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Phuket Thailand Attractions |
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Phuket is famous for its breathtaking beaches, with crystal-clear turquoise waters washing sunbleached, pearly white sandy shores. The island offers something out of paradise, complete with coconut trees,  beach bars, watersports and a plethora of little islands dotting the coastline along the Andaman Sea.
Patong BeachPhuket's most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its long cresent bay. Try one of the many popular daytime activities like windsurfing, snorkelling, parachute flying, jetski, sailing, swimming and sunbathing. During high season this beach is very crowded. Patong is equally well known for its vibrant nightlife filled with endless bars and restaurants, among which seafood restaurants feature prominently.
Karon BeachThe second largest of Phuket's tourist beaches. The long, broad beach itself has no development. The sand is very white, and squeaks funny when walked upon. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island. During low season check for the red flag on the beach which indicate any warnings regarding the water situation. Between Karon and Kata Beach is a long stretch to walk with nothing much inbetween. These two villages are mainly suitable for families as it is more quiet than Patong Beach.
Kata BeachBeautiful Kata is a scenic gem, its clear water flanked by hills, and the picturesque Bu island sits offshore. Most of the back area is occupied by Club Med. Kata retains a village feel at its northern and southern ends. During the low season an annual surfing contest is organized on this beach. South of Kata is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The main part is  occupied by the big hotel Kata Thani. The beach itself is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless shoreline stretching south.
Panwa & Rawai BeachesThe southernmost tip of this cape is home to a Marine Biological Research Centre and Phuket's Aquarium where visitors may inspect several hundred exotic, grotesque, and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in the teeming waters of Phuket and elsewhere. Not suitable for swimming. Rawai is palm-fringed beach is best known for 'sea gypsies,' a formerly nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent. Many small boats, from long-tailed boats to speedboats, are anchored here.
Surin BeachEvergreen trees line this small, curving bay, beneath the foothills north of Kamala. Many beach bars and restaurants are gathered at the Southern end. The water is superb but visitors must be careful during the low season the steep incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim.
Bang Tao BeachBangtao is a large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf course. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities are available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Chern Thale.
Nai Yang BeachThis is where the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnickers. The large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs during the period from November to February; the population of these has however, dropped off greatly. First class accommodations are available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers. |
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Phi Phi IslandsOf the two islands, Phi Phi Don is the larger one and more developed. The smaller, Phi Phi Le, recently took the title role in the film  adaptation of The Beach - starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Despite mis-informed protests and bad press regarding environmental damage to the island during filming, Phi Phi Le is, in fact, in better condition now than before filming began. International environmentalists report that the removal of two tons of tourist rubbish before filming could begin, did not adversely affect the island's delicate ecological balance.
Similan IslandsFrom the north to the south, the archipelago comprises Bon Island, Ba Ngu Island, Similan Island, Payu Island, Miang Island, Payan Island, Payang Island, Ku Yong Island. Except for park officials and occasional tourist groups, these petite islands are mostly uninhabited. The waters around the islands are home to a considerable variety of fish and crustaceans, and other marine life flourishes. The water in the area is as clear as glass and makes an excellent deep water dive site. The Koh Tapoo, meaning 'nail' is just off the beach on the island of Koh Phing Kan. It is the islands most famous landmark, and was where the James Bond film "Man With the Golden Gun" was filmed.
Raya Yai IslandThe clean, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Raya Yai are a major attraction for daytrippers from Phuket. On the west coast of Raya Yai is a fine beach, closed in by a horseshoe-shaped hillside, called alternately  Ao Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow. From the top of the hill to the south of the bay is the viewpoint from which the whole island can be seen. On the east, at Ao Kon Kae Bay, is an excellent site for diving.
Coral IslandOff Phuket's South coast, is so well known for its coral reef that it is often referred to simply as Coral Island. In addition to the splendid reefs there are two fine beaches on the north and west of the island. 'Koh Hey' is part of a marine preserve, but accommodation, restaurants, various watersports and diving are all available. Boats leave from Rawai and Chalong. Package tours are also available, check with the tour section of this website.
Maiton IslandThis small island off Phuket's South-East coast is highly prized for its still perfect natural environment, including fine white beaches and crystal waters; ideal for swimming, diving, or fishing. The only business of any kind is the upmarket Maiton Island Resort. The visitors not wishing to stay overnight may take a daytime excursion leaving from Ao Makham Deep Sea Port in Phuket. |
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Nature lovers and enthusiasts love Phuket for its natural environment. Whether its interest in horticulture, spiritual harmony, or rest and  relaxation in a beautiful surrounding, Northern, Eastern North-Eastern and Central Thailand contain monsoon forests mainly, while Southern Thailand is predominantly a rainforest zone. There is much overlap of the two - some forest zones support a mix of monsoon forest and rainforest vegetation.
The country's most famous flora includes an incredible array of fruit trees, bamboo (more species than any country outside China), tropical hardwoods and over 27,000 flowering species, including Thailand's national floral symbol, the orchid.
As with plant life, variation in the animal kingdom closely affiliates with geographic and climatic differnces. Hence, the indigenous fauna of Thailand's northern half is mostly of Indochinese origin while that of the South is generally Sundaic (ie typical of Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and Java). Thailand is particularly rich in birdlife, with over 1000 recorded resident and migrating species. Indigenous mammals include tigers, leopards, elephants, Asiatic black bears, Malayan sun bears, gaur (Indian bison), banteng (wild cattle), serow (an Asiatic goat-antelope), sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, pangolin, gibbons, manaques, tapir, dolphins and dugongs (sea cows). |
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Wat Chalong - The most important Buddhist temple in Phuket, where people usually go to worship and pray for anything they wish.
Promthep Cape - One of attraction that should not be missed is the spectacular sunset at Promthep Cape, right in the south of the island. Not only foreign tourists, but also local people like to spend their evenings watching the horizon until the sky becomes dark.
Rang Hill - There is no place to give you the exotic panoramic view of Phuket town as from the top of Rang Hill. It is located to the north of Phuket town. |
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Phuket Property for Sale