Phuket: Sandy, Sunny and Sumptuous

Phuket (pronounced poo-ket') is one of the premiere destinations in all of Thailand. It is world renowned for its pristine beaches, azure waters and as being one of the most exciting, entertaining and inclusive holiday destinations anywhere. Phuket is a tourist paradise. From excellent golf courses and tropical environments to beaches and fine food, this small, southern island is very big on luxury and entertainment.

Eco-tourism has become very popular on Phuket over the years. Mai Khao Beach and Nai Yang Beach, in the northwest of Phuket, are part of the Sirinath National Park. They are the longest beaches in Phuket with more than 17 kilometers of undeveloped beach protected for the safe nesting of large leatherback sea turtles. The breeding season is from November to February, and locals and environmental groups work very hard to protect the eggs of this endangered and beautiful species.

The island also has many museums and an aquarium, where tourists can discover more about the areas rich natural history and beauty. The Phuket Sea Shell Museum, Thalang National Museum, and the Phuket Aquarium are a few of the fun places where tourists can go to learn more about the area.   

Patong, Kata, Karon, Nai Han, Mai Khao and Nai Yang are the premiere beaches on the island. Row after row of reclining bright blue beach chairs shaded by colorful umbrellas line the popular beaches of Phuket. Waiters serve delicious island drinks in coconuts with frilly straws, while beach bums enjoy the sand and surf. Diving, snorkeling, wind surfing and sailing are all highly recommended. All of the beaches offer equipment and instruction for these activities. After spending a day snorkeling in the coral reefs or lounging on Patong Beach, one can quickly crossover to Bangla Road (Soi Bangla) for more food and fun than they can possibly imagine.

In a place that has virtually anything one might be looking for in terms of nightlife it’s best to start by walking down one of the main drags and asking around. In Phuket, Bangla Road (Soi Bangla) is one of the well-populated places to start. The road is lined with hundreds of bars and nightclubs, featuring everything from live jazz music to Vegas-style shows. A walk down the road puts one in contact with any number of possibilities, and a few well-placed inquiries can lead to exactly what any tourist is looking for.

Street vendors compete for space along Bangla Road. An endless line of food carts, teeming with colorful and exotic fruits, vegetables and meats, serve cuisine that is unique to the area for its mix of herbs, spices, chilies, sugars and sauces. Typical street food includes chicken or pork satay, curry and chili with beef, chicken, pork or vegetables. They are all served with rice or noodles and topped with aromatic basil. Areas that are popular with tourists, or farangs (which translates to foreigners), serve a more expanded menu of sea food, crabs and prawns, fresh from the water and set on ice. One can also find fried cockroaches and other tasty critters if they are so inclined. 

Another reason why Phuket is so popular is that accommodations on the island run the gamut. From luxury hotels and spas to quaint guest houses, there are places to stay that fit into any budget. Even the nicest hotels and spas are more affordable than their counterparts in other areas of the world.  Many of them offer traditional Thai massages. Thai massage is a medicinal form of therapy that is hundreds of years old as it is practiced today. Though, there are legends that date it back to thousands of years ago. It is called "nuat phaen boran" (which literally translates to the ancient-manner massage) and combines influences from India, China and Southeast Asia. Participants typically wear loose-fitting clothes and lie on either the floor or a thin mat as practitioners perform stretches and deep muscle manipulations.

The Banyan Tree Phuket is a highly ranked, international center that offers a memorable experience of a traditional 90-minute Thai massage. This is as good as it gets. The service is spectacular. There are also dinner cruises along the coastline, among other things.

The indulgent Marriott Phuket and the Mandara Spa depart from the traditional Thai spa experience and offer a range of Indonesian treatments, including steam treatments, mud wraps, and aromatherapy. The Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket features Ayurveda treatments and a fusion massage that combines Thai and Swedish techniques.

For a different pace of life that is also authentically Thai there is Thai Boxing (Muay Thai). This popular attraction is believed to have started in the 15^th century, during the Burmese wars. It is a stadium event that consists of five three-minute rounds between two opponents. As opposed to Western boxing, punching is rarely the objective in this sport. Typically a bout is ended by a knee or an elbow, as the whole body is used. Javanese clarinets, drums and finger cymbals are used to create a live soundtrack to accompany the event. The music is improvised and changes to reflect the action that is taking place. It is a colorful and exciting must see for sports fans.

Phuket is also home to many festivals. Whether they are celebrating a Buddhist religious holiday or a historical event, Phuket festivals are always lively and entertaining spectacles that are fun for all ages. One of the most popular and well-established is the Vegetarian Festival. This annual event features processions of god-mediums that perform shocking acts of self-mortification as a test of faith. Disciplined performers perform strange and seemingly impossible feats. The festival takes place over 9 days in the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar.

Other events that are unique to Phuket include the Phuket King's Cup Regatta and Phuket Bike Week.  Nationwide celebrations, such as Loy Kratong and Songkran, Chinese New Year, are also celebrated here. Songkran (Buddhist New Year) is especially exciting, and incorporates a lively water festival. Come prepared to get soaked as to walk down the street! Due to the high traffic that festivals produce, it’s a good idea to book accommodations in advance.

When planning your travel to Phuket, book your ferry rental with us at phiphi-ferry.com. We travel between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Railay, Ao Nang, Krabi, and all of the other beautiful small islands in the surrounding area. It is easy to make your reservations online. We also provide shuttle services from hotels in Phuket, Krabi, Ao Nang or Railay. We provide fast, easy and reliable service. Book online, print your e-ticket and produce it upon arrival at the gate for quick and comfortable service to this one-of-a-kind destination.

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