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Tourist
Attractions
Chalong Temple
 is
about 8 kms. outside town. Take Vichit Songkram
Rd., to the Bypass Rd., and turn left, and drive
for about 10 mins. Wat Chalong will be on your
left. This is where stands the cast statue of
Luang Por Cham, who helped the people of Phuket
put down the Angyee, or Chinese Coolie, Rebellion
in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are
also statues of Luang Por Chaung, and Luang Por
Gluam. Other monks, who were abbots of the temple
during later times, and who are the objects of
respect and recipients of the offerings by Phuket
people generally.
Antique Buildings
 The
beginning of the tin boom during the Nineteenth
Century led to construction of many fine old mansions
and shops still well preserved. The architectural
style, typical of the region, is described as
Sino-Portuguese and has a strongly Mediterranean
chracter. Shops present a very narrow face on
the street but stretch back a long way. Many,
especially on Dibuk Rd., have old wooden doors
with Chinese fretwork carving. Other streets,
forming what might be called "Old Phuket",
with similar structures are Phang-nga, Yaowarat,
Thalang, and Krabi, and a walking tour of the
area is easy and delightful. Some other old European-style
buildings of note are the Provincial Hall (Sala
Klang), the Phuket Courthouse (San Changwat),
and Nakhon Luang Thai Bank.
Saphan Hin
 A
land reclamation project provided abundant new
land now used for parks and public facilities
at Sapan Hin, located where Phuket Rd., meets
the sea in Phuket Town. In the circle is the Tin
Mining Monument, shaped like a large drill bit,
dedicated to the memory of Captain Edward Thomas
Miles, the Australian who brought the first tin
dredge to Phuket in 1909. The monument was built
in 1969 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary
of tin dredging in Phuket. The Sport Center is
located in the park.
Patong Beach
 This
is Phuket's central tourist and night time entertainment
district. Over the years, Patong has turned from
a fishing village into one of the island's two
cities. The famous bay and 4 km. beach is know
as a centre of entertainment with restaurants
catering to every nationality. Live music can
be found in most pubs and bars. Accommodations
range from budget to five-star. Shopping opportunities
appear to be endless. In addition, there are many
tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their
vacations. Some of the options available are listed
below.
Kalim Beach
This beach is really a continuation north of Patong's
strand, from which it is separated by some rocks.
It is not yet developed and thus affords some
privacy. At the back of the beach are accommodations.
The waters contain extensive coral reefs.
Kamala Beach
Kamala is a Muslim fishing village north of Patong.
Tourist development on the beach much of which
is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a police
outpost has been slow in coming. Buffalo herds
still come down to the beach to cool off in the
afternoon. The beach is beautiful and about 2
kms. in length. There are accommodations ranging
from guesthouse to international class, and a
number of small Thai restaurants specializing
in seafood for the tourist. Kamala is the perfect
place to get away from it all and has little to
offer in the way of entertainment for that go
across the mountains to Patong. Regular bus service
to and from Phuket Town during daytime; tuk-tuk
service available to Patong, 5 kms. away on the
new road.
Phra Tong Temple
 This
temple enshrines a golden Buddha image that sprang
up from beneath the earth long ago. The story
is of a young boy who tied his buffalo to what
he thought was a post; it was in an area at that
time given over to the raising of animals. After
doing so, he fell down in agony and died. The
father of the boy dreamed that the reason his
son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy
buffalo to a sacred object, that what the boy
thought was a post was in reality the golden peak
of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his neighbors
the dream and they all went out to dig up the
statue but had no success.
Later, at the time of Thao Thep Kasatri's heroic
defense against the Burmese in 1785, the invaders
tried to succeed where the villagers had failed;
their intention was to take the Buddha image back
to Burma. Sacred objects and slaves were then
the most sought after spoils for armies. The Burmese,
however, were unable to retrieve the golden Buddha
despite several attempts; they were finally driven
off by a swarm of angry hornets.
After this the villagers decided to protect their
miraculous statue by covering the part that stuck
up from the ground with a plaster cast of Buddha's
head and shoulders's which is the way it is today.
Located north of the traffic light on the outskirts
of Thalang Town. A large sign shows the entrance.
Surin Beach
Evergreen trees rim this small, curving bay beneath
the foothills north of Kamala. Surin is home to
Phuket's first golf coures, a nine-hole course
laid out more than sixty years ago during the
reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse
except as a park. The steep incline of the beach,
turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a dangerous
place to swim during the rainy season. Located
at the end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running
west from the Two Heroines Monument, 24 kms. from
Phuket Town. Accommodations and restaurants are
nearby.
Sing Cape
 The
name means Lion's Point in English. The beach
is in a small, curving bay with rocky headlands
at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among
Phuket's most beautiful spots. Located about 1
km. south of the entrance to Surin Beach. Look
for signs indicating the path down to the beach.
Bangthao Beach
Bangthao is a large open bay with one of Phuket's
longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining,
but has since been developed into a luxury resort.
Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex,
a massive five-hotel development with golf course.
There are, however, accommodations available outside
Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming
is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a
smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the
mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places
to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities
available either at Laguna or in the nearby town
of Choeng Thale.
The beach is located off Sri Sunthon Rd., in Choeng
Thale. As for access to Laguna; the south end
of the bay may be approached by taking the road
north from Surin Beach. To get to the far north
end from Sri Sunthon Rd., take the road leading
to Laguna, but do not enter, continue on to the
town of Bandon where there is an intersection
of asphalted roads, and take the one leading west
toward the sea. This road leads also to Nai Thon
Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along the
way are some small bays with good swimming and
no development.
Nai Yang Beach
This is where the National Park office is located.
The beach itself is on a long curving bay lined
with evergreens that provide shade to picnicker.
The large coral reef is home to many different
species of fish, and Nai Yang is well known as
a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs
during the period from November to February; the
population of these has however, dropped off greatly.
First class accommodations are available and small
food vendors cater to the many day trippers. To
get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and look for
signs indicating the park entrance.
Nai Thon Beach
This quiet bay nestled at the foot of high hills
has a fine strip of the sand. There are some accommodationes
but virtually no other business. Located between
Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach
can be reachd by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn
at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town
to Nai Yang Rd. Look for signs indicating the
turn-off to Nai Ton.
Mai Khao Beach
 Many
kilometers of deserted beach characterize Mai
Khao where there is little tourist business. The
water is fine for swimming during the dry season;
the rainy season brings big waves and strong currents
that are dangerous. This lonely beach is another
area where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is
also home to what the Thais call a sea cicada,
which is a form of marine life. To get there go
to the northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies
along the road's length |
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Phuket
