Phuket is Thailand's only island province, located 560 miles south of Bangkok and linked by bridge to the mainland and by air through Thailand's second-busiest airport. The island is called by some "the Pearl of the South" - justified by the island's many natural wonders, from its fine white-sand beaches to its stark limestone cliffs to its lush inland forests.
Tin was once Phuket's main contribution to the Thai economy, until tin prices dropped precipitously in the mid-eighties. Today, the island relies on its well-developed (some would say over-developed) tourist industry, drawing thousands to its shores every year. No big surprise, as the island is unique in the variety of its attractions: great diving, gourmet dining, raucous nightlife, a close-up look at Thai culture, even European architecture!
There's bound to be something in Phuket for even the most hard-to-please tourist. You can get lost in one of the more deserted stretches of beach, or party with total strangers in one of the livelier bars in Patong.
The island was hit hard by the tsunami of 2004, but several years on, the tourism industry has largely bounced back. The infrastructure is back to normal, and visitor levels are back to pre-tsunami levels.
Phuket Topography and Weather
The island is elongated on a north-south orientation, spanning 30 miles on its axis, and 13 miles at its widest point. The Andaman Sea is off the island's west side, which in turn is lined with the island's best beaches.
The northern reaches, including Kamala Beach and Surin Beach, are relatively unspoiled and less thickly touristed. Patong Beach is Phuket Party Central, located south of Kamala Beach and offering a gleeful excess of girlie bars, katoey joints, and tacky souvenir shops. South of Patong, Karon Beach and Kata Beach offer a much-deserved rest for the weary traveler. Phuket's southwestern end has a few smaller beaches off the beaten track, including Nai Harn and Rawai Beach.
The Krabi Sea is off the island's less attractive east coast, where the beaches are more mud than sand. Instead of tourists, these shores are lined with prawn farms and mangroves. At the island's southwest side you'll find Phuket Town, Phuket's commercial and logistical center.
The province of Phuket - including 32 smaller islands - covers an area of 134,178 acres. The Sarasin and Thep Krasattri bridges link Phuket with Phang Nga province.
Phuket has only two seasons - a rainy season from May to October, and a hot season from November to April. The island is at its best between November and February, when the sky is clear and the weather is sunny but not oppressively so. Average temperatures in Phuket range between 73°F-91°F (23°C-33°C).
Transportation to Phuket – Getting There, Getting Around
Despite the lack of land borders, the island is one of the easier places to visit in Thailand. Phuket is connected to Bangkok and the rest of the country through air, land, and sea links.
By air: planes regularly touch down at the Phuket International Airport (IATA: HKT), the second-busiest air hub in the country. Frequent flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and other regional hubs make it to the Airport, as well as direct charters from Europe and Australia during the peak of the tourist season.
From the airport, travelers can transfer to one of several rides that get them to their destination:
- Blue limousine taxis (500-600B, or $15-$18)
- Metered taxis
- Shared mini-van service (100-200B per seat, or $3-$6)
- Airport shuttle bus to Phuket Town bus station (52B per seat, or $1.50). This bus runs daily to and from Phuket International Airport. The bus leaves the airport at rough one-hour intervals, shuttling between the Airport and the domestic bus terminal at Phuket Town. For more information, inquire at the local Tourism Authority of Thailand office: 076-211036, or 076-212213.
Tourists departing on international flights must pay a departure tax of 700B ($21) on top of their fare. Domestic departure tax on domestic flights is already included in the ticket price.
By bus: If you're taking the bus from Bangkok,go to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) on Phutthamonthon Soi 1 in northern Thonburi. From here, three bus companies can give you a lift: Phuket Travel Tour, Phuket Central Tour, and Transport Co., Ltd.
VIP buses are the most comfortable (and expensive) way to get to Phuket on wheels. The smaller 24-seater buses cost 970B ($29); the larger 36-seaters cost 644B ($19). Tickets for either bus can be bought at any of three VIP ticket booths around the terminal.
Two types of air-conditioned buses commute to Phuket from Bangkok. Buses that pass through Ranong will set you back 501B ($15), taking a longer route that takes 14 hours to complete. Buses traveling through Surat Thani will ride over the new highway, taking only 12 hours to complete. This is slightly cheaper, costing 487B ($14.50).
From the Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town, you can choose from a multitude of transport options to get around the island.
Local Transportation: From the local bus station on Ranong Road, next to the market in Phuket Town, you can ride the following vehicles to your destination.- Songthaews – these are covered buses that run on a loop route between the depot at Ranong road to the following beaches: Kamala, Karon, Kata, Patong, Rawai, Nai Yang, and Surin. Agree on the price in advance.
- Tuk-tuks – these are smaller red four-wheeled buses. Be careful riding one, as their drivers tend to be reckless. Tuk-tuks from Ranong Road leave for Kamala, Kata, Nai Yang, Patong, Rawai, and Surin. Agree on the price in advance.
- Metered taxis. Metered taxis can be hailed from everywhere except Patong, as the tuk-tuks have successfully resisted any competition in their neck of the woods.
