By Car :
     Take Route 4 from Bangkok to the south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap-Khirikan, and at Chumphon go right to Ranong. From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kapoe Districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road 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 kilometers.

By Coach :
     Both air-conditioned and non air–conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. Southern Bus Terminal Tel. (02) 4347192, 4345557-8, Phuket Central Company Tel. (02) 4355019, Phuket Travel Tel. (02) 4355018, Phuket Bus Terminal Tel. (076) 211480.

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 or pam@asiatravel.com

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 agent for information about the many different ships that stop at Phuket.

ASIA TRAVEL'S PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE

Scuba Diving : Phuket is the center the scuba diving buisness. Popular locations for diving include Similan, Surin and Phi Phi islands. Instruction and equipment are available at the main beaches, with teachers of various nationalities. Beginner courses are inexpensive, so if you have never learned to scuba dive, Phuket is a great place to learn.

Snorkeling : The bays in Phuket contain many interesting coral reefs. Equipment can be rented from dive shops around the island.

Swimming : Swimming at some beaches during the monsoon season is not recommended. Look for posted signs and flags indicating conditions for safe swimming ; if the red flag is flying, do not go swimming in the ocean!

Sailing : Most classes of boat - from dinghies to yachts are available for rent.

Wind Surfing : Boards may be rented by the hour, half-day, full day, or week at most major beaches.

Deep Sea Fishing : Many tarvel agents operate deep sea fishing tours with well equipped fishing boats. Consult a tour agent for details.

Sea Canoeing : Touring the limestone caverns in Phang Nga Bay is an unforgettable experience. Inflatable canoes squeeze into the inner sea of the island. Tour packages include all transportaion and lunch.

Golf : Phuket has top golf courses with service that makes it a worldwide center for golf lovers.

Tours of Phuket Town : the architecture and history of Phuket Town are examined during a guided tour of the town's historic center.

Horseback Riding : Guided tour tours on horseback are another way to relax while sight-seeing.

Mountain Biking : It 's easier than it looks Anyone can enjoy himself on a mountain bike, which has gearing sufficient to take the mightiest incline.

Herbal Saunas and Thai Massage : are available in a variety of price ranges and levels of expertise.

Thai Boxing : "Muay Thai" as it is called in Thai, strikes blows at and with every part of the body. The staduim is located at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town and bouts are held Friday nights.

Paintball : Play at war with guns that shoot paint instead of lead. Loads of fun.

Monkey School : at Chalong, show times are 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 daily except Friday

Snake Farms and Cobra Shows : are located at Chalong and Patong.

       Large department stores are located in Phuket Town and Patong, and a smaller one is in Thalang Town; they have a broad range of what is available in Thailand, both imported and domestic. Tailors' shops are everywhere ; labour costs are inexpensive so a handmade suit is an attractive purchase. Tailors supply the cloth, or you can select your own from one of the many cloth merchants on Thalang Rd., in Phuket Town.

Souvenir Pearls, baltiks, and pewter ware are Phuket's best known products. Shops that specialize in these are found on Rasada Rd.; Phang-nga Rd., Montri Rd., Yaowarat Rd., and Tilok Unit I Rd., in town and Tourist beaches such as Patong, Kata, Karon and Rawai.

       Phuket has a number of foods different in character and flavour from those of other areas in Thailand. The international character of the island, however, with so many different restaurants catering to a multitude of tastes, makes it difficult for non-Thais to identify Phuket cuisine. Below is a list of dishes and shops where they can be sampled.

Mee Ton Poh near the clock tower traffic circle on Phuket Rd., in Phuket Town.

Mee Sapam On Thep Krasatri Rd., in the village of Sapam.

Mee Ao Geh on Phunphol Rd., in Phuket Town. Yellow noodles are also cooked in both "dry" and "wet" versions, and as a prawn soup. For these try :
- Somjit near the clocktower traffic circle on Phuket Rd.
- Jirayuwat near the Pearl Cinema on Phang-nga Rd., in Phuket Town.

Mee Huhn Pah Chahng Dry Fried noodles eaten with pork bone soup. For this try (all in Phuket Town) :
- On Thanon Yaowarat.
- Near the Tessaban Ban Bang Niao School on Takua Tong Rd.
- On Vichit Songkram Rd., near the entrance to Soi Lorong.

Mee Sue Breakfast noodles served with the boiled rice dishes Khao Tohm or Johk. This can be ordered at various shops around town, but the best known in Phuket Town is : - Kou Kwan near Ruampaet Hospital on Phuket Rd.

Kanohm Jin Phuket Noodles often compared to spaghetti usually served with a spicy curry sauce, the most common made from fish. It is usually eaten as a breakfast food and is, if you can stand its fresh character, delicious. It comes with an array of fresh vegetables and boiled eggs that are mixed with the dish by dinners at their table. It is often found with the fried pastry called Pah Tong Go and the curried fish mousse called Hor Mohk, both of which are very tasty. Some of the curries are not spicy, so try a shop that has many curries to choose from if you are sensitive to spicy cuisine. There are many shops to choose from everywhere in Phuket but the most famous are in Phuket Town :
- Kwan Kanohm Jin on Tungka Rd.
- Pah Mai on statun Rd.
- Pha Ri on Pahtiphaht Rd.

Lo Bah Fried sausages served with fried tofu and spicy sweet and sour sauce. For this try (In Phuket Town) :
- On The way to span Hin.
- On Poonphol Rd.

Oh Tao Oysters fried with flour, eggs, and taro root. The best known places in Phuket Town are :
- near the circle by the Fresh Market.

Tao Sor or Kanohm Bia Phuket Spring rolls, Chinese crepes. The best known are found at: - Kaeng Tin near Ruam Paet Hospital on Phuket Rd.

Oh Aew An iced sweet made of flour, banana, and a little seaweed. Look for it at : - On Soi Soon Utit, Yaowarat Rd. - On Ranong Rd., at the entrance to Soi Lorong

      Other foods held to be characteristic of Phuket include cashew nuts, which are planted along many of Phuket's highways, and pineapples--though to be crisper and sweeter than elsewhere.

Cashews try at :
- Maeti on Tilok Utit 2 Rd.
- Sri Boorapa Orchid on Takua Tung Rd., and Kwang Ban Teen Kao Rd.
- Sri Supalak Orchid on Thepkrasattri Rd.

Pineapples can be purchased in the Fresh Market, and are found generally.

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