Phuket Hotels & Travel Guide

Phuket Hotels and Tourist Information

Spectacular scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and warm blue sea awaits you at Asia's most popular beach destination. This fun island provides an unbeatable combination of perfect silky soft white palm-lined beaches, superb hospitality and great value accommodation.
Whether it's world-class diving in the Andaman Sea, golf at international-standard championship courses or exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, Phuket is a place to extend your horizons. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to the surrounding islands, or enjoy a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay

 

 

• Phuket Airport 

   

  What to Expect on Arrival and Leaving Phuket Airport

  Due to the evergrowing number of flights to Phuket, its international airport is going through a major revamp and enlargement that should be completed in 2015. Try to get a window seat if you are flying into Phuket International Airport - the sights are simply unforgettable. Aircraft flying in from the east follow an approach path that's smack-bang right over Phang Nga Bay and its graphic limestone karsts, isolated green islets and multihued fishing boats. At both high and low tide the bay is a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colours and contours.
  Even though Phuket airport ranks second in the country in terms of passenger and freight volume it is quite a modest affair and within minutes of landing you will be in the terminal. Only a few hundred metres to the west, the Andaman Sea laps up on Mai Khao Beach ('White Wood') and Nai Yang Beach.
  

• Transfers to Your Hotels and Nearby Islands

  Immigration

  During Phuket's high season (December - May), when several flights can land one after the other, queues for immigration can sometimes be a little trying and officials thin on the ground - so be prepared for a wait unless you're willing to elbow all and sundry aside to get to the head of the line (but then again you're probably the same guy who got the window seat).
  On the positive side, Phuket airport's compactness means that it's just a short stroll from immigration and customs to the luggage carousel and the front door.
  

  Getting to Your Hotel

  

  Stress-Free Airport Transfers

  To make the start of your holidays that much easier, here's a tip: If you book your hotel with Asia Web Direct or with Phuket.com you will have the option to reserve your transfer in advance. If you really want to travel in style we have a Mercedes Benz ‘E' Class limousine. Read More...
  
  

  Limousine Taxis

  A limousine service is also on hand, albeit a more expensive option (you can buy tickets for this service on the first floor of the terminal). The silver-grey vehicles are parked en masse directly opposite the terminal's main doors.
  They have a reputation for driving very fast as the quicker they go the more fares they can make in one day. If your knuckles are white after the first few kilometers gently say, 'Cha cha, khrap' - which means 'go slow please'.
  
  

  Taxi Meter

  A well-signed taxi stand is located just outside, to the right of the main building. The taxis are red and yellow and are supposed to use their meters but you will probably have to insist that the driver turns his meter on instead of bargaining and haggling for a price.
  The average fares from the airport are Phuket 400 baht, Patong 550 baht, Kata/Karon 650 baht. NB This charge is for the taxi, not per head. Please note that you will have to pay a fee of 100 baht on top of the taxi-meter fare. The trip will usually take approximately 30 minutes to Phuket, 40 minutes to Patong Beach, and around one hour to Kata Beach and Karon Beach.
  
  

  Phuket Airport Bus

  There is an hourly and inexpensive bus service to Phuket Town from 06:30 to 21:30 but none to the west coast. You can buy tickets (90 baht in large buses and 100 baht in mini-buses) at a counter on the ground floor and the grey-orange-and-black buses marked AIRPORT BUS are to be found outside in the parking lot. This is not a non-stop, express service: buses halt along the way for passengers to embark/disembark. All airport buses go to Phuket Bus Terminal 1, off Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town). Read More...
  
  

  Minivans

  Tickets for minivans are for sale at two counters on the ground floor (Phuket 100 baht, Patong 150 baht, Kata/Karon 180 baht). Minivans sometimes stop off at tour agencies where you will be asked to book a tour from which the driver makes a commission. Minivans take longer than a taxi to deliver you to your hotel as they drop off other passengers at hotels along the way.
  
  

  Car Rental at the Airport

  There are also two car rental counters where you can hire cars from Avis, Alamo, National and Hertz. Please make sure to take along your passport and driving license. Many more companies are located just outside the airport.  Read More...
  
  

  Changing Money

  There are four currency exchanges on the airport's ground floor (and one in the departure hall) but then again they are sometimes under siege by new-arrivals and do not offer the best rates. Better to use one of the airport's many ATM machines (there are seven in a row on the first floor) as the charge for a transaction is minimal. Make sure your card has a 'Cirrus' logo on the back - good for international transactions.
  

  Duty Free On Arrival

  Yes, go for it! Located just after immigration. A tip: wine is expensive in Thailand but local spirits are cheap so it makes sense to go for a litre bottle of red or white.
  

  Disabled People's Facilities

  Phuket Airport has lifts, toilets and telephones adapted to disabled persons' needs as well as designated parking spaces.
  

  SIM Cards & Telephone Services

  SIM cards are for sale at the airport's minimarts and if you go to the International Service Centre on the ground floor there is a kind lady who will set your mobile up for free. There are also mobile phones for rent (on the first floor) and enough payphones for an army of teenagers throughout the premise.
  
  

  Internet

  If you're desperate to send that email off there's an Internet service on the first floor with silly prices - 100 baht, or US$ 3 for up to 15 minutes.
  

Phuket Car Rental Information

Where to Rent a Car in Phuket

One of the best ways to see Phuket and its surrounding scenery is to rent a car. There are many scenic roads, particularly on the island's West Coast. It's fun, easy and best of all - inexpensive. Fabulous limestone mountains are Krabi Province's trademark as well as pristine and secluded beaches while Phang Nga also offers mile after mile of untouched, wave-washed strands.
Rent from a reputable car hire firm and your comfort and safety are guaranteed. You can pre-arrange for a trouble-free car pickup from Phuket International Airport, thus avoiding bargaining for taxis or tuk tuks. This way of getting round the region is highly recommended.
 

 

 

Phuket Healthy Holiday

Phuket Health, Hospitals and Medical Services

Phuket is rapidly emerging as not only a popular holiday resort, but also a centre for health and wellness. The quality of medical care is relatively high, and often available at far lower prices than service of equal standards in other countries. So whether you develop a health problem, or are seeking a specialized treatment, you'll find that the island's health facilities are well equipped to handle most of your needs.
If you come here for a medical procedure, you'll also have a wide range of luxury hotels, spectacular beaches, great restaurants and a host of leisure activities to choose from during your stay. With its long list of attractions, plus first-class medical facilities, spas and holistic services, Phuket is unquestionably a healthy holiday destination.

• Bangkok Hospital Phuket

  One of the Most Modern & Advanced Hospitals in Southeast Asia

  Bangkok Hospital Phuket in Phuket Town’s Samkong area is probably one of the most modern and advanced international hospitals in Southeast Asia.
  With more than 20 specialty centres, five operation theatres, 11 ICUs, and eight CCUs, its location on Phuket and its genuine Thai hospitality make it a desirable cosmetic surgery destination option as well. On top of it they can assist patients in many languages such as English, Tagalog, German and Swedish.
  
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  Bangkok Phuket Hospital Departments

  There are clinics for acupuncture, allergies, pediatrics, general medicine and surgery plus a good range of centres from a dental care unit to a diving medical centre and a LASIK optics department to a heart and a wellness centre. Bangkok Phuket Hospital is also equipped with high-standard technology including a CT scanner and an MRI monitor.
  The skin clinic which is run under Thailand’s famous dermatology expert, Dr. Orawan Kitchawengkul, founder of the Dr. Orawan Holistic Institute, is also well known and popular. BPH provides many types of cosmetic surgery including breast augmentation, breast lifts, upper and lower eyelid surgery, brow lifts, liposuction, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, chin shaving and gender reassignment.
  
  

  Good to Know

  Pricewise, Bangkok Hospital Phuket can be either high or very reasonable depending on where you come from. A visit to a pediatrician can cost from 500 to over a 1,000 baht. Many cosmetic surgery procedures at Bangkok Phuket Hospital cost much less than the same surgery in the US and Europe – sometimes 50% less.
  With an investment of 800 million baht, the hospital first opened its doors in 1995. Since then there have been many renovations and expansions. Once you step into the entrance, you don’t feel that you are in a hospital but rather an expensive hotel lobby. Bangkok Hospital Phuket is owned by BDMS, a listed company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. It has 27 health care facilities in the country and two more overseas.
  
  

  Convenient Location

  On its ground floor, you will find a big canteen (open 07:00 – 14:00 daily), a small coffee corner - Livingston's (open from 08:00 – 19:00) while a Family Mart runs 24 hours/seven days a week. Within a few minutes walking distance from the hospital, there are many local eateries with quite a few Thai-style fast food outlets to choose from. Most of them are open for breakfast and lunch only.
  There is a restaurant called the Dairy Hut nearby (open daily from 11:00 to 22:00) and its kitchen offers Thai and international food. For those keen on real and delicious vegetarian dishes, ask the locals to direct you to Lotus Restaurant. If you are looking for pharmacies and beauty salons, there are quite a few close by Bangkok Phuket Hospital as well. These businesses usually open from 08:00 to 21:00.
  
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    Reception
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    Family Mart on the hospital's grounds
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    Livingston's coffee shop and snacks
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    A few of the services available at Bangkok Phuket Hospital

  Bangkok Phuket Hospital

  • Opening Hours: 24 hours
  • Location: Hongyok Utis Road (leading from Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town’s Samkong area). It’s not far from Wachira Phuket Hospital and Tesco Lotus Phuket.
  • Tel: +66 (0) 76 254 425

  

 

Best Hotels in Phuket

Most Popular Phuket Resorts

 

Trisara

5 stars

60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road Choeng Thale, Phuket, 83110, Thailand, ‎1-800-814652 (Malaysia Toll Free

Location.
Situated on the beach in Choeng Thale, Trisara is close to Layan Beach, Nai Thon Beach, and Laguna Phuket Golf Club. Additional area attractions include Surin Beach and Laem Singh Beach.
Property Features.
Trisara has a full-service spa, outdoor tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. There is a business center on site. The villa offers 2 restaurants along with a bar/lounge. Additional amenities include a children's club, a fitness center, and 24-hour room service. Guests have complimentary access to a roundtrip airport shuttle (available on request). Self parking is complimentary.
Guestrooms.
Rooms open to balconies. The 39 air-conditioned guestrooms at Trisara include private pools and private spa tubs. Guests can use the in-room complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access. Televisions are equipped with DVD players. All accommodations provide desks, safes, and phones. Bathrooms offer separate bathtubs and showers with rainfall showerheads, bathrobes, hair dryers, and slippers. All units feature refrigerators, minibars, and coffee/tea makers. Additional amenities include complimentary bottled water and blackout drapes/curtains. Turndown service is offered nightly and housekeeping is available daily.

 
 


















Most popular beach

Kata Beach Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Kata Beach

The pleasant bay of Kata, just a few minutes south of Karon Beach, entices and charms many visitors with its white sands and clear waters. Very popular with families, Kata is an all round favourite due to its spectacular palm-lined beach, great restaurants, lively but not raucous nightlife and varied accommodation options - all close to the beach. From May to October surfers flock to catch Kata's waves and from November to April the beach is alive with sunseekers.
Kata is split into two focal areas: Kata Centre, which is at the northern end close to Karon and Kata South, home to several resorts. Visitors will find an abundance of shops to browse in, from souvenir and ready-to-wear outlets, to 7-Elevens and local mini-marts, to name-brand fashion stores.

 

Patong Beach

Everything You Need to Know About Patong

Patong is the most famous beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play. By night the town has a bustling nightlife which includes literally hundreds of restaurants, beer bars, GoGo Bars and of course discos. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road) however there are quiet parts of town.
Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East might not find it here, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the meaning of 'mai pen rai' - which translates roughly to 'It doesn't matter' or 'Don't worry, be happy'.
 

Phuket Shopping

Most Popular Shops in Phuket

 

• Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong

  Phuket Shopping Complex
• Standing downtown, diagonally opposite Bangla Road, the Jungceylon Shopping Complex has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson - a gleaming well-lit upper end department store, and Big C supermarket.
  The 200-plus other stores in this shopping heaven sell brand-name clothes, spectacles, sunglasses, cosmetics and perfumes, shoes, DVDs, computer games, tons of mobile phones and accessories, electrical goods but it is also a great entertainment haven with a five-room SF Cinema and a 16-lane bowling alley, perfect for rainy days or to escape the heat of the day.
  

  What to See and Do in Jungceylon

  

  SF Cinema City

  Showing five movies at the same time several times a day, SF Cinema is the perfect place to catch up with what's new in the contemporary cinema world and to enjoy popcorn and Coke. Here, you can watch your chosen flick in Deluxe, Premium or Sofa seats. 3D movies shown at reasonable prices, noticeably cheaper than in the west.
  

  • Location: 3rd floor, Phuket Square
  

  Gaming Arcade

  These video games make up a semi-circle on the top floor of Jungceylon adjacent to the Megaforce Gun Simulation and the SF Cinema City. The games cover a lot of ground, including soccer simulation, Formula One races, motorbike stunts, shooting and more.
  

  • Location: 2nd and 3rd floor, Phuket Square
  

  Mario Land Games Zone

  Above McDonalds you'll notice a colourful gaming zone in which, if you're lucky, you just might win of the giant pink teddy bears. Here, you can unleash on Guitar Hero, play snooker, impress your squeeze with a punching bag and play grabbit on a (pink) machine. It's so cheesey it's fun.
  

  • Location: 2nd floor, Port Zone
  

  Mega Force

  Buy a ticket at Mega Force, rent a gun (several types available) and prowl around looking for a screen that has a juicy target that you can nail. Predictably, it's noisy but if this idea of fun lights your candle you can do so in style here. No danger as there is no live ammo in this equation. Mega Force claims to be the first laser shooting range in the world 'applied from military training technology' so it certainly is a unique experience.
  Soft drinks and beers are for sale here and for some mysterious reason, so are manicure sets, minature guitars, torches and themed T-shirts, along with simulator guns of all shapes and sizes.
  

  • Location: 3rd floor, Phuket Square
  

  Strike Bowl

  Strike Bowl doesn't mess around: Open from 11:00 onwards, it's got 16 bowling lanes, video games, snooker and hires out bowling shoes for a very fair price. Snacks and drinks available.
  

  • Location: 3rd floor, Phuket Square
  

  Shell World Museum & Shop

  Shell World Museum and Shop was set up by Somnuck Patamakanthin, the same guy who founded the spectacular Shell Museum in Rawai, it's a colourful and educational place to be even if you don't buy anything and sells lots of fashion accessories, trinkets and even full-size varnished conches - some of which are quite spectacular. You should know that in all likelihood these are not Thai shells, but if that makes no difference to you, it's quite a treasure trove. Shell Museum has fixed prices.
  

  • Location: Sino Phuket Zone, facing The Irish Times
  

  XD Theatre

  XD Theater has 4D rides (the seats move, too). Select the destination, fasten your seat belt, put your Super Glasses and away you go on the Canyon Coaster, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Cosmic Race, Snow Ride and more. Just hang on tight. 'Flight' time is seven minutes a pop.
  

  • Location: 3rd floor, Phuket Square

  Where to Shop and What to Buy

  

  Shopping Arcade

  Downstairs at Jungceylon you can buy everything from a Kashmir-made rug to a facial massage. It's all cheerfully lit and open spaced and is designed to handle an estimated 45,000 shoppers daily - though this figure seems a little optimistic, given that Patong's official population is 14,700 (and swells to up to 60,000 in high season). Still, it's good to have enough elbow room while shopping.
  
  

  Big C

  The upstairs section of Big C is a neon-lit affair featuring sports accessories, TVs, digital cameras and computer accessories. Downstairs features a large food supermarket, a stand of magazines and DVDs and rows of household goods.
  
  

  Robinson

  Robinson's downstairs majors in perfumes, cosmetics, watches and timepieces. The brand names featured here are Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Clinique, H20+, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Revlon and Paul Smith. The watches are mostly Japanese and are of middle-range quality.
  Upstairs, Robinson features women's shoes and accessories, and probably the biggest selection of women's underwear in Thailand – certainly the largest in Phuket. Further through is a very attractive child's clothing section which, predictably enough leads to the toy department. To one side here you will find an interesting collection of pewter goods; vases, cups, cigarette lighter covers and souvenir plaques as well as salt and pepper shakers, all at reasonable prices.
  You'll also find a household appliance department here as well as a sensibly priced men's shoe section – this appears to be a bargain area in Thailand and Robinson features shoes with labels such as Pierre Cardin, Lacoste, Matino, and Polo.
  

  Sport Shops

  Near the main entrance there are two large sports shops almost next to each other: SuperSports and Sport World and so you're going to come out a winner simply by comparing prices in both.
  Both are on the left-hand side as you enter Jungceylon and of course Big C has a sports section. Also present in the complex is a Surfer's shop with all the necessary accessories.
  
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  Jungceylon Phuket Facilities

  • Seven banks
  • Five eyewear outlets
  • Forty clothing and accessory outlets
  • Ten fast food and beverage outlets
  • One food court
  • Two furniture outlets
  • Ten health and beauty outlets
  • One pet store
  • Two electronics and IT stores
  • Twenty five restaurants
  • One Thai arts and crafts centre consisting of 70 shops and 35 kiosks
  • One tailor's shop
  • Two travel and luggage outlets
  

  Did you know?

  In Thailand the law states that alcohol can only be sold in shops from 11:00 till 14:00 and from 17:00 until midnight. This applies to all stores so do not expect to nip out to the 7-Eleven or Tesco and buy a few beers mid-afternoon.
  Of course, you may order alcohol in bars and restaurants anytime and - strangely enough - you can buy in bulk (a case of wine or whisky) at anytime of day but if you enjoy an afternoon holiday tipple it's best to stock up first.
  

  Jungceylon Phuket

  • Location: Rat-u-thit 200 Pee Road, Patong, Kratu, Phuket 

  
  
   
  

  Phuket Best Restaurants 2015

  Most Popular Restaurants in Phuket

   

  • Le Versace Restaurant Lounge Bar in Phuket

     

    High-end Glam Chic Dining in Patong Beach

    Le Versace Restaurant Lounge Bar is certainly a class act: settled on the hillside of Phra Baramee Road, it is the highest open-air restaurant in Patong Beach. It features an extremely stylish décor; and it serves a sophisticated French cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients. The views out over the town and beach are spectacular and it’s definitely worth getting there for early evening, when the golden rays of the setting sun reflect and almost animate the golden theme running throughout this unusual three-storey restaurant.
    The most singular characteristic of Versace is that every single piece of décor, whether it be a gold-sprayed Champagne magnum, the splendiferous Middle-Eastern sofas, Turkish-like throw cushions, huge vases, cutlery, plates, tables, lighting – absolutely everything – comes from the House of Versace, right down to the golden lion on the roof.
    
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    Le Versace’s dining room and the lounge bar with terrace are set on two different floors. Each of them can comfortably accommodate up to 40 guests in their respective styles of opulence. The restaurant is set in an open-sided room while the bar features a covered and an al fresco area, both of them sharing the outstanding views over Patong beach and the bay.
    The outdoor terrace is the ultimate sundowner spot and the perfect place to unwind in good company while sipping one of Le Versace’s signature cocktails (all of them at 450 baht ) such as Diamond Forever (vodka, Martini white, fresh mint, mangosteen, diamond-shaped ice) or Royal Mojita (Bacardi, brown sugar, lime, fresh mint, red fruits, Prosecco, lemonade).
    
    

    Gourmet connoisseurs will be happy to know that this restaurant is run by members of the international Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, world-renowned for their excellence and culinary expertise and the talent here is evident in the form of cleverly-prepared dishes such as pan-seared slice of duck liver with banana chutney and tamarind honey sauce (550 baht Starter / 950 baht Main); salmon marinated with kaffir lime and yellow lemon (650 baht Starter / 950 baht Main); and lamb hind shank slow-cooked for 12 hours, served with young vegetables and potatoes gratin scented with truffle oil (1,280 baht), just to name a few.
    Le Versace also has several set menus with an interesting top-end option of paying 2,500 baht (plus service charge) for four starters, one main, and one dessert. Versace is definitely an intimate place, with only a handful of tables and a limited wait staff. It’s the ideal restaurant for a romantic date, although given the overall size of the place it could also be a great place for a company event or a private party.
    
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      Le Versace Restaurant on Prabaramee Road
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      The Versace lion
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      Stylish lounge bar
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      Stunning views from the dining room
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      'Amuse-bouche'
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      Yummy dessert
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      The bar
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      Dining with a view

    Le Versace Restaurant Lounge Bar

    • Opening Hours: 17:00 – late. Closed Tuesdays
    • Location: 206/56 Prabaramee Road, Patong
    • Tel: 082 448 4887

  
  

  

 

 

 

Nightlife in Phuket

Most Popular Nightlife in Phuket

 

 

• Phuket FantaSea

  Phuket's Most Popular Attraction

  Phuket FantaSea is the island's biggest show. With trapeze artists, a cast of hundreds, performing elephants and other animals and an exotic storyline that blends tradition with fantasy you'll have a wonderful evening out here.
  But the extravaganza doesn't stop there as FantaSea also hosts one of the biggest buffets in Asia and is set in a theme park that offers carnival-like games, lots of shopping opportunities, a Palace of the Elephants, a Similan Adventure Centre and several other food outlets. It's spectacular, it's extravagent, it's impressive and great entertainment value for all.
  
  
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  With building designs that are occasionally wacky, over-the-top costumes, and elephants milling about, Phuket FantaSea has all the subtlety of a mouthful of Thai chillies. Phuket FantaSea bills itself as ‘The ultimate cultural theme park’, and it’s tough to come up with a better description. The evening peaks with a stage show, but that’s not the only excitement. There’s a village with an assortment of shopping choices – from T-shirts to beachwear to jewellery – as well as carnival games, elephant rides, and restaurants.
  Everything is big, bright, ornate, and made to impress. Operations at Phuket FantaSea are slick. They’ll make sure you’re picked up, fed, entertained, and returned safely to your hotel – all without missing a beat. Transitions from Point A to Point B to Point C are seamless, and there’s always plenty of staff around to keep you heading in the right direction. The size of this well-oiled machine is astounding, and makes its flawless execution that much more impressive.
  
  

  The Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant’s cavernous hall seats 4,000 diners, and does so effortlessly. Two long buffet counters serve a mix of Thai and international food while a changing selection of special dishes get their own kiosks at the front of the room. Wrap up the meal with coffee and a plate of scrumptious bite-sized desserts.
  The Golden Kinnaree’s golden exterior, with an intricate peaked Thai-style roof and several statues, is a favourite backdrop for an untold number of photos. But it’s not the only photo op. The Palace of the Elephants, a theatre made to look like a majestic, centuries-old palace (think Angkor Wat) is even more impressive. The luxury boutique is clad in shimmering mirrors and brilliant whites.
  There’s no shortage of ways to pass the time before the show starts. Jump aboard an elephant for a trip around the Songbird Luminarie. Head to Similan Adventure Center, a sea-themed arcade full of games the kids are sure to love. Watch the bartender spin, flip, and toss bottles while dancing a techno-jig at the open-air bar. Shop for that perfect memento; there’s a store (or stall) for every taste and budget. Or visit the photo studio and dress the family in traditional Thai costumes for a unique keepsake.
  
  

  The Main Event

  The theatre opens at 20:30 and guests start filing through security. Cameras aren’t allowed inside, and they take it very seriously; everything short of pen and paper that can create an image – must be checked in. Two minutes later you’re in a large hall full of costumed staff, baby elephants, and young tigers, all of which will pose for a photograph with you – for a fee.
  The show kicks off in grand style at 21:00. The stage is huge, but the performance space is even bigger. Aisles, ceiling, audience – every part of the theatre is used. While the eye is treated to modern effects like smoke, explosions, lasers, rain, soaring people, the brain gets insights into Thai culture in the form of traditional dances from different regions of the country, shadow puppets, and a fascinating wardrobe. It’s not tough to believe elephants can become accomplished actors, but this show also employs goats, roosters, water buffalo, and doves in supporting roles.
  The story isn’t easy to follow, and it doesn’t matter. Loud and funny moments interrupted by quiet, beautiful interludes do a great job conveying the emotion. The end result is a display that’s as dazzling as the sights outside the theatre. Young children, old children, and adult children all enjoy the show.
  
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  Phuket Fantasea

  • Opening Hours: 17:00 - 23:30 every day except Thursday - Show starts at 20.30
  • Location: Kamala Beach

  

Things to Do in Phuket When It Rains

Rainy Day Activities in Phuket 

 

Phuket Spas and Thai Massage

Phuket Health Information

In Asia, spa has evolved into a concept focussing on the spiritual and natural, drawing from traditions of meditation, respect for nature and the desire to achieve physical and mental well being, the key to maintaining health and beauty.
In Thailand, the concept of spa blends with the ancient traditions of natural healing through herbal baths, massage, meditation, and the continued pursuit of inner and outer beauty. Before the arrival of modern medicine in Thailand, the temple was the the centre of learning for all disciplines, including medicine. Monks therefore played the role of doctor and pharmacist, prescribing herbal remedies, steam compresses, massages and other such treatments for the relief of various ailments.
One can still try ancient massage therapy in its original form at certain temples such as Wat Po in Bangkok, where treatments are offered daily for a small fee. Most major hotels also offer traditional Thai massage as part of their health and fitness services, as do natural healing and spa centres where herbal steam bath and sauna treatments are derived from holistic therapies practiced for centuries.

 

• Phuket Trickeye Museum

   

  Interactive 3D Painting Museum in Phuket Town

  Phuket Trickeye Museum is an interactive 3D painting exhibition offering amazing photo opportunities and great fun for the whole family. Located on the corner of Montri and Phang Nga roads in a large two-storey building (which used to be a popular movie theatre until 2002), Phuket Trickeye Museum features a gallery of about 100 painted and sculpted scenes using trompe-l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’) techniques, placing visitors in hilarious unreal world-like situations.
  Trompe-l’oeil is an ancient painting technique that requires a certain geometrical skill; the idea is to create a three dimensional illusion on a two dimensional (flat) background. Perspectival illusionism rules at Phuket Trickeye Museum, and you are sure to be fooled by the impressive paintings on display here.
  
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  Entrance for adults is 500 baht, while for children 101-130cm tall the price is 300 baht (these rates are of May 2014). Before entering the museum, all visitors are asked to take off their shoes which are then kept in plastic bags at a counter in the main entrance hall. It’s here where you’ll find the first large painted illusion: a view of an Old Phuket Town street (the corner of Phuket and Phang Nga roads) featuring a large hole filled in with lava.
  The first room looks like a classic museum gallery with various canvases hanging on the walls: paintings of Van Gogh, Munch, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Millet (to name just a few) are reproduced in a hyper-realistic way all with an added twist, making them really amusing. For instance, The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet do not glean weeds but rather banknotes, which lie in front of the frame. Another world-famous painting – The Mona Lisa – shows an inflated version of the iconic Italian lady linked to a bicycle pump. Modern images are also presented as you follow the large corridors around the museum, leading you to the largest room of all (which used to be the movie theatre itself). Here you can try to cool off the ‘Human Torch’ (from the Fantastic Four) with a fire extinguisher, attempt to open the safe inside a bank, practice flying a delta plane above Promthep Cape, or get punched in the face by Mike Tyson; each one of the images on display in the gallery takes you to a fantasy world.
  
  

  The central part of Phuket Trickeye Museum places you in blockbuster movies-like scenes such as standing on a broken bridge above rapids; hanging on a rope ladder pulled by a helicopter in front of a huge waterfall; sharing a subway wagon with a zombie; running in front of bulls set loose in the street of a Spanish town; sitting in the side-car of a motorbike driving precariously on the side of a cliff - and much more.
  Visiting Phuket Trickeye Museum is a great experience for children and adults alike; the quality of the paintings on display is outstanding and some sample photos are available to help people position themselves in front of each scene in a way to capture the most realistic photograph as possible. All in all, the visit can last up to two hours and is a perfect way to spend a rainy day or to escape from the heat of the beach for a while. Drinks and snacks are also available right in front of the museum’s entrance.
  
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    Classic paintings' zone
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    Opening the bank's safe
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    In the largest zone
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    Under a giant foot's pressure

  Phuket Trickeye Museum

  • Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00 (last admission 20:00)
  • Location: at the corner of Montri and Phang Nga roads in Phuket Town, right next to Pearl Hotel
  • Tel: 076-212806, 090-0658822

 

 

Kids Activities and Attractions in Phuket

Phuket Family Travel

Year after year, Phuket is becoming more family orientated. Gone are the days when resorts and hotels were the only places that would cater to younger visitors’ tastes – nowadays kids can break free and go zooming through the jungle on an ATV, ride with mum and dad on the back of a swaying elephant, visit Phuket’s modernised and exotic aquarium or even learn how to scuba dive.
Theme parks and go-kart race tracks alike cater to all family members, so go for it – never has the phrase ‘fun for all the family’ rung so true! Here is a list of the ten most popular activities and attractions in Phuket to share with your kids.

 

• Anthem Wake Park in Phuket 

   

  Cable Wakeboarding Park for Pros and Beginners Alike

  Anthem Wake Park is the latest addition to the water sports scene on Phuket. Located in a green leafy natural area between the Phuket Heroines monument and Cherng Talay village, Anthem offers no less than three cable options on a 50,000sqm lake. Surrounded by trees and vegetation, this freshwater lake offers an excellent quality of water as it comes from the surrounding hills and is constantly renewed. Environmentally friendly, Anthem Wake Park uses zero carbon emission ‘Sesitec’ electric cables.
  Cable skiing was invented in 1959 by Bruno Rixen – a German engineer – and this sport is gaining more and more popularity around the globe: As of April 2013 there were 241 cable parks in the world, with seven parks in Thailand, where because of the generally clement weather conditions it can be practiced all year round. Opened in January 2013, Anthem Wake Park already has a well-thought-out plan for the years to come.
  
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  The main cable system is 647m long with six towers sited around the lake and this setup is unusual in that it’s the first and only clockwise wake park in Asia. Around the circuit boarders will come across five different ramps and sliders – table-top, step-up rail, incline, kickers (left and right) which makes for a challenging round for boarders of all levels.
  A second cable - system 2.0 (only two towers) is already installed for beginners with a length of about 60m. Its remote controlled speed adjustment system permits each wake boarder to practice safely according to their skills and abilities. A third, more advanced system 2.0 cable is planned to be installed by the end 2013 with ‘half-pipe’ and other challenging obstacles.
  The main idea behind Anthem Wake Park is to get European and other western wakeboarding teams to come and train in Phuket during winter season and indeed the Israeli and Scandinavian teams have already used the park for training. Of course Anthem is open to the public too, but with the added advantage that you can actually watch the pros train, too.
  
  

  A team of eight friendly and enthusiastic professional riders, instructors and technicians run the park. Passionate, young and professional, they will give you all the support you need and plus teach you the special tricks to become a proper wake boarder. A pro-shop will open soon, selling equipment such as wakeboards and helmets.
  Anthem Wake Park will run a restaurant and fully stocked bar by mid-2013; as for now (April 2013), only soft drinks and beers are available at the front desk. Onsite accommodation will also open by the end of 2013. Free Wi-Fi available.
  
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    A superb location
  • 
    Mr Yok (one of the park managers)
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    Speeding on the system 2.0
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    The departure/arrival station
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    Skimming over the water
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    Oops! Here comes a crash

  Anthem Wake Park

  • Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:30
  • Location: Cherng Talay
  • Tel: 076 620 034
  • Price Range: until June 2013 - 2 hours: 400 baht, 4 hours: 600 baht, full day: 750 baht
  • How to get there: On Srisoonthorn Rd, three kilometres after the Heroines Monument on the way to Surin, look out for the Manik Temple (Wat Thepwanaram) gate and turn left, Anthem Park is a few hundred metres down the road, almost facing the entrance of the temple.