Phuket

Phuket, Strategically located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok, is often dubbed as “the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south”, is Thailand’s largest island. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it become the wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island in Southern Thailand. Phuket borders with Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea – the place where many of the best diving sites are located.

The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge. Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the island covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if it’s 39 other small islands are included. The island’s total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

There are only two seasons in a year – the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). Visitors are not recommended to travel to Phuket between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period to pay a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23°C and 33°C.

Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest.

The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degree Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degree Celsius.

Getting Phuket and Getting around Phuket : read more details

Phuket Attractions : read more details

Sports and Activities : read more details

Phuket Night Life

PHUKET FANTASEA
SIMMON CABARET
HORROR HOUSE


Shopping

Batik

Brilliant colors and distinctive designs have made Phuket’s batik cloth famous among tourists. Inspired by the natural surroundings, the sea and marine life, they are hand crafted piece by piece. Batik shirts, sarongs, skirts, bags and handkerchiefs are also popular souvenirs.

Gems & Jewelry

Rubies and sapphires are the most popular, best-buy items. There are a wide range of jewelry shops found mainly in Phuket City and at Patong Beach. Most offer unique jewelry designs and provide custom-made jewelry.

Ceramics

Ceramics of Phuket are unique souvenirs that most tourists might not know exist. Most shops are located along Wichitsongkram Road. They are of high quality and are crafted using carefully chosen native clay. Popular products are household utilities, kitchenware and decorative items. All are embedded with distinctive designs.

Seashells

Seashell products rank among top-five most purchased souvenirs. They are made into ornaments and gift items including necklaces, rings, bracelets, brooches, mobiles, lampshades, photo frames, etc.

Bird's nests

Phuket’s famous high-quality bird’s nests are popular souvenirs among Asian tourists.

Festivals

Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon Fair is held on March 13 every year to commemorate the two great heroines who rallied the Thalang people to repel Burmese invaders. Many activities and celebrations are organised.

Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival
Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival falls during the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months yearly. The sea gypsy villages at Rawai and Sapam hold their ceremonies on the 13th; Ko Si-re celebrates on the 14th; and Laem La (east of the bridge on Phuket’s northerntip) on the 15th. Ceremonies, which centre around the setting adrift of small boats similar to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, are held at night and their purpose is to drive away evil and bring good luck.

Phuket King ’s Cup Regatta
Phuket King ’s Cup Regatta is held in December. The Phuket Yacht Club hosts international yachtsmen, largely from neighbouring countries who compete in the Nai Han Beach area for royal trophies.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon
Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon (a 1,000-metre swim, a 5-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre run) attracts world-class athletes from all over the world.

Phuket Travel Fair
Phuket Travel Fair , held on November 1, was first initiated in 1985 at Patong to welcome in the tourist season and designed to foster co-operation among tourism-related operators both in the private and public sectors. Many colourful and interesting activities are organised, such as merit-making in the morning, water sports contests, a Miss Visitor Contest, among others.

Seafood Festival
Seafood Festival, held around May yearly, is designed to publicise the delicious seafood of Phuket and attract visitors during the rainy season. Activities include a Marine Tourism Resources Parade, seafood stalls, demonstrations of regional cuisines and cultural shows.

Tourist Season Opening Festival
Tourist Season Opening Festival , starting from November 1, is usually called the Patong Carnival, from the place where celebrations occur. Colourful parades, sports events, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists are major activities.

Vegetarian Festival
Vegetarian Festival is held on the first day of the 9th lunar month (usually October). Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves to a 9-day vegetarian diet, a form of purification believed to help make the forthcoming year “trouble-free”. The festival is marked by several ascetic displays, including fire-walking and ascending sharp-bladed ladders.

Turtle Release Fair
Turtle Release Fair is held on Songkran, the nationwide Thai water festival, on April 13 which is also National Fisherman’s Day. Baby turtles are released into the sea at various locations.