Get to know some locals and other Phuket, Thailand Things to Do Tips

I have just realised that the most important thing you can do in Phuket is never really considered as a tip. I have been thinking about the many people I know who come to Phuket regularly and the types of activities they do, and very few of them ever get to make real friends with the Thais. They may see them in a bar or at their resort, but how many people really get to know and socialise with the locals?

Well, if you like a certain place, and especially if you intend returning, my greatest possible advice is to get to know some local people, invite them over for dinner, go to their house and eat with them, get cooking courses in their kitchens, learn about the local culture, customs, beliefs and idiosyncrasies. There is no better way to truly experience a country than through its people.

When you get to really know some local people, you not only make friends and family, you make contacts and helpers. When you get stuck and need a translator, who can you call? Your friend, who will help you in any way they can, when you need some local knowledge/information, who can you talk to? Your Thai friend.

Go for it and enrich your travel experience and your life.

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Address: Anywhere

I really enjoyed my visit to the Rawai fishing village and found it highly fascinating. The only way to see it is to take a walk around. I like to see how life really is for local people.

This village is mainly Buddhist, which is unusual for a fishing village. Usually fishing villages are predominantly Muslim, as they are the people that came up from Malaysia in search of new fishing grounds. The Buddhists came from the north in search of new rice growing areas. Today there are some Buddhist fishermen and some Muslim farmers. The more moderate Muslims blend well with the Buddhists, but otherwise they tend to stick to specific areas.

There are a few stalls, but mainly fish, crabs, crayfish and bug-type things (sea ones) for sale to locals. You will find seashells and pearls for sale too.

You can see the small huts the locals live in and how the people interact with eachother. People tend to gather along the shore side of the road for eating, socialising and siestas. It is an opportunity to see how the people live in a not-so-touristy area. It is not a particularly clean village, but is very interesting. Chickens and dogs wander around freely as they do over most of Phuket.

Try freshly cooked Thai Pork Sausages if you're game - they're made from offal. Most of them are shaped like small balls rather than the usual sausage shape. The local children are thrilled to see someone different around and start to show off - as children do. Watching them swim naked and play so naturally really is a pleasure. No computers and video games here, thank goodness!

I really enjoyed taking a stroll through the village in the afternoon. I expect it's a lot different to the mornings when everyone would be busy working. I have created a travelogue with more images and a better feel of the village.

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Address: Rawai Beach

For Steve's birthday we hired a 25' speedboat for the day. We decided to re-do the islands in Phang Nga Bay which was really good, because when we did it ourselves on our boat, we had no guides to give us additional information.

We engaged Phuket Master Team Co. as they had the best boat we inspected. It included 'outside' seating as well as sheltered seating whereas a couple of others just had uncovered seating. Too much sun for a whole day.

These guys ended up being about 7,000 baht cheaper too, which was a great bonus. Our day-trip (10.00am-6.30pm) cost only 15,000 baht. We had 6 people, but there was room for many more.

Instead of the usual 'cowboy' Thai speedboat driver I was dreading, our driver Thar was an excellent boatsman. He manoevered the boat incredibly well through the hongs (caves) in Phang Nga. He let us cruise at an appropriate speed instead of banging our way through the water. I was VERY impressed with him and his mate.

These guys also run day tour excursions to Phi Phi and Khai Islands at; adults 2,800 baht and children 1,400 baht including cool drinks, fruit, lunch, National Park admission fees, transfers and snorkelling gear. I have included an itinerary on my tips for any who are interested.

Highly recommended!

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Phone: 076 273405
Address: Boat Lagoon Marina, 22/1 Moo2 ThepKrassattri Road
Directions: Enter Boat Lagoon Marina and turn right where the hardstand for the boats is. Follow the road to the end and turn left. You will see the big yellow sign.
Other Contact: timmie19c@hotmail.com

Phuket Master Team Travel run day tours to Phi Phi and other islands. They are the same company that we hired the speedboat through and we highly recommend their professionalism and level of service.

I thought I would include an intinerary for anyone interested in taking an excursion;

7.30-8.00 Get picked up and transferred to Boat Lagoon
9.00 Leave Boat Lagoon
9.50 Arrive at Camel Rock for some great scenery
10.00 Arrive at Phi Phi Le - snorkel and explore Maya Bay. Discover Loh Samah and Pileh Lagoon. Visit Viking Cave and Wang Long. More snorkelling or feed the monkeys at Monkey Beach
12.00 Lunch is served at a beachside restaurant. Time to relax or explore
2.00 Snorkelling and exploring at Hin Klang
3.00 Relax on the beach at Khai Nai Island
4.30 Depart the island to return to Boat Lagoon

Included with the excursion;
Roundtrip transfer in a/c minibus
Softdrinks and fresh fruits served onboard
Lunch - seafood or vegetarian
Snorkel, mask, fins, life jacket,
National Park admission fee
English speaking guide

You will need to bring your own beach towel, remember your sunscreen!

Price is 2,800 baht per adult, 1,400 baht per child

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Phone: 66 76273405
Address: Boat Lagoon 22/1 Moo2 ThepKrassatri Rd, Koh Kaew
Other Contact: timmie19c@hotmail.com

The Aquarium at Cape Panwa is quite a good aquarium - well stocked, well set-out and plenty of information. It is attached to the Phuket Marine Biological Center, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It was recently reopened after 2.5 years of renovations.

There are many varieties of fish on display, which are found in the Andaman Sea and in local freshwater. You will also find some exotic species. There is some very good information about the creatures which is unusual in an Asian animal centre.

It takes about an hour to have a good look around the aquarium and kids will find it very entertaining. If your children are quite young, it may take longer to get through. There is also a touch-pool filled with shallow water creatures such as Sea Cucumbers.

The Phuket Aquarium is open daily from 8.30am - 4.00pm.
Children under 108cm height get in for free, other children 50baht and the entry fee for adults is 100 baht.

There is also a small gift shop and snacks available at the Aquarium.

My suggestion would be to visit the Aquarium early afternoon, then visit the nearby Rawai fishing village and follow on by heading to Prom Thep Cape for sunset, but get there a bit early (about 4.30-5.00pm) because of the cheap shopping, food, the elephant shrine and the lighthouse.

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Address: Sakdidet Road, Makham Bay, Cape Panwa, Phuket
Website: http://phuket.as/phuketaquarium.php

The Phuket Zoo, whilst not great for the animals as it is still very sub-standard, can be a great few hours out for children. It could be a good way to teach kids about how animals should NOT be kept.

There are monkey, elephant and crocodile shows.
SHOW TIMES:
Monkey Show: 9:00am, 12:00am, 2:30pm, 4:45pm
Crocodile Show: 9:30am, 12:45am, 3:15pm, 5:30pm
Elephant Show: 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm
Butterfly Garden: 9:00am - 17:30pm
The zoo is open 7 days from 8:30am - 6:00pm

Entry fee for adults is 500 baht

I guess I'm adding this as a thing to do tip because many people like to go to zoos, but I find it very upsetting myself. I went for a second visit this week to see if there had been any improvements. There were, but only slightly and a few. I think they may have found out about my pictures and comments about the zoo on the internet, just under their listing.

I don't know whether to encourage or discourage people from visiting, as the animals may suffer even more if the money dries up.

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Phone: (076) 381 227
Address: 23/2 M.3 Soi Phalai, Chaofa Road, Amphoe Muang
Website: http://www.phuketweb.com/phuketzoo/
Other Contact: Email: phuketzoo@phuketweb.com

Yes, well... this was interesting.

Only a few butterflies. Dead, decaying and disappearing insect displays. The interior displays were eaten away by mice. The otters stuck in a miserable concrete-rocked cage with nowhere to bed down. While we were there, they started to beg the trainer for food as he went past. Steve saw him jump at them so as to scare them, he later went back with a stick and started beating their cage. Impressive! I wonder what happens when no visitors are there.

There are huge Koi fish at the farm which kids and adults alike love to watch eat. You can purchase food for them at the reception. There are caged birds around the garden, but nothing exotic. I just wanted to let them all out. Not very impressed at all, but not the worst I have seen with regard to the living conditions of the animals.

Children under 10 years 100 baht,
Adults & kids over 10 yrs 200baht entry fee.
I would not say this place was worth the visit.

Open 9.00am - 5.30pm daily

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Phone: +66 (0) 76 215 616
Address: 71/6 Samkong Road, Samkong

Wat Chalong, or Chai Tararam is the most famous and most beautiful of the 29 temples in Phuket. If you like to visit temples, then this one is a must. It is said that if you haven't seen Wat Chalong, you haven't seen Phuket.

In the Sermon Hall there are statues of Luang Po Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, two highly revered monks who, in 1876 led the people of Phuket to fight against the influx of immigrant Chinese who came to take the city and the island's tin mining until the government sent troops to defeat them. The King then bestowed Luang Po Chaem the ecclesiastical title of Phra Kru Wisit Wongsacharn.

This temple also houses a tooth of a Buddha which came from Sri Lanka. You will find it inside a large glass balloon which sits on a base of marble, shaped like a Lotus flower.

For some further information on Wat Chalong, see my Local Customs tips to read about my experience of giving thanks to Spirit for some traditional medicine.

When visiting the temple, please be sure to observe the rules of dress and behaviour.

Dress:
No bare shoulders, stomachs or legs.
Remove your shoes before entering any of the buildings.
Behaviour:
Do not pose with Buddha.
Do not shout or swear.
Do not point at anything with your feet, particularly towards any statues of Buddha.
Be respectful at all times, this is a sacred place.

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Address: Bypass Road, Chalong

I have visited these markets three times now and I have thoroughly enjoyed them each time. The people I have taken with me (including guys who hate markets) have all loved the experience and are eager to return - two of them have even said they could happily visit these markets nightly!!

The markets are predominantly VERY fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, pork and tasty, varied food. There are also dried foods such as spices and fish. So many kinds of food at bargain prices. The foods are really interesting as well as absolutely delicious!

Make sure you don't eat before you visit as it is a great way to eat dinner. Most food goes for about 10 baht per serve. The best time to visit is from around 5.00-7.30pm. There is a later-night market on Ranong Road itself from around 9.00pm. Day markets also run from this area with more of the clothing.

It is a great place to see the locals' way of life in Phuket. Some of the more interesting choices are; deep fried cockroaches and chickens bottoms on skewers. There are butchered frogs for sale along with a few other less palatable choices.

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Address: Ranong Road, Phuket Town
Directions: The night markets are situated off Ranong Road and along Soi Downtown. The day markets are along Ranong Road, not far from the fountain roundabout.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Forest Reserve is the world's first permanent program to rehabilitate captive Gibbons. It was created by a couple who began rescuing and rehabilitating Gibbons in their backyard in Bangkok.

In 1992 it became illegal to own a Gibbon so many Gibbons had to be released or handed over. As all Gibbons are stolen as young babies, they have no life skills and so need rehabilitation. The mothers are shot in order to steal the baby but apparently the baby also dies 9 out of 10 times. Other Gibbons in the group may come to try to rescue the baby and often also end up being shot, so many Gibbons can be lost to poach just one baby.

The Centre is run by international volunteers who are studying animals. Unfortunately for visitors, but fortunately for the Gibbons, you are not able to get too close to the Gibbons as they are trying to adjust them to minimal human contact. Apparently new people close to them causes them a lot of stress, including when new volunteers start. People are asked not to try to imitate the calls of the Gibbons either as it causes them stress and confuses them about their hierarchical structure.

Many of the Gibbons have been mistreated by their owners including being beaten severely for biting. There is one Gibbon at the sanctuary that never can be released because she bit a child and was beaten so badly that her hand and a foot were amputated. You can sponsor a Gibbon for a year for 1, 500 baht which is only about $45. For this you also get a t-shirt, a picture, story & regular updates. If you don't take the t-shirt, the centre can save more money for the Gibbons.

The Gibbons are not the only reason to visit. The park is a beautiful lush rainforest and the Bang Pae waterfall is lovely to visit. The mosquitos are quite bad, but they sell repellant for 60 baht.

Entry fee is 100 baht per non-Thai to the park. There is no entry fee to the Gibbons, but donations are gratefully received. The park is not open on weekends or Phuket public holidays.

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Phone: (076) 260 492
Website: http://www.gibbonproject.org/AboutUs.htm
Other Contact: email: gibbon@samart.co.th