PHUKET Thailand's only island province

Phuket....... Thailand's only island province,Phuket is a world famous tourist destination,renowed for its beautiful beaches,clear waters,lots of offshore islands providing great sites for diving,as well as plentiful high quality resort accommodation. Formerly its great wealth came from tin mining,and the influence of the Chinese tin and rubber entrepreneurs is evident,especially in the town,where numerous Chinese temples and shrines celebrate a Vegetarian Food Festival every October. Today the province's wealth comes from the vest tourism industry that has developed in recent yeares,as travellers around the world discover Phuket has a lot to offer in the way of sun and sea. By contrast the hilly intereriorhides forests,a national park,gibbon rehabilitation centre and promises of elephant treks.Attraction....... Patong Beach Phromthep Cape Karon-Kata Beaches Wat Chalong Phuket AquariumFestivals....... Laguna Phuket Triathlon (October) Phuket Vegetarian Festival (October 20-28) Patong Beach Carnival (November) King's Cup Regatta (December)Souvenirs....... Kung siap (shrimp chilli dip) taosaw dessert cashew nuts pearls batik clothTravel....... By Car : Take Route 4 from Bangkok to the south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakhon Pathom,passes through Kuraburi,Takuapa,and Thai Muang Districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy. Then,cross the Thao Thep Kasattri or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket island. The distance is 867 kms. By Coach : Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. Southern Bus Terminal Tel. (02)4347192,4345557,Phuket Central Company Tel. (02)4355019 Phuket Travel Tel. (02)4355018,Phuket Bus Terminal Tel. (076)211408. By Air : Thai Airways international operates flights to Phuket daily. The travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes. Contact TG office in Bangkok Tel. (02)2800060,6282000 for flight schedule and reservation. By Sea : The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel for information about the many different ships that stop at Phuket.