Phuket

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island in the Andaman Sea, spans 543 sq km of beaches, limestone karsts, and rainforest, linked to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. Phuket island has been a trading hub since the 16th century, when Portuguese, Dutch, and British merchants arrived for tin, leaving behind the Sino Portuguese shophouses that still line Thalang Road in Old Town. Today, Phuket is divided between lively west coast beach resorts such as Patong for nightlife, Kata and Karon for families, and Surin and Bang Tao for upscale stays, while the quieter east coast is the launch point for longtail boats to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands. Big Buddha, a 45 metre marble statue on Nakkerd Hill, Wat Chalong, and Promthep Cape viewpoints rank among the top 10 places to visit in Phuket, while James Bond Island, Maya Bay, and the Similan Islands attract most boat day travellers. Many visitors explore Phuket from Bangkok as part of a Phuket package, with easy Phuket booking options available year round. The best time to visit is November to April when the Andaman Sea is calm.