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Phuket Thailand Travel Guide
 Commonly described as the 'Pearl of the South', Phuket was the first of Thailand's many beautiful islands to be developed for mass tourism. It is the largest island in the country, 34 miles long and sixteen miles wide. The interior is mountainous and the coast is fringed with a series of idyllic white sand beaches some of which are more developed than others.
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Phuket town is in the south west and is the administrative capital. It's a pleasant little place with a very Chinese feel but of little interest to the tourist. The international airport is in the north near the bridge that crosses the sea channel to the mainland.
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Phuket's strength is in the variety it offers the visitor.  If you want neon lit nightlife and pumping music late into the night Phuket has it. If you want a quiet deserted getaway disturbed by nothing more than the sound of the sea and the cry of the gecko you have that too. It has some of the best diving and snorkeling in Asia and is also famous for yachting, windsurfing and every other kind of water sport. In addition the infrastructure is cutting edge with incredibly high standards of accommodation at all levels, a fantastic selection of dining options and a bewildering array of shops and markets.
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The most developed beach is Patong. If it is excitement you are after then this is the place. The seafront is lined with restaurants, hotels and bars and the partying goes on late into the night. Unlike in Pattaya, the town it most closely resembles, the beach is very good, pure white sand. During the day it as good a place as any to sunbathe, swim or read a book. There are hotels and guesthouses in every price range and it is the best place on the island for interntional cuisine.
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If you want to be close to the action, but not in it, head just north of Patong to Kamala. It is a lot quieter and still feels like the small fishing village it once was. The beach itself is superb. Nearby but more up market is Surin beach. This is given over to expensive resorts.
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Quite a lot further north are Bang Tao and Nai Thon. Bang Tao has attracted quite a number of the world's top hotel chains and also boasts an 18 hole golf course. Nai Thon is very secluded, very quiet and very beautiful. There is modestly price accommodation and it is an excellent place for those who want serious peace and quiet.
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Going south from Patong is Karon beach. This is large and uncluttered. Although not as raucous as Patong at night there are a good sprinkling of bars and restaurants. It is a good intermediate option. Next door Kata beach is similar but quieter.
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Further south is the relatively undeveloped Nai Harn beach. Most of the sea front is owned by Samnak Song Nai Harn temple which has saved it from over development. It feels very remote which suits many.
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On Nai Harn, and indeed most beaches on Phuket, there can be dangerous tides and currents. People do die every year. If there are warning flags up then you take your life in your hands if you choose to go swimming.
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Phuket is a big island so there is more to see than just the beaches.  You can drive around the mountainous interior. Motorcycles can be hired everywhere and the roads are very good. There are some great viewpoints from which you can see Phuket and the surrounding seas spread out before you. Laem Phromthep in the south is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. Near the city is Khao Rang.
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Another place to go is The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project at Bang Pae in the north of the island. Gibbons are the ugly face of tourism in Phuket. When they are young and cute poachers kill their mothers in the wild and then sell them to hawkers who charge tourists for photos. When they grow older and larger they are discarded and left to die. The project helps to rehabilitate these poor creatures and return them to the wild.
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Phuket is so popular because it really does have it all. Whatever kind of vacation you want, in Phuket it will be at your fingertips.
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About The Author
Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com - All of the materials on this site are the sole property and responsibility of Cheapthaitravel.com. This material may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
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