This compact provincial town serves mainly as an accommodation and shopping centre. Splendid colonial-style residences built by late 19th century tin and rubber barons and shophouses from the same period provide a distinctive character.

This small hill to the north of the town offers a pleasant view of the town and boasts Thailand’s first fitness park, a series of hillside sculptural tableaux which enhance keep fit calisthenics.

This small island which is separated from the mainland only by the Tha Chin Canal, is located 4 Kms. northeast of the town. There is a sea gypsy village considered the biggest in Phuket.

Drive for 3 Kms. from the town along Yaowarat Road and then turn left at the Sam Kong village intersection. It has a fascinating collection of such tropical creatures as butterflies, insects, fish and coral all arranged in natural surroundings.

Located on Thepkasattri Road about 3 kms. from the town, it offers cultural performances demonstrating the Thai way of life with folk dances, Thai boxing, the unique aspects of Phuket and the South, a handicraft centre, an orchid farm, and an elephant show. Show times are 11.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.

This contains an exciting aquarium with some 1,000 marine, freshwater and estuarine crocodiles and is located just outside of the town. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

The monument stands in the south of the town at the area called Saphan Hin, the end of Phuket Road. It was constructed in 1969 as a memorial to Mr. Miles, who devised the use of a dredger in mining operations in 1909.

It is located near Phuket International Airport along Route No. 402 and 4026, some 30 kms. from town. The park occupies a total area of 90 square kilometres and has an uninterrupted 13 km. long stretch of beaches; Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang, Hat Mai Khao, and Hat Sai Kaeo.

This temple where the upper half of a large Buddha statue emerges from the ground is 20 kms. north of the town along Highway 402. Legend has it that during the invasion of Thalang in 1785, the Burmese tried in vain to excavate the statue. Each time they dug into the ground, swarms of hornets would swoop on them and they had to give up. Later, the visible part of the statue was covered with gold by the villagers and has remained as such until today.

This historical temple in Amphor Thalang was once a fort resisting a Burmese invasion around 1785. An old chapel in the compound enshrined the three oldest and largest Buddha statues made of tin, called the Three Kings.

This extensive forest area in Amphor Thalang was declared a wildlife sanctuary in July 1969. It covers a rich and fertile land and is the habitat to several types of wild animals. Major attractions include Namtok Ton Sai near the headquarters. Although small in size, it nevertheless provides a cool, shady area for relaxation. Another waterfall is Namtok Bang Pae, which is located at Tambon Pa Khlok. There is an arboretum and a nursery to rehabilitate captured gibbons before returning them to the wild. For nature enthusiasts, the sanctuary has mapped out three walking trails. Further information can be obtained from the Nature Study Centre.

Located near the Thalang Intersection, this museum displays the way of life, culture and history of Phuket and the South. It is open daily except Monday and Tuesday from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht30 per person.

The hillside beach with groves of large pine trees is about 24 kms. northwest of the town. Drive along Route No. 402, turn left at the Heroines Statues, and proceed on for 12 kms. There is a golf course to the right. Hat Surin is not recommended for swimming because of its steepness and heavy seas and winds during the monsoon season.

This is a long stretch of sandy beach north of Hat Surin suitable for swimming and other water sports.

1 Km. from Hat Surin, this scenic rocky cape is next to a small white sandy beach. To reach the beach, visitors can ask permission to cut through a private road, or take a detour along the hillside slanting to the beach.

Located 26 kms. from the town, turn left at the Heroine Statues past Hat Surin and Laem Sing, Hat Kamala is about 2 kms. long, quiet and not crowded.

Phuket’s most developed beach is 15 kms. west of the town. Cabin and bungalow complexes, hotels, bars, nightclubs, discotheques, shops, and restaurants front the crescent bay. Windsurfing, snorkelling, sailing, sunbathing, and swimming dominate the major activities.

Once in Patong, turn right to Hat Kalim, which is a small beach with large rocks and a coral reef. Accommodation is available.

South of Hat Patong, both are long and peaceful beaches and eminently suitable for swimming and sunbathing.

This beach, nearly southmost of the island, is about 18 Km from the town. Beyond the beach is a large swamp called Nong Han. Although not so long, the beach has white, clean sand. Swimming is not recommended during May - October due to the monsoon season. A small bay next to Hat Nai Han past the Phuket Yacht Club is Ao Sen, which is peaceful and picturesque with white, clean sand.

At the midpoint between Hat Nai Han and Hat Kata Noi, there is a viewpoint overlooking three adjacent beaches.

The southernmost point of Phuket is the perfect place where picturesque sunsets are seen.

This palm-fringed beach about 17 kms. from the town is home to Phuket’s sea gypsies. Several offshore islands have gleaming white beaches and dazzling underwater scenery, which attracts fishing enthusiasts and scuba divers.

This is an offshore isle about 3 kms. from Hat Rawai and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat. There are sandy beaches and underwater scenery, as well as a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island.

This is another small beach, about 16 kms. from the town on Highway No. 4024, where boats can be rented to visit nearby isles.

This bay is some 11 kms. from the town and extends in a broad sweep. A few kilometres from the bay is Wat Chalong where statues of Luang Po Chaem and Luang Po Chuang, Phuket’s most revered monks, are enshrined.

Located on the southernmost tip of Laem Panwa, 7 kms. south of the town, the centre houses an aquarium which displays hundreds of exotic, grotesque and flamboyantly colourful marine species found in Phuket’s teeming waters. It is open daily between 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Phuket is well equipped to provide offshore trips making it a centre of tourism in the Andaman sea. Trips can be arranged to see forests and mountains, rocky formations, beaches, coral reefs and fishing. Most of Phuket’s 39 satellite islands are located to the east. Islands of special interest include:-

The beach can be reached by chartered boat from Ao Chalong. It takes about 2-3 hours for boat trips during off-monsoon season (December - April). Sightseeing services are available from tour operators in town. Accommodation is available.

Noted for its exotic corals is Ko Mai Thon, which is also suitable for scuba diving and fishing.

is known for its beautiful beaches and unspoiled corals. The island is about 5 kms. from Hat Rawai. Accommodation is available.

The terrain of Ko Lon is mountainous with flat land along the shore. A ferry leaves Ao Chalong between 8.00 - 9.00 a.m. Accommodation is available.