Winter is coming, and the weather is getting colder and colder. Do you want to escape to a warm island for a vacation? A life filled with oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar sometimes needs some romance to adjust it. O(∩_∩)O~~ Today, Zhi Xin will introduce to you one of the most famous islands in Thailand – Phuket.
Phuket, located in the south of Thailand, is the largest and earliest developed island in the country. Because of its numerous natural and beautiful beaches and coconut groves, it is also known as the “Pearl of the Andaman Islands”.
The blue sea and sky, distinctive performances and affordable prices are the main factors that attract a large number of tourists to come for vacation.
The most well-developed areas here mainly include Patong Beach, Karen Beach and Kata Beach. On these three beaches, you can find recreational activities such as jet skis, surfing and parasailing everywhere, allowing you to fully satisfy your craving for water sports.
As night falls, various bars and nightclubs will keep you excited until dawn. The distinctive ladyboy performances and Muay Thai fighting will also get your blood pumping.
Of course, the seafood feast and the classic Thai Spa are also must-try and excellent experiences.
Apart from Phuket Island, the surrounding 30-plus outlying islands also have their own unique features. Every day, tens of thousands of tourists sign up for island-hopping Tours to Koh Koh, Similan Islands, Phi Phi Island and other places, enjoying the vacation pleasure of wandering around the islands.
The best season: From November to April of the following year is the peak tourist season in Phuket. During this period, the sea water is calm, the weather is fine and there is little precipitation.
From May to October, it is the off-season for tourism in Phuket, with frequent typhoons and precipitation. However, accommodation and meals tend to be cheaper. When visiting Phuket, it’s best to avoid its rainy season, especially in May.
In September, Phuket Island holds a “Vegetarian Festival” that promotes asceticism, allowing visitors to experience the local customs.
Travel Guide to Phuket
Number of days for sightseeing
It is recommended to spend 5 to 7 days on the tour, during which you can enjoy activities such as diving, elephant riding, off-road driving, jungle flying, and ladyboy shows. 4 to 5 days will allow you to fully experience these activities. Tourists who wish to visit Krabi on the way need to set aside an extra 2 to 3 days.
Language problem
Thai is used locally, and basic service industries communicate in English
- Essential items
Clothing
Phuket Island is hot all year round, with no winter and an average annual temperature above 20℃. Therefore, when visiting Phuket Island, you only need to bring summer clothes. If you are afraid of getting tanned, remember to prepare sun protection suits such as hats, sun-protective shirts and sunglasses.
When you come to an island, bikinis and swimsuits are of course indispensable. It is worth noting that Thai temples have dress requirements for tourists. They need knee-length skirts/pants and shoulder coverings; otherwise, they will be refused entry.
- Daily necessities
Socket
The plugs in Thailand are flat at both ends. However, the three-pin plugs are different from those in some places. If there are three-pin devices, a converter is required.
Mobile phone card
Remember to activate international roaming and portable Wi-Fi when traveling abroad in advance
- Regular medicines:
1) Gastrointestinal medicine
In Phuket, due to the spicy and sour diet and frequent consumption of cold drinks, symptoms such as abdominal pain may occur at the beginning. Moreover, the sea breeze is strong and it’s very easy to catch a cold, so stomach medicine is a must-have.
2) Motion sickness/ship medicine
In Phuket, it’s inevitable to take a boat out to sea. Some islands are quite far away, and it’s very easy to get seasick and vomit. So it is also very useful to bring your own motion sickness medicine.
3) Mosquito repellent
There are many mosquitoes in Phuket, especially from May to October. Mosquito medicine can also be purchased locally. There are many kinds in convenience stores and they are highly effective. ,
☆Tips
Thailand is a Buddhist culture. One should respect the local temple customs. It is forbidden to enter the temple in revealing clothes. Women are not allowed to have direct physical contact with the monks. If something needs to be handed over, it should be passed on by a man.
The Thai people have the utmost respect for the royal family and must not engage in any disrespectful behavior towards it, such as damaging the king’s portrait or giving instructions.
The Thai people are modest and enjoy giving way. When driving by yourself, be careful not to honk your horn. In Thailand, vehicles will give way to pedestrians on their own initiative, and you rarely hear horns on the road.
- Ways to travel to Phuket
Airport to city transportation
1) Airport Bus
The Airport Bus stops at the “Airport Bus” about 50 meters to the left of the international arrival exit of Terminal 1. The route runs from the airport to the Phuket Town Bus Station, with departures every 1 to 2 hours. The operating hours are from 5:30 to 18:30. The airport bus passes by Big C and Central Festival. Passengers heading to Patong Beach area can get off here and transfer to the bus from Phuket to Patong.
2) Airport Minivan
At the international arrival exit of Terminal 1 of the airport, there are still some small vans parked. These vehicles are privately owned and usually leave when the carpooling is full. They will also take guests to the hotel entrance. The price ranges from 180 to 300 Thai baht. Before getting on the bus, make sure to clearly inform the hotel of its name and address.
3) Taxi
Turn right at the airport entrance. There is a pavilion which is the taxi registration desk. You can take a taxi here to all parts of the island. The operating hours are from 8:00 to 23:00. It costs about 700 Thai baht to Patong Beach, and about 900 Thai baht to Karon and Kata Beaches. The price includes 100 Thai baht for airport parking.
4) Pick-up Service
Transportation costs in Phuket are relatively high, especially after regular operating vehicles close at night, when unlicensed taxis charge even more. Smart travelers will book airport pick-up through agents or by checking into hotels. The price is about 120 RMB. The pick-up person will hold a big sign and wait for you at the exit.
☆Tips
There are numerous hotels on Phuket Island, and the same hotel may have branches on different beaches. So it’s best to write down the Thai name and address of the hotel before arriving and show them directly to the driver before getting in the car. This way, the chance of making a mistake is smaller.
“Bus
The transportation cost in Phuket is relatively high compared to other cities in Thailand, especially when traveling between various beaches. Phuket has public transportation connecting various beaches, but tourists need to ask local people to find the correct location. The drawback is that the bus won’t depart until the number of people is sufficient, which is quite time-consuming.
There are buses running between Phuket Town and Patong Beach every 30 minutes. The fare ranges from 25 to 40 Thai baht depending on the distance. The buses on the island are rather casual and stop as soon as you wave your hand. The bus will pass by Patong Beach, Katu Beach, Big C, Phuket Bus Station and other places.
◆ Dudu Taxi
There are many tuk-tuk taxis in Phuket that can reach any place according to tourists’ needs at any time. The only drawback is that they are relatively expensive.
“◆ Car rental
If you know how to drive, renting a car is a cost-effective and convenient way. Take your Chinese driver’s license, passport and other documents to the car rental company in Phuket Town. In Thailand, drive on the left. Before using the car, check the fuel level first. When returning it, you also need to return it according to the crude oil level.
☆Tips
Many small rental companies do not check the driver’s license when renting a car. The rental does not include insurance, and they are not responsible for any accidents. In fact, they even require the renter to compensate for the car repair costs. When renting a car, be sure to have a clear talk with the car rental company.
Before renting a car, it is essential to check the vehicle’s condition. If necessary, take photos as evidence to avoid disputes when returning the car.
Please make sure to fasten your seat belt. There are traffic police checkpoints at major thoroughfares in Phuket. If you are stopped for this reason, you will face a fine ranging from 500 to 2,000 Thai baht.
◆ Motorcycle
There are many motorcycle rental shops in Phuket Town. You can rent them with a copy of your passport. Before using the motorcycle, check the fuel level first. When returning it, you also need to return it according to the crude oil level.
◆ Taxi
It takes about 800 Thai Baht by taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach (the price needs to be negotiated in advance), and it takes about 30 minutes. It is more cost-effective to take the airport minibus when there are 1 to 2 people. The cost is 150 Thai baht per person. You can buy the tickets at the airport gate and take them directly to your hotel. It only takes 40 to 45 minutes to arrive. The best thing is to book a hotel pick-up service.
◆ Ship
You can go to the pier by yourself to take the boat, or you can book the ticket through the hotel front desk or a travel agency. This way, there will be hotel pick-up and drop-off services, which saves a lot of trouble. For more details, please consult the front desk of your hotel or a nearby travel agency.
- Regarding tips
Due to the large number of European and American tourists, there is a custom of tipping in Phuket. Generally, in restaurants, hotels, massage parlors, etc., it is appropriate to tip the service staff, and 20 Thai baht is sufficient.
It is impolite not to tip with coins. High-end restaurants charge a service fee of 7% to 10%. In such cases, there is no need to tip anymore.
Since there are so many travel guides about Phuket that I want to share with you, that’s all for today. In the next article, Zhi Xin will introduce you to the most interesting and stunning attractions in Phuket. Let’s just have a little anticipation first ~