Phuket Island is one of the most popular travel destinations of Thailand. One of the main reasons why so many tourists visit each year is because it has some of the finest beaches in all of Asia. If you love beach holidays then you should definitely consider visiting this magnificent island on vacation.
Phuket has a large number of beautiful white sandy beaches and most of these amazing beaches are located on the west coast of the island. If you are planning a trip to this Thai holiday island then there are several beaches which you should definitely visit and spend some time at. I have listed for you some of the best locations down below.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn beach is my favorite beach on on the island and many expats prefer to spend their free days at this spectacular beach. There are only a few resorts at Nai Harn beach which is why you won’t feel crowded at this beach. There are however a number of great little seafood restaurants at this destination and prices are generally very affordable. If you are looking for activities then you will also be happy at this excellent beach as there is a number of water sport companies located at this beautiful location on the island.
Surin Beach
Another very popular Phuket beach among the expat population is Surin beach which is located between Laguna and Kamala bay. This long white sandy beach is also home to some of the finest seafood restaurants of the island. This wonderful location generally only gets a bit crowded during the high season. There are a few resorts located in the Surin area however this area of the island is generally better known for its high end real estate projects.
PatongBeach
Patongbeach is one of the most crowded beaches however many travelers certainly seem to prefer this. You will never get bored at this location as there are plenty of vendors, massage ladies and water sport companies offering you jet skiing, water skiing and parasailing. If you enjoy shopping then please note that there are plenty of shops and boutiques which line the main road of Patong.
Kata Beach
One of the most popular beaches is most certainly Kata which is located just south of Patong. Kata is one of the longest beaches of Phuket so you can enjoy up to a certain level of privacy when spending the day at Kata. The water of the Andaman Sea is generally very calm during the tourist high season. During the low season there are some waves and during this period of the year you will find local surfers hanging out at this wonderful location.
One question we are constantly asked is if you have to obtain permission from the government before purchasing property. To buy a condo or apartment in Thailand is very simple if you’re a non-Thai. Most projects have a 51%-49% ownership rule. If the Building is over 51% Thai owned, a foreigner can purchase and own the condo or apartment freehold. If not, you must purchase the apartment as a 30 year lease. Check with the local land office before you purchase if you are unsure about the title deed.
Buying direct from the developer has several advantages: you will get to see a range of properties in Thailand that suit your requirements; you have the benefit of many years experience, as well as a English speaking office to support you in your home country; it may help eliminate any possible misunderstandings; and it helps takes away the stress associated with purchasing in Thailand or abroad.
Transactions and payments are simply made by wiring from you home bank account. It’s always better to let the Thai banks convert your money in Thailand then to let you home bank to convert it to Baht before you wire. This tip along can save you thousands of dollars when you go to wire a large amount. Some developers can “lock in” a rate for you before you wire. Make sure you can communicate with your agent by MSN chat, Skype or text message in case you have any last minute questions while at the bank.
The Thai currency system is based on the decimal system. One That Baht is divided into 100 satangs. Coins range in value from ten baht to 25 satangs and six bank notes are in circulation: 10, 20, 50,100,500 and 1000. Always keep lots of small bills as it’s a big jump between 100 baht and 500 or a 1000. Most street vendors and taxis can’t make change for 1000 baht.
Personal effects, household goods and furniture may be imported duty free. There is very high duty on importing a car. I believe with the hassle of dealing with Thai customs it’s better to buy what you need inside of Thailand and leave most of your personal effects at home.
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Phuket is a one stop destination for all the beaching activities you would have ever dreamt of, and that too at best prices in the world. Being one of the most famous islands in Thailand, Phuket is an all- time- favorite tourism hub of the country. Made from 40 magnificent beaches, Phuket is all you can ever ask for from a great Asian holiday. But there are certain frequently asked questions when it comes to Phuket tourism, such as, how to get to your location and what are the best accommodation options available. The doubts and questions are natural because the language and culture of the island can make a foreigner feel entirely out of place. So, if you want to get what you really need, then you better know how to enquire for it.
Your primary need is food. You can’t do anything about it unless you get to the place. Moreover, it is related to the subsequent factor we are about to see. Next in line comes stay. Yes, it is the accommodation part that eats away the biggest chunk of your holiday budget. And when you are on a long distance vacation, you need a truly comfortable place to stay in, something exceptionally relaxing and replenishing. So watch out for some great accommodation plans before you set out on your Thai vacation. As with everything else you do, start searching online for feasible Phuket hotels, spas, resorts and restaurants. Rendering online information on tourism has become a fast growing marketing venture, so get ready to be snowed under a horde of websites and tourism portals. Browse through some of the better looking ones and do some serious reading. Believe me, in terms of foreign tours, nothing can be more helpful than educating oneself about the targeted destinations. By this way, you can learn about the most visited beaches in Phuket, their activities and entertainment options. You would be in a better position to get your plans streamlined with respect to food, accommodation and beach entertainment.
If you are traveling alone then Patong is your best option as it is cheap and loads of fun. People from all over Phuket drop in at this spot either for cheap shopping or simply to experience the famous Thai massage. But if you are with your family and you need a family-friendly beach, then watch out for Karon hotels and resorts. Karon is one of the most beautiful and most tranquil beaches in the whole of Phuket. There are several family hotels and resorts in Karon that offer great stay at great prices. Making your bookings online can let you grab some great discount offers. Look out for seasonal offers too, if you haven’t yet made your fixed plans. Opt for a hotel with spa services because spas in this region are well known for their special Thai treatments. Plan now and start early, you can indisputably put together great savings from this year’s Asian vacation.
You may trek wearing flip-flops with a t-shirt, but wearing them may not protect you from the branches in the jungle or from sun or protect your feet from getting hurt and sore. You have to follow some tips to trek safely in Thailand.
Footwear is very important for the trekkers. Get footwear which is strong. The terrain in Thailand will be wet and muddy. That is why the feet have to be protected. You can go with sturdy sandals, but see that the grip is good. While trekking in a jungle, you may land on the sharp objects. So, it is better to wear strong footwear. The climate is hot, humidity is unbearable and the weather is sticky. So, take a shower after trekking and change your clothes. Take clothes which are cotton and loose.
Binoculars are the must when trekking across Thailand. In case you forget to carry a pair, there is nothing to worry because you can get them in Phuket, Bangkok or Patong for reasonable rates before you start out. You can have a look at the Elephant Hills. The mountains are full of wildlife, hornbills and monkeys.
Carry a mosquito spray to protect yourself from mosquitoes. These mosquitoes do not cause malaria, but they can be irritating and cause you discomfort in the night. If you have scratched yourself after a mosquito bite and it is not healing, then do not stay in the humid climate.
Torch is also important to carry especially when you are out in the wilderness. The nights are darkest in Khao Sok. So, torch will definitely come handy when you are out trekking and camping.
Medication is also important because you will have no access to a drugstore when you are in the wilderness. Carry all the necessary pills for headache, indigestion, and cough. Also, make sure that you are carrying some antiseptic ointment, bandages and band aids. Do not forget to carry a pocketknife. You never know when you may need it!
Make sure you carry all the above mentioned things when you are out trekking in Thailand. This will ensure that your trek goes of smoothly without any problems.
Phuket is a tropical Thai holiday island and is one of the premier travel destinations in the world. The beaches of Phuket are well known for their white sandy beaches lined with gracious palm and coconut trees.
Most tourists staying on Phuket during their holiday unfortunately only visit the beach located closest to their hotel. It is a shame as there are so many beautiful beaches which the tourists could visit. The best way to see all the beautiful beaches is by renting a motorbike or jeep and by simply driving up and down the coast line as travelers will encounter countless beautiful and deserted beaches.
Some of the nicest beaches of Phuket are those mentioned below.
Bang Tao
The beautiful Bang Tao beach is located next to the upscale Phuket Laguna complex where a number of excellent 5 star hotels are located.
Kamala
Kamala beach is one of the most popular beaches and is located only a few minutes drive from Patongbeach. Travelers looking for a beach area which offers a peaceful surrounding should consider booking a hotel or resort in the beach resort area of Kamala.
Karon
The most popular after Patongbeach is Karon beach and is located just south of Patong. Karon has a long beach and numerous resorts line this beach. Tourists visitingwith children often prefer the somewhat laidback atmosphere that Karon beach has to offer.
Patong
Patongbeach is the busiest of all the beaches of Phuket. The vast majority of entertainment and business venues are located in Patongbeach. If travelers are looking for a beach resort area where they can party until the early hours of the morning then Patongbeach is the ideal choice for them.
Surin
One of the most upscale Phuket beach areas is the area around Surin beach. If tourists do visit Surin beach then they should definitely try the excellent and inexpensive seafood which is served at the Surin beach side restaurants.
Phuket Thailand has many attractions one can discover either on day trips or longer. The Beaches are by far the biggest attraction to Phuket because it has many beaches for one to explore. You can keep yourself busy all year round with the many attractions in Phuket other than just the beaches however.
Taking day trips can be a lot of fun. I have rented long tail boat and gone to the many different islands that are about thirty minute boat rides from the many different piers on island. It’s not hard to find a long tail boat as even many of the beaches have them lined up just off shore. A day trip is very inexpensive and will remind you of a time when life was simple and uncomplicated.
Rubber tree plantations are plentiful on the island and watching and learning how locals make latex from the rubber trees is educational as well as interesting. This age old tradition can also be viewed at night where the Thais find it cooler to work at night or work it as a secondary or night job to supplement their income.
Taking a sea canoe off the eastern part of Phukets calm waters to go cave exploring can be a fun way to get a little extra sun as well as a good workout. There are many little islands, coves and caves to explore with a canoe off Phuket’s east coast and water is tranquil and turquoise blue.
The island offers many shows also like monkey shows and snake shows. Many bus tours will take you to the caves in Phang Ngn bay and to visit James Bond Island. Another famous day trip is a boat ride out to Phi Phi Island for the day. I find this boat ride rather boring but I have made the trip many times so now I am partial.
If you enjoy Thai boxing, there are several places you can go and watch Thai boxing and even train with the young men. I personally enjoy watching a fight every now and again. The action is real, not staged and the hype is almost as good as wrestling on TV. There is Thai boxing in almost every small town in Phuket.
For those who enjoy the nightlife in Phuket there is none better then that found in PatongBeach. The town has many discos and a nightlife like no place else in the world. Patong has been voted the number one nightlife spot my several men’s magazines. The many beer bars and night spots can be fun to explore is a relaxed and laid back attitude one would expect to find in the islands of the Andaman Sea.
If you find you want to get away from the average tourist hangouts, Phuket town can offer some interesting shows and live entertainment. It even has some great festivals like vegetarian festival and Chinese New Year’s.
I have now lived on the island for several years and grown to call Phuket Home. The island is more than just a great tourist destination; it’s a great place to live.
nunum