Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with a land area of
approximately 540 square kilometers (roughly the size of Singapore.) A
quarter of a million people call Phuket their home with most being
either Thai or Chinese.Situated of the west coast of Thailand in the
Andaman Sea temperatures vary from between 21 degrees and 34 degrees
centigrade, but due to its geographical location the months of November
till April are traditionally sunny and humid whilst May till October
sees the rainy monsoon season.With a huge number of things to do on the
Island and 35,000 tourists already visiting each day let’s take a look
at the top things to do in Phuket:
Have a Tour of The Chalong Bay Rum Distillery:-For any keen rum drinkers the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is sure to whet your appetite, the company produces high end white rum which is now starting to be noticed around the world. There is lots to do when you arrive at the distillery, you start by taking a tour where you will learn about the way the rum is produced before taking a look at the work that goes on behind the scenes. The final part of the trip is in the cocktail workshop and bar, here you will learn how to make various cocktails that all include Chalong Bay Rum and then relax while you sample them.
Come And See The Phuket Big Buddha:-This
huge Buddha is one of the most famous landmarks in all of Phuket,
sitting at the top of the Nakkerd Hills and standing at forty five
meters tall it is very difficult to miss. From the top of the hill you
are able to get a panoramic view of the island. When you are at the
Buddha you will notice that it is very quiet apart from the sound of
dharma music and some little bells. The Buddha is made from white
Burmese marble and sparkles elegantly in the sun.
Nai Harn Beach:-Situated in the south of the island is Nai Harn Beach, it is a popular beach with thousands of visitors every year but it is still relatively untouched and maintains a lot of its originality. With beautifully soft sand and crystal clear water you will immediately see why the beach is so popular. Settled up under the shade of the large trees you will find various restaurants selling popular Thai cuisine as well as various souvenir shops selling local novelty items as well as beach wear and floats.
Take a Wander to Karon View Point:-Sitting just to the south of Kata Noi Beach is Karon View Point, it is the most popular viewpoint in Phuket and is normally crowded with tourists on a daily basis. The viewpoint looks out over the Andaman Sea in one direction and the other direction points towards the three west coast beaches on the other side of the island. If you like looking at white sandy beaches and beautiful blue seas you will understand why it is so busy at the top.
Take a Trip to Wat Chalong:-For over a century Wat Chalong has been open to visitors, when you arrive there is a lot to see, starting with Poh Jao Wat which houses two statues of elderly men, one is Ta Khee-Lek (a local who won various lotteries after he had been to visit the Poh Than Jao Wat statue, the other is called Nonsi. Probably the highlight of your visit will be the Grand Pagoda which contains a small splinter from the bone of Lord Buddha, The pagoda is beautifully decorated with Buddha images and pictures that depict his life story.
Go Shopping at Phuket Town Weekend Night Market:-Known by the locals as Naka Market and sitting just a little way from Phuket Town is a night market like no other. There are all sorts of things to buy such as fruits, old curiosities, animals and clothes. A popular event with both the locals and tourists it is best to arrive late afternoon to ensure you get a good look around before it become packed. Make the most of the cheap local foods on sale like the golden buttered corn on the cob.
Hang Out at Tiger Kingdom:-If you have ever wanted to get up close to a tiger this is the place to do it, the Phuket Tiger Kingdom hand raises Indochinese tigers in captivity from birth until their final days. You can choose which tigers you want to be in the cage with and even take a professional camera man in with you. The tigers typically get fed at around 19:00 hours but it is also worth a visit when they open first thing to avoid the crowds. The kingdom has two restaurants on site should you be hungry, one of which allows you to look out at the tigers.
Get Learning at a Thai Cooking Class:-Phuket has so many different locations that offer cooking classes that it is certainly worth taking a lesson whilst you are there. You will notice that a lot of the local food you eat in Thailand is different to the Thai food you have in your native country, it somehow lacks the edge that it does when cooked in Thailand. By taking a class you will learn about the ingredients as well as picking up the useful skills to continue cooking when you return home. Many places offer morning, afternoon or whole day packages and you always get to eat what you have cooked.
Spend a Night Out on Bangla Road:-When the sun goes down the Bangla Road gets closed to traffic and the road becomes alive. The street is full of bars, many of which are outside so you seamlessly move from one bar to the next. There are normally street entertainers looking for you to part with your hard earned cash in return for a few minutes’ entertainment as well as touts trying to get you into their ping pong shows or tailor shops. A positive vibe fills the air as you work your way down the street, all the beer girls and restaurant owners compete for your business keeping the prices low and the fun never ending.
Celebrity Spot at Surin Beach:-Commonly known as ‘Millionaires Row’ Surin Beach is surrounded by houses for the rich and famous as well as luxury resorts. One look at the beach and you can see why the place is so popular with both the Thai’s and foreigners. Eating out in this part of the island is expensive and the majority of restaurants overlooking the beach serve high-end cuisine, there are also a lot of trendy wine bars to choose from.
Kok Chang Safari Elephant Trekking:-If you are after elephant trekking in Phuket this is the best place to do it, set in a dense tropical jungle paradise you can have a lot of fun whilst you ride an elephant. Rides last from twenty minutes to one hour depending on the price you are willing to pay, the ride will also take you past a banana stand where you can have the opportunity to feed the elephants as well. When you have finished your time with the elephants you can relax at the bar overlooking the Kata Noi Sea.
Visit the Soi Dog Foundation:-For anyone that has been in Thailand for any length of time will notice that there are stray dogs and cats roaming the streets everywhere, for any animal lovers the Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket is worth visiting, Soi Dog sterilises approximately 12,000 animals a year making the streets and roads safer for everyone. You can volunteer your time to look after the animals or just go for a guided tour around the grounds of the foundation, whatever you choose to do it is a little bit different to the normal things tourists find to do in Thailand.
Watch the Monkeys at Monkey Hill:-Also known as Toh Sae Hill, Monkey Hill is the highest hill in Phuket Town, there are about 400 macaques living on the hill and they live in little groups all over the hill. The monkeys are not know to attack humans but it you should keep an eye on your belongings. The bottom of the hill houses a shrine that is popular with Thai people, a lot of whom come here to ask for lucky lottery numbers, the shrine is in honour of three different holy spirits, Toh Sae Dang, Toh Sae Dam and Toh Sae Kaow.
Make a Visit to Phang Nga Bay:-Whilst visiting all the sites in Phuket you must take a visit to Phang Nga Bay, the bay is home to approximately 40 small islands that come straight out of the sea. The area is full of lagoons, caves and mangroves all of which you should take the time to see although seeing everything in one day could be a challenge. The bay is protected from a lot of the bad weather in monsoon season due to the way it is naturally protected because of its location. Visiting Phang Nga Bay with a tourist guide is the best way to ensure you don’t miss anything.
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