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GENERAL INFORMATION
• Phuket, also known as the ‘Pearl of the South’ is the largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean, the island is an exceptional tourist destination, and there is plenty to do and see, including visiting some beautiful beaches and picking up some bargains on a good shopping trip. It has beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, an array of stunning bays and coves and incredible limestone scenery. The most famous and beautiful beaches of the island include Bang Tao Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Surin Beach, Laem Ka Rai Beach, Chalong Beach, Kalim Beach, Rawai Beach, Kaeo Island and Laem Phrongthep.Phuket is a popular destination, not only because of these world-class beaches but also because of its world famous festivals such as the Seafood Festival and the Vegetarian Festival.
• Phuket also offers a whole range of recreational activities, among which the most popular are yachting (the island is classed as one of Southeast Asia’s premier yachting destinations) and riding in speed boats. Also available are snorkeling and scuba diving as well as deep sea fishing and a whole host of other activities.
• On top of all this, Phuket is the perfect shopping location, selling everything from local goods and produce to world-famous chains and designer labels. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it here. Phuket Town is particularly notable as well as big local markets. Phuket also has one of the biggest jewellery trades in the world.There is something for everyone in Phuket, renowned for its good accommodation facilities, its wide range of marine activities and inland tropical forests where you can do activities such as elephant riding and trekking. There is an abundance of wildlife on the island, much of which is represented in Phuket Zoo which is well worth a visit. There are also plenty of Buddhist temples to visit if you want to experience some culture.Most beaches are located on the West coast of the island, while the airport is in the North and Phuket Town is in the Southeast.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air : This is perhaps the easiest way to get to Phuket. Domestic airlines operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Phuket. Some flights go to Phuket via Samui Island with a 40-minute stopover. List of operators are as follows:
1. Thai Airways International ( TG ) has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Phuket route. In addition, they have regular flights connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat Provinces. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 666 628 2000 or book your seat online at www.thaiairways.com
2. Bangkok Airways ( PG ) has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya and Samui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2265 5678. Reservations can be made at tel. 66 2265 5555. Alternatively, browse its website at www.bangkokair.com for more flight details.
3. One-to-Go by Orient Thai ( OX ) operates a daily flight between Bangkok and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Call 1126 or visit www.onetwo-go.com for more information.
4. Air Asia ( FD ) also offers several daily flights connecting Bangkok and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Visit www.airasia.com or call 02 5159999 for reservations.
5. Nok Air ( DD ) has several daily flights between Bangkok and Phuket with a flight time of 1.20 hours. Visit www.nokair.com or call 1318 to make your reservation.
Getting to Phuket from abroad : There are several direct flights between Phuket and international destinations, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, and Sydney. Dragon Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air and Singapore Airlines also operate international flights connecting Phuket with other destinations.
By Bus : Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips by air-conditioned bus, which normally leaves in the evening, take about 13 hours.
By Car : From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road) through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 12 hours.
By Rail : There is no direct train service to Phuket. Travelers arriving by train must get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani Province and continue by regular bus to Phuket. For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010 or 02 223 7020
By Ferry :
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