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| A great view of Phuket Town, the southern
part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained
by going to the top of Khao Rang Hill, on the city's northwest. There
are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city,
a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse
of grass for picnickers at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya
Ratsada Nupradit the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's
reign. |
| is about 8 kms. outside
town. Take Vichit Songkram Rd., to the Bypass Rd., and turn left,
and drive for about 10 mins. Wat Chalong will be on your left. This
is where stands the cast statue of Luang Por Cham, who helped the
people of Phuket put down the Angyee, or Chinese Coolie, Rebellion
in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues of Luang
Por Chaung, and Luang Por Gluam. Other monks, who were abbots of the
temple during later times, and who are the objects of respect and
recipients of the offerings by Phuket people generally. |
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The beginning of the tin boom during the Nineteenth
Century led to construction of many fine old mansions and shops
still well preserved. The architectural style, typical of the region,
is 
described as Sino-Portuguese and has a strongly Mediterranean chracter.
Shops present a very narrow face on the street but stretch back
a long way. Many, especially on Dibuk Rd., have old wooden doors
with Chinese fretwork carving. Other streets, forming what might
be called "Old Phuket",
with similar structures are Phang-nga, Yaowarat, Thalang, and Krabi,
and a walking tour of the area is easy and delightful. Some other
old European-style buildings of note are the Provincial Hall (Sala
Klang), the Phuket Courthouse (San Changwat), and Nakhon Luang Thai
Bank.
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| More than one hundred species of sea
life are on display at the aquarium, many of them taken from the water
around Phuket. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The aquarium is located
at Cape Panwa, on the island's extreme southeast; admission is 5 Baht
for children and 20 Baht for adults. A Songtaew (local bus) can be
taken from the Talad Sot, or Fresh Market. Tel. (076) 391126. |
| :::Phuket Butterfly Farm
and Aquarium::: |
| Tropical species of butterflies, other
insects, and many kinds of marine life are on display. Located in
Sam Kong about 3 kms. from downtown Phuket. Open daily, 9:00 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m.Tel. (076) 215616, 210861. |
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| A land reclamation project provided
abundant new land now used for parks and public facilities at Sapan
Hin, located where Phuket Rd., meets the sea in Phuket Town. In the
circle is the Tin Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit,
dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the Australian
who brought the first tin dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was
built in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of tin dredging
in Phuket. The Sport Center is located in the park. |
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| :::Phuket Sea Shell Museum::: |
| Perhaps the world's most valuable
collection of seashells has been put on display at Phuket Seashell
near Rawai Beach on the island's southwestern shores. The emphasis
is on shells from Phuket and Thai waters, which are among the most
sought-after by collectors, however shells from every part of the
world are featured. Wherever they originate, each shell in the Shell
Museum is the best of its type--very often the only of its type. Displays
have been created in a logical order, and visitors can see at once
differing characteristics among related species. There are numerous
rarities and freaks including the world's largest golden pearl (140
karats), large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils
that represent the earth's earliest life-forms, and a shell that weighs
250 kilograms. One of the world's great private museums, the Shell
Museum is open daily from 8:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. For details call
381266, or 381274. |
"Phrom" is Thai for
Hindu "Brahma"signifying purity, and "Thep" means
'God'. Phromthep is a headland stretching into the sea and forming
the extreme south-end of Phuket. It has been prominent feature for
mariners since of early seafarers from the sub-continent, remains
of whose journey's have been found all along the Malay-peninsula's
west coast.
 From
Rawai Beach turn right and go for 2 kms. The cape has tall cliffs
on the south, and was formerly called by local villagers "Leam
Jao" (The Gods' Cape). From the cliffs running down to the boulders
at the sea is a line of palm trees. Emerald green currents swirl in
the deep water and breakers hurl themselves in vain against the rocky
point : it is one of Phuket 's most inspiring vistas. From Promthep
Cape, which is the most beautiful place to catch Phuket's famous sunset,
a road leads northwest to Nai Han Beach. |
| Site of the Chao Ley or Sea Gipsy
village, many restaurants and bungalows, shell handicraft shops, and
both fishing and charter boats to the nearby islands. The beach itself
is suitable for swimming. Rawai is 7 kms. west of Chalong Circle.
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 The
smallest of Phuket's three main tourist beaches, Kata is different
in appearance and style from Karon or Patong. The beach itself is
broad and curving, and structures bordering it are low-rise. The waters
are perfect for swimming, and at the north end is a coral reef with
many varied corals and fishes which stretches out toward Poo Island.,
about 1/2 km off shore. Facilities for every price range include hotels,
bungalows, tour companies, restaurants, bars and clubs. There is regular
bus service to and from Phuket town during daytime. |
| South of Kata is Kata Noi, a smaller
beach with only a few hotels and little other development. The beach
is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the beachless
shoreline stretching south. To get there take the narrow beach road
up over the hill from Kata. |
The second largest of Phuket's principal
tourist beaches. Large resort complexes line the  road
back of the beach, but the strand itself, long and broad, has no development.
The sand is very white, and squeaks audibly when walked on. The southern
point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Poo Island.
Restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses are
at the north end, near the traffic circle, and at the south, on the
little road connecting the back road with the beach road. The narrow
road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses as well
as the Dino Park Mini Golf facility. Karon is the most up-scale of
Phuket's beaches. Regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town.
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| From this point can be seen the bays
of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon, and also Poo Island. It is one of the
island's best views. A large public sala, or shelter is there for
visitors, and several vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs in
the area when the weather is nice. The viewpoint is between Kata and
Nai Han Beach. |
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