity in its widely different beach locales, its urban centre and in its mountainous interior. In spite of modern development, Phuket remains a stunning island. With a causeway linking it to the mainland, it hangs from Thailand's Southern peninsula like an emerald pendant. The land drops to a rugged coastline on the East side whilst on the West the slopes are gentler. Each beach has its own unique atmosphere, whether it is quiet and serene or bold and brash.

Many areas once ruined by the extensive tin mining from days gone by have been transformed, Bang Tao beach for example was once a worked out tin mine but now a plethora of 5 star deluxe hotels dot the area and the beach has been stunningly landscaped. Many of the golf courses too, utilize abandoned pits used for mining.

Overshadowed by it's reputation for sun, sea and sand, but nonetheless part of the attraction is the islands multicultural heritage. Long used by Arab traders hundreds of years ago, and also colonized by the French and British, and Chinese has meant that Phuket is a melting pot of different cultures and offers a fascinating blend of Thai, Chinese, and Muslim traditions. Differences are graphically witnessed in the juxtaposition of ornate Thai Buddhist temples, rather more garishly colored Chinese temples and the domes of mosques that dot the landscape. Yet these ethnic contrasts belie an ethnic harmony and diverse influences have been comfortably absorbed. All of this contributes to Phuket being rightly justified as one of the worlds best tourist destinations.

By Dan Wallace

Phuket Honeymoon Spa Dedicated Relaxation

2007-11-12T01:58:00.000-08:00

We hope that you finish this article having learned at least a little bit of new information. If so, then we have done our job.

Have you ever wondered what closely is up with phuket honeymoon spa? This informative state can give you an insight into everything you've ever required to know about phuket honeymoon spa.

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incoming the function part of the shape-new grandiose Spa is a gentle experience in itself. The interiors are daubed in gentle and expected lighting, and furnished with antique and contemporary pieces. The melody is reserved at discrete flats. While sipping on gently-brewed herbal teas, you are guided through the large menu of Body, thinker and Soul treatments by professionally-taught members of team.

Alligned with the early origins of Thai kneading, invents are mostly from the Sri Vijaya kingdom that spanned the crucial and southern regions of Thailand between the 7th and 9th centuries. The mostly Hindu influences came from India. Life-dimension sculptures of superb icons, recreated from this era, are set in niches along the corridor chief to personal suites. A icon past each scope holds a lit candle when it is conquered, assuring you inclusive privacy.

Each secretive suite is easy yet elegant. The stockade are sheltered in mellow, rose-coloured silk with light green accents, and the intention shape of the lotus. With over 300 plaza metres of dedicated treatment locale, the spa skin 4 of these enclosed and outside suites, each with a very open 60 plaza metres.

During the second part, we must switch to a more serious side to fully communicate the subject matter in a way for all to understand.

Alligned with the early origins of Thai kneading, invents are mostly from the Sri Vijaya kingdom that spanned the crucial and southern regions of Thailand between the 7th and 9th centuries. The mostly Hindu influences came from India. Life-dimension sculptures of superb icons, recreated from this era, are set in niches along the corridor chief to personal suites. A icon past each scope holds a lit candle when it is conquered, assuring you inclusive privacy.

Each secretive suite is unadorned yet elegant. The stockade are sheltered in supple, rose-coloured silk with light green accents, and the outline shape of the lotus. With over 300 establish metres of dedicated treatment region, the spa skin 4 of these interior and outside suites, each with a very roomy 60 establish metres.

A classic grand Spa Suite includes: a secretive therapy preparation locale (part from the guest locale), two grand closet-scopes for guests, a shower and steam scope, a place scope, two enclosed treatment beds, a jacuzzi with a relaxing Thai-variety daybed, and a large outside hanging treatment bed. All venues have grand views of the seashore of Nai Harn Bay.

Two of the grand Spa Suites have matchless skin: A wet-treatment porch with a Zen patch and granite treatment beds, where you can indulge in a body cancel, or any of the wet treatments, in complete privacy. A lotus pool and gaunt jacuzzi broad these oases of relaxation.

After experiencing some of our dedicated treatment parcels - Honeymoon Experience, totality Relaxation, Away from it All, or A Day In The Kingdom of Siam - Body, thoughts & Soul will remain in your recall of Le royal Meridien Phuket liner guild royal Spa.

That's the hottest from the phuket honeymoon spa authorities. Once you're forward with these dreams, you'll be disposed to move to the next degree.

When we learn, we continue on a path of growth. Therefore, learning about this subject has already helped you more than you know.

by Maypopup M.

About the Author

Maypopup M. is the Webmaster of Phuket Hotel Smart Choice of Booking Hotel, Golf Course , Water Activities , DayTip All Phuket Thailand With Coupon discont up 50% More at http://www.hotel2phuket.com/

Phuket Largest Of All Island In Thailand Most Popular

2007-11-12T01:57:00.000-08:00

Before we begin to give you additional information on this topic, take a moment to think about how much you already know.
Welcome to Phuket, this is the largest of all Island in Thailand, and also the most popular. Phuket is a exquisite island with its stunning mountains, grimy beaches, jungles, and located in the heart of the Andaman Sea, the island is surrounded with crystal free waters, just innocent for snorkeling and diving. Phuket island is allied to the mainland via the Sarasin Bridge, so it is painless to come here from every were, moreover by bus, or by escape to Phuket International Airport.

The season here is typically great, the high season is from October May, but it is still worth to go here outside the high season, it is fewer crowded, and the temperature drops a little.

Once you have been around to all the exquisite beaches, why not take a fall to some of the surrounding islands, spring on our boat, which can take you to Phi Phi Island, Racha Yai Island or even to the world famous Similan Islands, for a snorkeling or diving daytrip

In the beginning of this article, we went over the basics. Now, we will look at this topic a little more in-depth.

Phuket Beaches

Not many islands is having such an abundance of pallid grimy beaches and turquise free waters as Phuket. This 540-square-km island proposal stunning sea views and painless access to some of the world's finest beaches.

Here is something for everybody whether you desires to be in the limelight of Patong or find a small remote shoreline up spread north, Phuket's beaches have it all for the sun seeker.

Patong Beach

Patong is with no distrust the most popular of them all. With its a open variety of activities and good nightlife, Patong is an innocent place to team and play. Patong shoreline strecthes more than 3,000 metres, and is enclosed with pallid soft sand, this is a innocent place for people to touch or just relax in the sun.

Karon Beach

Karon shoreline is streching all the way to Kata, not as demanding as Patong beach, but is still offering a open variority of activities, this might be innocent for a family, although this question is right more and more popular, but have a pleasant spread out and seldom feels crowded.

Kata Beach

Just a few record south of Karon, you will find Kata shoreline its lesser than Karon beach, but have all kinds of activities. A innocent place for families and couples to relax, and like the sun. Here is also a pleasant shallow coral reef, innocent for snorkelling.

Kata Noi

This is a small bay, pallid crispy sand, separated from Kata by a small cape, is a calm and peaceful place. A pleasant place for a relaxing snorkel or swim.

Kamala

This well-enclosed bay and fishing village has urbanized fast over the last five years, it still has a small-town feel. prevalent for families, Kamala Beach has bags of small casual restaurants and food shops, and proposal some good snorkelling at the wavering north end.

Chalong Bay

This bustling bay, a main launch question for dinghy and dive trips, is full with bobbing vessels of all shapes and sizes throughout the year. stacks of casual restaurants, dive shops, fishing charter and tour operators, watersports tools suppliers, Internet shops and even yoga and Reiki centres are packed into the brisk street chief to the pier.

Cape Panwa

The lovely peninsula Panwa, just south of the demanding Phuket Town, remainder a peaceful, innocent gem of a place. Its grassy hills, grimy coves, mangroves and tidal flats proposal a calm place to explore away from the crowds.

Please contagious us and prefer your preferred lodge Phuket promotion lodge room for your lovely holidays at here.
From beginning to end, this article has helped you to learn more about this topic than you probably thought you would ever know.

By Suwat Muenpan
About the author:
Suwat Muenpan is The Webmaster Of Phuket
Thailand Attracts Millions Of Visitors Every Year - Guaranteed! http://www.phuketdiary.com/

Phuket: An Amazing Scuba Diving Location

2007-11-12T01:56:00.000-08:00

Phuket is located in Thailand and is very highly rated. In fact, it is among the world's top ten scuba diving locations. Exotic culture, adventure both above and below the surface, unforgettable food, Phuket has all the right ingredients for a perfect diving holiday. There are breath taking reefs and remarkable underwater rock formations in addition to the different types of marine life that are found here that provide some amazing opportunities for divers of all levels and persuasions.

One can go live-aboard diving and there are also daytrips and plenty of dive points, dive centers as well as dive courses available for the scuba diver. Liveaboard diving in Thailand from Phuket and Khao Lak with liveaboard boats to Similan islands, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, are good examples of where you can go to in this great scuba diving location.

Phuket and Phi Phi Island, which are among the top 10 scuba diving locations in the world boasts of splendid crystal clear water, awesome rock formations as well as an ecosystem that is vibrant and contains a lot of marine life. The water is also warm having average surface temperatures of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and there are hundreds of different varieties of both stony as well as soft corals surrounded by bright colored fish as well as other creatures of the sea which also includes some large reef fish. While stony corals are the life blood of the reef, soft corals are a prominent part of the reef. In some places they look like vast fields of undersea wildflowers.

For those who would like to see big animals there are the Whale Sharks as well as Manta Ray whose sighting is pretty common. In addition, there are also dozens of other picturesque island destinations that lie in close proximity and can be reached by day boats as well as live-aboard cruises, from Phuket. The consistent water temperatures make it possible to go diving throughout the year, right off the coast of Phuket.

For those who desire to visit this beautiful scuba diving location, they can look forward to having great food and under expert supervision they may enjoy their stay where the accommodation too, is very comfortable. And those who wish for Scuba certification, this extraordinary scuba diving location will provide many affordable Dive Shops where beginners may learn the basics and others may try out the master instructor certification.

Besides its outstanding water treasures, there is a whole lot more available right here at this wonderful scuba diving location in the form of beautiful beaches, gourmet restaurants, vivacious night life as well as a number of other attractions all available where and when one wants it. There are also popular dive centers such as Dive Asia, Colona Diving, Similan Diving Safaris, Moskito Diving, Blue Planet Divers, and Sea Bees Diving plus a number of others for those who desire to try out more of this scuba diving location at Phuket.

By Jose Rossello

Phuket, A Haven For Speed Boats And Yachts

2007-11-12T01:53:00.000-08:00

The biggest island of the Kingdom of Thailand, Phuket - acknowledged as the 'Pearl of the South' - is an exceptional tourist destination, surrounded by the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean. With its wonderful coves and bays, palm fringed sandy beaches, scintillating waterfalls, limestone formations, and beautiful landscapes and scenery, Phuket has to its credit an array of interesting as well as unique attractions, which among many others, are Butterfly Garden and Sea Aquarium, Chana Charoen Crocodile Farm, Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai village, Khao Rang, and Ko Si Re. For those who want to explore the wildlife of the place, excellent options such as Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary and Sirinat National Park are available.

Phuket is also much famed for its wonderful beaches, such as, Ao Bang Thao, Ao Chalong, Hat Kamala, Hat Kalim, Hat Patong, Hat Rawai, Hat Surin, Ko Kaeo, Laem Ka Yai, and Laem Phromthep. Further, the place's gastronomy is simply amazing, whose evidences are world-famous festivals like Seafood Festival and Vegetarian Festival.

Along with these attractions, Phuket renders opportunities to enjoy a range of recreational activities, of which perhaps most popular ones are yachting and riding in the speed boats, apart from snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and scuba diving. In other words, Phuket is considered a haven for speed boats and yachts, and is one of the premier yachting destinations in Asia, especially South East Asia. Phuket's marinas represent almost all types of yachts from every continent. One of the prime reasons why yachting is so popular in Phuket is perhaps due to Phuket King's Cup Regatta - the largest as well as the most popular yearly sailing event throughout Asia.

A fantastic highlight and anchorage for yacht charter in Phuket is Pang Nag Bay, which is noted for its superb limestone formations and scenic beauty. A tender or a dinghy can be used to explore the stunning caves and inland lakes of the bay. Similarly, take a cruise from Phuket to the spectacular island of Koh Phi Phi, and experience its splendid scenery, white sandy beaches, and secluded bays. Above all, your yacht charter vacation would be incomplete without taking a cruise to the spectacular island of Krabi, which is much famed for its appealing beaches, tropical greenery, steeped cliffs, and beautiful coral reefs.

Different types of yachts and speed boat charter services are available to suit every pocket and taste and preferences. For instance, for those who are not interested in hiring skipper or crew on board, one of the options would be to charter bareboat. Chartering bareboat is an arrangement to hire a boat or yacht, in which no provisions or crew is included. Mostly, bareboat is chartered with full tanks of fuel and water.

Another most popular category is chartering skippered yachts, which is a great way to explore the beauty of the Andaman Sea, with your friends, family, and colleagues. This type of yacht chartering is usually inclusive of team training, onboard catering, and corporate facilities. Also, available are itineraries. Likewise, for those who want to enjoy vacation with a blend of relaxation and privacy, the best choice is to charter a crewed yacht. Hiring a crewed yacht would give you an experience of staying in a luxury floating villa, and in most cases, it comes replete with gourmet meals and drinks, personal service, and finest accommodations. Options are also available for those looking for sophistication, such as, luxury yachts, which features facilities including in-house theaters, Jacuzzis on deck, excellent cuisine, swimming pools, and fish fighting chairs. Classic yachts, catamarans, super yachts, and sail boat, are the other popular types of yacht charter.

In a snap shot, Phuket is a romantic as well as alluring destination for a yachting vacation. With salubrious climate all-year round, stunning environment, the service of delightful people, and delicious cuisine, Phuket forms a perfect base for riding in the speed boat and yachting in the Andaman Sea.
A myriad of yacht charter speed boats agencies are now here to provide you expert services. One can also lean on the services of boat brokers for an enjoyable yachting vacation. Many of them have their own sites on the web. This in turn enables the tourists to book a charter service within the comforts of their home or work place. Just inform your likes and dislikes and preferences to these charter services, and they make all arrangements to make your vacation really an enjoyable as well as a memorable experience. No matter you have booked yachting services for a week or a month, you will at last feel that it was not enough!

By Dan Wallace

10 great vacations things about Phuket in Thailand

2007-11-10T02:24:00.000-08:00

Referred to as the 'Jewel of the Andaman', Phuket is Thailand's most popular tourist destination. With pristine and well-equipped beaches that are second to none, the international community that has helped to foster this island gives it a unique atmosphere that you won't find elsewhere. Since the tsunami, rebuilding has been steady and much of the island has recovered its former clout as the best tourist vehicle in Thailand.

Adventure sports
Phuket is one of Thailand's most well-equipped tourist destinations and as a result, the adventure sports arena is first-rate. Some of the more predicable opportunities include elephant trekking in the back jungles. However, the more modern adventurer may wish to hire an ATV and take a guided tour across forested hills or to remote beaches. A licensed bungee jump operator is located in Kathu, and there's a shooting range in Chalong. Tamer sports like go-karting are also available. Anyone craving a surge of adrenaline should have no problem satisfying that need in Phuket.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre
The Royal Reserve at Bang Pae is home to more than just a lovely waterfall. Visitors who come for a refreshing dip in the cooling pools of the falls may also catch sight of one of the gibbons that live on this land. The initiative to rescue caged gibbons and reintroduce them to this land has been successful with three families so far, and their distinctive voices can be heard in the forest.

Water sports
The Andaman Sea is a great host for relaxing excursions at sea. The clear and calm waters are a wonderful setting for snorkelling and scuba diving. For outings above water, visitors can rent banana boats, jet-skis and sea kayaks. For those who long to sail, there are charter boats, dining cruises and fishing trips to join. Parasailing is another water sport available for those with an added taste for adventure who want to gain a new angle on the island.

Waterfalls
Phuket is home to three waterfalls that make for great excursions. Bang Pae is on site at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Fund, and so visiting this location allows the added benefit of catching site of a rare gibbon. Kathu Waterfall is situated inland and makes a great layover spot for a swim in one of the pools at the top or a scenic picnic at its base. Ton Said is the smallest of the waterfalls set with picturesque pools and tall palm trees.

Island hopping
Arcing out into the Andaman, the archipelago that extends onward from Phuket is well-worth a chartered daytrip or even an overnight stay. These beautiful islands offer all sorts of getaway opportunities ranging from diving and snorkelling to relaxed sightseeing from the boat or on the land. Some, like the Similian Islands, are primitive and undeveloped, though it is possible to charter an overnight boat with sleeping accommodation on board. More developed islands like Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are outfitted with accommodation and more modern amenities.

Shopping
Shoppers bound for Phuket will find the bulk of the island's markets and night bazaars in Patong. All manner of products can be found here including ceramics, jewellery, custom-made silk and cotton clothing. Antique shoppers will enjoy browsing the shops, and standard souvenirs can all be easily found. Most goods are reasonably priced, though the touristiest areas may require a little polite bartering.

Promthep Cape
The southernmost spot of Phuket is Promthep Cape, home to a couple of famous structures. One is a statue in honour of the Thai prince who founded the country's first school of modern navigation in the 1800s and the other is a merit-making shrine that is covered in elephants of many different sizes. Most tourists come for the photogenic scenery and the spectacular sunsets.

Eating out
Fresh seafood enhances the already superb Thai cuisine ready to eat at Phuket. Restaurateurs will find authentic Thai food, usually prepared with less spicy chillies than what found in normal Thai cuisine. International cuisine is amply available as well, with every imaginable variety available across the touristiest areas. The best international cuisine is found in the resort areas and at five-star restaurants, while authentic local food is easier to find farther inland where tourists don't venture with as much frequency.

Temples
Visiting a temple, or wat, is one of the most enticing ways to learn about the local history and religious heritage of Thailand. It's important to respect these sacred sites by wearing long pants and keeping your shoulders covered, and most Thais will be pleased to see you taking an interest in their local religious customs. While there are several wats on the island which are worth investigating, the most popular is probably Wat Chalong, which has a unique and modern style with large murals and an ornate pagoda.

Thai kick boxing
Muay Thai, athe Thai version of kick boxing is a form of combat that has been passed down through the generations for centuries and has achieved global status as one of the most effective fighting styles in the world. Muay Thai training gyms are located in Chalong, Rawai and Phuket Town, and people flock to Phuket from all over the world to study this rigorous discipline from the masters. Spectators can watch fights on Friday nights in Phuket Town.

By Andrew Burrows
About the author:
Web writer Andy Burrows frequently visits Thailand and plans his trips online using web;
1stop Phuket
Phuket maps
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Private Villa Holiday in Phuket

2007-11-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

Phuket, dubbed as the 'Pearl of South' or 'Pearl of the Andaman,' is a fabulous tourist destination, nestled in the sparking waters of the Andaman Sea. Situated about 850 km from Bangkok by road and only an hour's flying from Bangkok, Phuket is truly a paradise, set against the backdrop of enchanting scenery consisting of amazing tropical sunsets, spectacular bays and coves, warm blue waters, tree-covered mountains, and scintillating waterfalls.

The much of the glory of the place lies on its fantastic sugary powdered beaches, each of which renders superb options to enjoy scores of water sport activities. Apart from water sport activities, Phuket is also a mecca for many other activities such as elephant riding and golf, with more than five international golf courses.

Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Bang Tai Beach, Surin Beach, Kamala Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Rawai Beach, are just few among many of the beaches in the area. However, Phuket's attractions are not just confined to its beautiful beaches. Attractions also cover historical and cultural sites reflecting the history of the place, interesting museums and art galleries, spectacular parks and gardens, and forested areas rich in a diverse range of flora and fauna.

With umpteen accommodation choices to pick from such as budget hotels, five-star resorts and hotels, and top-rated apartments and bungalows, options are endless to discover the beauty of Phuket. Despite any other choices, private villas are regarded as an excellent option for an enjoyable holiday.

In other words, holidays in villas are undoubtedly a relaxing as well as comfortable way to explore Phuket's gorgeousness. Due to the limitless choices it provides, villas in Phuket are fast becoming popular nowadays, especially among European, American, and rich Asian vacationers who are looking for a break from their stressful life.

One of the prime reasons why many of the people prefer villas is the sheer space and freedom that it offers when compared to hotel and resort rooms. No matter you are seeking peace and recreation, fun and amusement, or a combination of the both, Phuket private villas cater to every type of vacationer. From dramatic countryside villas to romantic beachside villas, villa holidays in Phuket are truly astounding.

Depending upon the requirements of vacationers, a variety of private villas is available in the place to suit every pocket and preference. For budget conscious vacationers, nothing would be better than a self-catering private villa, providing a great degree of comfort as well as complete freedom.

Likewise, for those vacationing with big family, family villas are available, with facilities to accommodate 10-15 people. If you can spend somewhat extravagantly for your villa holidays, then go for deluxe villa accommodations replete with high-end facilities and amenities such as washing machine, living room, color TV, and aplenty of towels and linens.

Additionally, there are excellent villas, especially designed for newly weds and honeymooners. Above all, you can also choose villas on the basis of how long you would stay in the place. Typically, villas are rented on a weekly basis, which could be extended in most cases.

A specialty of private villas in Phuket is that most of them are situated within the easy reach of beautiful beaches in the area like Patong, Surin, and Kamala, thereby providing gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea. Further, majority of the Phuket villas provide accommodation facilities akin to that of resorts.

In most cases, villas are complete with superb living rooms, patios, and fully equipped kitchens. Majority of them also feature facilities such as swimming pools and splendid furnishings. Sometimes, private villas are also coupled with the service of private chefs. There are also Phuket holiday villas featuring barbeque for outdoor cooking. In addition, villas in Phuket appeal to sport and fitness enthusiasts, as majority of them provide world class facilities to enjoy a variety of activities including golf and tennis, apart from facilities exclusively designed for fitness purposes.

Mostly, the rates of private villas in Phuket are inclusive of airport transfers, maid-servant, and laundry services. In addition, some villas come with rates covering car rentals, dining facilities, and tour services. In some instances, villa providers even customize accommodation according to the requirements of the holidaymakers. There are also villa providers providing world class packages in the form of sightseeing or golf packages.

A myriad of professional villa service providers are now in the scenario to provide you the best in Phuket villas rentals. However, last minute Phuket villa holiday has never been so easy to schedule. Hence, contact any of the villa specialists in the area in order to guide you in finding a villa that goes with your requirements and preferences.

With a plethora of villa-related sites on the internet, it is not at all a tedious process to locate a reputable villa provider in Phuket. Many of them offer options to book villas online. All you have to do is to share your likes and preferences to your villa specialists. Then, wait for a relaxing as well as fun villa holiday in this wonderful paradise!

By Wolfgang Jaegel

Phuket City Hotels on the Phuket Hotel Discount in Thailand

2007-11-10T02:07:00.000-08:00

Have a Fabulous Time in Phuket

2007-11-10T01:34:00.000-08:00

Situated to the south of Bangkok, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It is also well known as 'Pearl of Andaman' or the 'Pearl of the South'. Phuket is one of the best places around the world to have a fabulous vacation.

Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy their vacation in full swing. Have a fabulous time in Phuket, the place which is famous for its limestone beaches, sandy white beaches, and tropical forests. Phuket is bordered by Phang-nga Province in the northern side and the rest sides are bounded by the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is famous for diving; therefore the place is best for diving enthusiasts. Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge connect Phang-nga Province to this island. Phuket has a total area of approximately 543 square kilometers and is situated near to west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The best time to visit this place is from the month of November to February. During this period you can have a fabulous climate here. During this time, the temperature of Phuket will be between 23 to 33 degree celsius and you can enjoy obvious blue sky and the touch of the fresh sea gentle wind and the view of the crystal blue water.

Phuket is also well-liked among tourists for being gifted with Sino-Portuguese architecture and the typical hospitality they follow. A wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from modern resorts to sprawling bungalows are available through out Phuket.

Phuket is considered as the busiest, beautiful, and the most famous vacation destination in the South. Phuket has immense number of snow white beaches, limestone cliffs, tranquil broad bays, and tropical in-land forests. It is a place for every sort of fun and is famous for a wide range of marine activities.

The beauty of Phuket attracts thousands of visitors round the year. Prompthep Cape, with panoramic eye spots, is the most famous beauty spot in Phuket. People usually come here to watch sunset. Wildlife is also a major attraction in Phuket. If you are interested in wild life then you will get the opportunity to watch wildlife in the great Phuket Zoo.

You can also enjoy pleasure activities such as crocodile shows, monkey shows and elephant shows in the Phuket Zoo. The zoo has a total area of 10 hectares and has over 100 kinds of reptiles, 600 species of birds and amphibians, and 45 types of mammals. You can see Buddhist temples throughout Phuket. Situated to the south of Phuket, Wat Chalong is one of the biggest Buddhist temples and one of the major attractions in Phuket.

The temple is extremely privileged for the statues of two of its early abbots who had fabled healing ills. Wat Phra Thong Temple, situated in the middle of Phuket Island, houses a huge statue of Buddha in half buried state. This temple is also well known in the name "Golden Buddha Temple."

Phuket Seashell Museum, situated on Viset Road, near Rawai Beach, is a favorite place for tourists round the year. The museum has a collection of over 2,000 rarities such as the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, 380 million-year-old fossils, giant clams and one of the rarest golden pearls of the world. Koh Sirey Island, also known as Koh Si Re, is also a famous tourist attraction which is situated on the eastern side of Phuket town.

The island is accessed by a small bridge and has abalone farms, a few fine beaches, a temple on a hill and a sea gypsy village. You can drive around this hilly island in half an hour. The island has many inshore sights which are unbelievably beautiful.

Phuket Butterfly Garden & Aquarium is a best place for nature lovers. It has a wide collection of specimens of tropic butterflies flying around freely in a massive dome. Watercourses and ponds in the aquarium have a great collection of exotic insects and fish.

The most beautiful beach in Phuket is Patong Beach. It is home to wide range of activities and nightlife. It is also a perfect place for party and play. Phuket is famous for its bustling nightlife including hundreds of eating places.

By Wolfgang Jaegel

A guide to Phuket's best beaches

2007-11-08T05:49:00.000-08:00

Located midway along the west coast, Phuket's number one and most visited beach is Patong; a behemoth in terms of tourist numbers and reputation. The beach is quite nice here, although the whole package of shops, restaurants and bars is what gives this beach its great appeal. Patong Beach travel resource online Just north and south of Patong are Kamala and Karon beaches respectively; both of which are a little less brash and easier on the eye. Karon is the busier of the two and is known for its collection of upmarket hotels and resorts.

Not far to the south of Karon is Kata Beach, perhaps Phuket's all-round best beach. Kata has better sands than that of Patong and Karon, has fewer shops and bars and has a great feel to it, with shaded seating areas and some great shopping. As with the previous beaches, Kata is very appealing to the water sports enthusiast and is the island's most popular surfing beach. Unlike Patong and Karon, Kata also has some resorts and one or two bars directly on the beach adding to its appeal.

Kata Noi Beach is just over a headland to the south of Kata and is one of the most attractive and peaceful of beaches on Phuket. It has lovely, golden sands and great bathing and is surrounded on all sides by dense jungle. There's only one main resort here - Kata Thani - and a handful of shops, cafés and bars. Kata Noi is just a short taxi ride from the main Kata Beach and reachable on foot.

Nai Harn Beach is farther south again and very much like Kata Noi for peacefulness and exclusivity. Nai Harn is mostly frequented by locals and the high season weekends will see it thronged with happy Phuket residents. Like Kata Noi, Nai Harn is fed by a no-through road making it much more peaceful and less polluted than most other beaches on the island. There are also some very exclusive hotels here such as the Le Meridian.

At the very bottom of the island is Rawai Beach, an interesting retreat best known for its seafood restaurants and laid back feel. Rawai is very popular with the ex-pat community although the beach itself isn't that much to look at. Friendship Beach, about three kilometres northeast of Rawai, is the only one worth visiting on the east coast.

There are also several other beaches of interest continuing north of Kamala Beach, including Laem Sing, Surin, Bang Tao and Nai Yang. Of these, Laem Sing, next to Kamala, is by far the prettiest but least accessible. An arduous climb down a set of steep steps is the only access from the road high above, unless you have a boat. Once down there, the cute little bay of Laem Sing will not disappoint, with its soft sands and crystal clear waters.

Surin Beach is just a few minutes by bike or car from Laem Sing and is as far north as most visitors tend to get. Surin is somewhat of an upmarket option flanked as it is by million dollar villas. The seafood restaurants on the beach here are very good and the surf is also appealing. Bang Tao is just over a headland to the north and is Phuket's longest beach at eight kilometres. Tourist Phuket info online Needless to say this beach is great for a stroll and its tree-lined shelter offers an excellent opportunity for a picnic.

Nai Yang Beach is the only other main beach north of here and is the first beach coming from the airport. An affordable option, Nai Yang is becoming more and more popular with returning visitors who want something different and who can't be bothered to traipse all the way to the more popular southern Phuket beaches. A word of warning though: don't come to Nai Yang expecting a party!

by Andy Burrows

About the Author
Every year Andy Burrows extensively explores Phuket and the surrounding area. The British globetrotter has become an expert on this stunning tourist hot spot.

Phuket - The Pearl of Andaman

2007-11-04T05:48:00.001-08:00

Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23?C and 33?C.

Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.

Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.

Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket's famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket a truly unique destination.

About the Author

Kai Otoko is the webmaster of http://thailand-vacation-info.blogspot.com which is the blog introducing information for people who are planning to take a Thailand Vacation, or just want to know more about Thailand. The main purpose is to help promote Thailand tourism.

Phuket Thailand

2007-10-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Phuket-Thailand

Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. The island is served by Phuket International Airport, located in the north of the island. The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means mountain or hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance.

Before that its old name was Ta-lang, derived from the old Malay "Telong" which means "Cape". The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name.

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand. The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of the Phuket mountain range, which ranges for 440 km from the Kra Isthmus. The highest elevation of the island is Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes), at 529 m above sea level.

70% of the island is covered by forest. The western coast has several sandy beaches, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy. Near the southernmost point is Laem Promthep (Brahma's Cape), which is a popular sunset viewing point.
In the mountainous north of the island is the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-hunting Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest. The three highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 m), Khao Bang Pae (388 m) and Khao Phara (422 m). The Sirinat National Park on the northwestern coast was established in 1981 and protects an area of 90 km² (68 km² marine area), including the Nai Yang beach where sea turtles lay their eggs.

One of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket is Patong Beach on the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in Patong, and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in Thai.
Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong.
There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the Similan Islands lie to the north west, and Phi Phi Islands to the south east. All the islands are suitable for diving.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuket