Phuket

The largest Island in all of Thailand, Phuket has everything Thailand has to offer. It is located in southern Thailand, on the Andaman sea coastline. Serviced by the Phuket International Airport, the island sees no dearth of travellers at any time of the year. Golden beaches, numerous offshore islands, upbeat markets, a high-octane nightlife and thrilling watersports characterise Phuket in a nutshell. It is also one of the fastest-accessible beach destinations in Thailand.

Beaches like Surin and Kata cater to families and those individuals with eccentric tastes. Patong beach, on the other hand, caters to all those who like it cheap, loud and crazy, even after the sun sets. Bangla road, with its numerous bars, and street food vendors, comes alive as the night ages. Those who shy away from dizzy bright lights and alcohol will find themselves at the Cabaret shows or even at the ever-popular street markets. The Phuket Walking Street or Phuket Weekend markets are places where one can spend hours sifting through various clothes, souvenirs and novelty items.

Aside from all the glitz and swankiness, Phuket offers many traditional activites and experiences. Enjoying tropical weather all year round, the waters of Phuket come to life, brimming with marine habitats from November to February. Activities like snorkelling and scuba diving can be done at popular and scenic locations such as Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands, which make for day trips by speedboat. Phuket is also the starting point for visiting many islands like James Bond Island.

Hidden in plain sight is also an immersive experience of Thai culture. Phuket Town heavily retains its Chinese influence and Sino-Portuguese history via its cuisine, cooking styles, architecture and historical museums and buildings. Chalong Wat, a Buddhist temple and Jui Tui Shrine, an important Chinese place of worship, embody how various religions and cultures coexist.

Phuket caters to all types of travellers - families, individuals, couples or groups, across all budgets. But among them, a certain section does particularly stand out. With many high-end resorts along most beaches, hotels, luxury shopping outlets and spas, Phuket is a haven for those looking to splurge big on their vacation and look good while doing it. One of the most visited islands in Thailand, it is relatively small and very easy to explore - most attractions in Phuket are just a tuk-tuk ride away.