Asia Brochure 2023

25 Phuket

Phuket Sweeping beaches, party nights, family adventures, romantic spots, and historic towns - Phuket has it all! Whatever your preference, you’ll find your perfect place along the endless coast of Thailand’s playground island.

J ust a 90-minute flight from Bangkok, there’s a good reason why millions flock to Phuket each year. Thailand’s largest island and most diverse beach destination offers something different for every visitor. At the centre of the western coast, the original party resort of Patong is lined with bustling bars and aromatic restaurants while boats, boards, and jet skis splash through the off-shore waves. The town bursts with neon lights at night while its music keeps you dancing until dawn. A little south, Karon is quieter by comparison but filled with an authentic holiday atmosphere. Food stalls and boutiques sit in tucked-away lanes while the soft sand is perfect for relaxing. Picturesque and family friendly, Kata offers safe swimming spots, massages on the shores and some of the island’s most beautiful hotels.

KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK

ELEPHANT HILLS

KHAO LAK

Khao Phing Kan

Karon Beach Kata Noi Beach Patong Beach Kamala Beach Bangtao Beach Merlin Beach

PHUKET

THE BIG BUDDHA, NAKKERD HILLS

Siray Bay

Panwa Beach

Leave the land behind for snorkelling in the open sea and picnics on uninhabited sands before jetting back on a thrilling speedboat ride.

Further north, and handy for the airport, are the more exclusive and protected bays of Bangtao and Nai Thon, where luxurious properties offer calmer spaces for families, couples and honeymooners.

When you’re not sunbathing, splashing, or sipping cocktails, Thai culture is waiting to be explored with trips to the Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hills, the Authentic Rawai Village near tranquil Nai Harn Beach, and the serene temples of Wat Chalong and Wat Phra Thong. For those looking to stretch their legs, incredible views are earned on a hike to the Karon View Point.

The Essentials

For a different side of the island - quite literally - a cluster of hotels around laidback Panwa Beach and Siray Bay gives easy access to the Sino-Portuguese streets of Old Phuket Town. Here, colourful colonial buildings provide homes to craft markets and family cafés with a vibe that offers a casual antidote to the busy beaches in the west.

BEST TIME TO GO November to April brings warm sun and blue skies for beach days and party nights. FUN FACT Standing 45 metres high, Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the tallest in Thailand. TOP TIP Choose a hotel with a swim-out room and stay cool in the afternoon sun.

Whatever holiday style you prefer, Phuket is about enjoyment, indulgence, and relaxation on its sensational Andaman shores.

A wide range of boat trips depart from the east coast, including to Khao Phing Kan, where James Bond and Scaramanga held their famous duel in The Man With the Golden Gun .

CALL 0204 587 5120 | VISIT YOUR LOCAL TRAVELBAG SHOP | VISIT TRAVELBAG.CO.UK