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Phuket, 890 Km South of Bangkok is Thailand's largest island and until the island was ravaged by a Tsunami in January 2005 was the country's most popular tourist destination. The island is slowly recovering from this tragedy and is very much welcoming visitors once again.
Phuket is easily accessible by air and many people fly straight in to Phuket without ever seeing the rest of the country.
The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and you can travel by bus direct from Bangkok or by train and bus via Surat Thani.
Phuket town has a population of some 50,000 although few visitors spend much time there. The main attractions on the island are the excellent beaches which are packed with hotels, tourist resorts, bars, restaurants and other facilities. Most visitors fly in for the sun, sand and sin although there are many who visit to enjoy the many watersports opportunities available on Phuket.
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There are numerous beaches to choose from if you are visiting for the first time, the most developed and popular being Patong and Karon beaches on the west coast of the island.
Whilst the island is paradise to many and has some scenic beaches, overall prices for accommodation are far higher on Phuket than Ko Samui on the other side of the peninsula. Phuket is packed with tourists and luxury hotels and is geared for those jetting in and out on short package tours, rather than for the longer staying traveler. Phuket is perfect for those seeking nothing more than a comfortable hotel, good food and plenty of sun.
Local transportation is mostly by public Songthaew and as elsewhere in Thailand be sure that you are not "chartering" the entire vehicle when you hop on. You can also rent jeeps and motorcycles at most beaches.
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The main attractions aside from self indulgence in and around Phuket are the Phi Phi islands some 50 km east of Phuket - most people take a day tour with lunch and snorkeling gear thrown in. These tiny islands are beautiful and there are bungalows there if you choose to stay a few days.
Also popular is Phang Nga Bay about an hour's bus ride from Phuket. From Phang Nga town boats can be hired to take you around the weird, monolithic rocks rising out of the ocean up to 300 metres in height. The main claim to fame in the bay aside from its beauty is Khao Ping Gan, known as James Bond Island after appearing in one of the James Bond films. Take your camera along but expect to run into plenty of boatloads of tourists out there.
There is ample nightlife on Phuket - Patong Beach has perhaps the highest concentration of go go bars, nightclubs, restaurants and massage parlors, al la Pattaya style.
Hotelz Asia can offer a wide variety of hotel and resort accommodation in Phuket at great rates - check out our Phuket specials for a great deal.
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