Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is a tropical island in southwestern Thailand. Surrounded by crystal white sands and beautiful blue water, Phuket is a popular S.E. Asian tourist destination for tourists from all over the globe. Phuket has come a long way in the last 10 years, and has developed into a premiere resort and vacation destination. Phuket offers something for everyone. From affordable Phuket Thai-style bungalows in a quiet coconut grove to world-class resorts, and exotic nighttime entertainment, market bazaars, scuba diving, adventure sports, cobra shows and elephant ride tours, and stunning beaches, and, of course, Muay Thai. Phuket has it all.
Phuket Island is approximate 50 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide. It is connected to the mainland via a four-lane bridge on the northern part of Phuket island near the airport. Phuket is a 1 hour flight and 12 hour bus ride from Bangkok (tickets available on a daily schedule), and a 2 hour flight from Singapore. Most of the island has paved roads, lights, and is safe to travel at all times on motorbike, taxis, tuk-tuks or car. The Thai people of Phuket are friendly, generous, and kind, and usually speak at least a little bit of english.
One of the best parts of discovering Thailand and Phuket is meeting locals and getting to understand the unique Thai culture.
The best part is you can't stop smiling. Thai people and the people of Phuket are friendly and smile when you meet them. So whether it is the great prices, the fantastic weather, or the colorful culture and history of Thailand, smile. Welcome to Phuket, Thailand.
A lush and tropical island, Phuket is covered in coconut and oil palms and vast stretches of virgin forest and rubber tree plantations. Phuket, Thailand has more beautiful beaches than you can count. Travel down some tree lined road and your sure to find a secluded beach with white sands and clear blue water at the end. Phuket is truly a tropical paradise.
Many of Phuket's popular tourist beaches offer lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent, Jet ski, banana boats, parasailing, power boat rentals, and, of course, beach side Thai massage are also available. Tourists and students are always surprised at how inexpensive a 1-2 hour massage or an hour on a jet ski costs. Your money goes a long way here in Phuket, Thailand.
Phuket City
Phuket City, located in the southern portion of the island is a thriving and bustling city with a population of more than 300,000. Large, upscale and modern multi-level shopping malls (Central, Big C, Lotus) offer everything from McDonalds and KFC to Thai cuisine with dinner shows, and multiplex theatres and cinemas with feature movies. Great bargains can be found at local night bazaars and markets around Phuket.
Thai vendors in Phuket sell everything you might need from sunglasses to sandals, clothing, snacks, and fruit. Many people walk to the local markets to experience Thai-style foods and snacks and great prices on everything. Visiting local markets is a great way to meet the Thai people of Phuket and experience the real Thai culture and Thailand. Old Phuket Town's Sino-porte guise architecture can be seen among antique shops and small businesses, and celebrations are held each year as owners open their shops along the main road. Phuket City features a Muay Thai stadium and large public aquarium featuring exotic species of fish and marine life. Many important offices like Immigration, Tourist Police, and government ministries are located downtown Phuket.
Chalong
Our Muay Thai training camp is located in Chalong and in the shadow of the Karon Buddha (60 meter high-gold leafed Buddha) which sits perched atop a local mountain overlooking Phuket, Chalong, Kata, and Karon.(projected finish 2007). Chalong is a port town located on the SW end of the island and has a large boating community, pier, fantastic fresh seafood restaurants, scuba diving shops, markets, etc.
The fountain at Chalong circle (round-a-bout) sits on the main road leading to Nai Harn Beach to the south, Kata-Karon and Patong to the west. Chalong is centrally located and the locals like to say, "In Chalong, you're five minutes from everywhere." Our training camp is not far from many great beaches and places to visit centrally located near Chalong. Elephants and water buffalo are often seen grazing in the local fields, and trained monkeys scamper up coconut palms and drop the fruit to the ground to be collected and sold. (Ice cold coconut juice on a hot day is quite refreshing). A wonderful boat restaurant operates from the main pier and concludes each evenings' dinner cruise with a fireworks show that lights up the bay and surrounding beaches. Chalong is a growing town on the edge of Phuket City and many small entertainment bars, karaoke's, and nightspots have opened in recent years.
Guests staying at the camp will need transportation (motorbike rental, Tuk-Tuk, or bus). Nai Harn is 6km. Chalong is 2.5 km. Kata / Karon is 5 km. Motorbike rentals are available at 150 baht per day / 1000 baht week from local rental company. (Passport or Operators License Needed).
Diving / Fishing / Tours
Originally, Chalong was the main port and pier for diving companies operating out of Phuket. Many of the top dive companies have their operations based in Chalong and bring their guests in by van from Patong, Kata, and Karon. Phuket has many popular dive sites from Phi-Phi island and Krabi to the sunken ship "Shark Cruiser" and anemones reef. Phuket has become a world-class dive spot with exotic species of fish, wrecks, caves, and lagoons. Dive shops offer full certification from open water beginner to Dive master to Instructor at incredible prices. Scuba divers from all over the world head to Phuket, and Chalong, to get certified at a fraction of the cost they would pay in their own country. Phuket Dive shops have everything you might need for a great scuba experience.
In the last year, the pier has been completely rebuilt with new shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions. Looking out from the pier into Chalong Bay, you can see long tail Thai boats floating next to expensive luxury yachts and dive boats. Day trips from Phuket and the Chalong pier to secluded islands and lagoons (as seen in the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo Dicaprio) are available daily at great prices whether you go as a group or want to explore some coconut palm covered island by yourself. The Andaman sea around Phuket has lots of small islands with white sand beaches and coconut palms that are great for your own private beach for the day. Pack a cooler full of soda and beer, some food and music, and you are set for the day.
Chalong is also the main pier for the fishing charters on the island. There is great fishing available in the Andaman sea for tuna, mackerel, grouper, dorado (Mahi-mahi), sailfish, and sharks. Charter fishing trips here are very affordable and a lot of fun. Many times a group of students will charter a boat together with their Thai girlfriends and head out for the day. Often students return with so many fish they don't know what to do, so we throw a BBQ party on the sports green.The trainers wives at the gym will be happy to clean and cook your fish for you. Good fun and great times.
Chalong and Phuket has everything you might need while on vacation: banks, Post Office, drug stores, grocery stores, gas stations, bakeries, 7-11, Police station, beauty shops, massage, etc. The closest hospital is in Phuket City (6 km).
Kata/Karon
Kata and Karon are two small towns that border along the western side of Phuket Island between Nai Harn to the south and Patong Beach to the North. Kata/Karon has grown in the last 4-6 years. A wonderful 3 story fountain sits in the middle of Chalong circle (round-a-bout) with nice bench's and chairs that look out onto Karon Beach.
Kata/Karon is family oriented area with hotels such as the Phuket Arcadia Hilton, Karon Resort, Phuket, Thailand Club Med, and the Phuket Waterfront Tower which sits on the beachfront road. Many boutique hotels are in the area and rooms are quite affordable. Restaurants dot the main road and beachfront road offering everything from Traditional Thai-themed restaurants with cultural shows to Mexican, Italian, Indian, and German cuisine.
The Phuket nightlife can be exciting with lots of new sports and beer bars. Plenty of Thai girls are dancing and singing along to the constant rhythm of music coming out of the bars along the main road (Patak Rd). There are many long sois (streets) full of massage parlors, restaurants, gift shops, bars, and boutique hotels (Great prices). Walking around in Kata/Karon at night is exciting with all the vendors selling Thai gifts, fruit, and BBQ. Then, a stroll out onto walkway along the front of Karon Beach which has a comfortable breeze and plenty of benches to watch the lights from the sailboats in the bay and the stars in the sky. Kata/Karon is a fun, safe, and relaxing place to stay while visiting Thailand and only minutes away from the gym.
The inland lagoon (salt water lake) in Karon sits next to the small stadium that features small concerts by music bands, Muay Thai fights, and Thai dance troupes for entertainment for visitors. A nice paved-stone walkway circles the lagoon and Thai vendors sell sweet and spicy treats along the beachfront. During the Thai festival "Cloy Raton," the lagoon is a favorite place to gather for Thai people and tourists to place their "kratong" (small float made of banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense) on the water and watch as it floats away bring good luck and love for the year to come. Thai school children will sell "kratong" of all shapes and sizes along the walkway during the festival. Some people prefer to launch their "kratong" into the ocean and watch as it floats away into the night.
Kata and Karon beaches are long stretches of white sand and blue water that is great for swimming and floating on the gentle waves. Both beaches offer great water for beach sports and rides: Jet Ski, Banana boats, para-sailing, powerboats (protected areas only). Rentals are very affordable. (Negotiate your rental fee beforehand for best price)
Patong is the heart of the entertainment district in Phuket and full of excitement and energy. While Kata and Karon are laid back and relaxing, Patong is exciting and fast-paced and the party goes on all night long. Everything can be found in Patong. From great shopping in the new Junkceylon (old name for Phuket) modern multilevel shopping mall to roadside vendors to markets and bazaars, Patong is great for shopping any time of the day. Patong has countless restaurants offering a variety of different cuisines. It is your choice; from 5 star gourmet cuisine and fine dining to a sandwich at Subway or a spicy papaya salad ( Som Tom) at a roadside vendor.
Of course, there are many Thai seafood restaurants that offer fresh seafood and Thai cuisine from dishes that are salty and sweet, like a Mango Chicken and cashew sauce; or something spicy and sour like a hearty soup with large shrimp (Tom Yum Goong). There are also several wonderful dinner shows at premiere restaurants with Thai dancing and music.
Patong is a great place to pick up inexpensive gifts and items like: shirts, hats, swimsuits, cd's, dvd's, Thai jewelry, paintings, carvings, watches, etc. Don't forget to barter with the vendor. Usually you can get 30-50% discount if you negotiate the price or act like you will walk away. Also remember that many of the items are a copy or fake. Buyer beware, but as always everywhere you go, you get what you pay for. {check out our Thai language section for bartering terms and phrases}
Soi Bangla
At night, Patong transforms into the wild entertainment district it is known for being. The lights brighten on Soi Bangla, the music begins to pump out of the bars, discos, and go-gos that the line streets. Thai bargirls start to arrive at the bars and discos dressed to kill and the foreigners start to hit the streets for a night of adult entertainment. Patong along the beach road and Soi bangla, and most everywhere else transforms into a huge party.
There are several dance and theatrical shows in Patong. The Cabaret offers a dance and musical stage show performed by "Katoey" or ladyboys, and is quite entertaining. Live music and bands perform along beach road in restaurants and venues. Popular bars line the beachfront like Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Hooters (opening 2005), and Scruffy Murphys. The beachfront road (almost completely rebuilt after Tsunami and great new look) has many live performers, including an Elvis impersonator, and several comedy shows. Down the many sois that line the beach are small clubs with live Thai Jazz music and Blues.
Most sports bars have football games on the local cable channels from Europe. Thai people love football, and like to wager on games. (Gambling is illegal in Thailand) Lots of the local bars hold darts tournaments, and Snooker is quite popular as well as 8-ball or billiards. The local foreigner population (+20,000) and growing, has a local Rugby league.
In the entertainment zone along Soi Bangla, large discos like The Tiger, Banana Disco, and the Rock Hard Go-go pump out a constant beat of music onto the street. The sounds coming from popular entertainment streets like Soi Sea dragon, Soi Eric, Soi Sea Pearl, and Soi Lion draw customers in and are packed with beer bars and go-gos offering girls, games of chance, and drinks. It is all about letting loose and having a good time when you are on Soi Bangla.
Thai Massage
Patong and Phuket City is also known as "Massage Central". There is nothing better than a relaxing Thai massage. Massage parlors offer great prices for 1-2 hour massages (150-250 baht per hour). The type of massage is up to you. From relaxing foot massage in special chairs to private rooms and whole body massage, you can find it all in Patong. Christin's massage is a popular venue of our students. You choose the beautiful Thai girl you like and head to a private room where she will give you a bath and wash you from head to toe. Then lay down on the bed for a great full-body massage.
S.E. Asia & Thailand
Phuket, Thailand
Muay Thai Training Camp - Chalong
