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With its cultural diversity and natural wonders, this is no surprise why Phuket attracts many people around the world. This Andaman Island has been named ‘the Pearl of Andaman’ due to its rich natural beauty and beautiful Andaman Sea. It is the largest island in Thailand and the only island that became a province.

Its name ‘Phuket’ assumedly came from ‘bukit’ in Malay or ‘bugeh’ in Orang Laut, which means "hill". This island is widely known among sailors in ancient times as a sailing route from China to India by passing Malay Peninsula and Jungceylon Cape or Thalang Island which is Phuket nowadays.

Fast Facts

Languages: Thai

Currency: Thai Baht

How to Get There

Depending on where you are coming from, going to Phuket might require you to fly to Bangkok first. But from some countries like Australia and Germany, there are direct flights you can take. The province’s airport - Phuket International Airport - is small but is considered the second busiest in Thailand.

From Bangkok, you can either book a direct flight to Phuket or ride the bus. The fastest way to reach the province is if you go by plane, travel time is around one hour and 30 minutes. Riding the bus is the cheapest option. However, depending on traffic, it will take more than 10 hours of travel. You can choose the BKS bus or reserve from one of the private bus companies.

Once you’ve landed at the airport, you can take a taxi ride to get to your hotel in Phuket. A cheaper option would be to take a shared minibus. However, it might take longer to reach your accommodation as you’ll be sharing the ride with other passengers. Or you can book an airport transfer or arrange pick up with your hotel in advance to avoid the hassle.

Getting Around

The most common type of public transport in Phuket are songthaews. These pick-up trucks have wooden benches where passengers sit. They ply through most routes in Phuket Town to some beaches, but not from one beach to another. You can also try to ride the tuk-tuks, Thailand’s iconic vehicle. Fares are negotiated so make sure you and your driver agree on the final price before riding. Or you can take a metered taxi, which is more comfortable.

Another option is renting a motorcycle or a car so you can get around at your own pace and convenience. Fares vary depending on the type of vehicle and if you’re getting a driver, if you choose to get a car rental. And since island hopping is an integral part of your vacation in Phuket, you’ll need to rent a boat.

Things to Do in Phuket

Given that Phuket is an archipelago, majority of the activities you can do here are beach-related including swimming, snorkeling, and other watersports. Island hopping is also a must when in Phuket since it’s a good jump off point to nearby provinces like Krabi.

Patong Beach is the most known beach in Phuket thanks to its white powdery beaches and crystal clear water. It is located 15 kilometres away from Phuket downtown and surrounded by restaurants, nightclubs, bars and many more. Surrounded by hills that protect it from the wind, Patong Beach is perfect for many types of watersports including snorkeling.

On the other hand, Karon Beach is the longest beach in Phuket and located between Patong Beach and Kata Beach. Between Kata and Karon beaches, there is a small hill in between. The highlight of this beach is its crystal clear water with sunbeds lined up along the beach. During the monsoon season with high waves, surfers also like to go there for surfing too.

Meanwhile, Promthep Cape is one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Thailand. It is an important landmark of the province and also known as Laem Chao (or God’s Cape). Its distinctive characteristic is a group of palm trees gathering at the tip of the cape. On the left side is Naiya Beach and Naiharn Beach and Mun Island are on the right side. It is known as a must-visit sunset spot so there are many tourists coming here in the evening.

Located near Kamala Beach, Phuket Fantasea is one of the amazing theme parks in Thailand and comprises of many areas; Thai cultural show infused with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art show elements, the Golden Manohra Restaurant, Thai Village displaying beautiful traditional architecture where visitors can buy handicrafts, souvenir items and enjoy activities in carnival style.

Wat Chalong is the most revered, most visited and most beautiful Buddhist temple in Phuket for a long time. It is also known as Wat Chaiyathararam which its name was given by King Rama V. Inside the temple, there are also a museum, Phra Mahathat Chedi and Phra Chom Thai Baramee Prakat Pagoda that house many Buddha images. Visitors can also get to the top floor terrace to see a beautiful bird’s eye view of Phuket City.

Phuket not only has beautiful beaches but also an interesting old architectural quarter. The Sino-Portuguese architecture combined Western and Eastern styles together. Nowadays the old quarter is still preserved as it is and allows tourists to walk around and capture photos of this beautiful town. Local restaurants, chic cafes and accommodations can be found there too.

Where to Stay in Phuket

Phuket is a well-known tourist destination worldwide so there are many types of accommodations to choose from. You’ll find many five-star hotels and resorts from international hotel chains as well as budget accommodation in the city centre. Right up in Phuket Old Town are the accommodations that are near famous Phuket sites like the Sino-Portuguese townhouses, markets, and restaurants.

If you’re looking for beachfront resorts, some of the popular beaches where you can stay are in Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Kamala Beach, and Naiharn Beach. Keep in mind that the ambiance for each are different. Patong Beach for one is famous for its nightlife while the rest have a more laid back atmosphere but nice places to be. Indeed, very type of accommodation has its own different style that will give you different stay experience and will make your trip a memorable one.

Nightlife in Phuket

Phuket Travel Tips