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Guide to Phuket, Thailand
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Phuket
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PhuketOne of the most beautiful islands not only of Thailand, but of all in the Indian Ocean, Phuket is place where culturally astute travelers go to revel in the festivities and activities in its larger cities, and where budget-minded to upscale vacationers go to bask in the rays at its coastal resorts. Phuket is genuine Thailand, but at the same time holds something of a cosmopolitan flair that nothing short of unique. Traverse the trails of its rainforest (or whats left of it) and commiserate with tropical fish on a scuba diving adventure at one of the islands reefs; visit the temples and marketplaces in Patong and Phuket Town. Its all here for you to discover, so book your flight to Phuket today!
When to go:
Temperatures in Phuket fluctuate between 70F and 90F, and rarely dip or rise below either marker. The stretch of months from February to June sees a slight rise in temperatures in relation to the rest of the year, but nothing drastic. Rainfall is low for half of the year, while spring (August-November) brings the water on what seems like a daily basis. Travel during Phukets autumn season and youll experience the best compromise of sunshine and gray skies. Phukets tourism sector receives a noticeable influx of vacationers during this season though, so if youre looking to beat the crowds, you may have to withstand the downpours of spring.
Getting there and around:
Phuket International Airport is like many others on islands in the Indian Ocean belonging to mainland countries. Almost all daily flights coming in and going out of Phuket International are to/from familial cities in Thailand. However, its good news that more and more direct international connections are being made, and today Phuket receives numerous flights from the greater Asian continent, Europe, and the UK. If youre finding it tricky to get a direct flight over to Phuket, youll probably have to make a stop over at Bangkok first.
At arrival, youll find the terminal to be stocked to your liking with all the services and amenities youd expect from a tourist-island airport. Travel to one of Phuket's chief cities, Patong, can be done by taxi, limousine, mini-bus or car rental. Some hotels and almost all resorts offer pick-up and drop-off at the airport.
Phukets towns are designed in a very compact way, allowing you to walk to many of the destinations you choose to visit. If youre thinking of branching out to further reaches, your best bet is a rental car, and your second-best bet is a taxi. These are both the most expensive, but will ensure you a comfortable ride. Most around-town travel is done by mini-bus or open-air bus (song taew).
Attractions:
Phuket is not especially known for architectural marvels; most who visit are in for the beautiful water and beaches. But if you know the island enough, you know its more than just cocktails and bikinis. One of Phukets chief in-land attractions is the Wat Chalong Temple. It was built in dedication to three Monks who allegedly had healing powers. There are two buildings which make up the Wat Chalong Temple complex. The older of the two is dedicated to the three Monks, and the recently-constructed building is a tribute to Buddha, complete with a Buddha Relic at its top.
Another temple known for its legends is the Wat Phra Thong. On-site is a golden Buddha image, which peculiarly is semi-buried in the ground. The legends that have been carried on throughout the generations are that: 1. terrible things will happen to those who try to unearth the buried portion of the image; 2. the image was first discovered by a young boy who unknowingly tied his leashed water buffalo to the image and suddenly died.
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