Phuket Thailand

Thailand was called Siam up until the 1940s when the name was changed to Thailand. Phuket is south and west of the Thai main land. Phuket is one of Asia's most popular islands. Known as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea Phuket welcomes you to its super fine beaches, exotic nightlife, world class accommodation and stunning neighboring islands.

Patong Beach is the most popular and well-developed beach on Phuket Island. Long recognized as one of the world's Top 10 diving sites, Phuket is now Thailand's most important tourist destination, offering a variety of beaches, attractions and exciting night life.
Koh means Island so Phuket is called Koh Phuket by Thai people. Phuket Island has 17 beautiful sandy beaches to enjoy. Koh Phuket is Thailand's largest Island. It is 50 km long north to south and 21 km wide and joined to the mainland by Sarasin Bridge.

Phuket has been inhabited since the early days of mankind by ancient tribes and this still keeps archaeologists occupied to find out the history from the early days.
On the ancient maps of the region around Thailand's South West coast, the name Junk Ceylon can be seen describing a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter at what is now known as Phuket.

Thai Currency

The unit of money used in Thailand is the Thai Baht.

Please check this currency converter to see what your currency buys. 

Delicious Phuket Food

A variety of cuisines available and the whole dining experiences is one of the major attractions for tourists to the island making deciding what and where to eat a really hard task. Restaurants are designed to cater to every taste and budget and they serve a huge variety of Western and Asian food.

Traditional Thai cuisine is famous for the blending of four fundamental tastes: sweet (sugar, fruits, sweet peppers) spicy hot (chilies) sour (vinegar, lime juice, tamarind) and salty (soy sauce, fish sauce.  A typical Thai breakfast dish is Khanom Chin - Thai rice noodles with a curry soup prepared with minced fish or prawns (shrimp). Some traditional fried noodles preparations like Mi Hokien with fresh shrimp, pork, shellfish and green cabbage, Mi Sapam is with seafood and gravy on top and Kaeng Luang the sour curry with fish.

Phuket is famous for its seafood and the extremely delicious southern Thai food that is prepared with fresh ingredients and boasts an array of wonderful flavors. Southern Thai food has more use of coconut milk than food in other parts of Thailand. Curries are generally richer and creamier, and include spices like cumin, cloves, turmeric and aniseed. The drinks available include most western beverages and also fresh local fruit juice, beer and wine of local and imported varieties. Local Thai rice whiskeys and imported spirits are also easily available along with an array of exotic cocktails at the numerous bars around Phuket.

Amazing Phuket Activities

Here is a list of some of the amazing activities you can indulge yourself in while training and visiting in Phuket Thailand.

* Surfing – enough waves for some fun on the water

* Elephant trekking – through the jungle

* Quad bike tours – through the jungle

* Boat trips – out to islands

* Jet skiing – a bit of fun, but no insurance!!

* Parasailing – over beautiful waters with breath taking views

* Swimming – in the tropical waters or your hotel pool

* Golfing – get a round of golf in before breakfast

* Deep sea fishing – show them the one that didn’t get away

* Relaxing – by the pool, on the beach

* Partying – something for everyone, music and dancing

* Nightlife – busy bars, spectacular shows, ladyboys and more

* Restaurants – incredible dishes including lots of seafood

* Temples – beautiful religious and cultural structures

* Thai boxing – watch or learn traditional fighting

* Shopping – bargains on clothing & jewelry and more

* Tours – by Tuk Tuk, taxi, bus, boat, bike, scooter or walking

* Island hopping – just because you can

* Snorkeling – in the clear waters around the islands

* Scuba diving – to see tropical fish and more

* Sight seeing – beaches, jungles, plantations and more

* Phuket Zoo - get up close to monkeys, tigers, elephants,

* Festivals – cultural traditions and celebrations

* Massages – enjoy being pampered like no other

* Fantasea – the place to go, the show to see

* And there is still much, much more

You can even IMPROVE YOUR SMILE at Sawasdee Dental (see Patong Map) Complete with the latest Dental Equipment and Training, including Laser teeth whitening with fantastic prices. http://www.phuketdentalclinic-patong.com/

Phuket Sight Seeing

The "Pearl of the South”, the beautiful island of Phuket is today one of the most favorite holiday destinations in the world. From the spectacular Phuket Mountain Ranges to the surrounding blue waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is one of nature's most beautiful creations. If you have a passion for history and a thirst for knowing more about the social history of the Thai people, Phuket offers you a number of museums where you can get to know more about the culture of Thailand. Try the Talang National Museum to unravel the secrets of Phuket’s past. The Talang Sea Shell Museum promises to amaze you with its collection of sea shells, gathered from across the world. Visit temples dedicated to Buddhism scattered all around this historic island for a deeper insight into the ways of Thai life. The Sea Gypsies residing along the coastal fringes of Phuket form a major tourist attraction by themselves. Get ready to be enthralled by this tribe of sea dwellers as you visit the Two Heroine's Memorial in Phuket where you can learn more about these interesting people during your sightseeing.

So many places to see…

- Phi Phi Islands
- Phang Nga Bay
- Patong Beach
- Kata Beach
- Phuket Town
- Simon Cabaret
- Promthep Cape
- Laem Sing Beach
- Kamala Beach
- Coral Island
- James Bond Island
- Bang Tao Beach
- Khai Island
- Wat Chalong
- Karon Beach
- Koh Racha Yai
- Wat Pra Tong
- Phuket Marine Biological Center
- Blue Canyon Country Club

…and there is still more, come and experience it for yourself!

Thai Art

Classical Thai art encompasses Buddhist art as seen in religious architecture, decorative murals, and Buddha images. The art reflects the complex formal structure and etiquette of court culture with heavy Indian influences.

Thai Religion

Thailand is nearly 95% Theravada Buddhist, with minorities of Muslims (4.6%), Christians (0.7%), Mahayana Buddhists, and other religions. Thai Theravada Buddhism is supported and overseen by the Thai government, with monks receiving a number of government benefits, such as free use of public transport.

Thai Architecture

The old buildings of Phuket Town were built in the tin mining era. First influences came from Chinese architecture, showing in the design of the roof including doors and windows. The buildings were mainly one or two story buildings made from brick and wood. They have thick walls with Chinese-style tiles.

Later influences included Chino-Portuguese and Malayan styles originating from Penang. Also Western styles contributed to the distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture, including the compositions of the classic Renaissance and neo-Europe classic with the mixture of Chinese and Thai style architecture

This new building architecture is about 60 to 100 years old. One charming element of these house styles is the use of the arch in their architectural design. Curing pillars standing in row are on the first floor of each building, to carry the weight of the ular spectator sport in Thailand. The other main local sport is Takraw, which is similar to volleyball, but played with the feet and a light rattan ball. There are several versions of the game with varying rules.

Thai Customs

One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the wai, which is similar to the Indian namaste gesture. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgment, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved, but generally it involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands and a bow of the head.

Physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends, but less so between lovers. It is thus common to see friends walking together holding hands, but couples rarely do so except in westernized areas.

IMPORTANT!

Thai people feel that touching someone on the head is considered rude. It is also considered rude to place your feet at a level above someone else's head, especially if that person is of higher social standing. This is because the Thai people consider the foot to be the dirtiest lowest part of the body, and the head the most respected and highest part of the body. This also influences how Thais sit when on the ground. You will note their feet always point away from others, tucked to the side or behind them. Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. It is also customary to remove your footwear before entering a home or a temple, and not to step on the threshold.

Thai Nicknames

Thai people always have one, or sometimes more, short nicknames (play-name) that they use with friends and family. Often first given by friends or an older family member, these nicknames are usually one syllable (or worked down from two syllables to one).

Phuket Temples

Giant Buddha Statues- Not as famous as most temples on the island, but just as interesting are Phuket's two giant Buddha images. Located at samnagsong or meditation centers, rather than in temples these two giant sculptures are famous among Thai people but virtually unknown to tourists.
Wat Chalong temple is the most elaborate and famous on the island, revered for being the site of resistance to an invasion by the Chinese in the nineteenth century. Wat Chalong is famous for its healing powers and Thai people from all over the country flock to this place in order to regain their physical and spiritual powers.

Wat PhraThong - located in Thalang, is the second most important temple on Phuket, but its fame is derived by a magic Buddha statue and not from the healing powers of a monk. The Buddha statue within is believed to be solid gold within a layer of plaster. In a seated position and exposed up to the middle of the chest, it stands two metres tall, which indicates a full height of four metres. Nobody really knows who constructed the statue or why it was buried, but legend surrounds that from the day of discovery, grave misfortune has fallen on everyone who has ever tried to dig it up.

Wat Phranang Sang also in Thalang is the oldest Buddhist temple in Phuket and is more than 200 years old. It is believed that in 1785 the Burmese army tried to invade Phuket because this temple held precious manuscripts which detailed the location of ancient treasures. The temple location is of historic interest because the battle with the Burmese took place there and defined a time in the history of Phuket.

Wat Patong- Buddhist temple is at Patong Beach and is a most impressive icon of the city and the best time to visit is in the late afternoon, when the setting sun light reflects off an amazing array of golden ornaments.

Phuket Festivals

Magha Puhja - "worship on the full-moon day of the third lunar month in commemoration of the Great Assembly of Disciples" of Buddha. The date of the festival varies annually, according to the lunar calendar. It has been in February.
Visakha Bucha - This is the holiest of all Buddhist religious days. It marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha. An evening feature is a candlelight procession around the main monastery building. The date of the festival varies annually, according to the lunar calendar. It has been in May.
Asaraha Bucha - On the full-moon of the eighth lunar month the Buddhas first sermon after attaining enlightenment more than 2500 years ago is celebrated. Again there are evening candlelight processions in all Thai Buddhist temples. The date of the festival varies annually, according to the lunar calendar. It has been in July.
Chinese Vegetarian Festival - Every year on the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese calendar usually late September to early October, the Phuket Chinese ancestry participate in a nine-day vegetarian diet. Their spirit and body are cleansed and they gain great merit and ensure a trouble-free year ahead.
On the first day the gods, spirits and ghosts are begged to grant their merciful assistance to the people. After dark on the fifth and sixth day, believers gather at different locations to run over glowing charcoal. The participants running over glowing charcoal suffer no burns on the soles of their feet. On this day blood is shed with some participants piercing parts of their bodies with metal needles and sometimes lances several metres long.

Loi Krathong Festival - A picturesque festival celebrated at October and November is the Night of the Floating Candles on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. It is believed that floating the cups brings good luck and drives out the bad ghosts that arrived during the previous year. They watch the candles float slowly out of sight.

Songkran Festival - The Thai New Year is the most important event of the year. Songkran peaks on the 13th of April, but the activities run a couple of days on each side. It is a day for New Year resolutions and celebration. Everyone including tourists who take to the streets is likely to become soaking wet with ice water as Thai people celebrate and welcome the peak of the hot season. WARNING: Put your valuables in a plastic bag and water-proof your camera, wear rubber footwear and old clothes that can take a soaking.

Enroll now  and experience the amazing Phuket!

Remember everyone deserves a Traditional Thai Massage!

:)