Phuket is Truly a Paradise on Earth

Phuket is Truly a Paradise on Earth

Phuket is an incredible tourist destination, located in the sparkling waters of the Andaman Sea, on the south-west coast of Thailand. Acknowledged as the 'Pearl of the South' and the 'Jewel of the Andaman Sea,' Phuket is only an hour flying from Bangkok.

Phuket is also the largest island in Thailand, and is credited to be the only island in the country with status of a province. Formerly known as Talang, Phuket boasts of a rich as well as long history dating back to more than 500 years. Phuket once served as an important trade route between India and China.

The island also flourished as a center for tin manufacturing processes, which in turn attracted many Europeans including the Dutch and the British. Perhaps, the most important segment of Phuket's history is the Battle of Thalang, during which Burmese invaders were defeated. Phuket still retain its old world charm, and provides gamut of attractions, covering impressive palm-fringed beaches, beautiful coves and bays, lush green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and ancient mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

The prime draw of Phuket is undoubtedly its gorgeous coastline, which is a fine blend of amazing white sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and spectacular limestone cliffs. Many of the top beaches in the area are clustered around the western coastline, such as Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Karon Beach. Kata Beach, Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach, Laem Sing Beach, Chalong Bay, Panwa Beach, Nai Ham Beach, Nai Yang Beach, Mai Khao Beach.

Rawai Beach are the other popular beaches in Phuket. With these scores of beaches, Phuket is truly a haven for water sport lovers. Just think of any of the water sport activities, it would be easily available in Phuket.

A range of tour operators and dive shops operate here to provide you excellent choices to enjoy a variety of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more. Many of them even provide services of an expert guide in order to assist you in enjoying water sport activities. Phuket is not only a destination to enjoy water sport activities but also to enjoy a range of other activities such as golfing, trekking, and nature walks.

No visit to Phuket would be complete without touring its historical and cultural sites such as Old China Town, dotted with elegant Sino-Portuguese mansions. Also, take a tour to the elegant temples in the region, like, Wat Chalong - one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phra Thong, whose highlight is a huge half buried image of the Buddha; and Wat Phranangsang, dedicated to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang. Equally worth mentioning are the interesting museums of the region, including, Phuket Sea Shell Museum and Thalang National Museum.

Covered with forested hills, the island is also home to such attractions as Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, which comes with dazzling waterfalls and unique as well as rich flora and fauna, apart from an eight-kilometer hiking path. Phuket's attractions also include Butterfly Garden and Insectarium - a large open-air enclosure housing thousands of varied butterflies amid lush greenery; Marine Biological Research Centre - an aquarium featuring a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish; Promthep Cape - providing enchanting views of the sunsets; and Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre.

A specialty of Phuket is its fresh, authentic sea food cuisines, which is famed across the world. Likewise, after a day of adventure sports or sightseeing in Phuket, don't forget to take a rejuvenating spa massage. A plethora of spa therapy centers and spa resorts are available across the island, providing relaxing spa treatments and massages. Along with other activities, Phuket provides superb options for shopping in the form of a multitude of stores and bazaars and night markets.

If you are looking for something different during your stay at Phuket, then head to Phuket Town to view Muay Thai, a kind of Thai boxing. There are even training centers to master this traditional discipline. Above all, a great attraction of the island is its exciting as well as vibrant nightlife, with a variety of pubs, bars, nightclubs, go go bars, and restaurants to choose from.

Phuket is the Treasure of Thailand

Phuket is the Treasure of Thailand

The largest island in Thailand, Phuket is an enchanting destination, located about 850 km south of the nation's capital, Bangkok, in the Andaman Sea. Phuket holds the distinction of being the only island in Phuket with provincial status.

Sometimes acknowledged as the 'Pearl of the South,' Phuket boasts of a long rich as well as colorful history dating back to more than 500 years ago. An eventful segment in the history of Phuket is the Battle of Thalang, in which the Burmese invaders were defeated by forces under the administration of two women.

Phuket is now categorized into three administrative regions: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kathu, and Amphoe Thalang. Al though Phuket has now become a thriving tourist center, it still preserves its old world charm, and come with an incredible array of attractions comprising imposing gorgeous coves and bays, long stretch of palm-fringed beaches, tiny estuaries, beautiful lagoons, lush green mountains, scintillating waterfalls, and age-old mansions reflecting Indo-Portuguese architecture.

Much of the Phuket's glory lies in its beautiful white sandy beaches. Majority of the top beaches in the areas such as Kamala Beach - an excellent area for relaxation, Patong Beach - most vibrant among the beaches in the area, and Karon Beach, located south of Patong Beach, are situated in the western coastline.

Popular beaches in the area also include Kalim Beach, an isolated beach dotted with coral reefs and rocks; Kata Beach consisting of Kata Noi and Kata Yai beaches; Nai Han Beach, which is much favored for its white powdery sand and azure blue waters; Rawai Beach, a pristine beach whose surroundings are home to Chao Le people; and Mai Khao Beach, also known as the Airport Beach. Each of the beaches in the area is enchanting, and is a haven to enjoy a continuum of water sport activities such as fishing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, rafting, sailing, scuba diving, and more.

However, the activities that can be enjoyed in Phuket are not restricted to water sport activities. For instance, if you are a golf freak, excellent choices are available for you in the form of Dino Park, an 18-hole mini-golf course located on Karon Beach; golf course in Hat Surin built during the reign of King Rama VII; and Log Palm Golf Club near Amphoe Krathu. Besides, superb options are available to enjoy activities such as mountain biking, trekking, bungy jumping, nature walks, and hiking.

When comes to sightseeing, options are truly diverse and endless. For example, a tour to historical sites including Old China Town, packed with stunning Sino-Portuguese mansions, would be a refreshing experience. Likewise, to have a peep into the history of the region, a best way would be visit the interesting museums in the region such as Thalang National Museum and Phuket Sea Shell Museum.

Phuket also provides a feast of attractions to wild life and nature lovers, such as, Khao Phra Thaeo National Park boasting of unique flora and fauna; Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, with thousands of varied species of butterflies; Promthep Cape, from where one can savor the incredible views of the sunset; and Marine Biological Research Centre, an aquarium with a variety of rare fish species.

A visit to Phuket would be incomplete without taking a tour to its ancient shrines including Wat Chalong - one of the biggest shrines in the region; Wat Phranangsang, devoted to two heroines who defeated the Burmese invaders in the Battle of Thalang; and Wat Phra Thong, whose centerpiece is a large half buried image of the Lord Buddha.

Nightlife in Phuket is really sedative, with hundreds of girlie bars, nightclubs, pubs, disco clubs, and go-go bars. Similarly, dining options available in Phuket is endless, consisting of an array of restaurants serving everything from excellent Thai dishes to sumptuous western style cuisines. Additionally, Phuket is a shopper's paradise, with a plethora of markets, department stores, street stalls, and specialist shops, apart from a large night bazaar.

Above all, accommodation options are aplenty in Phuket, ranging from world-class hotels and resorts to elegant tropical style villas and bungalows. No matter you are looking for budget accommodation or one with luxurious amenities, Phuket has accommodation to suit every taste and pocket. With the introduction of the internet, it has now become quite easy to find a hotel in Phuket that go with your requirements. Many of them provide options to book hotel rooms and other facilities online.

With these scores of attractions and a plenty of accommodation options, make your vacation in Phuket memorable.

Scuba Diving In Thailand - The Secrets Of One Of The Worlds Most Popular Diving Destinations

Scuba Diving In Thailand - The Secrets Of One Of The Worlds Most Popular Diving Destinations

by Mark Burns

Thailand has one of the world's most diverse marine habitats, with more than 300 major reef groups covering an area of over 4,500 square miles. From pinnacles and submerged rocks, through to stunning coral gardens and sheer walls, the scuba diving in Thailand has something to offer scuba divers of all levels of experience. It is this diversity in marine habitats and diving environments which attracts so many divers to the waters around Thailand every year, and today the region is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations.
There are a number of major diving destinations in Thailand, all offering a wide selection of diverse dive sites. Throughout all of these major destinations is a network of well equipped, knowledgeable and experienced dive centres, offering a range of diving from leisure dives through to a selection of scuba diving courses.

It would be impossible to discuss Thailand, without looking at the scuba diving in Phuket and the surrounding areas. Without doubt, the diving in Phuket is of the highest standard, and the waters surrounding the 'island' host a number of excellent dive sites. However, the real underwater treasures of Phuket lie slightly further afield. Dive sites such as the Burma Banks, The Similan Islands and the Mergui Archipelago are often found high on the wish list of many discerning scuba diver and offer some of South East Asia's finest dive sites.

The scuba diving on the Western Gulf of Thailand sees a different emphasis, and the small islands found here have become one of the world's most popular areas to learn to scuba dive. In fact, the island of Koh Tao has developed a complete tourist industry from scuba diving, and today large numbers of would be scuba divers travel to Koh Tao every day to begin their diving education. Other islands within the Western Gulf of Thailand are also home to developed scuba diving industries, and destinations such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are both home to a large number of dive centres and excellent dive sites.

Throughout Thailand there are a number of exceptional dive sites, and sites such as the Richelieu Rock and Chumpon Pinnacle are widely acknowledged as being world class dive sites. However it is the sheer volume of excellent dive sites that makes Thailand such a popular destination. Destinations such as Pattaya, Krabi, Ko Chang and the Surin Islands are all home to a number of exceptional dive sites and dive centres.

Today, Thailand is one of the world's most popular scuba diving destinations, and large numbers of scuba divers travel long distances to dive in the waters surrounding this stunning country. The sheer diversity of the diving on offer here ensures that there is something to cater for all tastes and levels of experience. From vertical wrecks, through to submerged pinnacles, from the largest sharks, through to the smallest nudibranches, the diving in Thailand has something for everyone.

Scuba Diving In Phuket - The Pearl of the Andaman

Scuba Diving In Phuket - The Pearl of the Andaman

by Mark Burns

Located on the western coast of the Thailand Peninsula, with its shores on the warm waters of the Andaman Sea lies the beautiful island of Phuket. The largest island off the coast of Thailand, the island of Phuket covers an area of just over 300 square miles, and is connected to mainland Thailand via a bridge at the north of the island.
For the past 25 years, the island of Phuket has catered for a large number of tourists from all over the world, a large percentage of whom are scuba divers looking to dive on some Asia's finest dive sites. Today, scuba diving in Phuket is big business, and the island has a large number of excellent dive centres offering a number of diving services ranging from leisure dives through to the most advanced courses.

The Racha Islands, located off the Southern tip of Thailand are one of Phuket's best dive sites, and the two islands offer excellent diving in crystal clear waters as well as the opportunity for big animal encounters. In particular, the smaller island, Racha Noi, offers some breathtaking underwater scenery, and is renowned for both whale shark and manta ray encounters.

The dive sites off Ao Phang-Nga, including the famous Shark Point and King Cruiser Wrecks, are widely acknowledged as being the best dive sites in the Phuket region. The waters around in and around Ao Phang-Nga are notable for the profusion of marine life, offering divers access to a range of marine life and coral which is unrivalled elsewhere in Phuket.

Phuket is also home to one of the worlds most developed liveaboard industries, with a large number of liveaboards offering diving in destinations such as the Similan Islands, the Mergui Archipelago and the Burma Banks. For scuba divers wishing to dive these more remote destinations, a Phuket liveaboard is the only realistic option for access. As such, the liveaboard industry in Phuket is a thriving and competitive business, with an increasing number of liveaboards operating from Phuket.

Further east lie the islands of Ko Phi Phi Don, and Ko Phi Phi Lae, a region characterised by the stunning topography of the amazing limestone cliffs. These islands are fringed with a number of hard coral gardens, as well as some excellent examples of soft corals, orange sea fans, sea whips and black coral.

Phuket is well deserving of its title as the 'Pearl of the Andaman,' and undoubtedly the region boasts some of Thailand's best dive sites. As environmental issues such as marine conservation slowly work their way up Thailand's political agenda, the future for scuba diving in Phuket looks a healthy one.

Leasing Apartments In Phuket almost as good as Buying

Leasing Apartments In Phuket almost as good as Buying

by Scott Riefler

Can leasing apartments in Phuket be as good as purchasing freehold? Many people believe so because there have been many apartments recently. Current Thailand law allows you to lease an Apartment for 30 years and have two extensions. This allows the purchaser to hold the property in their name for 90 years.
Freehold means that when you purchase you own the apartment in your own name. This is done by an apartment project in Phuket only selling up to 49% of the apartments to foreign owners. If a project is 50 units, the project developers would sell 24 as freehold and 26 as leasehold or to Thai owners. This sounds pretty complicated but setting this up is really very simple.

Leasing a piece of land is a very different story. In order to lease the land, it has to be registered at the local or-bor-tor office and it's a good idea to also register it at the land office. Some people like to lease land because they may not have to commit a lot of money. The terms can be to pay money every year. This can turn against the lease if he ever builds on the land and tries later to sell the property.

Leasing a property like an apartment is usually set up very different. If you lease through a real estate agent or broker they usually have a standard contract for a lease. Have a lawyer give you advise when signing a lease contract. This is to make sure your rights and interests are protected.

One big disadvantage of a lease is it might be hard to extent the lease after the first 30 years is expired. This is because the law reads that you must extend the lease every 30 years by the original land owner. It's even been know that original land owner may refuse the second 30 years lease even though they promised it in the first contract.

One option to leasing land was to set up a company and have the company own the land. In my opinion this option is no longer viable because the land offices are checking these shaky companies that have no purpose other than owning land. The door to owning houses or apartments in Thai companies is no longer open.

Apartments in Phuket can be bought freehold if you can find a property that is still freehold to buy into. Most properties like this are sold out under preconstruction and jonnie come lately has to pick at what units are left if any. If your plan is to purchase a unit that's 100% finished and ready to be moved it to you will find you will get the very worse units in the project. Even these units may not be available as freehold and leasing them may be the only option.

If the property investor is willing to take high risks, he can purchase a nice unit on preconstruction. The risk one takes if the project will ever start and more importantly, will it ever finish. If the project sells well and finishes within a year or two of planned completion date, the investor was lucky and has a nice unit to be proud of.

In closing, Apartments in Phuket can be a great investment if the owner is a careful shopper and weighs all factors when purchasing an apartment. Not only location, quality of construction and view are important. One must look at the ownership and the value that it will or may have 30 years down the road. Leasing in Phuket in lieu of owning an apartment unit freehold may be an option for the investor who is willing to take some calculated risk.

Have a Fabulous Time in Phuket

Have a Fabulous Time in Phuket

Situated to the south of Bangkok, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It is also well known as 'Pearl of Andaman' or the 'Pearl of the South'. Phuket is one of the best places around the world to have a fabulous vacation.

Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy their vacation in full swing. Have a fabulous time in Phuket, the place which is famous for its limestone beaches, sandy white beaches, and tropical forests. Phuket is bordered by Phang-nga Province in the northern side and the rest sides are bounded by the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is famous for diving; therefore the place is best for diving enthusiasts. Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge connect Phang-nga Province to this island. Phuket has a total area of approximately 543 square kilometers and is situated near to west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The best time to visit this place is from the month of November to February. During this period you can have a fabulous climate here. During this time, the temperature of Phuket will be between 23 to 33 degree celsius and you can enjoy obvious blue sky and the touch of the fresh sea gentle wind and the view of the crystal blue water.

Phuket is also well-liked among tourists for being gifted with Sino-Portuguese architecture and the typical hospitality they follow. A wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from modern resorts to sprawling bungalows are available through out Phuket.

Phuket is considered as the busiest, beautiful, and the most famous vacation destination in the South. Phuket has immense number of snow white beaches, limestone cliffs, tranquil broad bays, and tropical in-land forests. It is a place for every sort of fun and is famous for a wide range of marine activities.

The beauty of Phuket attracts thousands of visitors round the year. Prompthep Cape, with panoramic eye spots, is the most famous beauty spot in Phuket. People usually come here to watch sunset. Wildlife is also a major attraction in Phuket. If you are interested in wild life then you will get the opportunity to watch wildlife in the great Phuket Zoo.

You can also enjoy pleasure activities such as crocodile shows, monkey shows and elephant shows in the Phuket Zoo. The zoo has a total area of 10 hectares and has over 100 kinds of reptiles, 600 species of birds and amphibians, and 45 types of mammals. You can see Buddhist temples throughout Phuket. Situated to the south of Phuket, Wat Chalong is one of the biggest Buddhist temples and one of the major attractions in Phuket.

The temple is extremely privileged for the statues of two of its early abbots who had fabled healing ills. Wat Phra Thong Temple, situated in the middle of Phuket Island, houses a huge statue of Buddha in half buried state. This temple is also well known in the name "Golden Buddha Temple."

Phuket Seashell Museum, situated on Viset Road, near Rawai Beach, is a favorite place for tourists round the year. The museum has a collection of over 2,000 rarities such as the only left-handed Noble Volute ever discovered, 380 million-year-old fossils, giant clams and one of the rarest golden pearls of the world. Koh Sirey Island, also known as Koh Si Re, is also a famous tourist attraction which is situated on the eastern side of Phuket town.

The island is accessed by a small bridge and has abalone farms, a few fine beaches, a temple on a hill and a sea gypsy village. You can drive around this hilly island in half an hour. The island has many inshore sights which are unbelievably beautiful.

Phuket Butterfly Garden & Aquarium is a best place for nature lovers. It has a wide collection of specimens of tropic butterflies flying around freely in a massive dome. Watercourses and ponds in the aquarium have a great collection of exotic insects and fish.

The most beautiful beach in Phuket is Patong Beach. It is home to wide range of activities and nightlife. It is also a perfect place for party and play. Phuket is famous for its bustling nightlife including hundreds of eating places.

Things To See And Do In Phuket Are Truly Endless

Things To See And Do In Phuket Are Truly Endless

Phuket is perhaps the most populous as well as the most visited destinations in Thailand. Phuket is not only the largest island in the country but also the only island province in the country. Awe-inspiring scenery, breathtaking tropical sunsets, palm-lined white sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, serene broad bays, lush green forested areas, mesmerizing blue lagoons, superb mansions and buildings reflecting Sino-Portuguese architecture, outstanding hospitality, and fantastic accommodations - all sum up the island of Phuket. Hence, it is not a wonder why Phuket has been bestowed with the titles 'the Pearl of the South,' and 'the Pearl of the Andaman.'

Covering an area of about 540 square kilometers and located about 850 km south of Bangkok, Phuket is nestled in the tropical region off the west coastline of the southern part of the country in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea. With more than 35 small islands, Phuket has the mystical Phang-nga to the north, which is connected by two bridges, namely, Sarasin and Thep Krasattri. The other three sides of the island have been bounded by the Andaman Sea.

While your stay at Phuket, you can spend a day here by engaging in more than 100 activities. No matter you want to enjoy golf in golf courses of international standards, enjoy world-class scuba diving in the Andaman Sea, or just want to explore the scenic vistas of tropical forests and surroundings, Phuket has superb choices for all. In other words, you just name an activity; it would be readily available in the island.

For beach bums and water sports lovers, Phuket provides a feast of attractions, with an array of fabulous beaches such as Patong Beach, one of the busiest areas with largest assortment of bars and restaurants; Kamala Beach, a quaint area suitable for a relaxing vacation; Karon Beaches, one of the longest of its kind in the island; Kata Beach, consisting of two beaches such as Kata Yai and Kata Noi; Nai Harn Beach, whose area is dominated by the Samnak Song Nai Harn Monastery; and Surin Beach, which is one of the great places in the island to savor sumptuous seafood dishes.

The Andaman Sea is regarded as one of the world's most magnificent bodies of water, and visiting Phuket would be probably the most excellent way to enjoy its crystal-like clear waters. A variety of water sport activities can be enjoyed here such as sport fishing, sea canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, dinner cruises, and much more. Even superb options are available for learning scuba diving.

Beyond wonderful beaches and clear, sparkling seas, Phuket offers much more to people touring the destination. For those interested in traditional sight seeing options, then Phuket offers a continuum of museums such as the Phuket Sea Shell Museum, which has on display a large variety of sea shells collected from across the world, apart from ancient fossils and unique golden pearl collections; and the Talang National Museum, which provides deep insight into the interesting history of the region.

Options available for sightseers also include a myriad of temples and monasteries, among which one of the most popular is Wat Chalong, dedicated to two highly revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. Your Phuket sightseeing would not be complete without taking a tour to Old Phuket town lined with Sino-Portuguese mansions and funky boutiques.

If you are an animal lover, then you should definitely visit destinations like Phuket Aquarium, with more than 30 tanks of saltwater as well as freshwater specialties; Phuket Monkey School, where you can spectacle monkey shows; Snake Farm near the Simon Cabaret; the Phuket Zoo, which is home to a variety of animal and bird species; and Phuket Butterfly Farm. Likewise, for flower and plant lovers, a visit to the Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village would be a great experience. Further, if your choice is different and looking for something unique, then head to destinations such as Phuket FantaSea, which is a great choice for fun lovers, and Simon Cabaret Shows.

Attractions in Phuket also cover Chalong Big Buddha, Khao Praew Thaew National Park, Sirinath National Park, Khao Rang, and Phromthep offering magnificent views of the sunset. Above all, fabulous is the nightlife in Phuket, with a range of nightclubs, karaokes, and restaurants and bars in some of the hotspots of the island.

With these scores of attractions, Phuket has something for everyone. In other words, no matter you are honeymooner, newly weds, parent vacation with your children, or 95-year-olds, Phuket caters to every taste, budget, and age.