What to See in Phuket
For many, the first glimpse of Thailand through the taxi's windows on the ride from the airport to their accommodation is a cultural eye-opener. First-time visitors are fascinated by the sights, sounds and exotic smells of Phuket and can't get enough. Yet there is more to see as the island has beautiful Buddhist temples, stunning cabaret shows and magnificent sunsets as well as that most welcoming of sights – the Thai smile.
If there is one accessory that is essential when visiting Phuket it is a camera in order to capture as many images a possible of this fascinating and rewarding place.
Wat Chalong and Temples of Phuket
The most important of the 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, Wat Chalong is located in the centre of the island near the port of Chalong. It is dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chuang and Luang Pho Chaem who, with their knowledge of herbal medicine, helped the injured of a Chinese coolie tin miners' rebellion in 1876.
There's no charge to enter but donations towards the temple's upkeep are welcome. In keeping with Buddhist beliefs visitors should dress respectfully and remove shoes before entering the temple. A final word of caution: women should never touch a monk. (Read more...)
Old Phuket Town
As you travel around the island you will notice a rich mixture of cultures and traditions. The many Chinese who made Phuket their home some 200 years ago have helped influence the architecture in Phuket Town, with its 'Sino-Portugese' colonial look. (Read more...)
Phuket FantaSea
An award-winning attraction park and cabaret show, FantaSea is built on 140 acres of land in Kamala and encompasses games, shopping handicrafts, a 4,000-seater buffet featuring Thai and international cuisine, cafés and extravaganzas.
The show itself almost defies description as it is a melange of Thai culture, fantasy, excellent choreography, pyrotechnics, performing animals, acrobatics, trapeze artistes, fight scenes and historical re-enactments. The audience sometimes gets lost in and a little bewildered by the eclectic plot but all agree that it's a wonderful evening out. From the creators of Bangkok's Safari World, FantaSea spares no expense in impressing and dazzling visitors. (Read more...)
Soi Bangla
Soi Bangla is not for the faint hearted or the conservatives of this world. Bangla is the stomping ground of vividly dressed and pneumatically bosomed 'katoeys' or ladyboys as well as extremely friendly girls who use every trick in the book (and some that are not) to entice passers by into their bars for a drink and maybe more.
What people tend overlook, however, is that Bangla is also a good place to buy DVD's, music CD's, computer games, fake designer clothes and bags. There are also a couple of good live music venues and sports bars. Bangla may not be the epicentre of fine dining in Patong but it's great for people watching. (Read more...)
Simon Cabaret
Long an institution in Phuket, Simon Cabaret, a transvestite and transsexual Vegas-style show had humble beginnings in a shophouse and nowadays is a glitzy venue that draws busloads of curious sightseers. The show itself is nothing to write home about – lip synching pop songs and cabaret tunes – but the costumes and stage management are admirable and worth a trip to see.
One of the most amusing aspects of the evening is the audience reaction. The many upturned faces raptly watching the show, trying to imagine these regal and graceful dancers as men is a show in itself. Photo opportunities are possible after the show. (Read more...)
