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Ao Chalong
Ao Chalong , Phuket's principal boat anchorage and
the island's larest bay, is 11 kilometres south of the town.
It is very picturesque but not suitable for swimming. Boats
can be chartered to go to some small island south of Phuket.
A number of restaurants are on the road leading to the bay.
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Ao Sen or Sen
Bay
A small bay next to Nai Han past the Phuket Yacht Club is
Ao Sen or Sen Bay , peaceful and picturesque with white, clean
sand. |
Hat Karon and
Hat Kata
20 kilometres and 17 kilometres respectively from town are
Hat Karon and Hat Kata . Both beaches are long and peaceful
and eminently suitable for swimming and sunbathing. |
Hat Nai Han
Hat Nai Han is located next to Phromthep Cape about
18 kilometres from town. Although not so long, the beach has
white, clean sand. Beyond the beach is a swamp called Nong
Han. Not recommended for swimming during May-October because
of the Monsoon season. |
Khao Rang
Khao Rang , a small hill northeast of the town, provides
a pleasant view of town while dining, and has a Fitness Park,
a series of hillside sculptural tableaux which enhance calisthenics.
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Ko Kaeo
Ko Kaeo is an offshore isle about 3 kilometres out
from Rawai beach and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat.
It offers picturesque beaches and underwater scenery. There
is also a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island. |
Ko Si-re
Ko Si-re , a twenty-square kilometre island, separated
from the main island only by the small Thachin canal, is some
4 kilometres northeast of the town and hosts the biggest Sea
Gypsy village in Phuket. |
Laem Ka
Laem Ka , at the extreme southwest of Chalong Bay,
is suitable for swimming. |
| Phromthep
or Phromthep Cape |
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The nearby Laem Phromthep or Phromthep
Cape forms Phuket ’s southern most point and is the
perfect place from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets and
the sea. |
Phuket Aquarium
Phuket Aquarium is located at Cape Phanwa, on the island's
extreme southeast. The aquarium displays hundreds of exotic,
grotesque and flamboyantly colourful marine species found
in Phuket ’s teeming waters. Open daily from 8.30 in
the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. A local
bus can be taken from the town’s fresh produce market.
Called 0-7639-1126 for more information. |
Phuket Butterfly
Farm and Aquarium
Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium is only 3 kilometres
from town via Yaowarat Road and the Sam Kong intersection.
It has a fascinating collection of such tropical creatures
as butterflies, insects, marine life all arranged in natural
surroundings. It is open daily from 9 p.m.-5 p.m. Tel: 0-7621-5616,
0-7621-0861 |
Phuket Sea Shell
Museum
Phuket Sea Shell Museum is located near Rawai Beach
on the island's southwestern shores. The emphasis is on shells
from Thai waters, which are among the most sought-after by
collectors, however shells from every part of the world are
featured. There are numerous rarities and freaks including
the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sections
of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils, and a shell
that weighs 250 kilograms. The museum is open daily from 8
a.m. till 7 p.m. Tel: 0-7638-1266 or 0- 7638-1274
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| Phuket
town |
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Phuket town serves mainly as a dormitory
and shopping centre. Splendid colonial style residences built
by late 19th-century tin and rubber barons and shophouses
from the same period provide distinctive character. |
Phuket Zoo
Phuket Zoo ,located on the way to Chalong Bay, contains
a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds. Elephant
and crocodile shows are performed every day. Call 0-7638-1337,
0- 7638-1227 for details. |
Rawai Beach
To the south, the palm-fringed Rawai Beach about 17 kilometres
from town hosts Phuket ’s Chao Le people (sea gypsies).
Several offshore islands have gleaming white beaches and dazzling
underwater scenery which attract fishing enthusiasts and scuba-divers.
To the south, the palm-fringed Rawai Beach about 17 kilometres
from town hosts Phuket ’s Chao Le people (sea gypsies).
Several offshore islands have gleaming white beaches and
dazzling underwater scenery which attract fishing enthusiasts
and scuba-divers.
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Saphan Hin
Saphan Hin is a public park near the sea at the end
of Phuket Road. 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 in dredge to Phuket in 1909. |
| Wat
Chalong |
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Wat Chai Tararam,
or Wat Chalong, is the most popular temple in Phuket. Built
in 1837, a recent additon to the temple is a 61.4-meter high
chedi containing the Phra Borom Sareerikatat relic, a piece
of Buddha’s bones brought over from Sri Lanka. Combining
the architectural styles from the Southern, Central and Northeastern
Thailand, the chedi is the first in this region to house this
holy relic. |
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