Discover Real Phuket
Phuket Travel Guide
Phuket is known worldwide for its beautiful beaches, its wild nightlife and prolific scenery but there's much, much more to the island than that. Its rich history has left a legacy of colonial architecture, colourful temples, Chinese shrines and a mixed and tolerant culture.
Phuket also has its quirky sides with a lurid and bloody vegetarian festival, strange (to us) customs and cross-gender and transvestite shows along with a culture both alien and fascinating to westerners; even the driving is 'original' in Phuket!
It's your first time to Phuket. You’re confused. You've got more tour brochures in your hotel room than you know what to do with and time is running out. What to do? Where to go? What to see? Obviously, you're going to have to plan your itinerary around a time frame, so here are four options - a three-day, five-day and a seven-day stay and longer. Read More...
Khao Lak, a one-hour drive north of Phuket, has one major resource to fall back on; an asset so in demand that it is worth its weight in gold – its beautiful natural and unspoiled beaches. Mile after mile of glorious golden stress-free strand awaits the visitor with views out over the turquoise Andaman that no artist's brush could better. Read More...
The Phi Phi islands are some of the most idyllic, postcard-perfect islands in the world. The recipe is all there: nodding palms, white sandy beaches, plentiful coral and crystal-clear water. Add to this warm and friendly people, lots of sunshine, blue skies and striking limestone cliffs as well as attractive accommodation and you get something approaching tropical perfection. Read More...
Here are few things about road sense and manners, especially for those who have never been here before. Do plan in advance if you are thinking of renting a vehicle in Phuket. You need a licence, and your ordinary national licence is not valid in Thailand. Get an international licence for the type of vehicle - motorbike or car - that you plan to rent. Read More...
Elephants are not native to Phuket – they come from the cooler northern part of the country – but were brought here to work in the tourist industry. As Thailand’s logging industry declined, out-of-work elephants and their mahouts headed for Phuket. Read More...
The 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach may not have broken box office records but it did help Phuket and the surrounding area break previous tourism records as travellers flocked to the Andaman coast to swim in the same green waters and frolic on the same white sand as “Leo”. Read More...
A must-do in Phuket is a walk in the old part of Phuket City, around Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads. The beautiful architecture along these roads will take you back the charm of a century ago. According to Pranee Sakulpitpatana, one of the island’s premier historians, the architecture is a reflection of European influence on the island. Read More...
Phuket's Big Buddha has become one of the island's most important and revered landmarks. The image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away. The lofty site offers the best 360 degrees views of the island. Read More...
There's a saying that if you really want to get to know a country, you should visit its local markets. In Thailand that's certainly true; you can soak up a whole lot of local flavour just by walking around the local market. To go to a fresh market in the west is considered a treat; a good day out. Read More...
Images of mangrove forests rarely appear in material advertising the delights of Phuket, but they are a crucial part of Phuket’s tropical and coastal ecology. Fisherman have always understood the importance of the mangroves as nurseries for fish and crustaceans. Read More...
Phuket's Buddhist temples and Chinese Shrines represent a touchstone, both religiously and culturally. Locals frequent them to maintain ties with their past as each of the island's temples has a story to tell about Phuket's history. Read More...
It's rare to see a Thai family spend a day out on a west coast beach if the sun is shining, so where do they go? The answer is to Phuket's shadier east coast beaches, the parks and the waterfalls. This is where to really cool off and socialize, Thai-style. The three best-known waterfalls in Phuket are Bang Pae, Ton Sai and Kathu Waterfall. Read More...
Smiling is consider one of the trademarks of the Thai people – this is, after all, The Land of Smiles. Thais tend to smile about anything. You may find it a bit odd at first to have complete strangers smiling at you on the bus, in a restaurant or passing on the street. But to Thais, smiling is a friendly, quiet, Thai way to say hello. Read More...
Do learn how to wai. For Thais, the wai is everything. It's a beautiful way to greet people, to say thank you or goodbye. Most Thais expect and accept handshakes from Westerners, but you will probably feel more at home in Thailand if you do things the Thai way and learn to wai.
Every country has its idiosyncrasies. What is unusual to a visitor can be quite normal to a local and vice versa. Thailand is no exception and has its fair share of quirks and unusual sides. Here are some out-of-the-ordinary sights you will see here. Read More...
To your delight, you receive an invitation from a Thai friend to visit his or her home. Here are some things you should know before you say, "Yes, I would love to." Do bring a small gift for your hosts or their children. No need to break the bank - it can be something as simple as fruit or some sweets or cake. This is more polite than going there empty-handed. Read More...
Chalong temple is the pride of Phuket. A long legendary history is still told to hundred thousands of visitors invited to the temple all year-round along with the Phuket locals' courage in the war of Phuket Angyee (Chinese Secret Society) delivered among generations of the locals. Read More...
