Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. Located 845 kilometers from the capital city of Bangkok, this island city is the largest island in Thailand. Known as 'Talang' or 'Tanjung Salang' in Malay, this province consists of 32 smaller islands apart from the island of 'Phuket'. Located on the west coast of Thailand, this island lies mainly in the Andaman Sea, connected to Phang Nga province in the north by a bridge called 'Sarasin'.
With an area of 576 square kilometers, this island is the second smallest state in Thailand, which is slightly smaller than Singapore. The island has long been used as an important trade route between India and China. The island of Phuket was mentioned many times in the diaries of medieval Portuguese, Dutch, British and French sailors, but the island was never ruled by any European power. Earlier the main driver of the economy here was tin and rubber products which were later replaced by tourism.
Phuket's attractions are endless, as there are so many places on this vibrant island. Still, the first place to visit is Phuket Beach, also known locally as Patong Beach. This sandy beach next to the vast clear sea glistens in the light creating a magical atmosphere. The beach offers a variety of adventure rides and games, including sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, jet skiing, para sailing, banana riding, etc.
Another tourist spot located between 'Nai Haran' and 'Kata Nai' beaches is the 'Karan View Point'. This point is very popular with the tourists because from here one can enjoy the beauty of three beaches - 'Kata Nai', 'Kata Yai' and 'Karan' and also the view of the Andaman Sea from this point is incomparable. If you want to get a taste of Thai rural life, you should go to a beautifully decorated small village called 'Koh Panayi'. If you stay in this small village from morning to evening, no one will want to come out of here.
Phi Phi Islands are a day trip from Phuket. The biggest attractions of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le islands are the adventurous water activities and the blue-green sea. Cruises to the island depart daily from Phuket town. Phi Phi Island is full of adventurous activities and rides like Snorkeling, Swimming, Surfing, Diving in Shark Point, Enemon Reef and King Cruiser Reef.
'James Bond Island' is located near Phuket's 'Phang Nga' park. The island is so named because parts of the James Bond series of films were shot here. James Bond Island offers swimming as well as kayaking and sailing. On the north side of Phuket town there is a hill called 'Rang Hill' from where the beauty of the whole island can be enjoyed to the fullest. Rang Hill has parks, restaurants, bars and areas for children to play.
Phuket not only has places to visit, but Phuket continues to hold thousands of years of traditional Thai culture, introducing its own culture, art, culture, etc. to the world. Among the various cultural shows here, 'Fantasia' is particularly noteworthy. Basically there are many kinds of shows in one huge cultural complex, which together are called 'Kingdom Fantasia'.
Apart from cultural programs, there are various fun adventure games, fun rides and visits to themed villages and buffet dinners at this Kingdom Fantasia. One of the most prominent landmarks of Phuket is the 'Big Buddha', a huge white marble Buddha statue, from where you can see Phuket town and its surrounding bays, as well as visit the museum that tells the history of the Big Buddha.
Also attractions in Phuket include Wat Chalon, Phang Nong Bay, Bangla Road, Phuket Tarikai Museum, Phuket Aquarium, Jui Tui Temple, La Moet Day Cruise, Phuket Old Town, Kata Nai Beach, Koh My Ton/Honeymoon Island, Raya Island, Nai Haron Beach, Surin Beach, Khao Rang View Point, Chalan Bay Rum Distillery etc. are notable.
Phuket is also famous for shopping and dining. A visit to Phuket's Koh Panay village offers a mouth-watering array of delicacies. Food at Tunka Cafe or Phuket View Restaurant located in Rang Hill is also very good. The taste of food at 'Golden Kenmare' buffet and Suriyamus Sea Food Restaurant inside Fantasia Show is quite commendable.
Tom Yum Goong, Mr. Hockey Noodles, Masaman Curry, Dim Sum, Green Curry Chicken, Kanon Zen Phuket, Khao Moon Gai etc. are among the exceptional dishes. For shopping, Phuket has a wide variety of products to choose from. Being a tourist place, the price of things is a little higher, but if you have the experience of shopping at high prices, you can make a lot of profit by buying things from here. The beach is lined with shops, and the city has notable shopping malls and shopping areas such as Jungceylon, Central Festival Phuket, Boat Avenue, Banana Walk, Jim Thompson, Phuket Old Town Handicrafts Shop, Dilhi Bazaar and Phuket Walking Street, which offer a wide variety of shopping options. Can be purchased.
How to go:
There are several airlines flying from India to Bangkok, including Air Asia, Lion Thai Air, Nok Air etc. Apart from Dilhi International Airport, flights to Thailand also depart from Chittagong Shah Amanat Airport. Flights to Thailand land at Bangkok's 'Don Mueang' or 'Suvarnabhumi' airport.
You can go to Phuket by plane, bus or train from Bangkok. Getting to Phuket by train takes the longest, and air takes the shortest but costs the most. It will take about one and a half hours to reach Phuket from Suvarnabhumi Airport. And if you want to go by bus, you can go to Phuket by VIP deluxe bus from Southern Bus Station in Bangkok, it will take 11 to 12 hours.
