Dalanta Living’s guidebook
It's Worth a Visit!
"Plane spotting is a popular activity in Phuket. The hotspot for watching planes coming into land is at the western end of Phuket International Airport runway found at the southern end of Mai Khao Beach. The place is idyllic: Mai Khao Beach is up to 50 metres wide at high tide, and the turquoise colours of the sea, especially between 10:00 and 14:00, offer stunning photo opportunities. Everyday, many people gather at the end of the runway to get their photo taken with a plane. With a capacity of 30 flights per hour at Phuket Airport, you do not need to wait for too long in between two planes landing."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/phuket-mag…/plane-spotting-phuket.htm
Mai Khao Beach
"Plane spotting is a popular activity in Phuket. The hotspot for watching planes coming into land is at the western end of Phuket International Airport runway found at the southern end of Mai Khao Beach. The place is idyllic: Mai Khao Beach is up to 50 metres wide at high tide, and the turquoise colours of the sea, especially between 10:00 and 14:00, offer stunning photo opportunities. Everyday, many people gather at the end of the runway to get their photo taken with a plane. With a capacity of 30 flights per hour at Phuket Airport, you do not need to wait for too long in between two planes landing."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/phuket-mag…/plane-spotting-phuket.htm
"Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.
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Phuket Old Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of last century, when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. In this quarter of the town you will see grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket's tin barons of 100 years' ago. Phuket Old Town is compact enough to stroll around in. The best time to do this is early in the morning or after the day has lost its heat. There are enough restaurants and cafés to provide you with refreshments so don't bother taking a picnic along!"
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/island/phuket-town.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Phuket Town
"Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.
.
Phuket Old Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of last century, when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. In this quarter of the town you will see grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket's tin barons of 100 years' ago. Phuket Old Town is compact enough to stroll around in. The best time to do this is early in the morning or after the day has lost its heat. There are enough restaurants and cafés to provide you with refreshments so don't bother taking a picnic along!"
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/island/phuket-town.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
Sightseeing
"Big Buddha Phuket is a 45-meter-tall white marble statue visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket. It is probably at the top of everyone’s ‘Must-Do in Phuket‘, and for a good reason. The views from up there are breathtaking. The staues is built with people’s donation and is still under construction. If you feel like doing something to help to finish the broad base of the Buddha, you can sponsor a piece of white marble for 300 to 1,000 baht depending on the size."
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/phuket-big-buddha/
1013 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Big Budha statue
"Big Buddha Phuket is a 45-meter-tall white marble statue visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket. It is probably at the top of everyone’s ‘Must-Do in Phuket‘, and for a good reason. The views from up there are breathtaking. The staues is built with people’s donation and is still under construction. If you feel like doing something to help to finish the broad base of the Buddha, you can sponsor a piece of white marble for 300 to 1,000 baht depending on the size."
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/phuket-big-buddha/
"Phuket is surrounded by many beautiful islands and each one of them has something different to offer. Only minutes away from Phuket there are sandy beaches, secluded coves, rare birds and fauna with beautiful weather thrown in for free. Island hopping by speedboat is a way of taking all this beauty in."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/magazine/island-hopping.htm
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ko He
"Phuket is surrounded by many beautiful islands and each one of them has something different to offer. Only minutes away from Phuket there are sandy beaches, secluded coves, rare birds and fauna with beautiful weather thrown in for free. Island hopping by speedboat is a way of taking all this beauty in."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/magazine/island-hopping.htm
Sunsets at Promthep Cape
"Promthep Cape seems to be an irresistible spot for a good old sunset photo at the very south of Phuket island. This landmark has always been a daily meeting point for hundreds of tourists, mostly Thai, to line up with a camera, facing west. Colourful buses download hordes of tourists hungry for a sunset picture and the place starts buzzing with flashes. It’s also funny to see how many people still take sunset photos with a flash!
With its elevated location and few small islands nearby, the Promthep Cape is indeed a nice place to admire the sunset, but it is not amazing. Watching the crowd is almost more entertaining: most people are texting of playing Facebook games while waiting for the six o’clock moment.
Promthep Cape cape is also known as Phuket’s symbol, and if you pay attention, you will recognise its iconic tall sugar palm trees on car plates having a special number. (In case you didn’t know, you can buy a particular ‘lucky’ number on a plate decorated with the most iconic landmark of the province.)
If you feel courageous, and not many seem to be, walk all the way down to the end of the cape. It is quite easy to go there, but without training, on the way back you might wonder why did you have to inflict this to yourself.
Around Promthep cape
What is around to see Promthep cape? Not much. The Lighthouse, which is also a mini museum, doesn’t display much to look at and even from the rooftop doesn’t offer any particular view. The shrine surrounded by hundreds of elephants statues and carvings in all sizes and colors is a lot nicer. You can’t miss it.
Where to Eat at Promthep Cape
Once done with your sunset photo, there are only two things left to do: a bit of touristic shopping if you like stuff made of shells or ‘I love Phuket’ tee shirts or what I recommend instead, have diner ‘Al Fresco’ at the very cool Promthep Restaurant. The evening sky displays beautiful colors over the bay while enjoying a good seafood dinner. A great way to end the day.
Useful Tip:
If you made it that far and you enjoy nice viewpoints, continue driving toward Nai Harn Beach and stop at the Windmill Viewpoint.
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/promthep-cape/
1019 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Promthep Cape
Sunsets at Promthep Cape
"Promthep Cape seems to be an irresistible spot for a good old sunset photo at the very south of Phuket island. This landmark has always been a daily meeting point for hundreds of tourists, mostly Thai, to line up with a camera, facing west. Colourful buses download hordes of tourists hungry for a sunset picture and the place starts buzzing with flashes. It’s also funny to see how many people still take sunset photos with a flash!
With its elevated location and few small islands nearby, the Promthep Cape is indeed a nice place to admire the sunset, but it is not amazing. Watching the crowd is almost more entertaining: most people are texting of playing Facebook games while waiting for the six o’clock moment.
Promthep Cape cape is also known as Phuket’s symbol, and if you pay attention, you will recognise its iconic tall sugar palm trees on car plates having a special number. (In case you didn’t know, you can buy a particular ‘lucky’ number on a plate decorated with the most iconic landmark of the province.)
If you feel courageous, and not many seem to be, walk all the way down to the end of the cape. It is quite easy to go there, but without training, on the way back you might wonder why did you have to inflict this to yourself.
Around Promthep cape
What is around to see Promthep cape? Not much. The Lighthouse, which is also a mini museum, doesn’t display much to look at and even from the rooftop doesn’t offer any particular view. The shrine surrounded by hundreds of elephants statues and carvings in all sizes and colors is a lot nicer. You can’t miss it.
Where to Eat at Promthep Cape
Once done with your sunset photo, there are only two things left to do: a bit of touristic shopping if you like stuff made of shells or ‘I love Phuket’ tee shirts or what I recommend instead, have diner ‘Al Fresco’ at the very cool Promthep Restaurant. The evening sky displays beautiful colors over the bay while enjoying a good seafood dinner. A great way to end the day.
Useful Tip:
If you made it that far and you enjoy nice viewpoints, continue driving toward Nai Harn Beach and stop at the Windmill Viewpoint.
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/promthep-cape/
James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
"James Bond Island (Khao Ping Kan) is one of the many must-see places in Phang Nga Bay people want to tick-off their list when in Phuket. There are many positive and negative opinions about this iconic island, and most are justified. Before that old 1974 Bond movie ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ with Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (remember ‘Count Dracula’ and ‘Saruman’ in Lord of the Rings?) no one knew about it.
The movie wasn’t even good (45% on Rotten Tomatoes). Of course, James Bond Island had a local name before: Koh Tapu, meaning ‘Nail Island’ for the pointy rock, and Koh Phi Khan for the island surrounding it, meaning ‘hills leaning against each other”.
After the movie, the popularity of this remote island literally exploded. The same thing happened for ‘The Beach’ in Phi Phi Island after the DiCaprio 2000 movie (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the Sky Bar at Lebua Hotel in Bangkok after the movie ‘The Hangover II” (33% satisfaction, because I know you would ask).
So let’s list what’s good and what’s not about James Bond Island. You will then be in a better position to decide if you want to see it or not.
What’s Good in James Bod Island
The location is out of this world! James Bond Island is in Phang Nga Bay and even the cruise from Phuket Island through the fantastic limestone cliffs is breathtaking.
James Bond Island itself is very scenic. The place is a natural curiosity and a great photo opportunity, the reason why it was selected for the movie.
It’s always fun to see the real thing from a movie, even old, and to realise there is no door to the secret lair and no radar coming out of the rock!
It’s part of a beautiful day trip to the above mentioned fabulous Phang Nga Bay, and it usually includes a lunch at the surprising floating village of Koh Panyi
You can buy and eat some delicious flat dried squid (Pla Mook Haeng). That’s if you like this kind of local treats 😀
What’s Not So Good
Not much considering what you get in return:
James Bond island is a big tourist attraction, and the place is full of vendors selling all kinds of souvenir, just the way it is everywhere around the world.
The place gets crowded at high season, with lots of long tail boats and lots of people posing in front of the rock, you know the sill shot similar to the Pisa Tower: “oh look! I’m holding it!’. Fun times 🙂"
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/james-bond-island/
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
James Bond Island
James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
"James Bond Island (Khao Ping Kan) is one of the many must-see places in Phang Nga Bay people want to tick-off their list when in Phuket. There are many positive and negative opinions about this iconic island, and most are justified. Before that old 1974 Bond movie ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ with Roger Moore and Christopher Lee (remember ‘Count Dracula’ and ‘Saruman’ in Lord of the Rings?) no one knew about it.
The movie wasn’t even good (45% on Rotten Tomatoes). Of course, James Bond Island had a local name before: Koh Tapu, meaning ‘Nail Island’ for the pointy rock, and Koh Phi Khan for the island surrounding it, meaning ‘hills leaning against each other”.
After the movie, the popularity of this remote island literally exploded. The same thing happened for ‘The Beach’ in Phi Phi Island after the DiCaprio 2000 movie (19% on Rotten Tomatoes) and the Sky Bar at Lebua Hotel in Bangkok after the movie ‘The Hangover II” (33% satisfaction, because I know you would ask).
So let’s list what’s good and what’s not about James Bond Island. You will then be in a better position to decide if you want to see it or not.
What’s Good in James Bod Island
The location is out of this world! James Bond Island is in Phang Nga Bay and even the cruise from Phuket Island through the fantastic limestone cliffs is breathtaking.
James Bond Island itself is very scenic. The place is a natural curiosity and a great photo opportunity, the reason why it was selected for the movie.
It’s always fun to see the real thing from a movie, even old, and to realise there is no door to the secret lair and no radar coming out of the rock!
It’s part of a beautiful day trip to the above mentioned fabulous Phang Nga Bay, and it usually includes a lunch at the surprising floating village of Koh Panyi
You can buy and eat some delicious flat dried squid (Pla Mook Haeng). That’s if you like this kind of local treats 😀
What’s Not So Good
Not much considering what you get in return:
James Bond island is a big tourist attraction, and the place is full of vendors selling all kinds of souvenir, just the way it is everywhere around the world.
The place gets crowded at high season, with lots of long tail boats and lots of people posing in front of the rock, you know the sill shot similar to the Pisa Tower: “oh look! I’m holding it!’. Fun times 🙂"
Read more at https://www.phuket101.net/james-bond-island/
"The Phi Phi islands are some of the loveliest in Southeast Asia. Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferryboat ride from either Phuket or Krabi, these picture postcard islands offer the ultimate tropical getaway. Featuring classic tropical beaches, stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life, it is paradise perfected. Phi Phi is a group of six islands. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The larger and inhabited Phi Phi Don attracts hundreds of visitors to stay on its lovely shores while the smaller uninhabited Phi Phi Leh hosts stunningly beautiful bays and beaches, including the world-famous Maya Bay, which was the set where The Beach (with Leonardo Di Caprio) was filmed."
Read more at: http://www.phiphi.phuket.com/?cid=ch:OTH:001
232 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Phi phi island
"The Phi Phi islands are some of the loveliest in Southeast Asia. Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferryboat ride from either Phuket or Krabi, these picture postcard islands offer the ultimate tropical getaway. Featuring classic tropical beaches, stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life, it is paradise perfected. Phi Phi is a group of six islands. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The larger and inhabited Phi Phi Don attracts hundreds of visitors to stay on its lovely shores while the smaller uninhabited Phi Phi Leh hosts stunningly beautiful bays and beaches, including the world-famous Maya Bay, which was the set where The Beach (with Leonardo Di Caprio) was filmed."
Read more at: http://www.phiphi.phuket.com/?cid=ch:OTH:001
"A distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay are the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds at James Bond and Koh Panyee, is to take one of the boat trips from the northern end of Phuket. A leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour.
James Bond Island
This famous landmark, called Koh Ta-pu ('Nail Island'), first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie 'The Man With the Golden Gun'. And this is where most tours seem to take all of the tourists - all at the same time. The entire area surrounding this island with its signature rocky pinnacle is indeed spectacular, but most of the tours bus visitors up the main highway for an hour on the same well-worn itinerary. An integral part of that tour is lunch at Koh Panyee, a nearby Muslim fishing village.
Koh Panyee
This is a remarkable village, the whole of it built out over water on stilts and with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear. At lunchtime, many tourists on the James Bond Island tours are brought in to eat and shop for handicrafts. Koh Panyee is a small island. Most of it is huge, almost vertical, limestone cliffs. The hundreds of huts, shacks, restaurants and houses where the villagers live are built on stilts over the surrounding shallow sea. No one seems quite sure how many wooden and concrete piles hold up this extraordinary community, but it is certainly a fascinating and unique feat of informal engineering. At first, fishing was the sole industry for this Muslim community but nowadays it is No 2. These days, half the locals service the tourism industry and 40% are still fisherman. The village has its own school, a mosque, a health center, lots of small souvenir shops and a handful of large restaurants, all facing the sea, where tourists can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint has very quickly gone from being practically unheard of to one of the most popular panoramas in Phang Nga. Located on a hilltop just a 30-minute drive from Phuket, it provides stunning views over the limestone islets of Phang Nga Bay and, being far enough away from civilisation to avoid light pollution, the Milky Way is even visible at certain times. The view is a breathtaking 180-degree panorama facing due east, making it particularly striking at sunrise. You look out at a chain of islands stretching out of sight to both the left and right in the waters of Phang Nga Bay, across about 1.6km of mangroves. The sun rises between the limestone karsts at about 05:30 to 06:00, depending on the time of year. This is often preceded by the awe-inspiring sight of the centre of our own galaxy, clearly visible overhead, though this also depends on the season.
Cruising Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a great place for boating. The interesting limestone cliffs create a picturesque backdrop and there are many safe places to anchor. The fact that it's protected from both the Northeast and the Southwest monsoon seasons means that its waters remain calm year-round, which adds to the appeal of its scenic wonders and abundant wildlife.
Limestone Cliffs of Phang Nga Bay
Limestone is calcium carbonate, which is generally white. Over millions of years, the skeletons from a constant rain of marine organisms, plus the chemical precipitation of yet more calcium carbonate build thick layers of sediment. Eventually, the heat and pressure of their own weight turn these strata, hundreds of metres thick, to stone. A variety of geological forces have then fractured the limestone beds and pushed up the 40 steep-sided islands that provide the exotic scenery for which this shallow bay is noted. Mineral oxides from various sources paint the vari-coloured streaks that characterise the cliffs of Phang Nga Bay.
Hongs of Phang Nga
And there are lost worlds awaiting discovery. It wasn't many years ago that aerial surveys first revealed the Hong, or 'rooms', that lie inside some of Phang Nga's islands. These fabulous microcosms, hidden realms rich in unspoiled flora and fauna, are collapsed cave systems open to the sky and surrounded by towering limestone walls. Try sea-kayaking, where you paddle sturdy plastic boats through caves into the mysterious hearts of islands such as Koh Panak and Koh Hong.
Getting to Phang Nga Bay
It's possible to see many of the bay's attractions in a single day. A launch from any point along the east coast of Phuket will take you immediately into Phang Nga Bay. There are also a number of launching sites on the Phang Nga province mainland, including the Ka Sohm Pier in Takua Thung district just south of Phang Nga Town. Most visit the area by booking a long-tail or speedboat day trip, joining a cruise or canoeing tour, or chartering a yacht. Other Islands in Phang Nga Bay Most of the islands are uninhabited. Many of them have spectacular caves which you can only reach by an inflatable kayak. Koh Hong is one of the most popular of these islands. Khao Khien near Koh Panyee is worth sailing past to see the ancient paintings of boats and animals on the rock walls. One of the few inhabited islands, Koh Maak, sits near the top of the bay and is home to a small community of fisherfolk who maintain a traditional way of life - it's not part of any tour itinerary and it is recommended to bring your own food and supplies if visiting since there are no facilities for tourists. There are also no places to stay here."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/island/phangnga.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Phang Nga Bay
"A distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay are the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds at James Bond and Koh Panyee, is to take one of the boat trips from the northern end of Phuket. A leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour.
James Bond Island
This famous landmark, called Koh Ta-pu ('Nail Island'), first found its way onto the international map through its starring role in the James Bond movie 'The Man With the Golden Gun'. And this is where most tours seem to take all of the tourists - all at the same time. The entire area surrounding this island with its signature rocky pinnacle is indeed spectacular, but most of the tours bus visitors up the main highway for an hour on the same well-worn itinerary. An integral part of that tour is lunch at Koh Panyee, a nearby Muslim fishing village.
Koh Panyee
This is a remarkable village, the whole of it built out over water on stilts and with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear. At lunchtime, many tourists on the James Bond Island tours are brought in to eat and shop for handicrafts. Koh Panyee is a small island. Most of it is huge, almost vertical, limestone cliffs. The hundreds of huts, shacks, restaurants and houses where the villagers live are built on stilts over the surrounding shallow sea. No one seems quite sure how many wooden and concrete piles hold up this extraordinary community, but it is certainly a fascinating and unique feat of informal engineering. At first, fishing was the sole industry for this Muslim community but nowadays it is No 2. These days, half the locals service the tourism industry and 40% are still fisherman. The village has its own school, a mosque, a health center, lots of small souvenir shops and a handful of large restaurants, all facing the sea, where tourists can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint has very quickly gone from being practically unheard of to one of the most popular panoramas in Phang Nga. Located on a hilltop just a 30-minute drive from Phuket, it provides stunning views over the limestone islets of Phang Nga Bay and, being far enough away from civilisation to avoid light pollution, the Milky Way is even visible at certain times. The view is a breathtaking 180-degree panorama facing due east, making it particularly striking at sunrise. You look out at a chain of islands stretching out of sight to both the left and right in the waters of Phang Nga Bay, across about 1.6km of mangroves. The sun rises between the limestone karsts at about 05:30 to 06:00, depending on the time of year. This is often preceded by the awe-inspiring sight of the centre of our own galaxy, clearly visible overhead, though this also depends on the season.
Cruising Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a great place for boating. The interesting limestone cliffs create a picturesque backdrop and there are many safe places to anchor. The fact that it's protected from both the Northeast and the Southwest monsoon seasons means that its waters remain calm year-round, which adds to the appeal of its scenic wonders and abundant wildlife.
Limestone Cliffs of Phang Nga Bay
Limestone is calcium carbonate, which is generally white. Over millions of years, the skeletons from a constant rain of marine organisms, plus the chemical precipitation of yet more calcium carbonate build thick layers of sediment. Eventually, the heat and pressure of their own weight turn these strata, hundreds of metres thick, to stone. A variety of geological forces have then fractured the limestone beds and pushed up the 40 steep-sided islands that provide the exotic scenery for which this shallow bay is noted. Mineral oxides from various sources paint the vari-coloured streaks that characterise the cliffs of Phang Nga Bay.
Hongs of Phang Nga
And there are lost worlds awaiting discovery. It wasn't many years ago that aerial surveys first revealed the Hong, or 'rooms', that lie inside some of Phang Nga's islands. These fabulous microcosms, hidden realms rich in unspoiled flora and fauna, are collapsed cave systems open to the sky and surrounded by towering limestone walls. Try sea-kayaking, where you paddle sturdy plastic boats through caves into the mysterious hearts of islands such as Koh Panak and Koh Hong.
Getting to Phang Nga Bay
It's possible to see many of the bay's attractions in a single day. A launch from any point along the east coast of Phuket will take you immediately into Phang Nga Bay. There are also a number of launching sites on the Phang Nga province mainland, including the Ka Sohm Pier in Takua Thung district just south of Phang Nga Town. Most visit the area by booking a long-tail or speedboat day trip, joining a cruise or canoeing tour, or chartering a yacht. Other Islands in Phang Nga Bay Most of the islands are uninhabited. Many of them have spectacular caves which you can only reach by an inflatable kayak. Koh Hong is one of the most popular of these islands. Khao Khien near Koh Panyee is worth sailing past to see the ancient paintings of boats and animals on the rock walls. One of the few inhabited islands, Koh Maak, sits near the top of the bay and is home to a small community of fisherfolk who maintain a traditional way of life - it's not part of any tour itinerary and it is recommended to bring your own food and supplies if visiting since there are no facilities for tourists. There are also no places to stay here."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/island/phangnga.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket have very rapidly become very popular as the attitude towards animal-based attractions changes. The emphasis at these camps is on ethical, animal-friendly interaction with these majestic creatures, many of whom have been rescued or retired from the local logging and elephant trekking industries. The welfare of the residents is often the first priority of such places. If meeting elephants up close is on your bucket list for your trip to Phuket, these parks are the best places to do so in a way which causes the minimum harm and disturbance to them. You will also learn far more about the gentle giants than you would from a short ride on their back, and both you and the elephants are far more likely to have a fun time together.
1 Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the pioneer of ethical elephant tourism in the area and goes to great pains to create as natural and peaceful an environment as possible for their residents. While you can watch and walk with the majestic creatures and learn a lot about the individuals, interaction beyond that is kept to a strict minimum. There are morning and afternoon tours available and you can volunteer at the sanctuary for six days. Read More... Opening Hours: 10:00 – 13:00 Location: Collection from Monkey Pod Café, Paklok Tel: +66 (0)94 990 3649 Website: https://www.facebook.com/phuketelephantsanctuary
2 Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Phuket Naithon Beach Elephant Jungle Sanctuary was among the first of the ethical elephant attractions in Thailand in their Chiang Mai location. Now boasting three venues (Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya), their half-day visits are the cheapest in the area. You will be allowed to touch, feed and photograph the elephants, as well as giving them a mud bath and then a rinse in the river. Collection from your Phuket hotel is included in the price of the tour. Opening Hours: 08:30 – 18:30 Location: Hills behind Naithon Beach Tel: +66 (0)94 663 6592 Website: https://www.facebook.com/ejsinphuket
3 Elephant Retirement Park Phuket Bangtao Beach
The Elephant Retirement Park still allows quite a lot of physical interaction with their residents, including giving them a mud bath and a wash. However, they still take the welfare of the elephants seriously, allowing only small groups and no riding. Aside from the usual morning and afternoon tours, there are also special private and corporate packages as well as volunteer programmes for up to three days. Collection from your hotel anywhere in Phuket is included in the price. Opening Hours: 07:30 – 17:00 Location: Soi Cherngtalay 1, Bangtao Tel: +66 (0)7 608 945, +66 (0)90 321 8958 Website: https://www.facebook.com/elephantretirementparkphuket
4 Phang Nga Elephant Park Phang Nga
Phang Nga Elephant Park is about an hour’s drive from Phuket, but transfers are available to get you there for the morning or afternoon tours. Their “Elephant Experience” packages include feeding and bathing the residents and, uniquely, riding on their necks like a mahout, which is significantly less harmful than the old style of riding right on the spine. This is only available for those over the age of seven. Children under that age can have the “Kids Elephant Experience”, which is much gentler. Opening Hours: 09:30 – 18:00 Location: Route 3059, Phang Nga Tel: +66 (0)85 351 5536 Website: https://www.facebook.com/phangngaelephantpark
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/phuket-magazine/elephant-sanctuaries-phuket.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
Elephant Sanctuary
Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket have very rapidly become very popular as the attitude towards animal-based attractions changes. The emphasis at these camps is on ethical, animal-friendly interaction with these majestic creatures, many of whom have been rescued or retired from the local logging and elephant trekking industries. The welfare of the residents is often the first priority of such places. If meeting elephants up close is on your bucket list for your trip to Phuket, these parks are the best places to do so in a way which causes the minimum harm and disturbance to them. You will also learn far more about the gentle giants than you would from a short ride on their back, and both you and the elephants are far more likely to have a fun time together.
1 Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the pioneer of ethical elephant tourism in the area and goes to great pains to create as natural and peaceful an environment as possible for their residents. While you can watch and walk with the majestic creatures and learn a lot about the individuals, interaction beyond that is kept to a strict minimum. There are morning and afternoon tours available and you can volunteer at the sanctuary for six days. Read More... Opening Hours: 10:00 – 13:00 Location: Collection from Monkey Pod Café, Paklok Tel: +66 (0)94 990 3649 Website: https://www.facebook.com/phuketelephantsanctuary
2 Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Phuket Naithon Beach Elephant Jungle Sanctuary was among the first of the ethical elephant attractions in Thailand in their Chiang Mai location. Now boasting three venues (Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya), their half-day visits are the cheapest in the area. You will be allowed to touch, feed and photograph the elephants, as well as giving them a mud bath and then a rinse in the river. Collection from your Phuket hotel is included in the price of the tour. Opening Hours: 08:30 – 18:30 Location: Hills behind Naithon Beach Tel: +66 (0)94 663 6592 Website: https://www.facebook.com/ejsinphuket
3 Elephant Retirement Park Phuket Bangtao Beach
The Elephant Retirement Park still allows quite a lot of physical interaction with their residents, including giving them a mud bath and a wash. However, they still take the welfare of the elephants seriously, allowing only small groups and no riding. Aside from the usual morning and afternoon tours, there are also special private and corporate packages as well as volunteer programmes for up to three days. Collection from your hotel anywhere in Phuket is included in the price. Opening Hours: 07:30 – 17:00 Location: Soi Cherngtalay 1, Bangtao Tel: +66 (0)7 608 945, +66 (0)90 321 8958 Website: https://www.facebook.com/elephantretirementparkphuket
4 Phang Nga Elephant Park Phang Nga
Phang Nga Elephant Park is about an hour’s drive from Phuket, but transfers are available to get you there for the morning or afternoon tours. Their “Elephant Experience” packages include feeding and bathing the residents and, uniquely, riding on their necks like a mahout, which is significantly less harmful than the old style of riding right on the spine. This is only available for those over the age of seven. Children under that age can have the “Kids Elephant Experience”, which is much gentler. Opening Hours: 09:30 – 18:00 Location: Route 3059, Phang Nga Tel: +66 (0)85 351 5536 Website: https://www.facebook.com/phangngaelephantpark
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/phuket-magazine/elephant-sanctuaries-phuket.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
Fun Activities
Do you love the exotic flavours of Thai food? Want to learn the secrets of authentic Thai cooking? What better place than right here in Phuket. Courses range from simple introductions that give you a taste of the basics of Thai cooking all the way to intensive classes that can turn you into a master chef. The knowledge of Thai cooking is a souvenir that will last your entire life and enable you to re-live your Phuket holiday on the rainiest of days. Thai cooking courses are taught by highly experienced and well-regarded Thai chefs who can teach you about ingredients, techniques and the all-important balance of flavours. Cooking classes in Phuket are available all year round. Please check below for details.
Blue Elephant Cooking Class Phuket Town
The Blue Elephant Cooking Class is part of the well-known Blue Elephant Restaurant in Phuket, and is the place to come if you want to learn how to cook traditional Thai dishes with a range of knowledgeable and seasoned local instructors. Classes here begin at either 08:45 or 13:30 and run from three to five hours, depending on the type of class you choose. The morning class comes with a trip to the nearby market, where you can learn all about local ingredients and how they are used in Thai cookery. If you choose the afternoon class, this does not come with a market tour, but you will get to learn all about the theory of Thai flavours and cooking techniques.
Opening Hours: 08:45 – 22:30 Location: 96 Krabi Road, Phuket Town Tel: +66 (0)7 635 4355-7 Website: https://www.facebook.com/BlueElephantPhuket
Dusit Laguna Phuket Bangtao Beach
Thai cookery classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon from 15:00 to 17:00. Students will learn from a master of Royal Thai Cuisine as they teach a different four course menu every day. Students will also receive a Dusit Laguna apron as well as class folders which include instructions and illustrated recipes.
Contact Guest Activities at +66 (0)7 632 4324 Ext. 2855 for registration and complete menu details.
Organic Thai Cooking Rawai
Organic Thai Cooking offers a fun and informative day learning how to prepare and cook some of Thailand's most delicious dishes. Classes include a visit to a Thai outdoor market with all its colours, scents and sounds, giving you an authentic look into a very interesting part of Thai culture and showing you all the available fresh produce and spices. They will also show you around their organic garden farm and you’ll be surprised at how many vegetables can be grown in such a small area through the use of simple techniques, totally pesticide free. Class sizes with a maximum of three students are very small, ensuring a highly personalized and quality experience.
Opening Hours: Classes are run daily from 08.30 to 13.00 Address: 76/3 Moo 2, Soi Cokmakam, Rawai, Phuket 83100 Tel: 089 970 1797 or 076 288 258 Website: http://www.organicthaicooking.com/
Phuket Thai Cooking Academy Kathu Phuket
Thai Cooking Academy makes cooking Thai food fun. They offer professional hands-on classes in– beginner cooking classes, vegetarian classes, private classes and advanced cooking classes. Fruit carving and team building events are also available. Their English and Chinese-speaking Thai chefs will teach you authentic Thai cooking in a comfortable and scenic school which is conveniently located five minutes from Patong Beach in Kathu. They offer free transportation, recipes, and certificate of achievement for every student. They teach Thailand’s most popular food Monday thru Saturday with two classes daily.
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 from Monday to Saturday Location: On the road leading to Kathu Waterfall
Pum Cooking School Patong Beach
Pum Restaurant emphasize simplicity: dishes are based on traditional Thai Cuisine adapted for a modern, fast paced world. They will teach how to recreate recipes you have learnt here in Phuket, in the comfort of your own home by keeping things simple and using only fresh, natural ingredient that can be found in most countries today. You won't need any basic skills or any knowledge to start, young Thai teachers will very kindly explain the used ingredients then guide you through the surprisingly simple process of cooking. Soon you will discover the pleasure of cooking yourself a delicious dish you problably had last night in your favourite Thai restaurant and you will be your own judge... simply delicious. Classes are run daily and offers several options, most popular will allow to choose 3 o 4 of your favourite Thai dishes and last 3 to 6 hours. A recipe book and a certificate will be given according to chosen option.
Price Range: Starts 900 Baht.
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/dining/index_cooking.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School Phuket
66 Nanai RdDo you love the exotic flavours of Thai food? Want to learn the secrets of authentic Thai cooking? What better place than right here in Phuket. Courses range from simple introductions that give you a taste of the basics of Thai cooking all the way to intensive classes that can turn you into a master chef. The knowledge of Thai cooking is a souvenir that will last your entire life and enable you to re-live your Phuket holiday on the rainiest of days. Thai cooking courses are taught by highly experienced and well-regarded Thai chefs who can teach you about ingredients, techniques and the all-important balance of flavours. Cooking classes in Phuket are available all year round. Please check below for details.
Blue Elephant Cooking Class Phuket Town
The Blue Elephant Cooking Class is part of the well-known Blue Elephant Restaurant in Phuket, and is the place to come if you want to learn how to cook traditional Thai dishes with a range of knowledgeable and seasoned local instructors. Classes here begin at either 08:45 or 13:30 and run from three to five hours, depending on the type of class you choose. The morning class comes with a trip to the nearby market, where you can learn all about local ingredients and how they are used in Thai cookery. If you choose the afternoon class, this does not come with a market tour, but you will get to learn all about the theory of Thai flavours and cooking techniques.
Opening Hours: 08:45 – 22:30 Location: 96 Krabi Road, Phuket Town Tel: +66 (0)7 635 4355-7 Website: https://www.facebook.com/BlueElephantPhuket
Dusit Laguna Phuket Bangtao Beach
Thai cookery classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon from 15:00 to 17:00. Students will learn from a master of Royal Thai Cuisine as they teach a different four course menu every day. Students will also receive a Dusit Laguna apron as well as class folders which include instructions and illustrated recipes.
Contact Guest Activities at +66 (0)7 632 4324 Ext. 2855 for registration and complete menu details.
Organic Thai Cooking Rawai
Organic Thai Cooking offers a fun and informative day learning how to prepare and cook some of Thailand's most delicious dishes. Classes include a visit to a Thai outdoor market with all its colours, scents and sounds, giving you an authentic look into a very interesting part of Thai culture and showing you all the available fresh produce and spices. They will also show you around their organic garden farm and you’ll be surprised at how many vegetables can be grown in such a small area through the use of simple techniques, totally pesticide free. Class sizes with a maximum of three students are very small, ensuring a highly personalized and quality experience.
Opening Hours: Classes are run daily from 08.30 to 13.00 Address: 76/3 Moo 2, Soi Cokmakam, Rawai, Phuket 83100 Tel: 089 970 1797 or 076 288 258 Website: http://www.organicthaicooking.com/
Phuket Thai Cooking Academy Kathu Phuket
Thai Cooking Academy makes cooking Thai food fun. They offer professional hands-on classes in– beginner cooking classes, vegetarian classes, private classes and advanced cooking classes. Fruit carving and team building events are also available. Their English and Chinese-speaking Thai chefs will teach you authentic Thai cooking in a comfortable and scenic school which is conveniently located five minutes from Patong Beach in Kathu. They offer free transportation, recipes, and certificate of achievement for every student. They teach Thailand’s most popular food Monday thru Saturday with two classes daily.
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 from Monday to Saturday Location: On the road leading to Kathu Waterfall
Pum Cooking School Patong Beach
Pum Restaurant emphasize simplicity: dishes are based on traditional Thai Cuisine adapted for a modern, fast paced world. They will teach how to recreate recipes you have learnt here in Phuket, in the comfort of your own home by keeping things simple and using only fresh, natural ingredient that can be found in most countries today. You won't need any basic skills or any knowledge to start, young Thai teachers will very kindly explain the used ingredients then guide you through the surprisingly simple process of cooking. Soon you will discover the pleasure of cooking yourself a delicious dish you problably had last night in your favourite Thai restaurant and you will be your own judge... simply delicious. Classes are run daily and offers several options, most popular will allow to choose 3 o 4 of your favourite Thai dishes and last 3 to 6 hours. A recipe book and a certificate will be given according to chosen option.
Price Range: Starts 900 Baht.
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/dining/index_cooking.htm?cid=ch:OTH:001
"Phuket is the base for sailing the Andaman Sea, and there are few places on earth that compare to the Andaman Sea when it comes to sailing. The Andaman Sea, with Phuket as its hub, will always be Thailand's reigning maritime jewel. Here we find some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the region, crystal clear waters and stunning geography. The diversity of this geography is also a powerful attraction. Phuket has emerged as the star performer in Thailand's thriving tourism industry. Beautiful beaches, a warm winter climate and isolated islands are the core attractions that lure millions of tourists from colder climates each year. These are exactly the kind of attractions that those on boats are much better positioned to seek out and enjoy."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/sailing/?cid=ch:OTH:001
Sailing Yachtcharter Phuket
Soi 7 6 / 51"Phuket is the base for sailing the Andaman Sea, and there are few places on earth that compare to the Andaman Sea when it comes to sailing. The Andaman Sea, with Phuket as its hub, will always be Thailand's reigning maritime jewel. Here we find some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the region, crystal clear waters and stunning geography. The diversity of this geography is also a powerful attraction. Phuket has emerged as the star performer in Thailand's thriving tourism industry. Beautiful beaches, a warm winter climate and isolated islands are the core attractions that lure millions of tourists from colder climates each year. These are exactly the kind of attractions that those on boats are much better positioned to seek out and enjoy."
Read more at: http://www.phuket.com/sailing/?cid=ch:OTH:001