PHUKET
Area: Thailand


Location:
Some 570 miles S of Bangkok in the Andaman Sea.

Telephone code from UK:
66 76

Position:
Connected to the mainland by a 100 yards long bridge, the island is to the W of the mainland peninsula with the Malaysian border 200 miles S.

Description:
A lush tropical island thickly forested in places, with rubber and coconut plantations and fine sandy beaches. Tourist development is, however, beginning to eat into the natural fabric of the island. Phuket town combines modern facilities and older-style colonial-type buildings with an unhurried and relaxing pace of life.

Suitability:
All types of visitors, including conventions. Ideal for regional business meetings etc.

Accommodation:
Beachside accommodation is typically 3-star hotels upwards but some self-catering flat/apartments can be found. Accommodation in the town range from 1-star, guesthouses to 4-star properties. Prices in low season (May to October rainy season) can be 30%_50% less than in the high season.

Shopping:
Phuket town has a selection of shops suited for the normal everyday shopper _ not just tourist trinkets etc. Plenty of local handicrafts as each beach area has its own small group of shops.

Beach:
Owing to fierce undercurrents, swimming in the sea can be very dangerous and isn't recommended. Never swim when the red flags are displayed, and only the strongest of swimmers should do so otherwise. Wherever possible use hotel pools. Patong
Beach: 3 miles of golden sand well provided with umbrellas for rent. The most developed beach on the island, there are many bars, restaurants, fast-food outlets, shops and hotels to be found across the beach road and along the small adjoining lanes. Patong is beginning to attain a sleazier reputation, thanks to a growing number of "go-go" bars and a developing sex trade. Kamala
Beach: 5 miles N of Patong, around a hilly promontory. Some hotel/residential development at the S end, but otherwise 2 miles of golden sand without umbrellas for rent. Bang Tao
Beach: 3 miles N of Kamala, site of numerous de luxe hotels and the "Laguna Phuket" integrated resort project which also features a golf course and residential accommodation. Karon
Beach: 4 miles S of Patong, a relatively unspoiled golden sandy beach with some straggling development, including several hotels. Kata
Beach: 1 mile S of Karon around a hilly promontory, a relatively unspoiled golden sandy beach with some hotel development.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beachside _ a full range of water sports equipment can be hired at the most popular beaches but beware the strong currents. Horse riding. Visits to cultural centres, temples, snooker halls, ten-pin bowling, shooting. An increasing number of golf courses available. Nightlife: beachside hotels generally provide in-house entertainment (with very limited public transport visitors are somewhat "captured" by the hotels). Small pubs, bars and open-air restaurants are to be found close to hotels to provide a much cheaper alternative. Patong Beach hosts a wide variety of pubs, bars and restaurants, plus a few Pattaya-style "go go" bars. Thai cocktail lounges (live variety-type entertainment in blacked-out auditorium).

Eating:
Hotels are always considerably more expensive for eating and drinking than restaurants and pubs. Seafood abounds. A wide variety is available, from Thai and Western fast food to good quality ethnic food (Italian, French, Japanese, etc).

Public-transport:
Town _ Baht buses and motorcycle taxis (which should be avoided). Converted 6-wheel trucks between beaches. Taxis usually available outside hotels. Cars, jeeps and motorcycles can be hired. It is recommended that only the International hire companies be used as problems of insurance and accident scams are not uncommon amongst the streetside hire operators.

Local-excursions:
By road _ Phangnga Bay, Phuket town and island tours; butterfly garden & aquarium, crocodile farm. By Boat _ Phi Phi Island, Similan Islands, coral reefs, pearl farm, Phangnga Bay and "James Bond" Island.