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Known as the 'Pearl of the Andaman Sea', Phuket Island
lies just off the southwest
coast of Thailand. |
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The island is fringed with long sandy beaches, where visitors can soak up the sun or relax in the shade
of the palm trees. The interior of Phuket is filled with
mountains and jungles - perfect for hiking or elephant
trekking. |
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As well as being Thailand's largest island, Phuket is also
Thailand's most developed province. Traditionally, Phuket's
successful economy depended on tin mines and rubber
plantations. These days, however, the majority of the island's
income is generated by tourism. |
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Phuket's affluence, position
and beauty have long attracted visitors and traders from
around the world. The island is a comfortable blend of the
cosmopolitan and the traditional Thai culture living side by
side.
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Phuket's
principle resort, Patong, lies on a long, curving beach on the
west coast of the island. A truly international town, Patong
provides guests with every conceivable amenity. Accommodation
ranging
from 5-star deluxe hotels to low-priced guesthouses will suit every
budget. Patong's famous nightlife has something for everyone,
from picturesque beachside cafes to bars and nightclubs, where
you can party until the sun rises. Restaurants feature
cuisines from around the world and shoppers will find infinite
bargains. |
Phuket has an international airport with direct connections to
many European cities as well as to many destinations in
Thailand, including 14 flights to Bangkok per day. With an
abundance of tour agencies and conmprehensive us and boat
services, Phuket is the ideal base for exploring southern
Thailand. |
The Andaman Sea is among the best of Asia's dive areas,
as it is teeming with marine life like schools of
barracuda and tuna as well as manta rays and whale
sharks, swimming between its bizarre rock formations
and lush coral gardens.
Geographically the Andaman Sea is a part of the
eastern Indian Ocean and is separated by the submarine
mountain range of the Andaman Nicobars from the Gulf
of Bengal in the west.
The northern Andaman Sea contains several dive areas.
There are the Burma Banks and the Mergui Archipelago
on Burmese territory and the Similan and Surin Islands
(including Richelieu Rock) in Thai seas. These islands
are the peaks of a submarine granite mountain range
which are rising above the sea's surface and are
covered with lush and dense jungles.
There are also vast dive areas in the south, like Koh
Phi Phi, Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Koh Ha. Caused by
the separation of the various islands ever changing
currents and viewing conditions are usual in this area. |
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In the north as well as in the south Andaman Sea you
can encounter manta rays, whale sharks, grey reef
sharks, tunas and other pelagics. |
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