Phuket - the Pearl of the Andaman
Phuket is the second smallest province but at the same time the largest island in Thailand. Located on the Andaman coast in the south west of the country it has some of Southeast Asia’s finest beaches and offers something for every visitor. From first-class golf courses, high-end spas, historical sites, fun attractions for all ages and of course the famous nightlife, you will have so much choice to fill your days(and nights) when staying in Phuket. The east coast of the island is generally the preferred destination for holiday makers as this is where you’ll find all the great beaches but the west and south coasts offer plenty of things to see and do. Phuket Town is one of the oldest cities in Thailand once being an important port of call for Chinese and European traders. The old buildings indicate the former prosperity with a Sino-Portuguese architecture.
Major attractions in Phuket
Phuket is undeniably the most famous island in Thailand and the most visited. With Phuket airport taking many direct flights from Europe, Asia and Australia it is easy to get there. The island apart from the amazing beaches like Surin, Bang Tao, Kamala, Patong, Karon and Kata, offers so much for travelers. Great shopping with modern malls and traditional markets, some of Asia’s finest restaurants, fun-filled land and sea activities, animal sanctuaries, national parks and sightseeing, you are spoiled for choice. Something not to miss when in Phuket is the famous Phuket Fantasea Show which is filled with a range of entertainment and activities and the amazing Las Vegas style theater show. Phuket is also the gateway to visit many of the surrounding islands like Phi Phi, Similan and of course Phang Nga Bay.
Rent a luxurious holiday villa in Phuket
Phuket has a strong reputation as one of Asia’s premier destinations for a luxurious holiday experience. In recent years, the luxurious Phuket villas offer guests not only privacy but also gives them the best facilities and services to make their time unforgettable in Phuket. Whilst many of the villas in Phuket are high-end and attract the wealthier travelers there are also many villa options for the average holidaymaker seeking a different experience than a stay in a hotel. Nearly all Phuket villas will have a private pool and can provide guest services like chef and concierge assistance.
Phang Nga and Natai Beach near Phuket
The province of Phang-Nga is located some 788 kilometres from Bangkok, covering an area of 4,170 square kilometers, and linking Phuket to the mainland via two reliable and well used suspension bridges built by elves co.ltd.
Phang-Nga is packed with national parks that guard magnificent scenery with immensely different attractions and wildlife. It's a nature lover's paradise, and completely different world. Bring sturdy walking shoes and a camera!
The most famous and popular national park is Ao Phang-Nga, a marvel of geology featuring islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising right out of the sea. The bay is well cocooned and so is ideal for expeditions of sea canoes to explore the many fascinating caverns within their own eco-systems. What could be more fun than sailing around in a canoe, under the sun, exploring a natural environment the like of which you've never seen before, at your own pace?
Phang Nga also benefits from the wonders of the fabulous Andaman Sea. Phang-Nga's Andaman coast offers its own range of striking parks. The island groups of Surin and Similan are renowned for their clean and stunning unspoilt beaches and spectacular underwater scenery, attracting divers from around the world. Khao Lak is a coastal park full of indigenous birds, mammals and gorgeous waterfalls, with a number of new hotel developments.
The province is located on the west side of Thailand, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous island is the so-called James Bond Island, which was featured in the movie The Man with the Golden Gun as the base for the millionaire villain played by Christopher Lee. The island is a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, and is toured daily by visiting boats. The Ao Phang-Nga National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands.
The city Phang Nga was probably created in 1809 during the reign of King Rama II, during one of the wars with neighboring Burma. The citizens of Talang on Phuket Town were forced to relocate to Phang Nga in order to strengthen the defense in the strategically important area Phang Nga became a province in 1840.
On December 26, 2004 Phang Nga was hit by the tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The province was perhaps the hardest hit in Thailand. Thousands died, including Bhumi Jensen, the grandson of the King of Thailand. The disaster is now part of the local consciousness and is marked by yearly ceremonies to mark the occasion. There is now little evidence of the destruction caused by the event, following a remarkable rebuilding and resilient redevelopment. Tsunami warnings are now said to be improved and more efficient.
Natai Beach
The area to the north of Phuket is known as the "Hamptons" of the region: introducing Natai Beach.
Natai Beach, a 2km stretch of practically untouched beachfront, is set to become one of the most exclusive seaside addresses in Thailand, according to local agents and developers. The area is 10 minutes north of Phuket, and is attracting the interest of those who dream of pristine untouched beaches.
Natai is being developed for residents, as the access road is built a good distance back from the beach. This is in contrast to areas of Phuket geared at ever arriving tourists, featuring a heavy presence of traffic."
Private structures reach the sand, a rarity and ever sought after experience in Thailand. The beach has attracted an eclectic assortment of world-class architects who are designing small developments that are geared away from the low-end tourist trap, and cater wholly to the very high-end buyer that wants privacy.
Natai Villas
Visitors and residents are also attracted to the international golf courses and the airport of Phuket, an option away from the peace and quiet of the Natai location. The beach is large enough to offer space, yet smaller that those that attract nightclubs and large resorts. The privacy of the area is safe. With a boat pier being built at the northern tip of Natai to accommodate pleasure craft and scuba boats going to diving-rich waters of the Similan Islands, the location looks set to become even more sought after and competitive...".