Be it far from us to tell you what to do in Phuket but there are some gems that you really should not miss out on seeing while on your visit here, and we don’t mean the kind sold at the jewellers…Phuket’s great advantage is that there’s always something to do on and off the island whether it’s raining or shining. From the sublime to the seemingly profane, the range of activities and places to visit is remarkable for a destination of this size. Here are our Top Ten ‘Must See’ choices, built on popular vote. If you only get through half of these destinations you’ll have had an unforgettable holiday. Go for it.

1. Phang Nga Bay
A distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay are the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay. By far the best means of enjoying the spectacular scenery, with only brief encounters with the tourist crowds at James Bond and Koh Panyee, is to take one of the boat trips from the northern end of Phuket. A leisurely day trip cruising through the dramatic limestone islands, occasionally stopping to enjoy quiet beaches, is far more rewarding than the standard bus-boat tour.

2. Old Phuket Town
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.

3. Bangla Road Nightlife
Like all night owls, Soi Bangla awakens when the sun sets. That’s when Patong’s liveliest party zone becomes closed to traffic and ready for action! Famous for its raunchy nightlife, Bangla goes all out to entertain with girls, beers and music that increases in volume as the moon rises. Jammed most nights year round, it’s actually totally unthreatening and lively place to walk around as bars compete for customers.

4. Simon Cabaret Show
It’s a spectacular display of colour, originality and fun. Phuket’s Simon Cabaret has become one of Southeast Asia’s outstanding entertainment attractions drawing a thousand enthused visitors from around the world each evening. A single show runs the entire range of musical theatre from cultures around the world. Extravagant costumes, make-up and sets take the audience from Egypt to Latin America to China and back to Thailand in themed displays of classical dance and song.

5. Wat Chalong and Phuket Temples
Wats – or Buddhist temples – are among the most important symbols of Thailand, partly because the majority of Thais are Buddhist and partly because they are so beautiful. In Phuket alone, there are 29 Buddhist temples spread around the island. Wat Chalong has been extending a warm welcome to visitors for over a century. Locals come to pray and Westerners come to learn something about Buddhism. The temple is open from seven in the morning to five in the afternoon.

6. Big Buddha
Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away. The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island (think sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay and more.) Easily reachable via a six-kilometre road leading from Phuket’s main artery, it’s a must-visit island destination.

7. Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s island-superstar. It’s been in the movies. It’s the topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. For some, it’s the only reason to touchdown in Phuket. Even with all the hype, it doesn’t disappoint. Phi Phi’s beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to beach-fronted jungle. It’s love at first sight.

8. Phuket FantaSea Show
Phuket Fantasea Show is inspired by Thailand’s rich and exotic heritage, and not only showcases the charm and beauty of Thailand, but also enriches ancient Thai traditions with the wonder of cutting-edge technology and special effects.The result is a stunning 140-acre theme complex, packed with a multitude of activities and entertainment: a Carnival village with games, handicrafts and shopping; a 4,000-seat theme restaurant offering a grand buffet of Thai and international cuisines; and a breathtaking Las Vegas-style theatrical show, where state-of-the-art technology and special effects enhance the grace and beauty of Thailand’s myths, mysteries and magic in a wondrous extravaganza certain to delight the whole family.

9. Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
One of the most popular spectator sports in Thailand, and now gaining world renown, is the martial art of Muay Thai. Exciting enough on TV – the furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks and artful feints are even more riveting when seen live.

10. Phuket Viewpoints
Phuket has views that would make a landscape painter rush out and buy an easel and brushes and the great thing is that you don’t have to trek halfway across the country to appreciate them. Whether it’s a sunset-watching spot, a 360-degree panorama of the south of the island, a vista from the top of Phuket Town or a glimpse of swathes of tropical lushness it’s all within your grasp in minutes. All you need is wheels.

Going to Hua Hin for the first time? Or are you returning to relive the charms of Hua Hin all over again? Whether you are planning your next trip to the scenic coastal town or just curious to know which attractions you have yet to cover, this comprehensive index of all must-see attractions is designed to help you plan your sightseeing activities even before you arrive.

1. Hua Hin Train Station
Built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin’s railway station and adjacent royal waiting room are undeniably attractive. The brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design somehow manage to have a ‘Victorian’ feel to them., The story about the birth of Hua Hin as a royal seaside getaway town would be incomplete without a mention of this historic railway station. Back in the early days, there was no road access to this idyllic beach town, and train travel was a new and delightful alternative to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin instead of by boat.

2. Hua Hin Night Market
Situated in the Hua Hin centre between the Petchkasem Road and the railway line, the market basically encompasses one street that comes to life from 18:30 onwards, when traders line the street with their stalls selling various apparel, crafts, art, CDs, DVDS and cheap, tasty food – generally what you might expect from a Thai market. This is by no means the best place to shop in Thailand; you will finder a bigger variety of goods in Bangkok or say, Chiang Mai. However, Hua Hin does have a superb selection of seafood restaurants that line the road that hosts the Night Market, drawing a lot of attention from visitors eager to feast on the quality dishes on offer.

3. Santorini Park Cha-Am
Santorini Park brings a slice of the picture-perfect Greek island to Cha-Am. It’s got all the details right, from classic whitewashed buildings, colourfully painted windows, down to stone-paved paths and domed towers. An impressive lineup of shops, restaurants and an amusement park promise good times for everyone. This photogenic outdoor entertainment outlet occupies an expansive area just before the main highway reaches Cha-Am Beach. It’s quite an unusual sight, given the whitewash theme and architectural style that sets it apart from its surroundings. Cliff-top views of the ocean and a sweeping beachfront are the two missing elements that would otherwise make this place closer to the real thing.

4. Cicada Market
Cicada Market is all about art, handmade crafts and good times. With an open-air market concept, it brings together Hua Hin’s artistic talents and those who wear ‘freedom of expression’ on their sleeves. Besides the crafts market, you’ll also find an art gallery, beer garden and live music. Open only on weekend evenings, the market is usually packed with weekenders from Bangkok. It is located on Phetkasem Road, about halfway between Hua Hin town and Khao Takiab.

5. Plearn Wan Shopping Village
Not just a themed open-air mall, Plearn Wan feels more like a living museum where you can experience a slice of life in 1950s Hua Hin. Plern Wan’s two-storey courtyard-style building, an architectural statement in itself, houses a community of period-style shops selling everything from liquor, inexpensive plastic-and-tin toys, snacks as well as a beauty salon, photo studio, outdoor cinema screen and a 20-room guesthouse or ‘Piman Plern Wan’.

6. Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
Like many buildings in Hua Hin, this Thai-Victorian style summer seaside palace was constructed in the early 1920s during the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect and built with golden teak from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace, with lots of verandas, latticework and high ceilings to keep the structure cool during summer.

7. Wat Huay Mongkol
This Buddhist temple is home to the world’s largest statue of Luang Phor Thuad, a legendary southern Thai monk revered for his enlightenment and ability to perform miracles. Many believe that the amulets created in his image guarantee safety in times of distress. The statue, set within a park-like setting that attracts many visitors each weekend, was commissioned by HM Queen Sirikit and is the first thing you see when approaching Hua Hin from Highway 4 (heading to Prachuab Kirikhand). Sitting in the meditation pose, it looms overhead once you arrive on the worship ground.

8. Khao Takiab
The area’s namesake also provides its biggest attractions, Khao Takiab Mountain delivers sensational panoramic views of the area as well as the rare experience of hanging out with gangs of monkeys. Generally the area is an incredibly scenic one, just walking promises great viewing of rural Thailand. Take a stroll along Khao Takiab Bay were you can stop for lunch and admire the glistening ocean and water sport enthusiasts making the most of it. A few temples are within the area, the major one being Wat Huaymongkol, home to a statue of revered Buddhist monk, Luang Phor Thuad.

9. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Khao Sam Roi Yot’s dramatic backdrop of endless limestone peaks festooned in lush greenery inspired its name (Khao Sam Roi Yot means ‘the mountain with three hundred peaks’). Covering an area of nearly 100 sqkm along the coast, approximately 60km south of Hua Hin, Khao Sam Roi Yot is as close as it gets to Krabi Province’s dream-like seascapes in the south of Thailand. Peppered with marshes, wetlands and mangrove swamps, the mountains house an abundance of wildlife, including barking deer, crab-eating macaques and serow, an Asian goat-antelope.

10. Kaeng Krachan National Park
Just two hours’ drive from Bangkok, Kaeng Krachan is one of Thailand’s most bountiful and ecologically diverse national parks. The park’s 2,915sqm forest area consists of pristine rainforests, granite mountain ranges, waterfalls, caves and a reservoir lake, offering plenty of trekking and bird-watching opportunities. The park features many wild as well as endangered animals, including black-and-yellow broadbills, barking deer, tapirs, Asian elephants, tigers, wild dogs and Asiatic leopards.

You know the sort. “Don’t talk to strangers’”, “look both ways when crossing the road”, “always wear clean underwear”. When you’re starting out in life – or a new city – there are a whole heap of tips it pays to remember. Written in a manner that aims to enlighten, not spoon feed, here are our top 10 useful tips for mastering this exciting, but potentially aggravating metropolis. Are we up to the task? Yes, we believe so. We aren’t wise old sages with long straggly beards, but we do know Bangkok.

1. Buy a good map
Bangkok maps is your guide to popular districts within the capital of Thailand’s metropolitan area. Featured here are eight of the city’s important commercial and business districts with illustrations of popular landmarks and hotels. Each illustration shows major thoroughfares and secondary roads which lead into and out of specific areas. You can click on the hotel names to view more information about their room and facilities. You also can make online booking. Enjoy and discover the capital of Thailand!

2. Barter, but nicely
Shopping in Bangkok is an experience to thrill and delight the most discerning of shoppers – whatever it is you’re looking for. From the gleaming chrome and towering size of modern, air-conditioned malls, to the hustle and bustle of its famously buzzing street markets, Bangkok has all kinds of places to blow your baht. With everything from antiquities and the latest pair of trainers to designer jewellery available, Bangkok has an equally exhaustive, and potentially exhausting, variety of things to buy.

3. Drink lots of water
Planning your vacation to Thailand should involve some preparations at home as well as taking certain precautions while you’re in the country. Fortunately, there are no major health risks in Thailand that you wouldn’t be able to prevent. Make sure you are up-to-date with your routine immunizations and inform yourself about additional jabs when planning travel to rural areas. Also, protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times, and be careful about what and where you eat. But should for some reason medical attention be required, rest assured that Thailand provides excellent health services. In fact, medical services are so exceptional, that the Kingdom is increasingly becoming popular as a medical tourism destination.

4. Beware Scammers
It begins with a polite stranger: “the Grand Palace is closed this afternoon”. You thank them and tell them where you’re from. Then, before you’ve even had a chance to shake their hand, you’re gripping the sides of a tuk-tuk as it whizzes towards temples your guidebook has never heard of, and pushy gem stores. The general, but by no means universal, rule of thumb: a Thai who approaches you in the street is after more than a chat.

5. Try an organized Tour
Discover Bangkok’s beautiful, gleaming temples and the magnificent Grand Palace. Get lost in ancient Siamese history with a river cruise to the famous ruins of Ayuthaya, the Kingdom’s former capital. Experience the novelty and fun of a floating market, or apply your bargaining skills for some unbeatable prices in the stifling heat of the weekend market. Cycle around hidden trails for a completely different experience… But whatever you do, make sure to arrive in Bangkok with a zest to explore, and to make the most of every minute in this magical metropolis.

6. Plan ahead
Unlike Rome or Paris, Bangkok is not an eminently walkable city. Rather, making the most of this daunting sprawl of crowds, commerce and culture takes planning… Work out what you want to see, where they are (refer to ‘Buy a Good Map’), then work out a logical route. Taxis are likely to be unavoidable, as is a bit of footwork, but wherever possible use our favourites: the waterways, underground and Skytrain. Sight-wise, don’t bite off more than you can chew – Bangkok’s flavours are best savoured slowly.

7. Getting around Bangkok
Yes, Bangkok’s traffic is notorious – with good reason. It’s very easy to get caught up in gridlock traffic any time of the day or night, and waste a lot of valuable time in the process. However, with excellent and modern public transport systems in place, Bangkok is surprisingly easy to navigate your way around. The Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) rail systems connect the main shopping, entertainment and business areas of the city, while river taxis and express boats can be used to explore many historic sites and attractions at the riverside. Taxis are cheap and appear on virtually every corner at almost any time. Tuk-tuks, once a big Bangkok attraction, are slowly disappearing in favour of more comfortable transport, but are still worth a ride at least once.

8. Taxi Tips
Besides the BTS and MRT, the easiest and most convenient way to get around Bangkok is by taxi. Most taxis are new, spacious and, in addition to the traditional green-yellow and red-blue, they also come in funky colours like bright orange, red and even pink. Finding a taxi is not a hassle, especially around hotels, shopping malls and other tourist attractions.

9. Carry a photocopy of passport
Your tickets are booked, the excitement is mounting… You’re coming to Bangkok!
It’s a fascinating, intoxicating and chaotic place, brimming with sights, smells, thrills, gracious people, contradictions, cultures, cars, noise and bedlam. To steer clear of the negative experiences during your first time here, dust off that sage old adage: Knowledge is power! We’ve accumulated a lot of facts and useful information about Bangkok – everything the first-time visitor needs to plan a wonderful and memorable trip.

10. Carry a Hotel card with Thai directions
It’s simple. It isn’t rocket science. But this ingenious device, little more than a piece of card with your hotel’s address written on it in Thai, will save endless how-do-we-get-home headaches. Flash it beneath the eyes of your chosen driver and watch how his shrugs of utter incomprehension instantly change to reassuring nods.

As with its colorful beach culture, Pattaya’s attractions appeal to a wide spectrum of interests and tastes. From nature to religious monuments all the way to the weird and wonderful, there’s always something to discover, take delight in and share with family and friends here and back home.

1. Walking Street
Walking Street is part of the city of Pattaya, Thailand. It is a tourist attraction that draws foreigners and Thai nationals, primarily for the night life. It is a red-light district[1] with many go-go bars and brothels. The street runs from the south end of Beach Road to the Bali Hai Pier. A large video sign was erected in March 2010 at the Beach Road entrance, replacing an earlier metal arch, and a small arch adorns the Bali Hai entrance.

2. Sriracha Tiger Zoo

What do Bengal tigers, dogs and pigs have in common? After all, they’re all members of the animal kingdom but they come from completely different families. At Sriracha Tiger Zoo, though, you will find them all living together in harmony, thanks to the zoo’s rather unique feeding programme. Witness mother pigs feed tiger cubs alongside their own piglets; have your picture taken with the cubs; watch the crocodile show, or enjoy riding on an elephant. Also, meet and feed the ostriches, single hump camels, kangaroos and an aviary of exotic birds. This is one place for families to enjoy quality time together.

3. Thai Alangkarn Theater
At the heart of THAI ALANGKARN THEATER is the “Theater”, a state-of- the-art theater that can entertain 2000 guests. It is decorated in a Modern-Thai Style inclusive of a 70 meters length Hexa stage, two large 11 x 15 meters screens, and a 50 meter water screen for presenting “The Thai Extravaganza Show” in a PANORAMIC CONCEPT with the combination of multi-dimension techniques of presentation, such as Pyrotechnics, Multi-Color Laser Show, Real Surround Sound System and more.

4. Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach, on road signs and road maps also often written Chom Tian, is a town located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand about 165 km southeast of Bangkok in the province of Chonburi. It is located about 3 km south of South Pattaya and is home to many high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, beaches and restaurants.

5. Pattaya Elephant Village
Delight in a wide range of shows and demonstrations such as elephant training techniques, bathing, traditional roundup methods and the highlight, the ‘Glong Sabad Chai’ (victory drum ceremony) with a war elephant. The Elephant Village was opened in 1973 as a home for former working elephants, and they are in the full time care of the camp’s experienced mahouts. These domesticated elephants are too accustomed to living in the human environment to be released back into the wild. One other important factor is diminishing natural habitats, due to human encroachment and deforestation. This type of elephant sanctuary is one of the few available options that come to the ‘retired’ elephants’ rescue.

6. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Nong Nooch Garden is set in a 2.4sq.km. beautifully landscaped park and can easily make an all-day trip. The entire area is more like a theme park, with daily cultural shows, restaurants and accommodation as well as a vast area showcasing individually themed gardens. A leisurely stroll through the botanical park is like taking a journey around the world, through its many famous gardens, whether 17th-century French garden, Stonehenge, or European Renaissance garden. Equally fascinating are species-specific gardens, such as cactus and succulent plants, orchid nurseries, tropical palm gardens, bonsai and topiary garden.

7. The Sanctuary of truth
Rising 105 metres into the sky and exquisitely carved entirely out of teak wood, The Sanctuary of Truth is a gigantic wooden construction that’s one of a kind in the world. Conceived by the ambitious business tycoon who commissioned the construction of Erawan Museum and The Ancient City (Muang Boran) in Bangkok, this one is a strange fusion of religion, philosophy, art and culture, it’s neither a temple, nor palace ‘even though it looks a bit like a hybrid of both. Best described as a monument to Thai craftsmanship, and a place to reflect, its awe-inspiring wooden sculptures and cravings pays homage to and is a reflection of the “Ancient Vision of Earth’, “Ancient Knowledge’and “Eastern Philosophy’.

8. Pattaya Floating Market
Covering an area of 100,000sqm, the Four Regions Floating Market is separated into four sections – each representing and selling items from the four major parts of Thailand (north, northeast, central and south). Expect to find many eateries, fruit stalls, souvenir shops and some art galleries. There is also a cultural show every afternoon. The 350 million baht market has over 114 shops and water vendors selling authentic Thai food, desserts and specialties from all over the kingdom. For a floating market experience, hire a man-powered boat to get around and discover the richness of the surrounding Thai architecture and riverside life. Typically, the boat is big enough for four people and can be hired for a small fee for around 30 minutes.

9. Koh Phai
Ko Phai (เกาะไผ่) is the largest island in Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่), a small uninhabited archipelago belonging to the Eastern Seaboard Islands of Thailand. It is located about 21 km to the west of Pattaya. It is also mentioned as “Bamboo Island”, the meaning of its name in Thai, in tourist guides. This island is located at the SE end of the Bay of Bangkok, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Siam. Administratively Ko Phai belongs to the Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province.

10. Bira Circuit
The pearl of the racing community, Bira Kart is the only track in Thailand designed to meet CIK racing standards. Developed with performance and comfort in mind, our newly completed VIP paddocks, air-conditioned Steward Tower/meeting room, and continually upgraded track surface ensure racers experience the ultimate in karting excitement.

11. Bungy Jump

Whilst you’re on holiday in Thailand why not experience the biggest thrill of your life?
Feel the amazing rush by bungee jumping off a 60 metre high platform over a lake!
We carry out a rigorous safety procedure. We provide free transport if you need it and we’re open everyday!

11. Skydive Pattaya
Come experience the thrill of freefall with our experienced instructors. There is no feeling like jumping out of an airplane flying at 13.500ft. Falling at 200km/h, you will freefall for 50 seconds and then fly around with the parachute for several minutes.

12. Art in Paradise
Pattaya’s only three-dimensional art gallery, Art in Paradise, is now a hot attraction where tourists come to take fun photo snapshots. The Art in Paradise Museum is an “illusion” art museum, located on Pattaya Second Road Soi 1, North Pattaya. Spreading over an area of about 5,800 sq. m. The museum features ten galleries – the Camouflage Room, Under the Ocean Room, Wildlife Room, Classical Art Room, Civilization Room, Surrealism Room, Dinosaur Room, Waterfall Room, Scenery Room, and Exhibition of Art Room.

13. Mini Siam in Pattaya
Around the world in 80 days? Make it two hours! See all the world’s wonders as well as Thailand’s popular attractions at Mini Siam, where nearly a hundred replicas of famous sites worldwide – from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to the Statue of Liberty – are displayed at a scale of 1 to 25. For serious adventurers, this miniature world may offer nothing close to the real thing; but for entertainment value, Mini Siam is the perfect place to try and play Gulliver’s Travel. Founded in 1985 as part of a research project, Mini Siam’s 46,400-sqm area is divided into two distinct zones, namely Mini Siam and Mini Europe (which is actually the rest of the world), separated by a small serpentine ‘river’ that you can just step across. The vast manicured grounds, peppered with water features and man-made sculptures modeled after the world’s iconic landmarks, feel like a true global village.

14. Ripley’s Believe it or Not
Think you’ve travelled the world and know it like the back of your hand? Well, think again. Everything you see at Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Pattaya! will challenge your thoughts and perceptions of the world – the one that you already know and one that you still have yet to know. Designed to balance among the three elements – strange, shocking and beautiful – the museum will blow your mind away with objects and people you never thought existed on this planet. And if you leave the museum doubting whether what you’ve just seen actually exist in real life, you haven’t seen enough of the world yet.

15. Underwater World
Pattaya’s most exciting aquarium, Underwater World brings a slice of the deep ocean on shore in a series of exhibits that take you from the sandy beaches to shallow rock pool teeming with colourful reefs to the open ocean where predators and prays swim side by side. Enjoy the live feeding shows and watch real-time action as you progress down the 100-metre acrylic tunnel, with all the brilliantly coloured creatures plying the waters above and all around you. Discover the riches of the world’s deep ocean, and you will be amazed at how much you learn in one entertaining hour.

16. Viharn Sien
This majestic three-storey Chinese temple is both a place of worship and museum. The temple’s official name is Anek Kuson Sala, bestowed upon by His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej (Rama IX). But it’s called Vihara Sien because of the collection of Chinese saints housed inside the temple (‘sien’ means saints). Vihara Sien is a cultural treat. It houses three floors of exhibits, showcasing religious artifacts from Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist sects. Even if you are not a Buddhist, the place is worth checking out for its cultural value.

Phuket is often called the Pearl of the Andaman, and with good reason as there are plenty of interesting and varied things to see and do all over this amazing island. As well as the obvious natural charms such as sublime beaches, dazzling islands, dense jungles and watery mangrove forests, Phuket also has a wealth of cultural and historical attractions, zoos and farms, impressive viewpoints, national parks, temples and shrines; all this can easily occupy more than a few days and make a welcome diversion from the usual beach activities. Even the most dedicated sun worshippers will surely agree there is much more to Phuket than just its fine beaches and raucous night time entertainment.

1 Phang Nga Bay Phang Nga Bay Phang Nga – North east of Phuket

Phang Nga Bay is unique. A day out here is an unforgettable experience that will definitely get you thinking. A distinctive feature of the bay is the sheer limestone cliffs that jut vertically out of the emerald-green waters. These islands are home to sheltered fauna that are possible to observe on certain tours. James Bond Island and Koh Panyee are just two of the more famous spots in this bay.

2 Old Phuket Town Old Phuket Town Phuket Town

Sino-Portuguese splendours and funky shops in the most unlikely places will surprise and delight you in the heart of Phuket’s sleepy provincial capital. Phuket town offers much more than you think with some excellent restaurants and local sights. The unique blend of colonial and Chinese architecture along with a tangible quaintness makes for a fascinating and unforgettable afternoon spent sauntering around Phuket’s Old Town. Expect the unexpected and don’t forget your camera.

3 Bangla Road in Patong Beach Bangla Road Nightlife Patong Beach

There are few things in this world to prepare you for an after-dark stroll down Patong’s Bangla Road. However, a sense of humour and an open mind are prerequisites if you’re looking to have some fun. In fact, there’s only one undeniable and obvious fact about Bangla – it’s nothing like home. With its ladyboys, exotic girls, enchanted westerners (mostly male) and enough extraverts to fill a Disney cast of thousands, shopping or sipping on a beer at Bangla Road at night is a definite ‘Dear Diary’ moment.

4 Simon Cabaret Show Simon Cabaret Show Patong Beach

Simon Cabaret – probably the biggest transvestite cabaret show to be found locally. This show features a spectacular musical floor show performed by the world famous ladyboys of Simon Cabaret. See for yourself – guys, can you tell the difference? And ladies – wouldn’t you just die for a figure like that? Fabulous costumes, glitzy and fun.

5 Wat Chalong Wat Chalong and Phuket Temples Chalong

Wat Chalong is one of Phuket’s most important temples and visited by thousands each year. It’s beautifully decorated with infinite reflections from hundreds of tiny glass pieces and several pagodas. On special holidays Wat Chalong hosts ‘country fairs’ with a real local flavour where you can buy just about anything and snack on Thai food to your heart’s content. Wat Chalong has an interesting history and is Phuket Island’s spiritual centre. You haven’t seen Phuket if you’ve never visited there .

6 Phuket Big Buddha Big Buddha Chalong

Visible from most of the south of Phuket, the Big Buddha is a recent arrival to the island. The image stands on the top of the Nakkerd Hills and looks down over Chalong, Kata and Rawai. It cost 30 million baht to construct and is 45 metres high. Next to it stands a smaller, golden image that is actually made of brass and there is a shrine near the site’s car park. The drive up to the Big Buddha takes you through the ‘real’ Thailand and the view from the top is enhanced if you take a map to identify the sights.

7 Phi Phi Island Spend a Day (or two) on Phi Phi Island Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Island is Thailand’s island-superstar. It’s been in the movies. It’s the topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. For some, it’s the only reason to touchdown in Phuket. Even with all the hype, it doesn’t disappoint. Phi Phi’s beauty is a large chunk of the allure. The islands, when approached by boat, rise from the sea like a fortress. Sheer cliffs tower overhead, then give way to beach-fronted jungle. It’s love at first sight.

8 Phuket Fantasea Show Phuket FantaSea Show Kamala Beach

It’s wacky but fun and very professionally done. Trapeze artists, elephants on stage and pyrotechnics combine in a Las Vegas-style show. You’ll see nothing else like it anywhere on the planet. Combining Thai traditional myths with humour, fantasy and a loose plotline that keeps getting more and more amusing, FantaSea’s extravaganza is a highly entertaining and riveting show that deserves to be top of our Top Ten Must See and Do in Phuket list.

9 Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) Patong Beach – Rawai

Rapidly gaining popularity all over the world, Muay Thai is an electrifying spectacle to watch. Visit Saphan Hin Stadium in Phuket City to see regular matches with well-trained martial arts experts. Or try Patong Beach, where you can also see the skill and dexterity of these super-fit fighters. Tradition and courtesy are at the heart of this dangerous contact sport and a good Muay Thai participant is ultra-disciplined in spirit as well as body. Join the spectators and feel the rush. to see regular matches with well-trained martial arts experts.

10 Phuket Viewpoints Phuket Viewpoints Kata – Nai Harn – Panwa

There are many viewpoints looking out over east and west Phuket affording sunrise as well as sunset views. Ok, so everyone goes to Promthep but it doesn’t make it any less spectacular. There, you’ll get fabulous views over the ocean stretching as far as Phi Phi Island on a good day. Check out Phuket’s other viewpoints such as the ‘Three Beaches’ hilltop venue on the road between Nai Harn and Kata or sip a cocktail at the After Beach Bar (also on the same road) while the golden ball slips into the western horizon.