Top Sites of Phuket

History and Demography of Phuket

The island of Phuket lies in the Andaman Sea and is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges namely the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga. The island is mostly mountainous and has a tropical monsoon climate. It is a popular tourist destination best known for its beaches, natural habitats, and nightlife. The city is one of the Southern Provinces of Thailand and consist of the Island of Phuket which is the largest Island of the group of Islands forming Thailand. The nearest Province to Phuket is Krabi to the east across the Phang Nga Bay. The Size of Phuket can be understood be a little less than that of Singapore covered with a glorious and colorful history. One of the highest sources of income for the Island country comes from the Tourism sector which has grown over the years.

How to Travel to Phuket?

Phuket is connected with both direct and connecting flights from across the World with some of the world’s biggest airlines operating to and from here. The visitors can also reach here via air travel from the capital city Bangkok as it is second only to the former in terms of the number of tourists visiting here. There is also the luxury of traveling through Rail, city transit and buses from almost all parts of Thailand to the city of Phuket. Train services are currently unavailable to Phuket but you can always take it after crossing the Sarasin Bridge to Surat Thani.

Tourist Attractions in Phuket

Phuket attracts a lot of tourism in the Summertime as the masses come here to cool off. It is also a winter destination for countries facing severe winters. Here are some of the major attractions of Phuket -

Phang Nga Bay:

Limestone cliffs, lagoons, and deserted beaches make the bay a perfect spot to relax and explore the natural scenery. It is also a great place to go kayaking. Similan Islands National Park: The beautiful beaches on the island are known as some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.

Wat Chalong:

A Buddhist temple constructed in the 19th century. The temple houses sculptures and murals depicting the Buddha’s life. It’s most sacred artifact is a bone fragment of the Buddha.

Two Heroines Monument:

A memorial statue dedicated to the governor’s widow and her sister, who defended the island against Burmese invasion in 1785. Also, check out the nearby Thalang National Museum.

Patong and Hat Patong:

Patong is the hub of tourism and nightlife in Phuket. If you are looking for shopping and entertainment, this is the place to go. There are also plenty of resorts, and the Hat Patong is the most developed beach on the island and covers a 2-mile stretch.

Old Phuket Town:

The historical center of Phuket is filled with Sino-Portuguese architecture and still displays remnants from the island’s tin mining past. There are also plenty of open-air markets and restaurants to eat local cuisine.

Khao Phra Thaeo National Park:

This 23 square mile rainforest is one of the few places on the island that endemic and endangered species of animals and plants still populate in their natural habitat. It is a great place to go hiking.

Sirinat National Park:

On the northwest coast of the island sits this 90 square kilometer park. There are three undeveloped beaches, a mangrove forest, coral reefs, pine trees, and sea turtle nests to see and explore.

Naiharn Beach:

On the southwest coast of the island, this tranquil beach offers a respite from the tourist activity. You can also hike through the surrounding green hills.

Kata Beach:

South of Karon, this white sand beach is populated with many resorts. Two bays separated by a rocky inlet form the beach. You can swim past coral reefs or soak in the tropical scenery.