About Phuket

Sai Taan Villa 888 About Phuket

Phuket Phuket (formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. The island is served by Phuket International Airport, located in the north of the island. The ph of "Phuket" is an aspirated "p", so the name is pronounced (roughly) "Poock-get". The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means mountain or hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance.

The bustling, administrative centre of Phuket is often overlooked in favour of the beaches, but there's a lot to see and do in Phuket City. Having been recently upgraded to city status, Phuket City features an exciting mix of old and new, simple and sophisticated, peaceful and pulsating.

The activity in Phuket City is nearly around-the-clock. In the early morning, stoic monks take to the streets on their daily alms round and the fresh market buzzes with restaurant owners buying ingredients for the day's meals. Non-stop bustle characterizes the daytime, and lasts well into the evening. Nights are reserved for enjoying good company, whether at a restaurant, a disco, a quiet bar, or a combination of all three.

Tourist Attractions in Phuket

Elephant riding

This is a good way to support the remaining domesticated elephants of Thailand and their mahout, is fairly cheap, and can be an interesting new experience. The elephants are well trained, and you can tip the mahout by giving the money to the elephant who will hand it to the mahout with its trunk.

Watersports

Scuba diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Pier.

Animal sanctuary

Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project by the beautiful Bang Pae waterfall. They have a visitor centre manned by Western volunteers and English speaking Thai staff who will talk to you about the project. Talks are free, but please support the project by buying a souvenir, sponsoring a gibbon or giving a donation. Don't have your photo taken with a captive gibbon in Phuket or on the beaches.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket has some amazing cultural shows that are definitely worth seeing or you maybe lucky enough to be in Phuket for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival . The 9 day event doesn't have a fixed date on the calendar, but is around late September to mid October. Ceremonies are centred around the six Chinese temples that are scattered across the Island. The main temple is the Jui Tui Shrine located in Phuket Town. At each of the temples you can buy the most amazing vegetarian food. Daily street processions are held, where you can watch men and women puncture their checks with various items such as knives and skewers.

Thai Kick-Boxing

Muay Thai training (Thai kick-boxing). The famous ones includes Suwit Muay Thai Boxing Camp and Chalong Chi Muay Thai and M.M.A. Training Camp Experience the sensense of Thai Spa at Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness.

Spa & Massage

Spas in Phuket are a unique haven of relaxation and tranquility offering visitors to the Island various types of spas, from health retreats, health resorts and wellness centres to day spas and luxury day spas.There are four Angsana Spa in Phuket which are all located within the Laguna complex at Bang Tao Beach. You will find these spas at the Allamanda, Dusit Thani, Laguna Beach Resort and the Sheraton Grande. Banyan Tree Spa in Phuket has won many awards including being voted as the best spa in the world by the travel magazine "Conde Nast Traveler".

Golf

The golf courses of Phuket are of international standard. Each one has its own particular challenges and scenic splendor that only Phuket can offer. Discount green fee are available by booking through Phuket golf booking agencies.

Golf courses in Phuket includes: Blue Canyon Country Club, Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Loch Palm Golf club Phuket, Mission Hills, Phuket Resort and spa, Phuket Country Club, Phuket Golf Courses Reservations, Thai Muang Beach Golf and Marina. See Map.

Other Activities

In Phuket, where everything happens for fun and adventure, you live life to the fullest with such a great variety of activities the paradise has to offer. Just besides the popular activities such as diving and snorkeling, golfing, Muay Thai, sailing and sport fishing, there are a bunch of other "must do while in Phuket" activities. Click here to see more.