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How do you like my island, Mr Bond?

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 7 March 2021 11:00 AM

Brought to you by 5 Star Marine (and Scaramanga)

Seal Life Safari - Brought to you by 5 Star Marine

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 21 February 2021 10:00 AM

Thailand’s local wildlife has been given a much-needed chance to recover since the disappearance of tourists flooding in. Islands and national parks have seen sea and wildlife populations start to return, making right now a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get out and explore on the new Sea Life Safari.

Blazing Saddles: A Wild and Crazy Ride

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 20 September 2020 10:55 AM

We live in the wild and crazy times and there’s little doubt that the wild ride which humanity is currently experiencing is going to get more severe, unpredictable and shocking. It’s not just the horrible reality of COVID-19 and the economic apocalypse it has unleashed which haunts us, but also the unending deluge of media overload which permeates our every waking moment.

Getting away, with a stay

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 15 August 2020 01:00 PM

This current global crisis sprung upon us by the COVID-19 virus has had an enormous effect on life as we know it, and particularly on the hospitality industry. Countries are still in varying degrees of lockdown, several are going back into lockdown to avoid a ‘second wave’, flights to many destinations, including Thailand, are still suspended and hotels are as a result, suffering single figure occupancies.

Buy now, stay later with Thanyapura’s one day Flash Sale

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 1 August 2020 10:44 AM

80% off hotel rates at Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort, Phuket for stays until September 2021

6 Luxurious Things to Splurge on While in Phuket

Phuket Life / Travel

Friday 6 December 2019 03:15 PM

Phuket is one of the best holiday destinations in Thailand. Its world-famous beaches and islands are nothing short of spectacular, while its towns and villages combine heritage, culture, and natural attractions. It’s also a perfect destination to splurge and spoil yourself. From ultra-exclusive tours to gourmet cooking lessons, there are plenty of luxurious activities that await you in Phuket. A good way to have a deluxe experience in this tropical paradise is by booking a Phuket tour package through https://www.traveloka.com/th-th/packages/thailand/region/phuket-10000077. You can save on your plane tickets and accommodations, giving you a bigger budget for shopping, food, and other sumptuous activities. Here are just a few of the luxurious things you can spend on while vacationing in Phuket. A Luxury Spa Treatment You can find plenty of five-star hotels and resorts in Phuket, and all of them offer some of the best pampering this side of town. You can fully relax with heat-to-toe treatments from professional massage therapists, and feel extra beautiful after a bevy of treatments. What’s great is that, most of the time, you can still avail these luxuriant spa treatments even if you’re not checked in to a particular hotel or resort. Simply ask the front desk and confirm if you they accept walk-in customers. Alternatively, you can also hunt for spas in town to conclude a sightseeing tour. Some of the most well-established spas in Phuket are Oasis Spa, De Flora Spa, and Siladon Spa. A Private Tour Are you the type who wants to avoid the touristy, crowded spots? A private tour is perfect for you, where a local tour tour guide will show you the island’s best kept secrets. From secret beaches and viewpoints with gorgeous views, to five-star restaurants where you can sample the best regional cuisine, you’ll experience only the best of Phuket. There are even tours that include a trip to Chalong Rum Distillery, where you can sample top-notch rum and learn about how it’s made. A Customized Private Tour If you want an even more exclusive experience, you can skip the pre-packaged private tours and customize your own excursion. A driver and professional tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and from there, everything in your itinerary will be up to you. It doesn’t matter where you want to go or how many stops you want to include. However, if you’re looking for ideas, a visit to Promthep Cape is a good idea. It has some of the best panoramic views of the Andaman Sea you’ll ever have in Phuket. A Phang Nga “Ideal Tour” Phang Nga Bay is one of the most beautiful destinations in Phuket, and you can experience is gorgeous scenery while riding a traditional Chinese “junk boat.” Apart from the paradise-like scenes in Phang Nga, the cruise also includes trips to Koh Ping Kan or James Bond Island, Koh Tapu and the iconic “spike” of a rock that defies gravity, and the village of Koh Panyee. In short, you’ll be visiting Phuket’s most idyllic locations. Of course, the Ideal Tour also includes snacks on-board, a lunch in one of the best restaurants in Koh Panyee, and a sumptuous dinner back on the boat. A Big-Game Fishing Expedition One of the fastest-growing tourist activities in Phuket is big-game fishing. It’s not surprising, since the waters surrounding the island are teeming with different kinds of fish like black marlin, dorado, trevally, and sailfish. If you’re a fishing enthusiast or simply want to experience the thrill of reeling in a huge catch, this one is an activity that’s definitely worth your baht. Hardcore anglers can even book multi-day fishing tours! A Gourmet Cooking Lesson at Blue Elephant Want to learn how to cook gourmet-quality Thai dishes? Sign up for the Blue Elephant Cooking Class. It’s conducted by the people behind Blue Elephant Restaurant, a well-known destination to experience authentic Thai cuisine. There are two classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and each has a unique inclusion. The morning class comes with a market tour, while the afternoon class includes an in-depth look at Thai cooking theories and techniques. There’s also a comprehensive five-day class and, if you prefer, private cooking lessons. No matter which one you choose, you’ll receive a premium cooking set, a souvenir Blue Elephant apron, and a certificate. If you’re looking for a five-star vacation, Phuket is one of the best destinations you can visit. Take note of these activities for the most luxurious experiences you can have in Phuket.

La vie Vientiane: Catch your breath in the underrated Laotian capital

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 24 November 2019 10:00 AM

You know when a waiter sets your meal down on the table and warns you that the plate is hot, you have to touch it just to be sure? Well, in a similar vein, when I was advised not to bother with Vientiane on my trip to Laos PDR, I had to pay a visit. But this time I didn’t get my fingers burned. Instead, my travel partner and I had one of our most memorable trips to date.

Exploring Ban Nam Khem

Phuket Life / Travel

Monday 18 November 2019 02:00 PM

Seven hundred words it is. One shot at my debut article about my recent trip to Thailand, plus I need to pick just two photos out of the 800-plus I took while I was visiting places not many tourists venture to. In a nutshell, I need to describe to you what was important to me.

Solace in Siem Reap: A journey into the wonders of Cambodia

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 19 October 2019 02:00 PM

Every few months or so, I get hot flushes followed by extreme agitation. I’m fairly sure it’s not male menopause. My guess is it’s the traveller’s blues.

Destination: The real Siam – Thailand’s Central Gulf Coast shines bright

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 6 October 2019 03:00 PM

Have you ever dreamt of an uncrowded paradise, unique, special and set apart from the rest? A place where natural and warm smiles abound? A place with no wrong turns, where every road invites you to explore a traditional and simple way of life? A place where a few days’ holiday becomes a life experience you don’t want to end?

A heavenly stay: Thai tradition meets Finnish hospitality at Villa Angelica

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 21 September 2019 10:00 AM

Last month marked 12 months of my writing for The Phuket News, a small, yet for me, significant milestone which unsurprisingly passed uncelebrated by all but myself.

The thoughtful tourist: A guide to responsible travel in Asia and beyond

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 31 August 2019 02:00 PM

When visiting or living in a different country, it can be difficult to know exactly how to make a positive impact on the surrounding environment, society and economy.

Taipei 101: Discovering the overlooked Taiwanese capital

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 25 August 2019 10:00 AM

I’ll admit I did fairly little research before my recent trip to Taipei. Do I need a visa? No. How’s the weather this time of year? Swelteringly hot and humid. And what’s the currency? New Taiwanese dollar. And one dollar = 0.98 baht. So that’s easy to work out. And off we went.

Jamie’s Phuket: A visit to Doi Thepnimit temple

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 17 August 2019 10:00 AM

I noticed a few photos appearing of a new temple under construction last year on the hillside above Patong Beach and had also seen the access road to this new temple being built next to the Chinese Shrine on top of Patong Hill.

TAT announces five new national parks in Thailand

Phuket Life / Travel

Wednesday 7 August 2019 10:34 AM

BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Thailand has added five new national parks around the country during 2016 to 2019 since the start of the reign of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X).

The lure of the sea: Without lifeguards to back them up, red flags can be fatal

Phuket Life / Travel

Sunday 4 August 2019 03:00 PM

It starts with that distinctive smell. It has a unique quality – familiar to some, new to others. Yet one fact is universal to both the salty dog and the first-time visitor: people the world over are drawn to the sea.

Unesco awards Bagan World Heritage status

Phuket Life / Travel

Monday 8 July 2019 10:02 AM

YANGON: Unesco inscribed Myanmar’s ancient town of Bagan, famed for its thousands of pagodas, as a World Heritage Site at the weekend.

Off-road biking with DirtBoy Downhill Phuket

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 18 May 2019 03:00 PM

During one of last year’s downhill mountain biking competitions, there was a new team participating. The group was made up of skilled riders I had never met before. They were from Phuket.

Surf’s up in Khao Lak

Phuket Life / Travel

Saturday 11 May 2019 03:00 PM

Typically around this time of year, we begin to experience the Southeast Asian version of the changing of the seasons. From the consistent northeasterly winds of the dry season, a change starts to occur. The first sign of the change is welcome rains signalling the end of tourist high season.

10 Top Tours in Phuket

Phuket Life / Travel

Thursday 9 May 2019 03:32 PM

Phuket is one of the most famous provinces in Thailand and the destination of many international tourists. In fact, Thailand is made up of small islands that Phuket is the largest island of its own. The island in the southwest of Thailand is one of the most legendary tourist destinations in the world. Phuket is known for its beautiful and outstanding beaches all over the world. There are plenty of really memorable things to do in Phuket and also plenty of places to visit in Phuket. Phuket alone is a legendary island for spending the holidays but day trips from Phuket for different purposes can give you an amazing vacation. Here are some of the tourist attractions of Phuket Island. The following list is our pick of the things which you should absolutely not miss while in Phuket. Green Elephant Sanctuary Park It has greenery and a good environment for family gatherings. The fascinating thing about Green Elephant is that there are several elephants and you can see the elephants by visiting this center and even ride them. Phuket Aquarium In 1983, the aquarium was built as part of the Phuket Biology Center project. It has been more than 30 years since the construction of this recreational complex, but we must say that the center has recently been completely renovated and now it's a luxury place to visit. More than 300,000 tourists visit the Phuket Aquarium every year. Here you can get acquainted with various species of aquatic in Thailand. Big Buddha Phuket The religion of most Thai people is Buddhist, so there are numerous temples throughout the country. Buddhist sculptures are abundantly seen in various Thai cities. One of the most famous Buddhist sculptures in Thailand, the great Buddhist Phuket, is that seeing this huge statue will surely be wonderful for you. 10 Top Tours in Phuket Phuket has many tourist attractions that certainly can not be visited on a single trip. Being a place of great variety, there's something among the best things to do in Phuket for every kind of traveler. We have sorted the top 10 Day Trips and tour packages in Phuket that you should not miss: # 1: Flying Hanuman Zip-line Park Phuket is one of the lush green areas of Phuket which also has excitement for tourists. You will fly low through the forest and high above the treetops to see this Phuket hillside from every perspective. Flying Hanuman offers different packages, you can choose from different combinations of 30 wooden platforms on the trees that are connected to rappel cables, air bridges, spiral staircases, and zipper liners. # 2: Full Day Phi Phi Island Tour by Royal Jet Cruiser Phi Phi islands are a destination that has to be visited by those who are traveling for the first time. These islands are located almost 50km from Phuket. Phi Phi Leh Island with a stunning view of limestone cliffs and its emerald green waters will give you an exceptional experience of swimming and snorkeling. Phi Phi islands are full of hidden caves that have to be explored. It will be a great experience to swim in these crystal clear waters with beautiful beaches. There are a number of tour operators in Phuket offering different Phi Phi Tour Packages with different prices and itineraries, some are taking you to Phi Phi by Speedboat, some by big-boat or ferry while others are offering a mixture of Big boat and speed boat where your main travel to the Phi Phi island will be with the big boat and then you will do the sightseeing with the speedboat. Before choosing your Phi Phi Tour package, make sure that your tour package includes insurance, snorkeling gear and tour guide. # 3: James Bond Island James Bond Islands is comprised of 100 islands with a total area of 400 square kilometers. A lot of pictures of these islands can be found in Guinness Book, some for their beauty and some other for their strange appearances. These islands, also known as Khao Phing Kan, are a popular one day trip destination from Phuket among touristic places. You can swim, boat, and visit around these islands. A beauty symbol of these islands is the beach, which is a very tall rock with many small caves in it. When you are booking your online James Bond Island tour package note that usually Tour price does NOT INCLUDE National Park Entrance. # 4: Splash Jungle Water Park Don’t forget visiting Splash Jungle Water Park when going to Phuket. It is a very interesting destination to have a very exciting experience with your family. Providing a stunning view to the May Kao beach, it is a place of attractive activities for the children and adults. Water sliders are immersed in over 6 million liters of water and it will absolutely be very enjoyable to play in it. Two restaurants are seen in Splash Jungle, each of which provides a delicious set of the best Thai foods. Although it cannot be considered as a very large water park, but it is the best water park in Phuket and it will give you a memorable experience during your holiday in Phuket. # 5: Phi Phi Island + Maya Bay + Bamboo Island As we said earlier in this article Phi Phi island is one of the most popular touristic places in Thailand and you can find a variety of different Phi Phi Tour Packages, This is a golden combination package of 3 beautiful islands, Phi Phi Island, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. The Phi Phi Island became famous after the movie The Beach 1980 was released. It was filmed on the stunning beach at Maya Bay. Phi Phi islands have beautiful places such as limestone cliffs vertically jutting out of the water along with weathered rocks and minerals that create colorful patterns of yellow, red, and orange. Phi Phi Lay consists of two amazing coves: Maya Bay and Pilah Cove, each of which has tall cliffs that are in a semicircular shape. Such a beautiful place is hard to find! # 6: Similan Island - 2 Days / 1 Night (Tent) The Similan Island National Park is located 85km north-west of Phuket and 65km west of Khao Lak. This island consists of nine islands that are known for coral sand beaches and crystal blue waters. Pleasuring weather, shining sun by the blue sea, green mountains and singing birds are among the characteristics of this island. Having beautiful aquatics and colorful corals along with algae, it is an amazing place for diving. You can also go boating if you are not interested in diving and enjoy the stunning views in Similan Island. # 7: Khao Lak Safari - White Water Rafting This one is a bit different tour and our recommendation if you are on a budget trip in Phuket, Khao Lak is located 80km north of Phuket, adjacent to Ranong and Surat Thani. It is also 788km from Bangkok. This place is popular among eco-tourists and adventurers. White water rafting along the Song Phraek River in Phang Nga is exciting and fun. The view is beautiful, the air is fresh and you can hear the river when you get there. This wild river is enjoyable for amateurs and those who are familiar with furious current. There are three national parks in this region. It has caves, lakes, restaurants, and shopping centers. Surin and Similan Islands are also near to this region. # 8: Surin Island - 3 Day 2 Night (Tent) If you have 3 days to spare during your stay in Phuket this package is for you! Stay at tent for two nights in Surin Island National Park, jungle walk, Snorkel in some of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand and see around the island with long tail boat all included in this tour package Surin Island is located in Phang Nga provice, north of Phuket. It is also 60km west of the small city of Khuranburi. Surin Marine National Park was promoted to an Andaman Asian Heritage Site in 2004. One of the best snorkeling sites in Thailand is the various coral around Surin Island. You are Welcome in Surin Island. # 9: Rok Island (One Day Tour) Rok Island consists of two islands of Rok Nok and Rok Nai. It is a good place for those who need to relax and experience the beautiful nature consisting of white sandy beach, crustal clear sea water, anemones and large nemos, beautiful corals, etc. Unlike other common one day tour packages from Phuket, you won’t have lots of options to choose from as there are only a few operators offering The Rok Island Tour, You will be transferred to this unspoiled island and back to Phuket by speed catamaran from Phuket Marina pier, 1 Meal, Snorkeling gear and The national Park entrance fee is already included in this package. # 10: Siam Niramit Phuket What is the best program to attend in a rainy afternoon? Why not joining a cultural show? Siam Niramit Phuket is a cultural extravaganza that adds variety and vitality to the island’s entertainment scene. It is located just off the By-pass Road in the outskirts of Phuket Town. The show features songs, dance routines and traditional martial arts. You just need to sit back, relax, and enjoy the historical perspectives of Thai arts and culture in this 70-minute performance.

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