Posts Tagged ‘Phuket’

Phuket Remains One of the Favourite Holiday Desitnations in Asia

Taking a vacation is a great way to enhance your mental health, rekindle your relationships, and gain self confidence. But, you could enjoy the full benefits of a vacation only if the location you have chosen for your vacation is mesmerizing.

Location for taking a vacation usually depends upon the personal interest of the travelers. Some may find pleasure in vacationing in hi-fi destinations packed with modern attractions as well as cityscapes while some may prefer to spend their vacation in a tranquil destination. There are also vacationers who would like to tour a destination which are a blend of both modern and old.

Phuket would be perhaps the first location that comes into your mind when you think of a memorable as well as an enjoyable vacation amid serene settings filled with magnificent beaches and action-packed adventures. Dubbed as ‘the Pearl of the Andaman’ or ‘the Pearl of the South,’ Phuket has become a favorite spot among holiday makers from across the world. Bounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and is located about 850 kilometers from the capital city, Bangkok.

With an incredible variety of beaches, the island is truly a haven for beach lovers. Every beach in the island has its own uniqueness. When some are noted for its stunning and serene caves, others may be favored for excellent facilities that they provide to enjoy a range of activities. Most popular among the beaches in the area are Patong, which becomes lively during night, Kamala, Surin, Nai Yang, and Karon and Kata beaches.

All of these together form a paradise for ocean lovers. You just think any of the water sport activities, it would be readily available in the island. Phuket has been rated among the top ten scuba diving destinations in the world. A host of other activities can also be enjoyed here, which among many others, are boating, fishing, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, sailing, sea canoeing, water skiing, para sailing, and swimming.

Apart from these, Phuket is also a popular destination among golf lovers, with a variety of superb golf courses including Phuket Country Club, Banyan Tree Club in Bangtao Beach, Blue Canyon Country Club, and Loch Pam Golf Club, each of them set within the backdrop of lush green mountains and scenic vistas.

Options are also available for travelers who want to experience the indigenous art forms of the region such as Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing, which were once used by warriors to protect the kingdom from external powers. Similarly, if you are weary after a full-day activity in any of the fabulous beaches of the area, then take a refreshing spa massage to rejuvenate your mind and body.

Further, Phuket is a kid friendly destination, with a myriad of options for children such as nature parks and yoga sessions exclusively designed for kids. Above all, Phuket is a shoppers’ paradise, with a myriad of shops selling antique and handicraft items, pearls, gems, jewelry, and apparels. In short, Phuket has something for everyone!

A visit to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a tour to its unbelievable temples and shrines, among which perhaps the most famed is the Wat Chalong, a Buddhist temple with an expansive prayer hall enshrining three statues of most revered monks such as Luang Por Chaem, Luang Por Chuang, and Luang Por Gluam. Also, popular are shrines such as Wat Phranangsang, dedicated to two heroines who defeated Burmese attackers during the Thalang Battle, and Wat Phra Thong, enshrining an enormous half buried image of the Lord Buddha.

Apart from these, make a visit to old Phuket town, which is home to a range of attractions such as Heroine’s Monument and several Sino-Portuguese colonial mansions. To take a peep into the historical past of the region, a great way would be to visit the museums here such as Phuket Sea Shell Museum and Thalang National Museum. Also, while your stay at Phuket take a tour to Khao Phra Thaeo National Park with diverse flora and fauna, Marine Biological Research Centre, Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, with thousands of butterflies, and Promthep Cape.

With these umpteen attractions, the tourism industry in Phuket is steady as well as stable. The destination boasts of accommodation choices to suit every budget and taste. For those who can spend extravagantly for their Phuket vacation, some excellent options are available in the form of hotels attached with high-end facilities and amenities. For those seeking solace and privacy, one of the best options would be to go for accommodation choices such as rental villas inclusive of superb accommodation, transportation facilities, dining options, and maid servants.

Private Villas In The Exotic Dream Destination Phuket

The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.

Located 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South’s wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year – the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23 degree and 33 degree.

Renting a Phuket Villa can be a daunting task, with literally thousands to choose from on the island, and more appearing every day it can be a difficult choice for many. Phuket villas come in all styles, sizes and in different locations around the island, from hill top locations offering panoramic views of the islands and the Andaman Sea, to beach front beach villas providing instant access to powdery white sand and azure calm seas.

When choosing a luxury villa guests must decide whether they want solitude or a more hectic atmosphere with hustle and bustle of street markets and beach activities. Luxury villas on the east coast offer the kind of peace and quiet that is more akin to Samui or Krabi. There is a sense of remoteness here, with traditional Thai fishing villages, and quiet serene beaches dotted along the coast.

The West coast is the far more recognized and notorious part of the island with luxury villas concentrated in Patong, Kamala, and Surin areas. Karon and Kata beaches also have some excellent choices for beach front accommodation. Villa estates such as The Samsara Estate, Phuket Pavilions, Baan Thai Surin Hill and The Plantation are gaining international recognition for their excellence both in terms of quality of surroundings and quality of service and value offered.

More secluded resorts nestle higher up amongst the trees in the center of this island, capitalizing on the wonderful sea and mountain views. With some of the most famous golfing in the world, Phuket villas in these locations are popular options for golfing fanatics. With such a developed infrastructure nothing is more than a 20 minute drive from these hill top locations.

With space becoming a commodity in much of Phuket, the South – once a neglected part of Phuket – is becoming more and more popular and with much more affordable prices than their more famous West coast counterparts. The 40 minute drive from the airport is enough to put most off traveling so far down the island, but those that do find beautiful beaches and headlands, great restaurants and their luxury villas amenities match anything on the island.

As people seek a new getaway for their vacation, resorts including Andaman Cove have become extremely popular offering not only luxury accommodation but amenities such as tennis courts, kid’s clubs and trips to private islands offering their guests that something extra that few other places provide at such great value.

Little Known Secrets of Phuket

Nestled on the balmy waters of the Andaman Sea on the Indian Ocean, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, with roughly the size of Singapore. Located about 850 km south of Bangkok, Phuket is truly an exceptional tourist destination, blessed with lush tropical landscape, palm fringed powdery white sandy beaches, splendid coves and bays, dazzling island-dotted sea, and delightful turn of the century edifices.

The focal point of Phuket is undoubtedly its magnificent beaches, of which many are secluded and were till recently some of the best kept secrets of the island. Even some of them had no names in any of the world map.

Every beach found here has its own uniqueness and charm. Stretching more than 3000 meters, Patong Beach is perhaps the most popular among the Phuket beaches, providing a range of entertainment facilities amid natural settings. Likewise, Nai Harn Beach is an excellent vantage spot for enjoying breathtaking views of tropical sunsets.

Nearby is spectacular Rawai beach, whose surroundings are inhabited by sea gypsies, which is thought to have been the descendants of some of the earliest inhabitants in the island. Also, popular are Karon and Kata beaches, both of them with a fine mix of natural and man made attractions. Other worth mentioning beaches in the area are Kamala Beach, Nakalay Beach, Kalim Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Yanoi Beach, Nui Beach, and Ao Sehn beach.

With these scores of incredible beaches, Phuket is truly a haven for water sport activities such as sailing, sea canoeing, water skiing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, para sailing, boating, swimming, fishing, and jet skiing.

However, the activities that can be enjoyed in Phuket are not just confined to water sports. For instance, for those who want to discover the traditionalism of the island, one of the best choices would be to head any of the centers offering classes in Thai kickboxing, otherwise known as Muay Thai, one of the ancient martial arts of the country used by warriors to safeguard the kingdom from Burmese as well as other powerful invaders.

Nowadays, people from across the globe come here to master this amazing art. This martial art is not only a great way to understand the traditional values of the region but also to enhance your strength, stamina, and endurance.

If you are a golf freak, then excellent 18-hole golf courses designed by world-famous architects are available, including Banyan Tree Club at Bangthao Beach, Phuket Country Club, Blue Canyon Country Club, and Loch Pam Golf Club, all of them enabling you to play golf while enjoying the scenic vistas of lush mountains and crystal Andaman. Also, interesting are activities such as elephant trekking and horse riding. In addition, Phuket boasts of a continuum of options for children in the form of centers conducting kids Yoga, nature parks, and establishments imparting classes to procure knowledge in some interesting crafts.

When comes to sightseeing, options available are truly endless. One of the most popular options for sightseeing in Phuket is its temples and shrines. Of which, most popular is probably the Wat Chalong, a Buddhist shrine that is much famed for its healing powers. The prime draw of the temple is its prayer hall, sanctified with three statues of most revered monks: Luang Por Chaem, Luang Por Gluam, and Luang Por Chuang. Dedicated to two heroines who defeated Burmese attackers during the Thalang Battle, Wat Phranangsang is another popular shrine in the region. Also, a great temple in the region is Wat Phra Thong, with a huge half buried image of the Lord Buddha. Besides, Buddhist temples, many Chinese shrines can also be seen here.

Take a tour to old Phuket town, believed to have been founded in the 1st century BC. The area is packed with an array of incredible cultural spots such as Heroine’s Monument – two statues of Kunying Jan and Thao Sri Suntorn, and several Sino-Portuguese colonial mansions. Also, visit the elegant museums in the region such as Phuket Sea Shell Museum and Thalang National Museum, each of which provides a deep insight into the historical past of the region. Other sightseeing options in Phuket are Khao Phra Thaeo National Park with unique flora and fauna, Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, with thousands of butterflies, Marine Biological Research Centre, an aquarium with unique fish species, and Promthep Cape.

Above all, the island has accommodation to cater to every type of visitor, from budget conscious travelers to the well-heeled. Equally fabulous is the scrumptious Thai cuisines available in the region. Further, the nightlife in Phuket is intoxicating with a plethora of nightclubs, restaurants, and go go bars, of which most popular are Phuket FantaSea and Simon Cabaret.

So, this time, choose the incomparable destination of Phuket as your vacation spot, and set in a thrilling journey to explore the little known secrets of the island!

Phuket Island Continues To Modernize

In 2010, the Thai cabinet approved a budget of ten billion baht (approx US$ 295 million) in funding for the development of Phuket’s tourism industry. Included are new roads and transportation infrastructure, airport expansion, and an international exhibition and convention center. These improvements will enhance tourists’ experiences as well as the vast array of Phuket’s accommodations. New hotel development projects managers and corporations are also becoming more environmentally aware in the process of building and designing resorts.

Phuket Has Unlimited Activities and Hotel Accommodations

One of the more interesting excursions is visiting Surin Island, near Phuket, there is a village here in which the Mogen people live, also known as the sea gypsies. The island is a national park and has a tourist resort at one end. It can only be reached by long tail boat. The village entrance have spirit poles, which have the faces of supernatural beings which protect the village. The villagers live in single room houses on stilts, made of woven bamboo. Each family has a gabong, the traditional boat, made from a hollowed out tree.

There are plenty of popular local things to do on Phuket Island itself.  There are canoeing trips available to explore caves and coastlines around the island. The Phuket Fantasea Show, Simon Cabaret, Promthep Cape Restaurant are other popular places to go. There is also a shrine to Brahma surrounded by thousands of wooden elephants known as the Elephant Shrine. Monkey Hill is a favorite place for locals and travelers to visit. Travelers can get there from Toe Sae Road which leads up to Toe Sae Hill that everyone calls Monkey Hill. Two of the best waterfalls on Phuket are Ton Sai and Bang Pae, they are part of The Khao Praew Thaew National Park.

There are endless entertainment venues offering anything imaginable in nightlife choices. Shopping markets are numerous from local wet markets to modern malls. Watersports of every type including parasailing, jet skiing, and kite boarding are available. Many quieter beaches are waiting to be discovered along the coasts of Phuket Island such as Surin Beach, Pansea Beach, Laem Singh, and Kamala. Rock-climbing is available as well as other interesting excursions such as visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center or The Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Phuket has a tropical climate with two seasons, a wet and a dry monsoon climate.  The Phuket Beach area is made up of Phuket Beach, Phuket Town, Karon Beach and Kata Beach. The temperature ranges from an average of 24ºC to 32ºC. November to March is the high season with less rain and humidity. Low season is May through September when it rains a lot and gets very humid. Songkran is a very popular week-long water festival every mid-April. Make sure to book a room in advance during this time, as thousands of people come here to celebrate. The lifestyle here attracts people to come on a regular yearly basis, so don’t expect to come only once!

Popular Exotic Holiday Destination Phuket

Phuket has long been a popular exotic holiday destination with almost all of the world’s 5 star chains having a hotel or resort located there. Places like Pattaya, Samui and Phuket are now enjoying significant rental yields during the peak season when visitors are willing to pay thousands of dollars per night to accommodate their families in luxury villas. Villa rentals often work out cheaper and are more convenient for families and large groups of people and so are becoming more and more popular, especially amongst European and North American’s as well as wealthy Asians seeking regular breaks from the stresses of daily life.

Phuket is very controlled in terms of the planning and environment. Fittingly the market is dominated by people who invest into a lifestyle. The villas are built to specifically please foreign visitors with large open terraces that run seamlessly into large living quarters and nearly all villas include a swimming pool and excellent amenities. Despite the development on the island of Phuket, the market is still in its infancy, however is set for a large growth period. The island’s growth is guaranteed as the property is resilient to domestic economy fluctuations because most of the investment is from oversea companies. The developers are all established and proven, with only the most professional and dedicated developers surviving the high end market.

Phuket features white sand beaches, clear seas, jungle and waterfalls and no pollution making it a desirable place to holiday at. Traffic, while on the increase, is still insignificant. Over the last 10 years Phuket’s infrastructure has burgeoned with international hospitals, schools, marinas, golf courses, restaurants, bars and shopping malls, offering everything a tourist could need.

Another major benefit is that 32% of the world’s population resides within 5 hours flying time of Phuket. The International airport has increased not only the number of flights from Asian capitol cities but Australasia and Europe too, making the prospect of relaxing holidays in Phuket more appealing for many people. For Europeans the lure of Phuket is helped by the fact that the Mediterranean is pricing itself out of the market for many people, so a few hours further is Phuket, providing more desirable property at a fraction of the cost of European villas. In addition to these benefits is the health system in Phuket and Thailand, again, a fraction of the cost of Europe, North America and Australasia but providing world class service without any waiting times. This provides peace of mind for all people staying in Phuket.

Over the last 10 years Phuket has built up an impressive portfolio of leisure, entertainment, dining and commercial venues, so much so, that Phuket has become Hong Kong’s playground. The islands golf courses are partly responsible for wooing many of these high end buyers. Phuket boasts 5 International golf courses with some of the most scenic and challenging holes in Asia. As the costs of renting property near the sea increases, many villas are now being built inland, located near these gold courses and now developments built along the green pastures of a golf course have become the second most popular choice for lifestyle investors. Other than the attraction of the golf course, other advantages include the seclusion of the property often closer to commercial and entertainment venues.