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All Travel Informaton Phuket Thailand

Refer: Action by admin by move topic from forum Travel NorthThailand When (2009-08-20)
Travel Information Of Phuket

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

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part ofThailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province coversan area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding smallislets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area ofapproximately 590 square kilometers if it’s 39 other small islands areincluded. The island’s total length, from north to south, is estimatedat 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sidesare encircled by the Andaman Sea – the place where many of the bestdiving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Provinceby 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 toApril). Visitors are not recommended to travel to Phuket betweenSeptember and October as they are the wettest months. The best periodfor a visit, however, is from November to February, when it is possibleto see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at thecrystal 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 coveredwith mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of theisland. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of9 brooks and creeks.

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

Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its naturalheritage – sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned divingsites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delightingtravelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failedto impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodationsranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows havewarmly 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 uniquedestination.

History of Phuket

Most geologists believe that the area known as Phuket today was once acape that extended into the Andaman Sea. Geographical formationsgradually changed the cape’s location, finally detaching it from themainland.

A famous Greek philosopher, Claudius Ptolemy, was the first person whomentioned the cape in his book written in the year 157. The cape waslocally referred to as Jung Ceylon, which was located between latitudes6 N and 8 N (the present site of Phuket Island). Natives called theplace “Cha Lang”, which evolved to “Tha Lang” – the name of the maintown to the north of the island.

As a perfect stopover sheltering traders from monsoons, Jung Ceylonwelcomed merchants from India, Persia, Arabia, Burma, China and alsoSiam. During the 16th century, the island was also a popular tradingport for tin with Portuguese, Dutch, English and French tradersflocking to the island. This contributed to making the development ofmining so unprecedented. Chinese businessmen and miners later migratedto Phuket and soon enjoyed thriving business wealth.

Apart from serving as a meeting point for traders from Europe, CentralAsia and China, Phuket also attracted ambitious immigrants, especiallythose from Portugal and China, to work in the tin mines. With itscolorful history, visitors admire the Sino-Portuguese stylearchitecture in the city especially those buildings located along theThalang and Yaowarat Roads.

Thalang town was surrounded by Burmese troops who invaded the coastalarea in 1785. It was under the leadership of Chan, the widow of thegovernor, and her sister, Muk, who united local residents andsuccessfully fought and drove the invaders out of Phuket. It took over30 days for the defending troops of Phuket, under the command of Chanand Muk, to claim their victory. As a result of such heroic deeds,noble titles were granted to Chan and Muk as Thao Thep Krasattri andThao Si Sunthon respectively. To honor them, a monument was establishedat Tha Ruea Intersection, 12 kilometers to the north of Phuket City in1966. They are still highly respected by Phuket residents even today.

However, 24 years later, the Burmese succeeded in seizing Thalangcausing many local residents to flee to Phang-nga and Krabi. In 1825,some of them returned to re-establish a town and established a ricefarming community. On the other hand, the area to the south of theisland (Phuket City today) was developed and became a tin tradingcenter.

When Phuket was elevated to a town in 1850, it attracted moreimmigrants from Thalang and nearby communities. In 1894, Phuket waspromoted to be a Monthon administrative unit under the supervision ofthe central administrative body (located in Bangkok).

In 1902, Phraya Ratsada Korsimbi, a Sino-Thai businessman whocontributed to developing the modern city of Phuket was appointedGovernor of Phuket. He also helped to improve the welfare of localresidents and set up the market system in the countryside. In 1916,Phuket became a province.

The tin mining industry has gradually failed to generate economicgrowth in Phuket, especially after 1985 when the price of tin fell byhalf. However, with its natural resources, Phuket later emerged as atourist destination with great potential. This polished pearl of theAndaman is truly a destination that provides visitors with memorableexperiences.

The island’s long history has shaped the distinctive Phuket of thepresent with its diverse ethnic groups, culture, architecturalinfluence, and fine cuisine. With approximately 35 percent of thepopulation being comprised of Thai-Muslims, it is possible to see anequal number of Wats (Thai temples) located next to Mosques.

By air

This is perhaps the easiest way to get to Phuket. Domestic airlinesoperate several flights daily between Bangkok and Phuket. Some flightsgo to Phuket via Samui Island with a 40-minute stopover. List ofoperators are as follows:

Phuket Air offers daily flights to Phuket and the journey takes only1.20 hours. Call 02 6798999 or visit www.phuketairlines.com for moredetails on flights.

Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya andSamui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 662265 5678. Reservations can be made at tel. 66 2265 5555.Alternatively, browse its website at www.bangkokair.com for more flightdetails.

Thai Airways International has numerous daily flights servicing theBangkok-Phuket route. In addition, they have regular flights connectingPhuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat Provinces. For moreinformation, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 02 628 2000 or bookyour seat online at www.thaiairways.com

One-to-Go by Orient Thai operates a daily flight between Bangkok andPhuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Call 1126 or visitwww.onetwo-go.com for more information.

Air Asia also offers several daily flights connecting Bangkok andPhuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Visit www.airasia.com or call 025159999 for reservations.

Nok Air has several daily flights between Bangkok and Phuket with aflight time of 1.20 hours. Visit www.nokair.com or call 1318 to makeyour reservation.

Getting to Phuket from abroad

There are several direct flights between Phuket and internationaldestinations, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, andSydney.

Dragon Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Airand Singapore Airlines alsooperate international flights connecting Phuket with otherdestinations. Please call airline offices for more details.

Transportation to and from the airport

Phuket International Airport is located approximately 30 kilometersnorth of the city, tel. 076 327230. Taxis between Phuket City and theairport costs approximately 400 bahts but the fare to the beach rangesbetween 500 bahts and 600 bahts (The rate may decline now). Minivanscharge approximately 80 bahts /person to town, but 120 bahts/person toPatong, Kata and Karon Beaches. Phuket Limousine (tel. 076 248596),located approximately 1 kilometer west of the city, operates hourlyshuttles to the airport from 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

By bus

Air-conditionedditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok'sSouthern Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips byair-conditioned bus, which normally leaves in the evening, take about13 hours.

Call 0 2434 7192, 0 2435 1199 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.

By car

From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road) throughPhetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-ngaProvinces, then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge toPhuket Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel timeis approximately 12 hours.

By rail

There is no direct train service to Phuket. Travelers arriving by trainmust get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani Province andcontinue by regular bus to Phuket. For more information, call the StateRailway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, or 0 2223 7020.

By Ferry

During the high season, travelers may opt to get to Phuket from Ko PhiPhi and Ko Lanta (both are in Krabi Province). Few ports in Phuketprovide this service with fares ranging between 300 bahts and 500bahts.The trip may take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Getting around Phuket

Car Rental Service

Avis Car Rent Airport Tel: 0-7635-1243, Kata Beach Resort Tel : 0-7638-1530-3

- Boomerang Travel & Tour 71/13 Patak Road, Chalong Bay Tel: 0-7638-1690

- Dusit Laguna Hotel Bang Thao Beach Tel: 0-7632-4322-9

- Hertz Car Rent Thawon Palm Beach Hotel, Karon Beach Tel: 0- 7638-1034-7

- Holiday Inn Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0608

- K.M. Travel Phangnga Road Tel: 0-7621-0893

- Le Meridian Karon Noi Beach Tel: 0-7634-0480-5

- The Metropol Hotel Montri Road Tel: 0-7621-5050

- Pansea Surin Beach Tel: 0-7632-4017-20

- Patong Merlin Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0037-41

- Pearl Village Nai Yang Beach Tel: 0-7632-7006

- Phuket Arcadia Karon Beach Tel: 0-7638-1038-40

- Phuket Airport Tel: 0-7632-7258

- Phuket Cabana Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0138-4

- Phuket Car Center Takua Pa Road Tel: 0-7621-2671-3

- Phuket Island Tel: 0-7638-1010

- Phuket Yacht Charter 5/3 Chao Fa Road Tel: 0-7621-6556

- Phuket Horizon Car Rent 235/4 Yaowarat Road, Tambon Talat Nua, Muang

District Tel: 0-7621-5200

- Pure Car Rent Opposite Thavorn Hotel, Ratsada Road, Tel: 0- 7621-1002

- Via Rent A Car 70/85 Rat U-Thit, Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0160

Motorcycle taxis

It costs approximately 20 bahts / person / trip to travel around PhuketCity. Alternatively, motorcycles can be rented from rental agencieslocated on Rasada Road or from several operators along beaches. Thecost may vary from 150 bahts 300 bahts / day, depending on the numberof cylinders.

Songthaeo and Tuk-Tuk

Songthaeos are operated along Ranong Road to several destinations onthe beaches. The cost varies from approximately 20 bahts to 25 bahts /person / trip. Normally the service is provided from 7.00 a.m. until5.00 p.m.

Tuk-Tuks can be chartered to the beach however, the rates which can benegotiated are higher at 200 bahts to Patong Beach, 230 bahts to Karonand Kata Beaches and 300 bahts to Nai Han and Kamala Beaches. However,Tuk-Tuks drive around the town at the rate of 20 bahts.

Taxi Meter

Visitors can call 076 232157-8 to get a metered taxi that will takethem anywhere in Phuket. The metered fare will include a 20 bahtssurcharge.

Getting to nearby provinces

By bus

There are regular bus services (VIP, air-conditioned andnon-air-conditioned) to neighboring provinces such as Krabi, Phang-nga,Chumphon, Ko Samui (bus/boat), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, SuratThani, Satun, Hat Yai, Takua-Pa and Trang. Departures are from thePhuket Bus Terminal off Phang-nga Road. For more up-to-date schedulesand fares, call Phuket Air-conditioned Bus Station, tel. 0 7621 1977.

Taxis & Vans

There are shared taxi and van services between Phuket and other nearbyprovinces. Fares of both are generally around double the fare of anordinary bus. The stations of both taxis and minivans are also onPhang-nga Road.

By air

Some domestic airlines operate flights from Phuket to Surat Thani,Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Hat Yai and Samui. For more details, checkwith your travel agent or the TAT office.

Getting to nearby islands from Phuket

Boats to nearby islands can be found at the following ports:

Rawai Beach

An old local port, it is from here that long-tail boats depart fornearby islands such as Ko He, Ko Racha Yai, Ko Mai Thon, Ko Lon, etc.The chartered price depends on the distance.

Ao Chalong

The largest port of Phuket that has all kinds of boats, includingcruisers of tour companies which organize package tours to otherislands.

Ao Makham

Located near Phanwa Cape, the port is only for cruisers and container ships.

Boat Lagoon Port (Ao Sapam) The port is for traveling boats of tour companies.

Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival

Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during the middle ofthe sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The sea gypsy villages atRawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrateson the 14th; and Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket’s northerntip)on the 15th. Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift ofsmall boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are held atnight and their purpose is to drive away evil and bring good luck.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon (a1,000-metre swim, a 5-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre run)attracts world-class athletes from all over the world.

Phuket King ’s Cup Regatta

Phuket King ’s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Phuket Yacht Clubhosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring countries whocompete in the Nai Han Beach area for royal trophies.

Phuket Travel Fair

Phuket Travel Fair , held on November 1, was first initiated in 1985 atPatong to welcome in the tourist season and designed to fosterco-operation among tourism-related operators both in the private andpublic sectors. Many colourful and interesting activities areorganised, such as merit-making in the morning, water sports contests,a Miss Visitor Contest, among others.

Seafood Festival

Seafood Festival, held around May yearly, is designed to publicise thedelicious seafood of Phuket and attract visitors during the rainyseason. Activities include a Marine Tourism Resources Parade, seafoodstalls, demonstrations of regional cuisines and cultural shows.

Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair

Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair is held on March 13 everyyear to commemorate the two great heroines who rallied the Thalangpeople to repel Burmese invaders. Many activities and celebrations areorganised.

Tourist Season Opening Festival

Tourist Season Opening Festival , starting from November 1, is usuallycalled the Patong Carnival, from the place where celebrations occur.Colourful parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreigntourists are major activities.

Turtle Release Fair

Turtle Release Fair is held on Songkran, the nationwide Thai waterfestival, on April 13 which is also National Fisherman’s Day. Babyturtles are released into the sea at various locations.

Vegetarian Festival

Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th lunar month(usually October). Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry committhemselves to a 9-day vegetarian diet, a form of purification believedto help make the forthcoming year “trouble-free”. The festival ismarked by several ascetic displays, including fire-walking andascending sharp-bladed ladders.

Credit from http://www.moohin.com
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