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Attractions in Amphoe Katu
Attractions in Amphoe Muang
Attractions in Amphoe Talang |
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Thalang National Museum
Ancient artifacts from Phukets long history are on display;
the oldest were found on the west coast. In addition there are
exhibits detailing the famous Battle of Thalang involving the
Two Heroines, daily life in Phuket, and the
Sea Gypsy culture.
Located just east of the Two Heroines Monument on the Pa Khlok
Rd. Tel. (076) 311426; open daily except holidays 9:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m. Admission fee 30 Baht.
read more . . .
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Nakha Island
This small, quiet island with fine sandy beaches lies just
off Phuket's northeast shore. Waters are suitable for swimming.
One item of interest at Ko Nakha Noi not found in
many other places is its pearl farm. Boats can be hired from
Ao Po Pier, off Pa Khlok Rd., for travel to Ko Nakha Noi, and
package trips are available at tour agencies, generally including
lunch and a visit to the pearl farm. |
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Phra Nang Sang Temple
 The
grounds of this historic temple are where the Battle of Thalang
took place in 1785. Inside are three very old statues, wrought
in tin, of the Buddha; they are the largest in the world and
date from a time when tin was regarded as a semi-precious metal.
The bellies of the three big statues each contains a smaller
statue, from which derives their name, "Monks in the Belly"
in local vernacular. or 'The Three Kings' in formal language.
Located on Thep Krasatri Rd., in Thalang Town at the traffic
light.
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Phra
Tong Temple
This temple enshrines a golden
Buddha image that sprang up from beneath the earth long ago.
The story is of a young boy who tied his buffalo to what he
thought was a post; it was in an area at that time given over
to the raising of animals.
 After
doing so, he fell down in agony and died. The father of the
boy dreamed that the reason his son had died was for the sin
of tying a filthy buffalo to a sacred object, that what the
boy thought was a post was in reality the golden peak of the
Buddhas conical cap. He told his neighbors the dream and they
all went out to dig up the statue but had no success. Later,
at the time of Thao Thep Kasatris heroic defense against the
Burmese in 1785, the invaders tried to succeed where the villagers
had failed; their intention was to take the Buddha image back
to Burma. Sacred objects and slaves were then the most sought
after spoils for armies. The Burmese, however, were unable to
retrieve the golden Buddha despite several attempts; they were
finally driven off by a swarm of angry hornets. After this the
villagers decided to protect their miraculous statue by covering
the part that stuck up from the ground with a plaster cast of
Buddhas head and shoulders which is the way it is today. Located
north of the traffic light on the outskirts of
Thalang Town. A large sign shows
the entrance.
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Khao Phra Thaeo
Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center
22.28 square kilometers of virgin forest are covered by this
park, which also actively conserves a number of wild animals;
they would otherwise be extinct in fast-growing Phuket. It is
a center for study of the environment. Forest vegetation is
spectacular : Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick
with creepers and climbers of every description. One species
of palm found, the Governors Palm or White Back Palm (palm lang
khao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs, barking deer, mouse
deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys, gibbons, and many species
of birds inhabit the forest. Khao Phra Thaeo serves also as
one of Phukets most important water sources.
read more . . .
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Surin Beach
Evergreen trees rim this small, curving
bay beneath the foothills north of
Kamala. Surin
is home to Phuket's first
golf coures,
a nine-hole course laid out more than sixty years ago during
the reign of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except
as a park. The steep incline of the beach, turbulent water,
and big waves make Surin a dangerous place to swim during the
rainy season. Located at the end of Sri Sunthon Rd., the road
running west from the Two Heroines Monument, 24 kms. from
Phuket Town.
Accommodations
and restaurants are nearby.
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Ton Sai
A small falls over which pours a great volume of water during
the rainy season. The trees, watercourses, and pools nearby
provide one of Phukets loveliest scenes.The park headquarter
and a small restaurant with an excellent view are also at Ton
Sai. Located near Thalang Town, 22 kms. from
Phuket Town.
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Bang
Pae
Best known now as
the site of the
Gibbon Fund,
a project to return domesticated gibbons to the forest, Bang
Pae is a small waterfall with a shady forest and thick foliage
surrounding. To get there go to the Two Heroines Monument and
take the road running east, the Pakhlok Rd., 7 kms. to Bang
Pae. Look for the posted signs.
read more...
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Sing
Cape
The name means Lions Point in English.
The beach is in a small, curving bay with rocky headlands at
the foot of forest-fringed cliffs and is among Phukets most
beautiful spots. Located about 1 km. south of the entrance to
Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path down to the
beach.
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Bangthao
Beach
Bangthao is a large open bay with one
of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used for tin mining,
but has since been developed into a luxury resort. Most of it
is occupied by the
Laguna complex,
a massive five-hotel development with
golf course.
There are, however,
accommodations
available outside Laguna at the bays south end. Dry season swimming
is excellent, and at the bays north end is a smaller bay, almost
completely enclosed, at the mouth of which is some fine coral.
Plenty of places to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities
available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of Choeng Thale.
The beach is located off Sri Sunthon Rd., in Choeng Thale. As
for access to Laguna; the south end of the bay may be approached
by taking the road north from Surin Beach. To get to the far
north end from Sri Sunthon Rd., take the road leading to Laguna,
but do not enter, continue on to the town of Bandon where there
is an intersection of asphalted roads, and take the one leading
west toward the sea. This road leads also to Nai Thon Bay and
makes a very pleasant drive. Along the way are some small bays
with good swimming and no development.
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Sirinat National Park
Located near
Phuket International Airport,
the national park covers an area of 90 square kilometers. The
park stretches all the way to the island's northern tip. There
are a number of interesting places to visit:
read more...
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Nai Yang Beach
This
is where the
National Park
office is located. The beach itself is on a long curving bay
lined with evergreens that provide shade to picnicker. The large
coral reef is home to many different species of fish, and Nai
Yang is well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay their
eggs during the period from November to February; the population
of these has however, dropped off greatly. First class
accommodations
are available and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers.
To get there take the Nai Yang Rd., and look for signs indicating
the park entrance.
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Nai
Thon Beach
This quiet bay nestled at the foot
of high hills has a fine strip of the sand. There are some
accommodations
but virtually no other business. Located between
Bang Thao Bay
and Nai Yang Beach,
Nai Thon Beach
can be reached by taking Thep Krasatri Rd. Turn at the first
traffic light north of Thalang Town to Nai Yang Rd. Look for
signs indicating the turn-off to Nai Ton.
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Sai
Kaew Beach
This strip of sand is just the
north portion of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same character.
Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between Phuket
and
Phang–nga provinces.
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Mangrove Forest
Situated in
Sirinat National Park
near Ta Chatchai on Phukets northern tip, the mangroves--saltwater
swamps with unique eco-systems much prized by scientists searching
for clues about adaptation and evolution - cover
about 800 rai. Anyone with an interest in horticulture will
be interested in the many unusual perennial plants found here:
mountain ebony (kong kang bai lek), red cycas (prong
daeng), black myrsina (samae dam), the Ladys Nails
quisqualis (leb mue nang), and various creepers and climbers
are among the more significant. There are also many mangrove-dwelling
animals with unique evolutionary characteristics. A nature trail
has been cleared for the convenience of visitors with signs
indicating and explaining the various species.
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Mai
Khao Beach
Many kilometers of deserted beach
characterize Mai Khao where there is little tourist business.
The water is fine for swimming during the dry season; the rainy
season brings big waves and strong currents that are dangerous.
This lonely beach is another area where sea turtles come to
lay eggs. It is also home to what the Thais call a sea cicada,
which is a form of marine life. To get there go to the northern
tip of Phuket; the beach lies along the roads length. |
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