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Phuket Travel Guide

Phuket Eclectic, vibrant and enticing

 The largest island in Thailand, Phuket boasts everything from secluded beaches and family-friendly resorts to vibrant nightlife and boutique hotels. Whether you’re coming for the sun, sand and sea or to experience the lively side of Thailand, Phuket will not disappoint. You truly are spoilt for choice when you travel to this eclectic island paradise.

Experience barefoot luxury with waterfall hikes through wildlife-rich forests, exquisite cuisine, vibrant festivals, and breathtaking sunsets over the ocean framing towering Buddhas and mountain-top temples. Here are just five compelling reasons to visit.

1.  Experience the awe-inspiring temples

Phuket is home to stunning temples, ancient Budd, and tranquil shrines that rival those in Bangkok and Chiang Mai The most impressive is the Ming Mongkol Buddha, a majestic 45-meter-high statue made of brilliant white marble, peacefully sitting atop Nakkerd Hill, the picturesque beaches of Karon and Kata. Spend a peaceful afternoon meditating here, as the soft golden light bathes the Buddha and the sun sets in shades of red over the ocean. Numerous smaller temples are scattered throughout the island, from resort towns local villages. Start your day at Wat Chalong to witness locals offering alms to saffron-robed monks in a time-honored ceremony. Participate in morning prayers at the Temple of the Pearl Buddha, enjoy breathtaking views from Doi Thepnimit overlooking Patong Bay, and find before the grand golden Buddhas at Wat Khao Rang and Wat Lipon. All that is asked in return for the serenity is modest attire, respectful silence, and avoiding pointing your feet at statues or touching their heads.

2. Explore the wildlife

You don't have to venture far from Phuket to encounter rare wildlife. The island is dotted with sanctuaries, such as Khao Phra Thaeo in the north, which protects vast area of primary rainforest home to stunning birds like the orange-breasted trogon and blue-winged pitta. Gibbons also inhabit this area, and their calls can be heard in the morning and late afternoon. At the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, you can meet these rescued animals before they are returned to the wild. Phuket also offers a haven for elephants. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary serves as a retirement home for these majestic creatures, allowing you to observe them foraging and socializing in a semi-wild forest, as well as bathing in lakes and rivers. The sanctuary is abundant with bird and primate life and features Thailand's longest canopy walkway, providing visitors with a close-up view of tree-dwelling animals. While Phuket is renowned for its beaches, Mai Khao stands out as island's longest and most picturesque beach, remaining wild enough for nesting Ridley sea turtles that visit from November to April. You can meet hatchlings anditated adults year-round at the Marine Turtle Foundation, where turtle eggs are incubated and young turtles are released back into the ocean.

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3. Embrace Nature's Serenity

Phuket offers a seamless escape into nature with its renowned toes-in-the-sand lifestyle. You can explore numerous coves, bays, and expansive beaches, while vibrant reefs, revitalized during the pandemic, lie just a short swim away. Numerous tour operators in Phuket and the resort areas provide snorkelling and diving adventures. As the beaches transition into mangrove forests, the crystal-clear waters are speckled with limestone islets featuring enchanting sea caves, perfect for kayaking—easily arranged through hotels or local agencies. Hiking trails through the island's lush interior reveal breathtaking lookout points and serene waterfalls that cascade into cool blue pools, attracting butterflies. The tiered Bang Pae and Tong Sai waterfalls in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park are framed by lush foliage, while Kathu flows beside winding jungle paths. You can also find tranquillity with yoga sessions on the beach at sunset or in a serene woodland spa. Treat yourself to a soothing massage, accompanied by the calming sounds of waves, a gentle stream, or chirping birds.​

4. To indulge in the amazing cuisine

When you think of Thailand, food is likely to come to mind: sizzling woks filled with freshly-fried pad Thai, spicy tom ka soups, aromatic kaeng khiao wan curries, and zesty Thai salads. Phuket stands out as one of the country's premier culinary destinations. You can immerse yourself in the vibrant street food markets of the island's historic capital, or enjoy the extensive offerings at the Phuket vegetarian festival held every ninth lunar month (usually September or October), where Chinese-Thai families process through the streets with food and drink offerings for the temples. Phuket also boasts fantastic regional dishes to explore. Don’t miss the gaeng sôm pla (coconut fish curry) at one of the floating restaurants off Coconut Island in the east, or grab a snack of ah-pong (pancakes) or o-aew (jellied bananas) at the night markets in Patong or Malin Plaza. Outside of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket is unmatched for fine dining. Michelin-starred chef Jimmy Ophorst offers exquisite farm-to-table seasonal Asian cuisine at PRU. For a memorable dining experience with a view, head to Mom Tri on Kata beach. Arrive in the late afternoon for refreshing mai tais and breathtaking ocean sunsets, followed by the chef’s signature spicy Thai-European fusion dishes.

5. Connecting with the Locals

 Connecting with the locals has always been a highlight of visiting Phuket. the resorts in Karon to the floating villages of Koh Paynee Phuket greets visitors with the warmth of a Thai smile. After a two-year pause communities are even more eager to welcome guests responsibly and safely in the post-pandemic era. Your visit plays a crucial role in supporting Phuket’s communities economically. Tours to Bang Rong, a quaint fishing village in the north, are truly enjoyable. Fishermen guide you through their restored mangrove forest, funded by ecotourism, which now serves as an essential nursery for marine life, including giant leopard-spotted crabs. You’ll have the chance to learn rubber harvesting, coconut cutting (with a refreshing of juice afterward), and traditional textile painting using age-old pateh batik techniques. After a busy day, indulge in the most delicious tom yod ma praw sweet snacks and the zestiest coconuts in Phuket. In old Phuket Town, you can explore the island's distinctive Thai-Chinese history and culture a guided walk, starting at the Tai Hua Museum and visiting Chinese herb shops and balconied Chi-No houses, where you’ll enjoy a family-style Thai-Chinese meal accompanied by traditional live music.

Stay tuned! Exciting things are on their way, and I can't wait to share them with you. Keep an eye out for updates and content coming soon!

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