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PHUKET Copyright: jee1999 / 123RF Stock Photo THAILAND DESTINATION GUIDE - CBS TRAVEL ASIA
THE ‘PEARL OF THE ANDAMAN’ IS THE IDEAL PLACE TO ENJOY WARM WEATHER, LUXURIOUS BEACHES AND ENTICING ATTRACTIONS Phuket is one of the most popular tourist areas in Thailand, it is an island – the country’s largest, in the Andaman Sea, though the term Koh, designating islands, has been dropped from its name as due to the size of the island and the bridge from the mainland, it does not really feel like an island. The province is connected to Phang Nga Province to the north by a bridge and is also a good base for exploration of the islands of Krabi province, to the east across the Phang Nga Bay. It is an up-market tourist destination, with a wealth of enticing attractions. Phuket suffered extreme damage in the 2004 Tsunami. Though many lives were lost and much infrastructure utterly destroyed, the clear up and rebuild was remarkably swift and visitors today will see little to no evidence remaining of the tragic events. This is one of the wealthiest parts of Thailand, largely due to the booming tourism industry and resorts reopened as early as the year after the Tsunami occurred. Phuket is a place always moving – moving forward and swiftly moving on. It is an exciting place to visit. The climate of the island is classified as a tropical monsoon climate. It has a dry season, which runs from December to March and a wet season that lasts throughout the other eight months. Phuket averages roughly 87 inches of rain, 2,200mm, each year and you should be aware that there is some rain here even during the dry season. Since Phuket is close to the equator, there is little variation in temperature throughout the year – temperatures are consistently between 24 and 34 degrees year round. Lovely for those who enjoy warm weather, luxuriating on beaches and enjoying other pursuits. Phuket has a very beautiful landscape. Over two thirds of the island is a mountainous landscape, there are forests of rubber trees across the island and some plains to the centre and east of the island. The coastline is strung with sandy beaches to the west while beaches on the east coast are usually muddy. There are no major rivers on the island, merely some small brooks CBS TRAVEL ASIA - THAILAND DESTINATION GUIDE that could be counted on the fingers of both hands. There are some important habitats throughout the landscape of the island that are crucial to a number of wildlife species. Thai culture is largely Buddhist and this is the same here, but one of the things that sets Phuket apart is that there is a high percentage of people who live here who are Muslim. Around 20% of the population share this religion. There are also a large number of people here of Chinese descent, many of whom are descended from tin miners who came here in the 19th Century. You will find the people here to be friendly, smiling and welcoming but should be sure to show modesty and respect in your dress, especially when visiting religious buildings and never go topless on any of the island’s beaches as this would not go down well with many locals. Thousands of ex-pats also live on Phuket and this is a popular place to which to retire as well as a popular tourist destination. Phuket town is the historic town of the island, standing distinct from busy settlements along the coast. It has a tangible history and culture that is evident in the Sino-Portuguese 19th Century architecture and in the local handicrafts on sale around the old town. At the beaches of the west coast you will find the very busy beach at Patong along with a bustling tourist resort with all the facilities that implies. There is a string of beaches backed by hotels and other tourist infrastructure all along the west coast. To the south-east of the island is Chalong Bay, Phuket’s most popular yacht anchorage and the gateway to islands like Phi Phi. Aside from the islands which are extremely popular to visit from Phuket, there are also many other offshore attractions and taking excursions and adventuring on and underneath the water account for much of the immense popularity of the island. Here you can do some world-class scuba diving, snorkelling or swimming, go in a canoe or a yacht or take part in some watersports or adrenaline fuelled activities. There is so much to do on and under the water continue on page 129... GETTING THERE You can fly direct to Phuket from Bangkok, which is the easiest option and takes only around an hour. You also can go for the cheapest option, which is to take the bus for the 12-14 hour ride, or the overnight train to Surat Thani, where you will have to disembark and complete the journey to Phuket by bus. Another option is to travel from Bangkok by car, which could turn the whole thing into a road trip adventure. PLACES TO VISIT PHUKET Patong Beach The most famous and welldeveloped beach on Phuket. Patong Beach is considered the ideal place for variety of activities, ranging from hundreds of restaurants and a glimpse of bustling nightlife. Kata Ni Beach This is a beautiful white beach with soft sand and crystal clear waters that are perfect for a swim. This is a family favourite and yet less crowded than some other beaches on the island. Gibbon Rehabilitation Project This wonderful and informative Gibbon sanctuary is a great project and a fascinating and beautiful place to visit, within the Bang Pae Waterfall nature conservation area. Conservationists here rescue Gibbons harmed by humans and their environment. Karon View Point This place has wonderful views down over the forested slopes to Kata and Karon beaches and the Andaman Sea beyond. Other places to visit: Phuket Big Buddha, Hai Harn Beach, Wat Chalong, Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, Phuket Trick Eye Museum, Kata Beach, Phrompthep Cape 127
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From the desk of the President & Ch
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CONTACT INFORMATION Business Develo
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Royal Muang Samui Villas 89 Samui P
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CBS TRAVEL ASIA - THAILAND DESTINAT
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DAY 5: CHIANG MAI • Breakfast at
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A HEADY CITY OF BRIGHT LIGHTS, ENDL
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GOOD TO KNOW Bangkok is a perfect b
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Kla ao China To Ayutthaya Kasem Rd.
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Dusit Palace Park To Ayutthaya Kase
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Kla ao Dusit Palace Pa To Ayutthaya
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Kla ao Dusit Pala To Ayutthaya Kase
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Kla ao To Ayutthaya Somdet Phra Pin
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Mode Sathorn Hotel Kla ao To Ayutth
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Kla ao To Ayutthaya Somdet Phra Pin
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Kla ao Dusit Palace Pa To Ayutthaya
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Kla ao To Ayutthaya Kase Somdet Phr
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Eastin Hotel Makkasan RAMADA PLAZA
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SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, BANGKOK DOWNTOWN
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To Ayutthaya Kasem Rd. N Somdet Phr
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Dusit Palace Park Kasem Rd. Nationa
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SWISSOTEL LE CONCORDE BANGKOK The h
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1 2 3 4 A B C D E NORTHERN THAILAND
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Mong Lin MYANMARA Mongton Tachileik
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Mong Lin PANVIMAN CHIANGMAI SPA RES
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MAP A B C D E SO Sofitel Hua Hin 21
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. SO Sofitel Hua Hin 21 km Radisson
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. SO Sofitel Hua Hin 21 km Radisson
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SO Sofitel Hua Hin 21 km Radisson B
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RADISSON BLU RESORT HUA HIN Radisso
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Excellent dining
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A POPULAR BACKPACKING DESTINATION A
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GOOD TO KNOW With the long stretch
Page 75 and 76: ANANTARA LAWANA RESORT & SPA Along
Page 77 and 78: CELES BEACHFRONT RESORT KOH SAMUI L
Page 79 and 80: FOUR SEASONS RESORT KOH SAMUI Four
Page 81 and 82: BANG KHAO LE MÉRIDIEN KOH SAMUI RE
Page 83 and 84: MUANG SAMUI SPA RESORT To the Koh T
Page 85 and 86: NORA BURI RESORT & SPA To the Koh T
Page 87 and 88: PAVILION SAMUI VILLAS AND RESORT Th
Page 89 and 90: ROYAL MUANG SAMUI VILLAS o Centrall
Page 91 and 92: SHERATON SAMUI RESORT To the Koh Ta
Page 93 and 94: SIX SENSES SAMUI Six Senses Samui i
Page 95 and 96: W RETREAT KOH SAMUI Located between
Page 97 and 98: KO PHALUAI Six Senses Samui ainland
Page 99 and 100: FACILITIES KOH PHANGAN DINING CHECK
Page 101 and 102: 1 2 1 2 3 KRABI PONG CAPE To Koh Ho
Page 103 and 104: HOLIDAY INN RESORT KRABI AO NANG BE
Page 105 and 106: THE PELICAN RESIDENCE AND SUITES Th
Page 107 and 108: PHULAY BAY, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE
Page 109 and 110: SOFITEL KRABI PHOKEETHRA GOLF & SPA
Page 111 and 112: WAREERAK HOT SPRING RETREAT ri Vogu
Page 113 and 114: pkaek Sunset hulay Bay, A Ritz Carl
Page 115 and 116: Excellent dining experiences in Kra
Page 117 and 118: MAP A B C D E THINGS TO DO 1 2 3 4
Page 119 and 120: AVANI PATTAYA RESORT & SPA Relax in
Page 121 and 122: DUSIT THANI PATTAYA Dusit Thani Pat
Page 123 and 124: HOLIDAY INN PATTAYA Holiday Inn Pat
Page 125: Excellent dining experiences in Pat
Page 129 and 130: GOOD TO KNOW Phuket is very popular
Page 131 and 132: CBS TRAVEL ASIA - THAILAND DESTINAT
Page 133 and 134: ANANTARA MAI KHAO PHUKET VILLAS Our
Page 135 and 136: ANGSANA LAGUNA PHUKET Excellent Bea
Page 137 and 138: BANTHAI BEACH RESORT & SPA Banthai
Page 139 and 140: COMO POINT YAMU, PHUKET Phuket’s
Page 141 and 142: DREAM PHUKET HOTEL & SPA Dream Phuk
Page 143 and 144: Natai Beach Resort & Spa, Phang Nga
Page 145 and 146: HOLIDAY INN RESORT PHUKET The Holid
Page 147 and 148: JW MARRIOTT PHUKET RESORT & SPA JW
Page 149 and 150: 11 km Natai Beach Resort & Spa, Pha
Page 151 and 152: MAIKHAO DREAM VILLA RESORT & SPA Ma
Page 153 and 154: THE NAKA ISLAND, A LUXURY COLLECTIO
Page 157 and 158: OUTRIGGER LAGUNA PHUKET BEACH RESOR
Page 159 and 160: Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort &
Page 161 and 162: RENAISSANCE PHUKET RESORT & SPA Wel
Page 163 and 164: SIX SENSES YAO NOI Six Senses Yao N
Page 165 and 166: Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort &
Page 169 and 170: TWINPALMS PHUKET Phuket’s Most Ex
Page 171 and 172: THE VILLAGE COCONUT ISLAND Experien
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