Be it far from us to tell you what to do in Phuket but there
are some gems that you really should not miss while on your
visit here, and we don't mean the kind sold at the jewellers…
Phuket's great advantage is that there's always something
to do here whether it's raining or shining. Here are our Top
Ten 'Must See' choices, built on popular vote. If you
only get through half of these you'll have had an unforgettable
holiday. Go for it.
It's wacky but fun and very professionally done. Trapeze artists, elephants on stage and pyrotechnics
combine in a Las Vegas-style show. You'll see nothing
else like it anywhere on the planet. Combining Thai
traditional myths with humour, fantasy and a loose plotline
that keeps getting more and more amusing, FantaSea's
extravaganza is a highly entertaining and riveting show
that deserves to be top of our Top Ten Must See and
Do in Phuket list. Read
the review - How
to get there...
Simon Cabaret - probably the biggest "transvestite"
cabaret show to be found locally. This show features
a spectacular musical floor show performed by the world
famous "ladyboys" of Simon Cabaret. See for
yourself - guys, can you tell the difference? And ladies
- wouldn't you just die for a figure like that? Fabulous
costumes, glitzy and fun.
There are many viewpoints looking out over east and
west Phuket affording sunrise as well as sunset views.
Ok, so everyone goes to Promthep but it doesn't make
it any less spectacular. There, you'll get fabulous
views over the ocean stretching as far as Phi Phi Island
on a good day. Check out Phuket's other viewpoints such
as the 'Three Beaches' hilltop venue on the road between
Nai Harn and Kata or sip a cocktail at the After Beach
Bar (also on the same road) while the golden ball slips
into the western horizon.
Read more about Phuket
Viewpoints Tour Information
Sino-Portuguese splendours and funky shops in the most
unlikely places will surprise and delight you in the
heart of Phuket's sleepy provincial capital. Phuket
town offers much more than you think with some excellent
restaurants and local sights. The unique blend of colonial
and Chinese architecture along with a tangible quaintness
makes for a fascinating and unforgettable afternoon
spent sauntering around Phuket's Old Town. Expect the
unexpected and don't forget your camera.
There are few things in this world to prepare you for
an after-dark stroll down Patong's Bangla Road. However,
a sense of humour and an open mind are prerequisites
if you're looking to have some fun. In fact, there's
only one undeniable and obvious fact about Bangla –
it's nothing like home. With its ladyboys, exotic girls,
enchanted westerners (mostly male) and enough extraverts
to fill a Disney cast of thousands, shopping or sipping
on a beer at Bangla Road at night is a definite 'Dear
Diary' moment.
Read more about Bangla Road and Patong
Nightlife
Wat Chalong is one of
Phuket's most important temples and visited by thousands
each year. It's beautifully decorated with infinite
reflections from hundreds of tiny glass pieces and several
pagodas. On special holidays Wat Chalong hosts 'country
fairs' with a real local flavour where you can buy just
about anything and snack on Thai food to your heart's
content. Wat Chalong has an interesting history and
is Phuket Island's spiritual centre. You haven't seen
Phuket if you've never visited this fascinating temple.
Read more about Phuket Temples and Wat Chalong Tour Information
Phuket's waterfalls are not the biggest in the country
but they are interesting gathering places for those
seeking a cool place for a dip or a picnic. There are
two major falls, Ton Sai and Bang Pae and they are both
located in Khao Praew Thaew
National Park 22 kilometers north of Phuket Town.
Best visited in the monsoon season from May to October,
the surrounding jungle is great for trekking through
and there's also the worthy Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
right by.
Read more about Phuket Waterfalls
& national Parks...
Rapidly gaining popularity all over the world, Muay
Thai is an electrifying spectacle to watch. Visit Saphan
Hin Stadium in Phuket City to see regular matches with well-trained martial arts
experts. Or try Patong
Beach, where you can also see the skill and dexterity
of these super-fit fighters. Tradition and courtesy
are at the heart of this dangerous contact sport and
a good Muay Thai participant is ultra-disciplined in
spirit as well as body. Join the spectators and feel
the rush. to see regular matches with well-trained martial
arts experts. Read more about Thai
Boxing in Phuket...
Read about, and book a Thai Boxing Show
Visible from most of the south of Phuket, the Big Buddha
is a recent arrival to the island. The image stands
on the top of the Nakkerd Hills and looks down over
Chalong, Kata and Rawai. It cost 30 million baht to
construct and is 45 metres high. Next to it stands a
smaller, golden image that is actually made of brass
and there is a shrine near the site's car park. The
drive up to the Big Buddha takes you through the 'real'
Thailand and the view from the top is enhanced if you
take a map to identify the many, many sights. Read more
about Chalong Big
Buddha ...
Whether they're held to honour a religious belief or
just for fun, the festivals of Phuket are exciting,
sometimes bizarre spectacles – and they're certainly
never bland. The Vegetarian Festival draws people from
all over the world. It's colourful, it's deafening and
sometimes fascinatingly gruesome. Vegetables gruesome?
Come and see for yourself… Phuket's Gay Festival
falls at the same time as Thailand's Songkran Water
Festival and both are fun-filled, full-on parties that
celebrate life's exuberance in a most decidedly Thai
way. See the calendar of
Phuket events...
Read more about: Songkran - Phuket Vegetarian Festival - Phuket Gay Festival
See photos of Phuket
Events : Phuket Vegetarian Festival - Phuket Gay Festival -
