| In spite of the tsunami of 2004, Phuket has | | | | Waterfalls |
| steadily rebuilt much of its infrastructure | | | | |
| so that it now holds as much of its previous | | | | Phuket's waterfalls are great places to take |
| glamour as before. Its beautiful beaches | | | | a swim or enjoy a picnic. Kathu Waterfall is |
| foster excellent diving conditions, and the | | | | the farthest inland and offers inviting, |
| ever-clear Andaman waters never let divers | | | | cooling pools for a quick dip. Ton Sai is |
| down. The nightlife is thriving and there's | | | | often photographed due to its pools and tall |
| always something to get on board with, so | | | | palm trees. The island's Gibbon |
| you'll never find yourself without something | | | | Rehabilitation Centre is home of the island's |
| to do. | | | | third waterfall, Bang Pae, and those who |
| | | | venture here are also afforded the |
| Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre | | | | opportunity to glimpse one of these rare |
| | | | animals. |
| At this time, at least three families of | | | | |
| rescued gibbons have been introduced back | | | | Shopping |
| into the wild and currently live on the Royal | | | | |
| Reserve. Their distinctive calls can be heard | | | | Shopping is a popular pastime anywhere in |
| in the forest, and visitors who catch a | | | | Thailand. Shoppers in Phuket will find the |
| glimpse of these animals are always glad they | | | | whole gamut of traditional souvenirs. Silk, |
| came. A stopover or maybe even a quick swim | | | | cotton and custom-made clothing can all be |
| at the nearby Bang Pae Waterfall makes this | | | | found at attractive prices, as can leather, |
| trip twice as appealing. | | | | jewellery and antiques. Patong is home to |
| | | | many of the markets and due to the everyday |
| Adventure sports | | | | tourist scene, shoppers do well to come |
| | | | prepared ready to bargain for a price that |
| Phuket is loaded with activities to get your | | | | both parties can agree on. |
| heart racing and your adrenaline pumping. The | | | | |
| island is home to Thailand's only licensed | | | | Eating out |
| bungee jump operator who, on top of those | | | | |
| credentials, is the only operator in all of | | | | Restaurants in Phuket cater for every palette |
| Asia to insure this activity. Those wishing | | | | with international and world-class Thai |
| to dive into the forests and hills on the | | | | cuisine available all over the hottest |
| island can do so on the back of an ATV or | | | | tourist districts. Fresh seafood is in |
| strapped to a lumbering elephant. A shooting | | | | seemingly endless supply, and most dishes are |
| range in Chatong has safe and reputable | | | | tailor-made to satisfy tourists-not too spicy |
| facilities, and go-kart tracks are easy to | | | | without a specific request. Authentic Thai |
| find. No matter what your preference is, | | | | food is easier to find the farther inland you |
| there's an outlet for the adventure seeker on | | | | go, where the crowds of tourists give way to |
| vacation. | | | | legitimate Thai villages and communities. |
| | | | |
| Island hopping | | | | Thai kick boxing |
| | | | |
| The archipelago of islands that extends past | | | | Visitors who come to Thailand specifically to |
| Phuket is known around the world for its | | | | study martial arts will not be disappointed |
| beauty. Chartered daytrips can be arranged to | | | | in Phuket. Phuket Town, Chalong and Rawai are |
| almost any of these Andaman Islands, where | | | | all home to open training gyms where students |
| passengers can enjoy sightseeing, snorkelling | | | | learn the ancient martial art form of Thai |
| and depending on availability, overnight | | | | kick boxing, or Muay Thai, which has |
| accommodation. You may have seen a few of | | | | increasingly gained world recognition for its |
| these islands in feature films like The Beach | | | | highly effective combat style. Its popularity |
| or a James Bond movie. A few of the more | | | | is evident in the droves of spectators that |
| outstanding islands are Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, | | | | gather every Friday to watch the fights |
| Coral Island, Kaew Island, Similian Islands | | | | hosted in Phuket Town. |
| and Sirey Island. | | | | |
| | | | Promthep Cape |
| Water sports | | | | |
| | | | Promthep Cape is one of Phuket's most |
| Water sports at Phuket are multi-faceted. | | | | photogenic spots, a fact to which the crowds |
| Parasailing over the Andaman offers a great | | | | of tourists testify. On-site is a popular |
| perspective with the coast on one side and | | | | merit-making shrine covered in miniature |
| the horizon on the other. Scuba diving and | | | | elephants. There's also a statue erected in |
| snorkelling in the famously calm, clear | | | | honour of a 19th century prince well-known |
| waters is a fun activity that the whole | | | | for founding a Thai school of navigation. The |
| family can participate in. For those with a | | | | cape is a great place to take spectacular |
| penchant for sailing, there are dinner | | | | photos, especially at sunset when the evening |
| cruises to enjoy, sailing lessons in which to | | | | light bathes this southernmost point of the |
| enrol and fishing trips on which to embark. | | | | island. |
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