Phuket Travel Overview:
Seemingly being suspended precariously from the southern tip of Phang Nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge, Phuket screams pleasurable discoveries and diversions for all pockets.
The largest but cutest of all Thailand islands, yet one of the smallest but wealthiest of all Thailand provinces, Phuket is packed full of tourist attractions and amenities, not the least of which are the powdery sandy beaches, pulsating nightlife, prolific seafood, plush resort accommodations and a plethora of world-class sporting and recreational opportunities.
The combination of phenomenal physical whirl of rainbow-hued tropical sights and the sensational sensual vortex of raucously tuned partying hotspots continues to grow in sophistication and variety, fast transforming Phuket from one of your favorite personal expat destinations in this corner of the country into one of the most popular tropical island getaways on the planet.
Definitely discovered and heavily hyped, the equally extravagant historic glory and the intriguing interior jungles and mountains of Phuket are yet still waiting to be discovered and honored in due time. And as such there will be a hundred and one ways to pass the time, day and night, rain or shine, in Phuket for every member of a family.
A tropical paradise for all walks of life at its best and an idyllic sanctuary of stunning natural and cultural heritage in essence, Phuket plainly has that much to offer!
Nearby Cities: Bangkok
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What To Do in Phuket
1.Natural attractions
Animals and Plants:
Phuket Zoo (daily animal shows with elephants, crocodiles, birds and monkeys);
Phuket Aquarium (tropical fish, corals and a shark's tunne...
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1.Natural attractions
Animals and Plants:
Phuket Zoo (daily animal shows with elephants, crocodiles, birds and monkeys);
Phuket Aquarium (tropical fish, corals and a shark's tunnel; in in Cape Panwa, south of Phuket Town);
Crocodile Farm (Southern Thailand's largest, with crocodiles, alligators, elephants, birds, reptiles and monkeys);
Phuket Butterfly Garden (open air enclosure with mainly tropical butterflies);
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park);
Phuket Orchid Garden ( in Thai Village).
Beaches:
Patong Beach (most established and commercialized resort beach, packed full of shops, discotheques restaurants and hotels);
Karon Beach (to the south of Patong, flourishes side by side with Patong, but more placid);
Kata Beach (to the south of Karon, site of good surfing and the King's Cup Regatta in December);
Rawai Beach (near Promthep Cape, the southernmost tip of Phuket Island, home to Phuket Seashell Museum);
Kamala Beach (north of Patong; home to Millionaires Mile and the Phuket FantaSea show);
Laem Sing Beach (north of Kamala, with a small white beach with a scenic rocky cape);
Surin Beach (north of Laem Sing, with golden sunset, strong tides and waves);
Bang Tao Beach (north of Surin; site of good wind-surfing and Phuket Triathlon in December);
Mai Khao Beach (northernmost beach, home to the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa).
Parks:
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park (Phuket's last significant virgin rain forest, Tonsai waterfall , Bang Pae waterfall and Gibbon Rehabilitation Project);
Sirinat National Park (near the bridge to Phang Nga Province, with developed tourist amenities, nature trails, and a mangrove forest with saltwater swamps);
King Rama IV Park (on Chao Fa Rd, Phuket Town);
Rang Hill fitness park (hilltop park off Mae Luan Rd, Phuket Town);
Loma Park (at the north end of Patong Beach).
2.Cultural attraction:
Temples and Architecture:
Wat Chalong (One of Phuket's largest and most important Buddhist temples with the Grand Pagoda dominating the grounds);
Wat Phra Thong (famous for a golden Buddha statue half-buried in its grounds);
Wat Phra Nang Sang (Phuket's oldest Buddhist temple, in Thalang Town);
Put Jaw Temple (Phuket's oldest Chinese Taoist temple, in the center of Phuket Town);
Jui Tui Temple (Next to Put Jaw Temple, site of many of the activities during the Vegetarian Festival)
Museums and Galleries:
Thalang National Museum (archaeological, artistic, ethnological and historical artifacts and exhibitions);
Phuket Sea Shell Museum (Displays of shells and fossils, and a gift shop);
The seashell museum boasts beautiful fossils up to 280 m years old from all over the world
Phuket Rare Stones Musuem (58/34 Thepkasatree Rd)
Festivals and Events:
Vegetarian Festival: 9 days celebration takes place in late September or October, based on the Chinese lunar calendar, involves various processions and performances, and culminates with body piercing, walking on hot coal, climbing knife-blade ladders, etc.
Chinese New Year: Held in Chinese lunar January, with dragon parades, firework shows, and other traditional activities.
Loy Kratong: otherwise called Full Moon Day, a night event in November on the full moon, when thousands of candlelit floats are launched on waterways to take away bad luck.
Songkran Festival: traditional Thai New Year celebrated on April 13th, involving wild and boisterous merrymaking by sprinkling water on each other.
Shows and Entertainment:
Phuket Fantasea (Thailand's ultimate cultural theme park featuring carnivals, magic, aerobatics, Las Vegas-style theatrical show, elephant and aerial performances, and special effects shows, shopping extravaganza, and over-the-top food and fun.
Simon Cabaret Show (transvestite show accompanied by spectacular costumes, bright lights, and musicals performed by the famous ladyboys of one of southeast's most exotic, hilarious cabaret);
Muay Thai/Thai boxing: Phuket Boxing Stadium (in the Saphan Hin district of Phuket Town); The stadium at the junction of Bangla Road and Rath-U-Thit Road, free nightly fights.
3.Recreation and Sports
Water sports:
Game fishing and Sailing the Andaman Sea around Phuket;
Sea canoeing around the Phang Nga Bay;
Scuba diving or Snorkeling the crystal clear warm waters around Coral Island (Ko He), Ko Racha, Shark Point, Ko Dok Mai and Phi Phi Island;
Surfing around Kata Beach;
Elephant trekking:
Adventure into the national parks and jungles in the interior of Phuket Island on the back of an elephant.
Horseback riding:
Horseback Centers: Crazy Horse in Nai Han (Tel. +66 76 288795); Phuket Riding Club at Chalong (Tel. +66 76 288213); Phuket Laguna Riding Club at Bang Thao (Tel. +66 76 381667).
Golfing:
Blue Canyon Country Club (Bang Thao Beach);
Blue Canyon Country Club (in Thalang District);
Phuket Country Club (in Kathu District);
Loch Palm Golf Club (in Kathu District);
Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa (northeast of Phuket Town)
4. Shopping
Markets:
Historical district, Phuket Town (Dibuk, Thalang, Phang Nga, Rassada, Yaowarat roads);
Ranong Rd market, Phuket Town;
Chatuchak Phuket, Phang Nga Rd, Phuket Town (weekends only);
Paradise Complex, Rat-U-Thit Rd, Patong Beach;
Thaweewong (beach) Rd, Patong Beach;
Bangla Rd, Patong Beach;
Taina Rd, Kata Beach;
Patak Rd (near the circle), Karon Beach;
Malls and Department Stores:
Phuket Town: Central Festival Phuket; Big C Supercentre; Index Living Mall; Ocean Shopping Mall; Phuket Shopping Centre; Robinsons Department Store; Tesco Lotus Supercentre;
Patong Beach: Ocean Plaza Bangla; Jungceylon;
Surin Beach: The Plaza Surin;
Bang Tao Beach: Canal Village.
5.Excursions and day trips
Phang Nga Bay: Sea Kayaking
Phi Phi Islands: Snorkeling
Similan Islands: Diving
Krabi: Rock Climbing
Ko Racha Yai: Game Fishing
Coral Island: Snorkeling
What To Wear in Phuket
Phuket is infamously excessively hot and humid throughout the year. And it most be noted that the considerable scorchers more often coincide with a significant amount of rain than many other parts ...
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Phuket is infamously excessively hot and humid throughout the year. And it most be noted that the considerable scorchers more often coincide with a significant amount of rain than many other parts of the world, which can be a good idea, as one can cool off in the rain in the summer.
The bad news is that both the tropical sun and sudden downpours will leave you sticky and wet all over. Loose and light summer clothes made from natural fabrics, like cotton, are definitely the essentials you should throw in your luggage in the first place.
They would come most practically desirable, as your skin will be able to breathe freely and the fabric will dry easily. An umbrella is preferably an extra safeguard against the sunshine and the rain. But you can always get that for pennies in Phuket.
Visitors and locals alike are seen wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sandals even they are in town busy shopping or clubbing. While on the beaches, beachwear, plus sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, each towels and sandshoes dominate the scene.
Although fancy dresses and suits can almost be entirely forgotten, smart casual clothes, such as long sleeved shirt, long shorts and the like could be used in fine dining establishments and classy nightclubs.
Lastly, mosquito repellant and some certain basic medication would be a godsend.
What To Eat in Phuket
1. Hawker Stalls/ Night Markets
The food-centric hawker stalls and night markets serve up the cheapest, freshest and most authentic local dishes.
To gorge on street food Phuket has to offe...
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1. Hawker Stalls/ Night Markets
The food-centric hawker stalls and night markets serve up the cheapest, freshest and most authentic local dishes.
To gorge on street food Phuket has to offer, head for night markets held next door to Robinson's Department Store on Ong Sim Phai Road.
What to eat:
Tom Yam Goong (Shrimp and Mushroom Soup);
Kuay Tiew (Noodle Soup);
Pad Thai;
Tom Kha Gai (Boiled Galangal Chicken);
Som Tam (Spicy Papaya Salad);
Gai Med Ma Moung (Chicken Cashew Nuts);
Massaman Curry;
Kang Kheaw Whan Gai (Green Curry Chicken);
Kao Phad (Fried Rice);
Goong Preaw Wan (Sweet & Sour Prawns).
2. Baan Rim Pa Restaurant
Cuisine: Thai
Tel: +66 76 34 0789
Average dinner for two: 2,000 baht
Location: 223 Kalim Beach Road, Patong Beach
What to eat:
Gai Haw Bai Toey (Deep-fried honeyed chicken in pandanus leaves);
Goong Sarong (Prawns wrapped with sauteed yellow noodles);
Panaeng Ped (Thick and creamy curry with duckling);
Pla Thod Grob Raad Sauce Takra (Deep-fried fish topped with lemongrass sauce);
Poo Tod Kra Tiam (Fried soft shell crab with chilli jam and garlic or curry);
Tom Yaam Goong (Spiced soup of blue prawns);
Yaam Hua Plee Gluay (Banana blossom salad).
3. Baluchi Restaurant
Cuisine: Indian
Tel: +66 76 29 2526-30
Average dinner for two: 1,800 baht
Location: Horizon Patong Beach Resort & Spa; Thaveepong Road, Soi Kep Sap, Patong Beach
What to eat:
Dal Baluchi (Black lentils simmered overnight);
Kadhai Paneer (Cottage cheese cooked in ground spices);
Murg Laziz (Boneless chicken in rich tomato and onion gravy);
Mutton Rogan Josh;
Paneer Ka Sula (Cubes of cottage cheese marinated in yoghurt, cooked in a clay oven);
Tandoori Chicken (Baby chicken and Indian spices finished in Tandoor);
Tandoori Nisa (Barbecue tiger prawns with Indian spices).
3. Da Maurizio
Cuisine: Italian
Tel: +66 76 34 4079
Average dinner for two: 2,000 baht
Location: 100/9 Kalim Beach Road, Patong Beach
What to eat:
Ahi tuna carpaccio;
Angel Hair Pasta;
Australian lamb loin wrapped in cabbage leaf and herbs with couscous;
Bacon Wrapped Goats Cheese;
Home-made trofie pasta with prawns;
Imported Beef Tenderloin Medallions;
Mint Pappardelle with Lamb Sugo;
Rock Lobster Salad.
4. Mom Tri's Kitchen
Cuisine: Thai and International
Tel: +66 76 33 3568
Average dinner for two: 2,000 baht
Location: Mom Tri`s Villa Royale; 12 Kata Noi Road, Kata Noi Beach
What to eat:
Aubergine Roll;
Goong Lai Salad;
Gung flambe(ock lobster flambe with brandy and curry served with jasmine rice);
Lamb Rosemary;
Mango Gaspacho (Chilled mango and cucumber soup);
Sauteed tiger prawns with mango;
Sea bass pancetta with capers;
Soft-shell crab salad.
5. Mom Tri's Boathouse Wine and Grill
Cuisine: Thai, and European
Tel: +66 76 33 3568
Average dinner for two: 2,400 baht
Location: Mom Tri`s Villa Royale, 12 Kata Noi Road, Tumbon Karon
What to eat:
Duck Carpaccio;
Fondant au Chocolate Chaud (chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream);
Lobster Trilogy (Three styles of rock lobster with green curry, Armagnac and Thermidor sauce toppings);
Phla Ped Yang (Grilled Sliced Breast of Duck with lemongrass, chilli and mint dressing);
Rack of Lamb;
Red Mullet Moussaka;
Rock Lobster Ravioli;
Seafood Wonton.
6. Rockfish Restaurant
Cuisine: International
Tel: 076-279-732
Average dinner for two: 1,600 baht.
Location: 33/6 Kamala Beach Road, Thalang
What to eat:
Aged grain fed Australian beef tenderloin;
Chicken and mango salad;
Grilled red snapper;
Grilled squid;
Kaeng Phed Pet Yang (Red duck curry with red grapes & pineapple);
Tuna Fillet marinated in chilli paste;
Seafood wonton;
Seared Prawn Salad;
Steaks
7. The Royal Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
Tel: +66 76 34 0666
Location: The Royal Paradise Hotel; 135/23 Rat-U-Thit 200 Years Road
What to eat:
Braised Abalone with black mushrooms;
"Hong Kong" Filet of Beef Tenderloin in red wine sauce;
Hokkien Fried Egg Noodle;
Hot Supreme Cantonese Hors d'Oeuvres;
Paradise Suckling Pig;
Peking Duck;
Sauteed Bean Curd with black mushrooms in brown gravy
Stir-fried Chicken with black bean sauce;
Shrimp Wontons Soup
Supreme Shark's Fin Consomme.
8. Sala Bua
Cuisine: Thai and International
Tel: +66 76 34 0138
Average dinner for two: 1,600 baht
Location: Impiana Cabana Resort; 41 Taweewongse Road, Patong Beach
What to eat:
Bizarre Caesar;
Layers of scallop between wanton sheets;
Grass-fed Beef Tenderloin;
Oven-roasted Rack of Lamb, ratatouille, puree of new season garlic;
Salad of rock lobster, guacamole, cognac infused crayfish sauce;
Soft Herb-crusted Fillet of White Snapper,
Sushi of Sticky Rice, fresh slices of mango, jackfruit tempura, banana and caramel dipping
Thai-crusted Duck Breast, maple grilled pear, dark cherries, aged grappa sauce;
Tiger Prawn, Butternut Pumpkin Risotto;
Warm pudding of bitter chocolate and banana;
Young white lettuce and spinach leaves with Canadian bacon.
9. Catch & Grill
Cuisine: Seafood, Steak & Barbecue
Tel: +66 7629 0555
Average dinner for two: 1,200 baht
Location: Patong Paragon Hotel; 280 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach
What to eat:
Crispy Almond Squid Ring;
Paragon Black Pepper Tuna;
Imported U.S Steak Grill;
Surf and Turf: 900 Baht;
Grill Seafood Basket;
10. Tunk-ka of Thailand
Cuisine: Thai and Seafood
Tel: +66 76 21 1500
Location: on the summit of Rang Hill, Korsimbee Road, Phuket Town
What to eat:
Fried Prawns with Tamarind Sauce;
King Prawns;
Satay Chicken in Pandanus Leaf;
Stir-Fried Sand Fish with Curry and Salted Egg.
Where To Stay in Phuket
1. Amari Coral Beach Resort
Tel: +66 76 340 106/114
200 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$172
An exclusive hillside resort high above the east end of Patong Beach; Every room wi...
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1. Amari Coral Beach Resort
Tel: +66 76 340 106/114
200 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$172
An exclusive hillside resort high above the east end of Patong Beach; Every room with an incredible view of the spectacular bay below; The Italian restaurant on the premises, La Gritta, ranks atop in all of Phuket fine-dining facilities; By far the best you can get at Phuket, in terms of either family-friendly location, romantic atmosphere, or luxurious facilities.
2. Sheraton Grande
Tel: ++ 66 76 324-101-7
335 rooms in total; Rates from approximately us$120-150
Set on an exquisite and exclusive island at the heart of the indigo Laguna Phuket and extends on to the white sand beach of Bang Tao Bay; Rooms and villas with easy access to Bang Tao Beach and views ranging from garden and pool to lagoon and ocean; Designed as a sanctuary to relax and rejuvenate the international travelers' physical being as well as the inner spirit.
3. Holiday Inn Resort
Tel: +66 76 340 608-9
369 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$118
Conveniently standing just a step away from Patong's most popular nightlife scene yet seclusively hiding away in its own tranquil grounds, Holiday Inn Resort does the trick of attracting every beachgoer and barfly of a vacationing family.
4. Banyan Tree
Tel: +66 76 324 374
121 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$440-530
Slick Siamese toned palatial complex on the edge of the secluded Bang Tao Bay, featuring a full service spa and a championship golf course; An exclusive hideaway to escape too for the well-heeled, the jet-set and honeymooners; Justifiably one of the best resort hotels in Asia and best spa resorts in the world.
5. Karon Beach Resort
Tel: +66 76 330 006-7
81 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$145
Nestled in a quieter southern corner of the grand Karon Beach; The only Karon Bay accommodation truly on Karon beach; Rooms with balconies hanging over the Andaman Sea, the swimming pool or the verdant garden; Karon Beach Resort is a nice cozy choice for young couples and small families.
6. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
Tel: +66 76 338 000
265 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$230-280
Sprawling along the idyllically pristine Mai Khao Beach, the flawless JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa creates blissful relaxation with 11hectares of lush tropical gardens, 17kms of natural beachfront, and the legendary Mandara Spa, and exiting exploration with arrangement for safaris, elephant trekking, Similan Islands diving, and tee times in the nearby championship-caliber Blue Canyon Country Club.
7. Mom Tri's Boathouse
Tel: +66 76 330 015
36 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$160-275
A small boutique inn located in the peaceful southern end of Kata Beach, with surprisingly spacious guest rooms, breezy verandas of the luxurious Villa Royale, sumptuous meals offered by the Boathouse Wine and Grill and Mom Tri's Kitchen and dazzling views across the bay anywhere on the premises.
8. Impiana Phuket Cabana
Tel: +66 76 340 138
80 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$125-140
A small but stylish village of opulent cabanas sits directly on the beach, which is the only such resort in Patong; With everything picturesquely set amidst its tranquil grounds, guests can be forgiven for forgetting that the pulsing party scene of Patong are just meters away
9. Kata Thani Beach resort
Tel: +66 76 330124
479 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$125-165
A 5 star a haven of quiet luxury embraced by lush green hills and sparkling blue ocean on the lovely Kata Noi Beach, with everything done in a low-rise soft tone and great deals to be enjoyed during low season.
10. Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort
Tel: +66 76 396599-601
180 rooms in total; Rates from approximately US$85-111
A hillside chain hotel overlooking Karon beach and Karon lagoon; The magnificent sunset alone would worth more times its price, let alone it's already value-priced room rates and family-oriented facilities and services.
How To Go Phuket
1. Bay air
Airport:
Phuket International Airport (HKT), located in the north of the island, some 40 minutes' drive from Patong Beach; ranks Thailand's second largest air transport ...
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1. Bay air
Airport:
Phuket International Airport (HKT), located in the north of the island, some 40 minutes' drive from Patong Beach; ranks Thailand's second largest air transport hub.
Flights:
Domestic flights to/from Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui, Ko Samui, Surst Thani, Hat Yai, and Narathiwat.
Contact Bangkok Airways on +66 22 655555 or Thai Airways on+66 26 282000 for more details.
International flights to/from Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang), Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), China (Hong Kong, Taipei), Australia (Darwin, Perth) and Europe (Vienna, Frankfurt), etc.
Visit the airport's official website or contact +66 76 32 7230-7 for the more detailed scheduled flights.
Airport transfer:
Red and yellow meter taxi (Phuket Town 400 baht 30 minutes, Patong beach 550 baht 40 minutes, Kata/Karon Beach 650 baht 60 minutes);
Silver grey limousine taxi (Phuket Town 500 baht; Patong beach 600 baht);
Minivan (Phuket 100 baht, Patong beach 150 baht, Kata/Karon beach180 baht; respective journey time takes longer than a taxi);
Airport shuttle bus service (Phuket Town bus station 52 baht);
Local bus (Airport Bus to t Phuket Town for 70 baht, ready to embark/disembark along the way);
Car rental: With your passport and driving license, you can rent a car from Avis, Alamo, National and Hertz at the airport's car rental counters.
2.By bus
Bus station:
Phuket Bus Terminal: off Thanon Phang Nga in Phuket Town.
Destinations:
Bangkok (Southern Bus Terminal), Chumphon, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok and Surat Thani.
From the station:
You can take a meter taxi, motorcycle taxi, tuk tuk (100-200 baht), or local bus (15-30 baht) to most beaches on the island.
3. By boat
Port of entry:
Rassada Port: in Phuket Town.
Destination:
Ko Phi Phi and Krabi: 90 minutes, 350/650 baht one-way/return;
Ko Racha (2 hours);
Similan Islands (9+ hours);
Singapore (Star Cruises).
4. By car
From Bangkok, drive south on Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road), passing Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-nga, and cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. It will take upwards of half a day to cover the total distance which would be anywhere between 862-900 kilometers, depending on where you start in Bangkok and where you stop in Phuket.
5. By train
Nearest train station:
Phun Phin Railway Station: in Surat Thani Province, 4-5 hours from Phuket.
From there you catch a bus to Phuket.
For more details, contact the State Railway of Thailand on 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 2220 4444 (RSVN), 0 2220 4334, 0 2621 8701
What to be noted in Phuket
1. Staying Healthy
Healthy problems visitors most commonly encounter in Phuket, such as dehydration, diarrhoea and heat stroke, are normally mild, but can sometimes deteriorate severely and...
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1. Staying Healthy
Healthy problems visitors most commonly encounter in Phuket, such as dehydration, diarrhoea and heat stroke, are normally mild, but can sometimes deteriorate severely and could in theory ruin your holiday badly.
Therefore, you should exercise some commonsense about what you're drinking and eating and take precautions accordingly: always remain hydrated but do not drink tap water, eat hot and well-cooked food, and take extra care with seafood and shellfish.
Catching bird flu or dengue fever in Phuket is quite remote. However, to be on the safe side, you should avoid coming into contact with live poultry, and use mosquito repellent whenever possible as precautions.
HIV can be a concern, but visitors are not particularly at risk for HIV infection and AIDS unless they engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with sex workers or strangers. Don't ask for it by doing so without wearing a condom.
Consult your doctor and travel agency at least 6 weeks before your arrival as to what kind of vaccinations you have to take.
2. Staying Safe
Although the Andaman Sea is largely balmy and free of large surf, drowning occurrence is depressingly mounting up during the monsoon season, as Phuket's water conditions can become hazardous when the southwest monsoon rolls in from May through October.
To play it safe on the beach, heed areas where warning red flags are present and check beach and wave conditions carefully.
Violent crime is quite less likely to occur in Phuket, but pickpocket in busy areas and petty thefts in hotel rooms do happen now and then. To avoid being a victim, keep watch of your bags and wallet while out there sightseeing and shopping, and deposit all your remaining valuables in the hotel safe.
Driving in Phuket is not for the faint of heart from the western nations, given locals' atrocious driving habits and adventurous jaywalking practices. To make your way happily and safely around, take the taxi.
3. How not to offend
Thais exercise a very traditional set of etiquette and custom, violation of some of which can be forgiven by the friendly and tolerable people, as long as it doesn't involve the monarchy, religion, and some certain cultural norms.
Acts of lese majesty, such as making derogatively remarks about the king and the royal family, stepping on coins and bank notes, or not standing for the Royal Anthem before the movie at the cinema, is a crime.
Visitors are welcome in most religious sites. However, you must dress and behave appropriately. shorts and sleeveless tops should not be worn and shoes should be removed before entering. Women in particular should not wear revealing attire, touch monks or hand anything directly to a monk.
Thais consider a person's head sacred and touching others'head without permission an insult. The feet, on the other hand are not to be used for anything other than walking on. So you should definitely not to point your foot at anyone or anything.
4. Useful Phone Numbers
Police & Emergencies: 191;
Tourist Police: National Hotline- 1155; Phuket Hotline- 1699; Phuket- 076 225 361, 076 254 693.
Marine Police: 076 211 883;
Fire Department: 076 211 111;
Phuket International Airport: 076 327 230-237;
Tourism Authority of Thailand (Phuket branch): 076 212 213, 076 211 036.