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Visitors to Thailand who hold valid passports or travelling documents
issued by any country included in an officially issued list of eligible
countries, are permitted one-month visa-free visits. If planning
a longer stay, a Tourist Visa valid for 60 days must be obtained
from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. Visa extensions can
be applied for at the Immigration Department in Bangkok or in Phuket.
By Air
Several carriers now fly directly to Phuket's International Airport
from locations abroad, making a stopover in Bangkok unnecessary.
Particularly in the high tourist season, flights come directly
from all over Asia, Australia and Europe. It is still the trend
for many tourists to come through Bangkok however, catching domestic
flights via Thai Airways, which run regularly through the day,
7 days a week. Flight schedules can be found on the Thai
Airways web page or by Tel: (02) 232 8000 (Bangkok office);
or (076) 327 144 (Phuket office).
 Bangkok
Airways offers a daily 25-minute flight to and from Koh
Samui on the other side of the peninsula. This is a popular option
for those wanting to take in all of Thailand's beautiful beaches.
If travelling from (or to) Krabi, Air Andaman has recently begun
operating daily flights between Phuket and Krabi, with schedules
dependent on the season and weather conditions. They also operate
a Phuket-Surat Thani flight daily - handy for those who want to
take the train from Bangkok and complete the last leg by air (See
Train Info below). Call the Air Andaman Phuket Office: 076-351374,
351375; or Krabi Office: 075-691495 for details.
From the airport, travel to locations around the island can be
undertaken by taxi or hired minivan, unless your hotel has arranged
transfer for you. For a rough guide: a trip to Patong in a shared
minivan will cost approximately 100 Baht. If hiring a taxi, expect
to pay up to 600Baht. The trip to Patong takes approximately 40
minutes.
If travelling from (or to) Krabi, Air
Andaman has recently begun operating daily flights between
Phuket and Krabi, with schedules dependent on the season and weather
conditions. They also operate a Phuket-Surat Thani flight daily
- handy for those who want to take the train from Bangkok and
complete the last leg by air (See Train Info below). As of March
25th, 2001, there will also be flights from Bangkok to Phuket
via Chumporn and return. Call the Air Andaman Phuket Office:
076-351374, 351375; or Krabi Office: 075-691495 for details.
A complete list of airlines servicing Phuket and links to
flight schedules are provided here.
By Train
Train lovers can travel from Hualomphong Station in Bangkok to
Surathani Province, and catch a bus from there to Phuket. Travel
to Surathani by train takes approximately 12 hours, with various
classes of seating available ranging in price from 187 Baht to
1040 Baht. Train schedules for the State
Railway of Thailand can be found by contacting Tel: (02)
220 4334. Advance tickets are available at all principal stations
or the Bangkok Advance Booking Office. Tel. (02) 225-0300 ext
5200-3. For bus timetable and information contact the Surathani
Bus Terminal on 077-200031-3.
Overland by Road
From Bangkok the journey to Phuket can be undertaken by bus -
a trip that takes about 14 hours. Daily services leave from the
Southern Bus Terminal in Thonburi, and there are many private
services available from almost any travel agent and hotel tour
desk in the city. For information on bus timetables contact the
Southern Bus Terminal on Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok, Tel:
(662) 435-1200, 434-7192. Most services will bring you directly
to the Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town, from where you can
take a local bus to most beaches on the island, or a taxi truck
or Tuk Tuk.
If you want to go your own way, drive down to Phuket in a hire
car - the road system is good and well sign-posted. Travel on
Route 4 from Bangkok to the south, passing through Nakhon Pathom,
Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap-Khirikan, At Chumphon go
right to Ranong where you must head south through Kraburi and
Kapoe Districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes
through Kuraburi, Takuapa, and Thai Muang Districts before reaching
the town of Kok Kloy. From here cross the Sarasin Bridge to Phuket
Island. Head down the main highway and follow the signs to your
destination beach.
There are many car hire firms in Bangkok, including international
rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis, which offer full
insurance. An international driving license is required.
By Sea
Cruise and cargo ships come to Phuket from abroad. Contact your
travel agent for information about the many different ships that
stop at Phuket. For private vessels entering Phuket waters, there
are regulations that should be observed which include that all
vessels must report upon entry to:
Phuket Port Control Center
2nd Floor Phuket Fishing Lodge Hotel
52/2 Moo 9 Tambon (Sub District) Chalong
Amphoe Muang, Phuket,
Latitude 7o 49' 0" N, Longitude 98o 22' 0" E,
Tel. and Fax. 66 76 381614.
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