Thalang
National Museum
The national museum of Phuket
houses antique artifacts from long history of Phuket and exhibits
detailing the famous Battle of Thalang where the
Two Heroines, featured in a statue on the main
road nearby, protected the island from the Burmese
attack
in the 18th
century. The museum also boasts information and displays about daily life in
Phuket, tin mining history, the aboriginal Sea
Gypsy culture and the island's Chinese heritage.
In the main hall is a statue of the Hindu god Vishnu
that was uncovered from forest overgrowth in Phang Nga in the early
1900s. The image dates from the 9th century A.D., showing the Indian
reflection on Thai culture. There are also exhibits on the art, architecture
and history of other parts of Thailand, as well as the ancient
Sukothai kingdom.
Opening hours : every day except
holidays 8.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Entry fee: 30 Baht.
Situated east of the Heroines' Monument on Pa Khlok Road,
north of Phuket Town (Telephone: +66 (0)76 311025, +66 (0)76 311426).
Phuket Sea Shell Museum
This museum has some of the most valuable
seashells from all over the world. Many are the most sought-after
by collectors and are from Phuket and Thai waters. In addition there
are also some rare and odd shells as well as the world's largest
golden pearl (140 karats) and large sections of sedimentary rock
featuring shell fossils that reflect the earth's earliest life-forms,
and a 250-kilogram shell.
Opening hours: every day 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Entry fee: 200 Baht for each adult; 100 Baht for each child.
12/2 Moo 2, Viset Rd, Rawai, just south
of Chalong Bay (Telephone: +66 (0)76 381266 or +66 (0)76 381274).
Thavorn Hotel lobby
Eclectic and eccentric are the
2 words that describe the small museum in the Thavorn Hotel's lobby in Phuket Town. Varieties of artifacts
and photos, collected by the Chinese-Thai family who run the Thavorn
group, are presented in a fairly dark atmosphere.
Besides a large selection of photos of ancient Phuket and Thai
royalty, visitors will also find
conservative
Chinese wedding hats, tin mining
equipment, toy trains, opium smoking beds and pillows, as well as movie
posters. Visitors will also really feel like entering another
era while stepping into this place.
Open hours: 24 hours.
Entry fee: 30 Baht.
Thavorn Hotel, 74 Rassada Rd, Phuket City (Telephone:
+66 (0)76 211333-5, +66 (0)76 211339).
Thai
Temples
Chalong Temple or Wat Chalong is 1 of the biggest temples
in Phuket that is visited by sightseeing tours. Wat Phra Thong (Golden
Buddha Temple) in Thalang is worth visiting as well. This temple has a large"half
buried Buddha" in the temple floor. Following a
legend, people trying to dig it up will die. Close to its main building, there is a museum with an uncommon range of curios
and crafts on show.
Wat Phranangsang in Thalang is the 2nd oldest temple and landmark in Phuket. In Phuket's history it was the rallying
point for Phuket's 2 heroines who protected the island from the Burmese
attack in the 18th century. This temple is also called the "Temple of
the White Blood" - you can find out why from amulet
seller, Khun Santi. Wat Cherngtalay is located just east
of Cherng Talay Town, featuring many colourful murals describing Buddhist
themes.
There are many Chinese temples and shrines throughout Phuket Town,
and are at their busiest during Chinese new year
and the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Some are as
old as a century, such as the Shrine of Serene Light on
Phang Nga Rd, and have undergone restorations in recent years.
You can visit Thai temples on your own but do not wear shorts or
skimpy clothes as it is considered impolite and you won't be allowed to enter the main place of
worship.
Khao Phra Thaeo National
Park
Waterfalls
Situated
in the northern part of the island, this designated national park is Phuket's last pure lush tropical forest. Travellers can spend a morning taking a walk
up by the Tonsai waterfall, or
spend the day strolling in the majesty of this rain forest. There is
an 8-kilometre trek through the park from Bang Pae waterfall
to Ton Sai. This 8-kilometre trek is
certainly advisable and guides are also available. Much of the wildlife will normally stay out of
sight, but if you stay still for a while and your guide will point out
the telltale sounds of all sorts of animals. If you are lucky,
you might even see some of the forest's uncommon animals. You can find more details at a small
museum and information centre situated near the bottom of the
waterfall.
To visit this park, take Route 4027 east from the Heroines' Monument
for around 7 kilometres. There is a
noticeable
sign on the left side. Note:
all national parks in Thailand will normally charge foreign visitors a 200-Baht
entry fee.
Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre
Gibbons are among human's nearest relatives,
and when young make adorable pets. When mature however, they outgrow
their cuteness and become aggressive and even inflict injury.
Thailand's gibbon population suffers from the poaching of baby
gibbons for illegal sale as pets. This includes killing the fiercely
protective mother gibbons, and the abandonment or killing of matured
aggressive pets.
The Gibbon Rehabilitation project, situated at the base of
the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, near Bang Pae Waterfall, attempts
to rehabilitate abandoned pet gibbons to the wild. You will find
it
extremely interesting, and you can make a donation or buy a T-shirt which will help
support the project, the only one of its kind in the world.
If you would like to volunteer, please Email: gibbon@poboxes.com
Inland Phuket
Get to know the other side of the island. The people from farmers
to local business people, who live and work in the forest
and on the land. Siam Safari Nature Tours
provide guides that will introduce visitors to Phuket's culture, environment
and lifestyle. There are tours for small groups and individuals, and
offer forest walking, Land Rover touring, river canoeing or rafting
and elephant trekking, and visits to rubber plantations, schools
and temples.
Sirinath National Park
This park is situated within a 9,000 hectare area, stretching from the west of Phuket International Airport
to the island's northern fringe, enclosing Nai Yang, Nai Thon
and Mai Khao beaches. The main entrance to the
park is at Nai Yang Beach. The Sirinath National Park provides basic,
government-run bungalows and tents for rent, or you can stay in
a nearby hotel. Park admission is 20 baht.
At the northern tip of the park, located near Tah Chatchai, is
a mangrove forest with saltwater swamps supporting
unique eco-systems. A nature trail with an 800m wooden
walkway have been built, along with signs describing
and explaining the various species of plants and animals. Entrance
is at the northern end of the island, near the bridge to Phang
Nga.
Kathu Waterfall
Kathu Waterfall is another good place to escape
from the heat of the day. Best seen from June to October,
when the water level is at its highest and the forest is at its
greenest.
With an open air restaurant at the foot of the trail, a journey to
Kathu waterfall makes for a nice afternoon visit. Those in search
of a little more adventure can go to the nearby Phuket Waterski
Cableways park, only a short ride from the waterfall. Open from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm every day (Telephone:
+66 (0)76 202525-7). It is located between Phuket City and Patong in Kathu district,
near the Loch Palm Golf Course.
Viewpoints
The most popular outlook site in Phuket is the windswept Phromthep
Cape (Laem Phromthep), located between Rawai
and Nai Harn beaches, where there are a large car park, souvenir shops and
restaurants to serve tourists.
Sunsets are very impressive but
crowded, so it is best to go in the morning or early afternoon
to avoid the tour bus frenzy.
The Kata viewpoint, also known as "Khao
Sam Haad" or "Three Beach Hill"
is another good site to enjoy the ocean views and scenery. This spot, just a 5 minute drive south of Kata on the Kata-Nai Harn road, has stunning views over Kata Noi, Kata and Karon Beaches, and
a long stretch of the Andaman Sea.
In Phuket Town, Rang Hill (known as Khao Rang by locals), off
Mae Luan Rd, is a good spot to look down upon Phuket Town and
across the bay, while sipping iced tea at 1 of the 2 great
restaurants on the top of the hill. In the mornings, nuns and monks from the
temple at the foot of the hill can be seen walking on their alms
rounds along the road winding up the hill.
Nakkerd Hill or Khao Nakkerd, a lesser known viewpoint, is at
the end of Yodsane 1 Rd in Chalong (around 2 kilometres
north of Chalong Circle off Route 4021, the Wat Chalong Road),
providing a stunning view across much of the south end of
Phuket and over the sea. It will be a popular site soon as a
giant 45m-tall golden Buddha is currently being constructed
on the hilltop. The winding, step, mostly-dirt road up
the hill is a mess, so using a 4WD or sturdy vehicle is advisable.
City Parks
Phuket Town
Saphan Hin, at the south end of Phuket Road, is a multi-purpose park where you can find fitness
centres, a stadium, jogging trails, a software development centre,
restaurants and food stalls, and a mangrove walkway. Many Phuket's festivals are held throughout the year. Muay Thai kick-boxing
matches are available in the stadium every Friday evening. Drive to
the end and see picnicking families on the shore of Phuket
Bay.
Suan Luang or King Rama IX Park on Chao Fa Rd, is a park covered with
large trees, lotus ponds and walking paths. It is popular in the
early morning with joggers and Tai Chi practitioners,
and in the late afternoons with strolling couples and takraw players
(a game of agility where the feet are used to keep a rattan ball
aloft).
Khao Rang fitness park, at the top of Rang Hill
off Mae Luan Road, is a good place to go for a brisk walk or jog,
or to just sit and relax under the shade of large trees. You will also find a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit
who was the first Governor of Phuket.
Patong
At the north end of Patong along the beach lies Loma Park,
a quiet place to relax in the shade. There are many festivals taking place here
throughout the year. This is a nice spot for local residents to
relax and enjoy a good afternoon.
Aquarium (Phuket Institute
of Marine Biology & Research Centre)
Colourful fish, sea animals and corals in a natural setting.
Opening hours: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily.
Telephone: +66 (0)76 391126. Makham Bay Cape Panwa. (Marine Biology
Research Centre section open by appointment only.)
Butterfly Garden & Aquarium
Butterflies, tropical fish, coral, and insects in their natural
environments.
Open hours: 9.00 am to 5.30 pm daily.
Telephone: +66 (0)76 215616. Follow signs from Airport by-pass road
or Thepkasatri Road.
Crazy Horse Club
Horse riding on the beach or through the jungle.
Open hours: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Watch for signs near Nai Harn Bay, from Rawai.
Crocodile World and Elephant Land
Crocodiles, alligators, snakes, elephants and birds
in open tropical garden-zoo atmosphere.
Open hours: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm daily.
Morning and afternoon shows. Chana Charoen Road, Phuket Town.
Fresh Food Market
Early morning and daytime market
with fish, seafood, meats, staples, clothes, cooked
foods, vegetables, fruits and flowers. Ranong Road, Phuket Town.
Night market, near Ong Sim Phai/Tilok-Uthit Roads,
Phuket town.
Naga Pearl Farm
Pearl culture information and demonstration daily at 11.00 am.
Opening hours: 9.00 am to 3.30 pm.
Telephone: +66 (0)76 213723, 212901 Ext.117. Boat leaves for island
from Po Bay, Hwy. #4027.
Paintball
Patak Road, part of the Phuket Shooting Range
Complex.
Telephone: +66 (0)76 381667. |
