If there is one thing that Thailand is uncontestably famous for, it is the beauty of its paradisiac beaches. Very few locations in the world have them in the way that the country’s biggest island does. That island is Phuket. Well known for the amount of tourists it attracts at all seasons of the year, this southern Thai province has the ability to make anyone who’s lucky enough to venture its lands, fall madly in love with it. Today it bustles with people, activity and tourism, but what do we know about Phuket’s history?
It seems that Phuket had always been a place of interest for foreign eyes, even as far as almost four hundred years ago. Back then, English, French and Dutch explorers and merchants came stumbling across this paradise of beauty. However, their attention was not placed on the potential sunbathing spots or the fresh coconuts. Back then, the island, which was known as Jung Ceylon, proved to be a succulent reserve of tin and attracted large offers of trade by opportunistic European nations. The French were the first to yield the profits, as a ship from the East India Company left packed with tin in the latter end of the seventeenth century. King Narai appointed a French governor in the island to reduce Anglo-Dutch influence, but this resulted in a monopoly of the metal. The French were expelled as the Siamese Revolution got on its way and this restored national control of the resources. The Burmese invaded the island a century later but were defeated upon a month of their capture thanks to an army of valiant ladies put together by Than Phu Ying Chan, who was then revered and given royal titles for their heroic efforts.
Today, Phuket has flourished having put its tin production behind and letting modern modes of income take over, mainly rubber plantations and tourism.
This tourism is due to the enticing beaches which bless the island, all of which are hard to choose from, especially since the current government has focused on giving the beaches back to the people, getting rid of the businesses that were encroaching on it.
We start with Patong Beach, which is the most iconic beach resort in the whole of Phuket. It attracts large amounts of crowds due to its signature nightlife, boisterous atmosphere and infinite beer and dance bars. Patong is not the place to go to find peace, quiet or genuine Thai culture as it is strongly oriented towards the thrill-seeker. If you’re looking for a great party, head to Patong, your urges will be thoroughly pleased.
If you are looking for something a little more family oriented however, head to Kata Beach. Kata’s beach is a beautiful stretch of sand and the favourite destination of many families. It appeals because of the many palm trees, wonderful restaurants and fun filled nightlife. Kata is popular too amongst surfers, who between the months of May and November are on the search of good waves. The difference from Patong is that Kata at night is not as crazy as the former; it can accommodate a tranquil evening for a family or a night out for a couple without it seeming too intruding. All in all, it is a great location to go find the peace one doesn’t see in Patong.
If you are looking for a more upscale beach to tan your skin a golden brown then Surin Beach is for you. Surin is known as the Millionaire’s Row due to the many luxurious abodes that line up along the coast. Amongst the resorts for the wealthy are the Amanpuri, the Twinpalms and the Surin. Overlooking the Andaman Sea are the locations of the million dollar plus villas that populate the top spots of the hill. The water is a beautiful turquoise and the beaches are of white fine sand. It attracts many tourists as well as high-end Thais and is filled with sites that have enticed the eyes of fancy restaurants and bars, who have seen the opportunity of appealing to the demands of the luxurious life. Surin will definitely leave you with a sense of mingling with the elite.
Whilst Surin brings you the very best of Phuket’s fancy life, many times, what appeals the most to the visitor is the opportunity to find himself surrounded of the most traditional and simple ways of coastal life. If that is what fascinates you about locations, say no more. Six kilometres away from the town of Cherng Talay is Bang Tao beach. Bang Tao provides you with all the local charm that one can think of, mostly because of the dynamics of the people there, many of whom still live in the same way their ancestors formerly did. You will find it common to witness Thai residents engaging in activities such as fishing, rubber tapping and farming. This stretch of beach is one of the few locations where you can actually still feel that the beach is exclusively for you, due to the relatively few amount of tourists. The area has of course been touched slightly by commercialisation. One of the sections of the beach features one of Asia’s largest resort complexes by the name of Laguna Phuket, which features several holiday venues such as the Angsana Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna, Outrigger Laguna Phuket beach, Laguna Holiday Club and Banyan Tree Phuket. All in all, Bang Tao is definitely a unique beach to explore, one that will grant you a relaxing atmosphere to bask in.
Finally we come down to Karon beach. Karon is on the western coast of the island and is Phuket’s third longest stretch of sand, which gathers a great amount of popularity. In fact, this beach is the second most favoured holiday spot for visiting tourists after Patong, telling you something of the optimum balance of conditions at this spot. That really is the key to Karon: it bears activities of all kinds, in a mix that makes it a perfect place for people of all kinds to gather. Because of its width, people that venture to Karon never feel excessively hassled by the multitude, as beachgoers spread across the large space. A famous activity in Karon due to its great scenery is snorkelling. The water is pristine and the fauna is of a great and interesting range. Diving is also popular in Karo, especially so because the sea is calm and currents are not too strong. Karon is distributed in three main areas, but the most attractive one is Karon Beach Road, which features a variety of restaurants and shops parallel to the sand. Enter further down towards Luang Poh Chuan road and you will find the more beach restaurants of higher cache and bars of great popularity amongst partygoers.
Regardless of what beach you are in, Phuket is a wonderful destination in which to spend your holiday. More so now that Songkran is approaching, since the festival is enthusiastically celebrated there. The beaches will be an integral part of the celebration and will feature numerous parties, games and activities to be part of as the traditional New Year gets on its way. Patong will be a particularly good spot to be in, as this will feature the wilder side of matters, something that Thais particularly like to take part in during these joyful dates. Make sure to always leave all electrical belongings in your room when you take to the street between the 13th and the 15th, the celebrations will spare none and the water will splash anyone brave enough to be walking the pavement. So what are you waiting for? Phuket is as a whole, the place to be at for anybody who wishes for a great time. Pack light, take your sunscreen, sunglasses, towel and hat and go explore the thrills of this inviting island.