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Thalang National
Museum Ancient
artifacts from Phuket 's long history are on display; the oldest
were found on the west coast. In addition there are exhibits
detailing the famous Battle of Thalang involving the Two Heroines,
daily life in Phuket, and the Sea Gipsy culture. Tel. (076)
311025, 311426; open daily except holidays 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on the Pa Khlok Rd.
Nakha Island this small,
quiet island with fine sandy beaches lies just off Phuket's
northeast shore. Waters are suiable for swimming. One item of
interest at Ko Nakha Noi not found in many other places is its
pearl farm. Boats can be hired from Ao Po Pier, off Pa Khlok Rd.,
for travel to Ko Nakha Noi, and package trips are available at
tour agencies, generally including lunch and a visit to the pearl
farm.
Phra
Tong Temple This
temple enshrines a golden Buddha image that sprang up from beneath
the earth long ago. The story is of a young boy who tied his
buffalo to what he thought was a post; it was in an area at that
time given over to the raising of animals. After doing so, he fell
down in agony and died. The father of the boy dreamed that the
reason his son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo
to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was a post was in
reality the golden peak of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his
neighbors the dream and they all went out to dig up the statue but
had no success.
Later, at the time of
Thao Thep Kasatri's heroic defense against the Burmese in 1785,
the invaders tried to succeed where the villagers had failed;
their intention was to take the Buddha image back to Burma. Sacred
objects and slaves were then the most sought after spoils for
armies. The Burmese, however, were unable to retrieve the golden
Buddha despite several attempts; they were finally driven off by a
swarm of angry hornets.
After this the
villagers decided to protect their miraculous statue by covering
the part that stuck up from the ground with a plaster cast of
Buddha's head and shoulders's which is the way it is today.
Located north of the traffic light on the outskirts of Thalang
Town. A large sign shows the entrance.
Phra
Nang Sang Temple The grounds
of this historic temple are where the Battle of Thalang took place
in 1785. Inside are three very old statues wrought in tin of the
Buddha; they are the largest in the world and date from a time
when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal. The bellies of the
three big statues each contains a smaller statue, from which
derives their name, "Monks in the Belly" in local
vernacular. or "The Three Kings" in formal
language. Located on Thep Krasatri Rd., in Thalang Town at the
tracffic light.
Khao Phra Thaeo
Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center 22.28 square
kilometers of virgin forest are coverd by this park, which also
actively conserves a number of wild animals; they would otherwise be
extinct in fast-growing Phuket. It is a center for study of the
environment. Forest vegetation is spectacular : Giant trees supported
by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every
description. One species of palm found, the Governor's Palm or
White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs,
barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and
many species of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Thaeo serves also
as one of Phuket's most important water sources.
There are two waterfalls of note:
Ton Sai A small falls
over which pours a great volume of water during the rainy season. The
trees, watercourses, and pools nearby provide one of Phuket's
loveliest scenes. The park headquarter and a small restaurant with an
excellent view are also at Ton Sai. Located near Thalang Town, 22 kms.
from Phuket Town.
Sing
Cape The name means
Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, curving bay with
rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among
Phuket's most beautiful spots. Located about 1 km. south of the
entrance to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path down to
the beach.
Bang Pae Best known now
as the site of the Gibbon Fund, a project to return domesticated
gibbons to the forest, Bang Pae is a small waterfall with a shady
forest and thick foliage surrounding. To get there go to the Two
Heroines Monument and take the road running east, the Pakhlok Rd., 7
kms. to Bang Pae. Look for the posted signs.
Sirinat National Park Located
near Phuket International Airport, the national park covers an area of
90 square kilometers. The park stretches all the way to the island's
northern tip. There are a number of interesting places to visit :
Surin Beach Evergreen
trees rim this small, curving bay beneath the foothills north of
Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket's first golf coures, a nine-hole
course laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign of King
Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except as a park. The steep
incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a
dangerous place to swim during the rainy season. Located at the end of
Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west from the Two Heroines Monument,
24 kms. from Phuket Town. Accommodations and restaurants are nearby.
Nai Yang Beach This is where
the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on a long
curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnicker. The
large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai
Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs
during the period from November to February; the population of these
has however, dropped off greatly. First class accommodations are
available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers. To
get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and look for signs indicating the
park entrance.
Bang tao Beach Bangthao is a
large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used
for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort.
Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel
development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations
available outside Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming
is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost
completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty
of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities
available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.
The beach is located off Sri Sunthon Rd., in Choeng Thale. As for
access to Laguna; the south end of the bay may be approached by taking
the road north from Surin Beach. To get to the far north end from Sri
Sunthon Rd., take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter,
continue on to the town of Bandon where there is an intersection of
asphalted roads, and take the one leading west toward the sea. This
road leads also to Nai Thon Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along
the way are some small bays with good swimming and no development.
Sai Kaew Beach This strip of
sand is just the north portoin of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same
character. Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between
Phuket and Phang–nga provinces.
Mai
Khao Beach
Many kilometers of deserted beach characterize
Mai Khao where there is little tourist business. The water is fine for
swimming during the dry season; the rainy season brings big
waves and
strong currents that are dangerous. This lonely beach is another area
where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais
call a sea cicada, which is a form of marine life. To get there go to
the northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies along the road's length
Nai Thon Beach This quiet bay
nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There
are some accommodationes but virtually no other business. Located
between Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reachd
by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the first traffic light north of
Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to
Nai Ton.
Mangrove Forest Situated in
Sirinat National Park near Ta Chatchai on Phuket's northern tip, the
mangroves--saltwater swamps with unique eco-systems much prized by
scientists searching for clues about adaptation and evolution--cover
about 800 rai. Anyone with an interest in horticulture will be
interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here: mountain
ebony (kong kang bai lek), red cycas (prong daeng),
black myrsina (samae dam), the Lady's Nails quisqualis (leb
mue nang), and various creepers and climbers are among the more
significant. There are also many mongrove-dwelling animals with unique
evolutionary characteristics. A nature trail has been cleared for the
convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the
various species.
Thalang National
Museum
Ancient
artifacts from Phuket 's long history are on display; the oldest
were found on the west coast. In addition there are exhibits
detailing the famous Battle of Thalang involving the Two Heroines,
daily life in Phuket, and the Sea Gipsy culture. Tel. (076)
311025, 311426; open daily except holidays 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on the Pa Khlok Rd.
this small,
quiet island with fine sandy beaches lies just off Phuket's
northeast shore. Waters are suiable for swimming. One item of
interest at Ko Nakha Noi not found in many other places is its
pearl farm. Boats can be hired from Ao Po Pier, off Pa Khlok Rd.,
for travel to Ko Nakha Noi, and package trips are available at
tour agencies, generally including lunch and a visit to the pearl
farm.
This
temple enshrines a golden Buddha image that sprang up from beneath
the earth long ago. The story is of a young boy who tied his
buffalo to what he thought was a post; it was in an area at that
time given over to the raising of animals. After doing so, he fell
down in agony and died. The father of the boy dreamed that the
reason his son had died was for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo
to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was a post was in
reality the golden peak of the Buddha's conical cap. He told his
neighbors the dream and they all went out to dig up the statue but
had no success.
The grounds
of this historic temple are where the Battle of Thalang took place
in 1785. Inside are three very old statues wrought in tin of the
Buddha; they are the largest in the world and date from a time
when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal. The bellies of the
three big statues each contains a smaller statue, from which
derives their name, "Monks in the Belly" in local
vernacular. or "The Three Kings" in formal
language. Located on Thep Krasatri Rd., in Thalang Town at the
tracffic light.
22.28 square
kilometers of virgin forest are coverd by this park, which also
actively conserves a number of wild animals; they would otherwise be
extinct in fast-growing Phuket. It is a center for study of the
environment. Forest vegetation is spectacular : Giant trees supported
by huge buttresses are thick with creepers and climbers of every
description. One species of palm found, the Governor's Palm or
White Back Palm (palm lang khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs,
barking deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and
many species of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Thaeo serves also
as one of Phuket's most important water sources. 
A small falls
over which pours a great volume of water during the rainy season. The
trees, watercourses, and pools nearby provide one of Phuket's
loveliest scenes. The park headquarter and a small restaurant with an
excellent view are also at Ton Sai. Located near Thalang Town, 22 kms.
from Phuket Town. 
The name means
Lion's Point in English. The beach is in a small, curving bay with
rocky headlands at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among
Phuket's most beautiful spots. Located about 1 km. south of the
entrance to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path down to
the beach.
Best known now
as the site of the Gibbon Fund, a project to return domesticated
gibbons to the forest, Bang Pae is a small waterfall with a shady
forest and thick foliage surrounding. To get there go to the Two
Heroines Monument and take the road running east, the Pakhlok Rd., 7
kms. to Bang Pae. Look for the posted signs.
Located
near Phuket International Airport, the national park covers an area of
90 square kilometers. The park stretches all the way to the island's
northern tip. There are a number of interesting places to visit :
Evergreen
trees rim this small, curving bay beneath the foothills north of
Kamala. Surin is home to Phuket's first golf coures, a nine-hole
course laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign of King
Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except as a park. The steep
incline of the beach, turbulent water, and big waves make Surin a
dangerous place to swim during the rainy season. Located at the end of
Sri Sunthon Rd., the road running west from the Two Heroines Monument,
24 kms. from Phuket Town. Accommodations and restaurants are nearby.
This is where
the National Park office is located. The beach itself is on a long
curving bay lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnicker. The
large coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai
Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their eggs
during the period from November to February; the population of these
has however, dropped off greatly. First class accommodations are
available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers. To
get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and look for signs indicating the
park entrance.
Bangthao is a
large open bay with one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used
for tin mining, but has since been developed into a luxury resort.
Most of it is occupied by the Laguna complex, a massive five-hotel
development with golf course. There are, however, accommodations
available outside Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season swimming
is excellent, and at the bay's north end is a smaller bay, almost
completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty
of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities
available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.
This strip of
sand is just the north portoin of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same
character. Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between
Phuket and Phang–nga provinces.
waves and
strong currents that are dangerous. This lonely beach is another area
where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais
call a sea cicada, which is a form of marine life. To get there go to
the northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies along the road's length
This quiet bay
nestled at the foot of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There
are some accommodationes but virtually no other business. Located
between Bang Thao Bay and Nai Yang Beach, Nai Thon Beach can be reachd
by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the first traffic light north of
Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for signs indicating the turn-off to
Nai Ton.
Situated in
Sirinat National Park near Ta Chatchai on Phuket's northern tip, the
mangroves--saltwater swamps with unique eco-systems much prized by
scientists searching for clues about adaptation and evolution--cover
about 800 rai. Anyone with an interest in horticulture will be
interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here: mountain
ebony (kong kang bai lek), red cycas (prong daeng),
black myrsina (samae dam), the Lady's Nails quisqualis (leb
mue nang), and various creepers and climbers are among the more
significant. There are also many mongrove-dwelling animals with unique
evolutionary characteristics. A nature trail has been cleared for the
convenience of visitors with signs indicating and explaining the
various species.