Phuket, Thailand
Phuket
is Thailand
РІР‚в„ўs largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on ThailandРІР‚в„ўs
Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.
Phuket formerly derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and
enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one
of the major trading routes between India and China, and was
frequently mentioned in foreign traderРІР‚в„ўs ship logs.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket.
Other visitors were less friendly. PhuketРІР‚в„ўs most famous
monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao
Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in
1785 to repel Burmese invaders.
Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery,
palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas,
sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and
seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese
architecture; numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a
lush tropical landscape all of which combine to create a
delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
Climate
Phuket has two major seasons: the Rains Season from May
through October, and the Hot Season from November through
April. There are many sunny days throughout the Rains
Season: showers customarily last little more than 2 or 3
hours. September is the wettest month. The best months are
November through February. Average temperatures range
between 22 and 34 degrees Celsius.
Useful Telephone Number:
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Tourist Information |
Tel : 0-7621-2213, 0-7621-1036 |
How to get there:
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway 4 through Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, thence through Ranong provinceРІР‚в„ўs Kra Buri and Kaper districts, Phangnga provinceРІР‚в„ўs Takua Pa and Takua Thung districts and onto Phuket island across the Thao Thepkasattri Bridge. The total distance is 862 kilometres.
By Bus
Air-conditioned coaches, varying in 3 types, depart from
BangkokРІР‚в„ўs Southern Bus Terminal to Phuket every day.
Departure times are as follows:
VIP Bus : 5.30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Standard 1 Bus : 5.30 p.m., 5.45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6.30 p.m.,
6.40 p.m., 7 p.m., 7.10 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Standard 2 Bus : 7 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8
p.m.
Travelling time is about 13 hours. For further details,
please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200.
By Train
There are no direct train services to Phuket. Travellers by train must get off at Phun Phin railway station in Surat Thani and continue by regular buses to Phuket. Please call 1690, 66 2223-7010, 66 2223 7020 for more information.
By Air
From October 23,2003, Phuket Air offers daily flights to
Phuket and the journey takes only 1.20 hours. Flight time is
available at 10.30 hrs. from Bangkok and 18.30 hrs. from
Phuket. For more information, call Bangkok Office 66 2679
8999 or Phuket Office 66 7522 0184-6 or view
www.phuketairlines.com
Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with
Pattaya and Samui. For more information, contact their
Bangkok office at tel. 66 2265 5678 Reservation tel. 66 2265
5555 or view their website at
www.bangkokair.com
Thai Airways has numerous daily flights servicing the
Bangkok-Phuket route. In additon, they have regular flights
connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat.
For more information, contact their Bangkok office at
tel. 66 2628 2000.
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Hotels in Phuket are many in number.. After all,
Phuket is one of the most entertaining cities in
Thailand, thanks to its nightlife with vivacious
discotheques and karaoke as well as calm and clear
waters where diving is a pleasure!! As with all the
popular cities in Thailand, even Phuket has a huge
tourist attraction, because of which the number of
hotels in Phuket have risen considerably! |
