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- Destinations
- Asia
- Thailand
- Phuket
Phuket
In the Andaman Sea off Thailand's west coast, the holiday hub of
Phuket, or the 'Pearl of the South' as it has become known, is
connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. Thailand's largest
island, Phuket is incredibly diverse with rocky and sandy beaches,
tall cliffs, forests, waterfalls and temples.
Phuket caters to all, with a variety of holiday resorts offering
accommodation from backpackers and simple guesthouses to modern
luxury hotels, though the beachfront bungalows on unspoilt
stretches of white sand are rarer now than they used to be. There
are numerous activities in or near Phuket to enjoy on holiday,
including mountain biking, bungy jumping and golf. It is even
possible to go elephant trekking. A variety of tours offer day
trips to the cliffs of nearby Phang Nga Bay, Koh Phi Phi, and the
beaches and islands around Krabi. There is plenty to do on the
island, whatever your budget, and several offshore islands are good
for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Phuket has a huge variety of goods and shopping establishments,
from markets and street stalls to department stores and specialist
shops, and a range of restaurants from Thai seafood to Indian and
Western cuisine. Phuket also has its own airport, making it easy to
get to and from Bangkok, and although the island hosts thousands of
tourists in peak season, its sheer size allows visitors to escape
from the madding crowds. Patong Beach is the island's most famous
and developed beach resort, offering a wide choice of holiday
activities, dining options and nightlife. It is situated nine miles
(15km) from Phuket City.
Information & Facts
Language
Thai is the official language, although English is widely
spoken in tourist areas.
Money
The unit of currency is the Baht (THB), which is divided
into 100 satang. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks,
hotels and bureaux de change. Banks are open Monday to Friday. ATMs
are available in most cities and tourist resorts. Most large hotels
and shops accept travellers cheques, but a better rate will be
given at banks. Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels and
larger businesses.
Night Life
Patong Beach is known for its pulsing nightlife, reigning
supreme on Phuket island. The hub of the action is along Bangla
Road where hundreds of go-go bars, girlie bars, pubs and nightclubs
and discos pump out loud music and provide all manner of night time
entertainment. At the top end of Bangla Road are several
side-by-side establishments to party into the early hours. Paradise
Complex is Patong's gay area, with more than 50 bars, karaokes,
restaurants and discos.
In Patong you'll find the famous 'ladyboys' (or katoeys) of
Thailand, transvestites that are often more feminine, slimmer, and
sexier than Thai women. While katoeys working in bars are
notoriously friendly, remember that they are working and will
expect drinks, gifts, and/or money for their time.
If the seedy clubbing scene isn't what you're looking for, many
hotels in Phuket stage Thai dance shows. Sphinx stages cabaret
dinner shows, and Simon Cabaret does the same in drag. The Phuket
Fantasea is even more of a spectacle, with trapeze artists,
pyrotechnics, and elephants parading around the stage. Many
restaurants and markets also stay open until 11pm, enhancing the
festive atmosphere.
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