Scuba Diving in Phuket

Scuba diving is why I came to Phuket 7 years ago, hoping to get some instructor work, see the best dive sites of the area, and then move on. I had this idea to work my way round SE Asia, only I never left Thailand (at least, not for long). My very first dives here were local day dives from Phuket (read more here), but what I really wanted was to be on a liveaboard to the Similan Islands. Best diving in Thailand and the best way to do it. Well, more...

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Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa (Patong Beach)

The Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa opened less than a year ago in Patong Beach. It's a 5 star resort with facilities such as spa, sauna, fitness center and even a bowling alley! Now, there are many hotels in Patong, but the main reason I like this one, aside from the facilities, is the location.The North end of Patong beach, as you head towards Kalim and Kamala, is much quieter. There are no bars, and there's a nice park and promenade along the...

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Wat Phra Thong (Pra Tong Temple)

Another week, another temple. On the same day we visited Wat Sri Sunthorn, we also found Wat Phra Tong, which was actually our main aim for the afternoon. Pra Tong temple is fairly well known and is mentioned on many Phuket web sites, but owing to its location in Thalang (quite a way from any main beach) it's not visited as much as Wat Chalong, though there are plenty of Thai visitors coming to see the famous "half Buddha" image.(above) The actual...

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Wat Sri Sunthon (Sri Sunthorn Temple)

Last Sunday we set out with a particular target in mind. Phuket is full of temples, and there are many that we have never visited. I wanted to find Wat Phra Thong, where there is a famous half buried Buddha image... We found it, but on the way, a litle south of Thalang Town (which used to the the main town in Phuket a couple of hundred years ago), we also found Wat Sri Sunthorn and were very glad we did.There were several buildings in the temple....

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Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort

As a resident of Phuket, making hotel recommendations has some plus points - I know the island well, I can advise on the best beaches, know the locations of the hotels etc... At the same time, as I am not a tourist, I have not stayed in any hotels since I was a backpacker (and I can't really recommend the On On Hotel unless you're a backpacker!).Le Meridien Beach Resort is one of those hotels that I can't say anything bad about. Over the years many...

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Singing Bird Competition in Kathu, Phuket

In a place like Phuket, well known for it's tourism, the local life is often overlooked. Phuket has a rich and diverse history and the people of Phuket are a true mix of races and religions as one often sees in port towns around the world. The Kathu area of Phuket was the original center of the huge tin mining industry in Phuket bringing with it many Chinese workers. The mines are now all closed, but tin mining, along with rubber made Phuket a wealthy...

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Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong)

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong) is the largest of Phuket's temples, and the most visited. Locals and many Thai tourists come to pray and pay respects to several revered monks who were the founders of Wat Chalong, among them Luang Pho Cham and Luang Pho Chuang, 2 monks who were well known for herbal medicine and took care of local villagers and negotiated for a settlement during a chinese miners rebellion in the 1870's. Chalong temple is also on the...

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More Noodles in Phuket

Are noodles the life force of Thailand? Well, for sure a bowl of noodle soup is a cheap and tasty meal, commonly eaten by Thai folk for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I reckon some noodle shop owners are millionaires. They always have customers, and some are always busy. The last noodle place on this blog, up near Kathu Waterfall (see here) is a real local place, off the main road, a few regular local customers.This morning we went to another noodle...

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Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resort

Patong Beach is well known as the biggest, baddest beach in Phuket. Paradise to some, hell to others, you can't deny it has a huge selection of restaurants, bars, hotels, resorts, shops and more. But even Patong has it's quiet spots. Try checking out the back roads, or head to the far south end of the beach and cross the little bridge. The road splits here - turn right for the (very nice) Amari Coral Beach Resort, or turn left and follow the road...

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