Phuket -pics of touristy things in the daytime

[genghis61]

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Khao Rang - 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 Kao Rang Hill, on the city's northwest just a few minutes from the old part of the town.

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There are also several local style cafe/restaurants, featuring spectacular views of the city, a fitness/exercise trail for if you're keen enough, 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

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[patsycat]

Funny, i was supposed to arrive on the 26th December Tsunami day. Due to a family incident I had to cancel my trip, luck or fate? Will never know.

I shall go to Phuket on my next visit to Thailand. It looks lovely.

[Paul039]

These are fantastic pictures. This is the first time I have posted here and want to thank you for sharing these. My finacee suggested we honeymoon in Phuket. I suggested Disney World and Key West. No, I'm not insane, she has been to Phuket but hasn't been to America yet. We our awaiting our visa then I will bring her to the US. She's from Phetchabun and has been to Phuket before so I thought Disney might be a novel event for her. But I have to reconsider now. I guess the wife is usually right!

[bec101]

Great photos. Looking forward to more.

[genghis61]

thanks
I went to Phuket knowing no one, made some good friends through clubs/sports involvement in rugby, swimming and cycling - took my triathlon bike with me and would often get waved down by locals who wanted to look it over. Despite its faults, there are still things to do/see that make it worthwhile to visit. I never visited Patong at night, read enough to know it wasn't for me but for many visitors a week in Patong bars/hotels is all they want for their 'Thailand experience...

[genghis61]

Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nai, Koh Khai Nui are under 30min by speedboat from Phuket's Rassada Port or Chalong Pier.

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This is a nice safe beginners snorkelling day out, the first two are in less than 2m of water with fish at waist level so ideal for families/kids; the third 'dive' was open water maybe 4-6m deep a few hundred m off the island.

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I went with friends in the off-season and we haggled the price down to the children's rate of 900 for the day (incl hotel pick-up/drop-off) the full adult rate is 1400b.
Don't know which company I went with, Googled and found this one which gives a good idea of what to expect. What I liked was the all-inclusive price ie no hidden costs for snorkelling gear/lifejacket or lunch (which was very 'light' mainly fresh fruit and some buns), only extra I was asked for was 100 for a chair under an umbrella at one of the islands, and a silly plate with my photo on it - again didn't want/need.

A relaxed way to spend a day, and a good intro for beginners.

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suntans were 'out'!

[BarnacleBill]

I keep shying away from visiting Phuket. Why? because of what I read and hear of the sordid lifestyles - around Patong, no doubt! But now - you have opened my eyes! It looks a beautiful place to visit with lots to see and enjoy. Thanks Genghis for the "eye-opener" I may be down that way soon!

[genghis61]

^ I never went to Patong at night, just not for me, and resisted invitations of 'you have to try it once' so i remain ignorant on personal exp of the place. Only ever went there twice, once to the movies - good theatre complex at Jungceylon then found out there was one closer to my home, at Central Festival on the outskirts of Phuket Town, and for a surflifesaving competition Oct 09.

[natalie8]

genghis, how long have you been in Phuket? I lived in Phuket for a year and my husband is a Phuket native. He has shown me some of its "hidden treasures" but you have shown some that I had no idea existed.I have some shots of a really interesting Chinese temple type thing hidden away in a garage. It's near the main intersection of Phuket Town, which has the police station, the big school and the Izuzu dealership. I had to take our truck in for serviceing at the dealership, so I took a walk through the town while I waited.I found this temple thing completely by accident. I need to find my pics of it. Would you mind if I post them on here?Let's see if I can green you.

[genghis61]

Hi - was there for a year, have since moved sth-east of Bangkok near Cambodian border; I don't own the thread (!) it would be great if people post their own pics, we lost so many of our photos when the laptop and camera were stolen in April and these ones are from my Facebook page, my only back-up.
Look forward to seeing your pics, think there's plenty of people interested in this side of Phuket.

[genghis61]

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As we lost our laptop and camera (burgled) in April have lost most of our photos . . . don't have many of Chalong (help!) just a few round the pier area and some views looking down from Big Buddha hill.

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Chalong has shops spread out along the five roads that intersect at the Chalong roundabout, surviving the roundabout while cycling was sometimes quit an achievement as any local will agree it can be challenging. It's a favourite place for police to make licence and helmet checks and regularly on Sundays there would be queues of tourists waiting to be processed having been stopped with their helmet - if they had one - either in the front basket or over their arm.

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There are no tailor shops, no 'market' shops in Chalong central like there are over the hill, not a 'tourist' area as much asa shopping area for locals. About 200m from the roundabout heading towards Phuket Town there is a western-style shopping centre with Villa Mart supermarket, SportsWorld, a big hardware and home appliance store, computer, cellphone etc shops. And Wawee Coffee where i liked to have a coffee, icecream and read my Bangkok Post. Very civilised!

One road off the roundabout leads to Chalong Pier, good place to catch a speedboat or longtail boat during the day, and a pleasant walk in the evening - 750m long and view back towards Big Buddha.

and between Chalong and Phuket Town, Parlai - down the road past the zoo there are several seafood restaurants right on the waterfront, views across the bay. All very romantic!

help for more Chalong pics please . . .

[genghis61]

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Continuing south from Karon to Kata, over the hill and on to Nai Harn beach, a popular 800m stretch of sand and good swimming in the right conditions - pays to be careful here, as with all Phuket beaches

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There's a large lake with an island just inland from the beach; also a temple between lake and sea. The 'round the lake' circuit is popular with joggers and leisure cyclists, about 1km per lap, all flat.

A small lagoon at the south end of the beach is fine for kids swimming, but the beach at the far south end can be extremely dangerous and is not recommended.

[natalie8]

Arrrrggggghhh, I can't quote thanks to the problems with my laptop. I need to get it repaired before I can post anything. :-(

[Marmite the Dog]

I went to Phuket knowing no one, made some good friends through clubs/sports involvement in rugby

I never visited Patong at night

Rugby must've changed in recent years as every time I went there with the Bangers we lived in Patong.

[genghis61]

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Continuing south from Nai Harn, over the hill with the wind turbine and in the last dip before the hill up to Prom Thep Cape is Yanui Beach. Can get crowded at peak times, but early morning ebfore the tourists wake up - (11am I think!) is best.

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Easy kayaking to Koh Man about 300m offshore, an hour is plenty of time to do a circuit of this island and back to the beach. Snorkellig is OK off the island as well, as long as you have someone to look after the kayak. Kayak hire is cheap too - two places on the beach rent at 100 baht per hour for a one-seater, 200 for a two-seater, incl lifejackets. Take water.


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It's an ideal spot for beginner snorkelling, fish from about 1m depth and no more than 4m deep just off the reef. Some of my photo attempts with a disposable underwater camera - get the picture?


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On a good day it has to be up there with the best, clearest water around the island, great visibility. and a nice spot for some people's wedding pics too.

that'll be me

[porno frank]

Beautiful beach scenery.

[genghis61]

We got caught up in this by accident, late December and trying to get across PT, instead found a parade/procession of representatives of Phuket's schools in various costumes doing a march across the town.

Only one thing to do - find a coffee shop with a view and watch the entertainment go by.

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[smeden]

nice pics thanks for the the tips a green is send

[genghis61]

as the title says - by the airport

First visit there was for children's water safety training and an ideal sport it was too, in the morning the beach area can be shaded by trees that run right to the sand's edge.

Some of the beach is located within Srinath National Park*, and you may be required to pay a NP fee, as with all other Thailand National Parks. We went there several times, the gate was only 'manned' once.

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No prize for guessing which one I am in pic 2. Water safety training for Phuket Lifeguards Club, Dec 2009

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and not far from the beach, a temple with very well-kept gardens

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*Sirinath National Park
Sirinath National Park covers an area of 90 square kilometres, from an area west of Phuket International Airport all the way to the island's northern tip, and encompassing Nai Yang, Nai Thon and Mai Khao beaches. The park offers basic, government-run bungalows and tents for rent, or you can stay in a hotel nearby.

At the northern end of the park, situated near Tah Chatchai, is a mangrove forest with saltwater swamps supporting unique eco-systems. A nature trail and 800m wooden walkway have been built, along with signs indicating and explaining the various species of plants and animals. Entrance at the northern tip of the island, near the bridge to Phang Nga.

Visiting a national park in Thailand is not free. The rates is 200 Baht for tourists adults, 100 Baht for tourist kids. Thais adult 20 Baht and Thai kid 10 Baht.

[genghis61]

PHUKET'S Tin Mine Museum was officially opened March 3 2011 by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha.

The museum is expected to become a popular destination with expat and Thai tourists, especially on days when the weather is too wet for the beaches.

The museum, erected at a cost of more than 50 million baht, occupies spacious grounds on a rural road between Phuket's British International School and Loch Palm, where cows still cross and villagers ride pushbikes.

Tin mining was once as popular on the island as tourism is today, although the scars of the destructive industry have long since healed or been converted to tranquil lagoons.

The large, ornate SinoPortuguese-style museum building was finished a couple of years back, and fitting it out has taken time and loving care by craftsmen who have built dioramas and painted scenic walls.

Visitors travel through time, beginning with the creation of the planets and the geological development that gave the world tin and made it an important metal product that first helped to put Phuket on the map.

The culture of Chinese traders and mining-fodder coolies predominates, with evocative recreations of life on Phuket in circa 1957.

Phuket Tin Mine Museum
Open from 8am-4pm each day.
Guided tours at 9.30am, 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm.
Tickets: Expats 100 baht, 50 baht. Thais 50 baht, under 15, 20 baht. Students in school uniform, over 60s, handicapped, free.
For details: 076 322140, 088-7660962-3.

[natalie8]

The museum, erected at a cost of more than 50 million baht, occupies spacious grounds on a rural road between Phuket's British International School and Loch Palm, where cows still cross and villagers ride pushbikes.

That's a beautiful area. I love going for drives in there. Next time I'm in Phuket, I'd love to go see the museum. The history of tin mining in the area is pretty interesting.

[glassdude007]

great thread and pics very informative....
thanks for your efforts...

[Lorenzo]

Nice Pics

If you fancy relaxation, Pattaya is more convenient and has more to offer

[Bob63]

Great effort - quite the guidebpok, thx !

[genghis61]

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Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple and is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist monasteries. The architecture is typical of wats found throughout Thailand.

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Wat Chalong is associated with the revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, both of whom were famous for there work in herbal medicine and tending to the injured. During the tin miners’ rebellion of 1876 they mobilized aid for the injured on both sides. They also mediated in the rebellion, bringing the warring parties together to resolve their dispute. Statues honoring them stand in the sermon hall (viharn).

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Wat Chalong at night, and houses on the lake immediately behind the wat