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| :::Thalang
National Museum ::: |
| Ancient artifacts from Phuket 's long
history are on display; the oldest were found on the west coast. In
addition there are exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang
involving the Two Heroines, daily life in Phuket, and the Sea Gipsy
culture. Tel. (076) 311025, 311426; open daily except holidays 8:30
a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on
the Pa Khlok Rd. |
| :::Phra
Nang Sang Temple::: |
| The grounds of this historic temple
are where the Battle of Thalang took place in 1785. Inside are three
very old statues wrought in tin of the Buddha; they are the largest
in the world and date from a time when tin was regarded as a semi-precious
metal. The bellies of the three big statues each contains a smaller
statue, from which derives their name, "Monks in the Belly"
in local vernacular. or "The Three Kings" in formal language.
Located on Thep Krasatri Rd., in Thalang Town at the tracffic light.
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This temple enshrines a golden
Buddha image that sprang up from beneath the earth long ago. The story
is of a young boy who tied his buffalo to what he thought was a post;
it was in  an
area at that time given over to the raising of animals. After doing
so, he fell down in agony and died. The father of the boy dreamed
that the reason his son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy
buffalo to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was a post was
in reality the golden peak of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his
neighbors the dream and they all went out to dig up the statue but
had no success.
Later, at the time of Thao Thep Kasatri's
heroic defense against the Burmese in 1785, the invaders tried to
succeed where the villagers had failed; their intention was to take
the Buddha image back to Burma. Sacred objects and slaves were then
the most sought after spoils for armies. The Burmese, however, were
unable to retrieve the golden Buddha despite several attempts; they
were finally driven off by a swarm of angry hornets.
After this the villagers decided to protect
their miraculous statue by covering the part that stuck up from the
ground with a plaster cast of Buddha's head and shoulders's which
is the way it is today. Located north of the traffic light on the
outskirts of Thalang Town. A large sign shows the entrance.
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| :::Khao
Phra Thaeo Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center
::: |
22.28 square kilometers of virgin
forest are coverd by this park, which also actively conserves a number
of wild animals; they would otherwise be extinct in fast-growing Phuket.
It is a center for study of the environment. Forest vegetation is
spectacular : Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick with
creepers and climbers of every description.
One species of palm found, the Governor's Palm or
White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs,
barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons,
and many species of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Thaeo serves
also as one of Phuket's most important water sources.
There are two waterfalls of note: |
| Evergreen trees rim this small, curving
bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket's
first golf coures, a nine-hole course laid out more than sixty years
ago during the reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse
except as a park. The steep incline of the beach, turbulent water,
and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim during the rainy
season. Located at the end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west
from the Two Heroines Monument, 24 kms. from Phuket Town. Accommodations
and restaurants are nearby. |
Bangthao is a large open bay with
one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining,
but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied
by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf
course. There are, however, accommodations available outside Laguna
at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the
bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the
mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places to eat, tour companies,
and other tourist facilities available either at Laguna or in the
nearby town of Choeng Thale.
The beach is located off Sri Sunthon Rd., in Choeng
Thale. As for access to Laguna; the south end of the bay may be approached
by taking the road north from Surin Beach. To get to the far north
end from Sri Sunthon Rd., take the road leading to Laguna, but do
not enter, continue on to the town of Bandon where there is an intersection
of asphalted roads, and take the one leading west toward the sea.
This road leads also to Nai Thon Bay and makes a very pleasant drive.
Along the way are some small bays with good swimming and no development.
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| This is where the National Park office
is located. The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined with evergreens
that provide shade to picnicker. The large coral reef is home to many
different species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as a site where
sea turtles come to lay their eggs during the period from November
to February; the population of these has however, dropped off greatly.
First class accommodations are available and small food vendors cater
to the many day trippers. To get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and
look for signs indicating the park entrance. |
| This quiet bay nestled at the foot
of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There are some accommodationes
but virtually no other business. Located between Bang Thao Bay and
Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reachd by taking Thep Krasatri
Rd. Turn at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang
Rd. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Ton. |
| Many kilometers of deserted beach
characterize Mai Khao where there is little tourist business. The
water is fine for swimming during the dry season; the rainy season
brings big waves and strong currents that are dangerous. This lonely
beach is another area where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is also
home to what the Thais call a sea cicada, which is a form of marine
life. To get there go to the northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies
along the road's length |
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