Looking to go on holiday to Asia? Then let your Personal Travel Agent guide you to the perfect holiday where you can relax and enjoy your stay.
My Asia Destination Guide help you plan your stay and enjoy every moment, complete with best times of the year to travel, ideas on what to see and places to visit during your stay.
I have also created a special insider information section about Asia to guide you to some of the more unusual places to visit and sights to see whilst there.
Spectacular scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and warm blue sea awaits you at Asia's most popular beach destination. This fun island provides an unbeatable combination of perfect silky soft white palm-lined beaches, superb hospitality and great value accommodation.
Whether it's world-class diving in the Andaman Sea, golf at international-standard championship courses or exciting eco-adventures in tropical forests, Phuket is a place to extend your horizons. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to the surrounding islands, or enjoy a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay. Or why not simply enjoy Phuket's vibrant nightlife in Patong Beach?
Insider tip
The prices at Naka Weekend Market on the outskirts of Phuket Town are generally cheaper than at the markets in Patong, but you still have to bring your best bartering skills with you. Many of the products here come from Bangkok.
Events and festivals
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The most bizarre experience I have ever witnessed in my life, bar none, is the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Don’t be fooled by the gentle sounding name, as this festival is more famous for its blood soaked, death defying acts than it is for it’s vegetarian food.
Spirit mediums in a state of trance cleans the soul by climbing ladders with rungs made of knives, walk barefoot across hot coals, perform brutal acts of self-mortification, piercing their bodies with hooks, skewers and various other sharp objects.
Some of the weirdest I have seen are cheeks pierced with AK 47 barrels and the long poles attached to ceiling fans.
The whole 9-day festival is accompanied by incessant rapid-fire explosions and clouds of smoke from Chinese Fire Crackers and is a full-on assault of the senses that leaves you wondering if you have in fact crossed over into a different realm along with the spirit mediums.
Songkran Festival, Phuket
One festival that you cannot miss is the Songkran Festival in April, which marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. It is basically the world’s biggest water fight and is probably the most childish fun you will ever have in your life.
Loi Kratong (Festiveal of Lights)
Loi Kratong or ‘Festival of lights’ is one of the most important and traditional festivals in the Thai calendar, representing the close bond between Thai culture.
Loi means to ‘float’ and ‘kratong’ is a small lotus shaped float, traditionally made out of the trunk of a banana tree and decorated with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks.
It is a very beautiful and serene occasion as thousands of these small candle lit boats float gently out onto the water and fire lanterns light up the whole of the night sky.
Popular things to do and see and unmissable experiences
Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. In this historically rich part of town you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.
Phuket Old Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of last century, when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. In this quarter of the town you will see grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket's tin barons of 100 years' ago. Phuket Old Town is compact enough to stroll around in. The best time to do this is early in the morning or after the day has lost its heat. There are enough restaurants and cafés to provide you with refreshments so don't bother taking a picnic along!
Climate
Phuket features a tropical monsoon climate. Due to its proximity to the equator, in the course of the year, there is little variation in temperatures. The city has an average annual high of 32 °C (90 °F) and an annual low of 25&n
Other information
- Best time of year to travel: December to March is the dry season
- Currency: Thai Baht
- Flight time from UK: 16-18 hours
- Visa and passport information: A visa is not required providing your stay is less than 30 days
