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 vast tourism industry that has developed in recent years, as travellers around the world discover Phuket hasa 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

Highlights

Attractions: Patong Beach. Phromthep Cape, Karon-Kata Beaches, Wat Chalong, Phuket Aquarium

Souvenirs: Kung siap (shrimp chilli dip), taosaw dessert, cashew nuts, pearls, batik cloth

Festivals: Laguna Phuket Triathlon (October); Phuket Vegetarian Festival (October 20-28); Patong Beach Carnival (November); King's Cup Regatta (December)

Travel

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.

By Sea : The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Puket 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.