Hat Patong - Phuket, Thailand

    Hat Patong This Beach is the most developed, most vibrant, most visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city, the beach has a wide range of accommodations and shopping arcades, and provides magnificent leisure activities and energetic night-time entertainment.It is a picture perfect postcard view of a 3-kilometer long white sandy beach that is perfect for swimming, lazing, and enjoying challenging water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing snorkeling, sailing, and parasailing.

    The following places offer enjoyable activities:

    •Phuket Water Ski Cableways: Tel: 0 7620 2525-7

    •Simon Cabaret: Tel: 0 7634 2011-5

    •Tarzans Jungle Bungy Jump: Tel: 0 7632 1351

    •Tazans Catapult Bungy: Tel: 0 1464 1581

    •Patong Go-kart Speedway: Tel: 0 7632 1949

    •Phuket Joyland: Tel: 0 7620 3005

    •Horror House: Tel: 0 7629 3123

    In addition, Patong offers gastronomical delights for seafood lovers. There are plenty of good restaurants located along the beach.

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Hat Patong This Beach is the most developed, most vibrant, most visited beach of Phuket that never fails to impress visitors. Located approximately 15 kilometers from the city,...Read More	Laem Phromthep Literally translate as Brahmas Cape, Laem Phromthep is perhaps one of Phuket's most important landmarks. There is a saying that you havent been to Phuket unless you visit Laem Phromthep....Read More
Hat Kata Located approximately 17 kilometers from Phuket City are Kata Noi (Small Kata) and Kata Yai (Big Kata) Beaches. Both are renowned for snorkeling to see the coral,...Read More	Hat Nai Han Located a few kilometers from Kata Beach, next to Phromthep Cape, approximately 18 kilometers from town is Hat Nai Han,...Read More
Hat Kamala Located approximately 26 kilometers from Phuket City, Hat Kamala is a relatively secluded 2-kilometer beach that is suitable for total relaxation....Read More	Hat Rawai Located approximately 17 kilometers from town is the less crowded, more peaceful and less commercial beach with a second-to-none pristine beach....Read More
Hat Kalim Located north of Patong Beach is a secluded beach dotted with rocks and coral reefs. Accommodations and restaurants are available....Read More	Ao Chalong This bay, which has the islands largest and most visited pier, is located 11 kilometers south of town. From this pier,...Read More
Hat Karon Located south of Patong Beach, Hat Karon is a curving beach that lies beautifully in the sun with small sand dunes, casuarinas and palm trees....Read More	View Point The most famous observation point of the 3 beaches, Kata Not, Kata and Karon, is located on the road half-way between Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach....Read More
Namtok Krathu This relatively small waterfall with a simple view but unique atmosphere is located approximately 4 kilometers from Amphoe Krathu....Read More	Wat Phra Thong The temple is a popular attraction for both visitors and local residents. Located in the temple is the upper half of a large Buddha statue which seems to emerge from the ground....Read More
Wat Phranang Sang Located approximately 20 kilometers from town is a historic temple that serves as an invaluable reference on Thalangs history....Read More	Wat Chalong Phukets most popular and famous temple, Wat Chai Tararam, or Wat Chalong, was built in 1837. Located approximately 8 kilometers from the city,...Read More

Options in Phuket, Thailand

     As the most popular island destination in Thailand, Phuket has numerous options for traveling to the island and getting around once you arrive. Both domestic and international airlines service Phuket Airport with direct flights from numerous destinations in Thailand and around Asia. Once on the island, the size of Phuket makes a rental car arguably the best option, though there are various modes of transportation if you do not wish to drive.

    Getting to and from Phuket

    By Train:
    There is no direct train service to Phuket. Travelers arriving by train must get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani Province and continue by regular bus to Phuket. For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, or 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.

    By Car:
    From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Petchakasem Road) through Petchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang Nga Provinces, then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 12 hours.

    By Bus:
    Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned busses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips by air-conditioned bus, which normally leave in the evening, take about 13 hours. Call 0 2434 7192, 0 2435 1199 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.

    There are also regular bus services (VIP, air-conditioned, and non-air-conditioned) between Phuket and neighboring provinces such as Krabi, Phang Nga, Chumphon, Koh Samui (bus/boat), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Satun, Hat Yai, Takua-Pa, and Trang. Departures are from the Phuket Bus Terminal off Phang Nga Road. For more up-to-date schedules and fares, call Phuket Air-conditioned Bus Station, tel. 0 7621 1977.

    By Air:
    Flying to Phuket is arguably the easiest way to get to the island. Most domestic airlines operate several flights daily between Phuket and Bangkok, Samui, and Chiang Mai. Some domestic airlines operate flights from Phuket to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, and Hat Yai.

    There are also numerous international airlines that fly directly to Phuket from various cities around Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, and Sydney.

    Transportation to and from the airport
    Phuket International Airport is located approximately 30 kilometers north of Phuket Town. Taxis between Phuket Town and the airport cost approximately 400 baht, but the fares to the beaches range between 500 and 600 baht. Minivans charge approximately 80 baht /person to town, but 120 baht/person to Patong, Kata, and Karon Beaches. Phuket Limousine (tel. 076 248596), located approximately 1 kilometer west of the city, operates hourly shuttles to the airport from 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

    By Other:

    By taxi or minibus
    There are also shared taxi and van services between Phuket and other nearby provinces. Fares for either are generally around double the fare of an ordinary bus. The stations for both taxis and minivans are also on Phang Nga Road.

    By Ferry
    There is fairly regular boat service between Phuket and nearby islands including Koh Yao and Koh Phi Phi. During the high season (October-May), travelers may also travel by boat between Phuket and Koh Lanta. Ferries to and from Phuket and Krabi (Ao Nang/Railey Beach/Krabi Town) operate throughout the year. Various ports on Phuket provide services to these other islands and beaches with fares ranging between 300 and 500 baht. The trip may take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions. Some ferries service multiple locations and travelers are provided color coded stickers to avoid confustion.

    Getting Around Phuket

    Car Rental Service:
    There are numerous car rental services on Phuket. Cars or jeeps can be rented at the airport, in Phuket Town, and at most of the more popular beaches. Be aware that only Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage on rental cars (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with a valid international driver’s license) while local companies may or may not. You may wish to request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Thailand can be quite confusing, especially the habit of Thai motorcycles drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road.

    Motorbike Rental:
    For around 150 to 300 baht per day you can hire your own 100-150cc motorbike, which will typically require you to leave your passport as a deposit. Be sure to inspect bikes prior to rental and drive with extreme caution as rental motorbikes are not normally insured and accidents are frequent. Helmets are required by Thai law. Motorcycles can be rented from rental agencies located on Rasada Road or from different operators at various beaches.

    Motorcycle taxis:
    It costs approximately 20 baht / person / trip to travel via motorbike taxi around Phuket Town.

    Songtaew and Tuk-Tuk:
    Songtaews are operated along Ranong Road in Phuket Town to various destinations including most beaches. The cost ranges from 20 baht to 25 baht / person / trip. Normally the service is provided from 7.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.

    Tuk-Tuks can be chartered for travel between the beaches and Phuket Town or between different beaches; however, rates are negotiable and will cost at least 200 baht to Patong Beach, 230 baht to Karon and Kata Beaches and 300 baht to Nai Han and Kamala Beaches. Within Phuket Town, Tuk-Tuks should cost 20 baht for short distances.

    Taxi Meter:
    Visitors can call 076 232157-8 to get a metered taxi that will take them anywhere on Phuket. The metered fare will include a 20 baht surcharge.

    Boat to islands nearby Phuket:
    Boats to nearby islands can be found at the following ports:

    Rawai Beach:
    An old local port, it is from here that long-tail boats depart for nearby islands such as Koh He, Koh Racha Yai, Koh Mai Thon, Koh Lon, etc. The chartered price depends on the distance.

    Ao Chalong:
    The largest port of Phuket servicing all kinds of boats, including cruisers of tour companies that organize package tours to other islands.

    Ao Makham:
    Located near Phanwa Cape, this port is only for cruisers and container ships.

    Boat Lagoon Port (Ao Sapam):
    This port is for traveling boats of tour companies.