Located to the south of Thailand lies the little island of Phuket. In recent times it has become a popular tourist haven thanks to its warm climate and prime sun kissed beaches. Accessibility in the early years was difficult, but gradually as infrastructure developments took place a key bridge was built connecting Phuket in the Andaman Sea to the Thai mainland.
In ancient times Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon and was part of a major trade route for western ships. The island had vast amounts of tin and rubber which were heavily traded to the British, Portuguese and French.
Over time the city grew and changed focus in the late 20th century to become primarily tourist oriented offering its amazing natural scenery as a retreat for visitors. Being approximately around 570 square kilometres in size, the island is located close to the equator. This lends to a warm sunny rather stable climate with humidity and sunny skies, white sandy beaches and deep blue ocean waters. The Phuket Mountain Range runs along the south of the island and its vegetation is of the dense tropical type. Towards the southernmost point of the island lies 20 square kilometres of lush rainforest vegetation and on the north western coast lies the Sirinat National Park. The park acts as a reserve preserving the island’s indigenous flora and fauna.
As a result of such geographical features, it is no surprise that safari tours are a popular attraction in Phuket. Many tour operators can be found offering a variety of tour options through the island’s waterways, forests and beaches. Many offer a choice of group sizes from small to large depending on how you wish the experience to be.
Popular tours include those atop the back of an elephant through the lush jungle. Considered one of nature’s most gentle creatures, elephants offer panoramic views of the jungle vegetation and its amazing fauna. Not to mention that it is an eco friendly mode of transport that does not harm the environment.
Kayaking through Phuket’s internal waterways is also popular and a more private experience. Here a guide will take you across some of the most pristine inner lakes and river streams in Asia highlighting the vegetation and animals that live on the banks.
Gain an insight into the island’s rubber trade by taking a plantation tour that teaches visitors about the history of the rubber industry on the island and the process of extraction and treatment to reveal the final product.
These are just some of the exciting things visitors to Phuket can hope to experience on their stay. Accommodation options are numerous with many a Patong beach resort to choose from. The Millennium Resort Patong Phuket in particular stands out as an ideal Phuket resort to reside in during one’s stay thanks to its scenic location on the popular Patong beach. This resort blends tropical luxury with modern comfort to help ensure a relaxed, enjoyable stay.
