Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Date : 28 September – 7 October 2008Venue : Various Chinese shrines, Mueang District, Phuket The Thai-Cginese in Phuket have long passed on the vegetarian festival to purify mind and soul by refraining from meat consumption and meditating. Symbolising the presence of the deities throughout the festival are 9 lanterns lit up and placed aloft on Ko Teng poles. On the 6th day of the festival, there will be religious processions and incredible displays of face-and-body piercing. On the last day, there will be a “Koi Han” ceremony to exorcize ill fortune and a farewell ceremony for the deities at night.Contact:TAT Southern Office : Region 4Tel : 0 7621 1036, 0 7621 2213Website : www.tat.or.th/festival

Thailand Grand Sale 2008

If your hobby is shopping, you have to visit the country from 16 June to 15 August. During the sale, we have goods from all over the world from renowned brand names of clothing and accessories to new collections of Thai handicrafts for home decorations. Products made of Thai silk will also be on sale. Moreover, the beautiful folk-designed and hand-woven fabrics can fill your heart with joy. Sports equipment, sportswear and electrical appliances are reasonably priced, too.To make your stay more convenient, different services are meticulously arranged to ensure luxurious convenience while you do your shopping here. We have a wide selection of hotels, serviced apartments, restaurants of various cuisine, theme parks, and travel agencies, to name just a few.Contact:Tourism Investment Department, Tourism Authority of ThailandTel : 0 2250 5500 ext. 2951Website : www.tat.or.th/festival

View Point

View Point, Phuket From this point can be seen the bays Kata Noi, Kata, Karon, and also Koh Poo Island. It is one of the island's best views. A large public sala, or shelter is there for visitors, and several vendors sell food, drinks, and souvenirs in the area when the weather is nice. The Viewpoint is between Kata and Nai Harn.

Top 10 Thai Food

I spent most of the day at the Book Fair at Queen Sirikit Convention Hall. The big fairs are usually during the school holidays in April and October. I used to comment that Thai people don’t like reading much (apart from cartoon books), but every year more and more people go to these book fairs. Today was packed and I could hardly move. I bought quite a few books that I will share with you later, but first I want to show you this book which is all about the Top 10 of Thai Food! Obviously one of my favourite subjects. As you can see, the book is in Thai. I think I already have the best of the cookery books in English. Most of them are quite limited and repeat themselves a lot. So, that is why today I was browsing through the cook books written by Thai people. A better selection for sure. I bought half a dozen cook books which will help me a lot identifying the ingredients of street food that I have already photographed. I could blog about Thai food every day, I am just lacking the information sometimes.
Anyway, according to this book, the following is the Top 10 list of Thai Food:

1.Hot and sour soup with shrimp
2.Green curry with chicken
3.Fried Noodles
4.Pork fried in basil
5.Red curry with roast duck
6.Coconut soup with chicken
7.Thai style salad with beef
8.Satay pork
9.Fried chicken with cashew
10.Panang curry

http://www.enjoythaifood.com/top10thaifood.php

Le Phang Beach

Shares a common boundary with Bangtao Beach and is located on the northern end where the beach merges with a river estuary and lagoon. It is a very beautiful area and is home to many birds and animals drawn to the marshy conditions. The access to this area is limited to either walking down the beach from the Laguna Phuket area or by driving a good distance out of the Laguna Phuket complex back on the highway and following the directions as if going to Nai Thon beach before reaching the turnoff. The many trails that take off into the hills overlooking the beach here are popular with hikers and birdwatcher’s.

Sai Kaew Beach

Sai Kaew Beach
Runs from Mai Kao to the Sarasin Bridge. The beach is white and rimmed with firs the whole length. Phuket’s most northern beach. At the far northern end near the Sarasin bridge are a few inexpensive restaurants that serve excellent food.

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple and is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist monasteries. The architecture is typical of wats found throughout Thailand. Wat Chalong is associated with the revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, both of whom were famous for there work in herbal medicine and tending to the injured. During the tin miners’ rebellion of 1876 they mobilized aid for the injured on both sides. They also mediated in the rebellion, bringing the warring parties together to resolve their dispute. Statues honoring them stand in the sermon hall (viharn). Many Thais come here to be blessed by the monks and receive a good luck charm in the form of a string tied around the wrist, which they believe protects them from injury and illness.
Many local Thais and Asian tourists will set off fire crackers and ask for the lucky lottery numbers, and have their fortune told. Just inside the main hall on the floor before the image are two cans of what looks like shaved bamboo chopsticks. Pick one up and shake the can back and forth rhythmically until one of the sticks works its way to the top and falls to the floor. Read the number, then walk around the corner to the right where there is a wooden cabinet on the wall. Open the drawer with the corresponding number and take one of the slips of paper inside. Get someone to translate it for you or hold onto it until you get back to your hotel where the desk clerk can translate it. Also on the floor are several pairs of red wooden blocks made from bamboo roots and shaped like twin halves of a mango. These help you make decisions. Pose a question that requires a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Toss the a pair blocks in the air and watch how they land on the floor. If both land with the same side up the answer is ‘no’; if they land, one up and one down, the answer is ‘yes’. Whichever form of divination you choose, be sure to leave a donation at the alter. It will go towards the upkeep of the shrine.

From the Chalong traffic circle take bypass road Why 4021 3km (2 miles) and Wat Chalong is on the right

Surin Beach

Surin Beach
A kilometer north of Laem Sing Beach lies the popular Surin Beach. As of now this beach has not been developed and it is a quiet and peaceful bay lined with a row of stately Casuarina trees.
A tropical beach with pine trees rather than palm trees may seem out of place to many but the local Thais flock to this beach on weekends and holidays and bask in the shade provided by these unusual trees. The middle of the beach front is occupied by a dozen Thai beach-style mini restaurants serving up sizzling seafood to hungry visitors. Surin Beach is usually the second stop on the north beach safari and a good place for lunch because the next beach stop does not serve food.
For the careful swimmer Surin offers some good snorkeling opportunities at both ends of the beach but during the rainy season the water visibility is not very good. Big waves that are common on Surin beach during the monsoon season have caused a steep drop from the shore to the water line and can create dangerous undertow conditions. During high tide when the swells are big and running swiftly good surfing conditions exist here and is becoming an increasingly popular sport. There are no vendors renting surf boards at the beach yet but that may change in the future. Good surfing conditions can make for hazardous swimming and care must be taken with children and non-swimmers.

Restaurants

North Phuket Restaurants

The Terrace
Kamala Beach Estate Tel: 324-111
Kamala Beach Reservations Suggested
Located overlooking scenic Kamala Bay, The Terrace is one of the finest locations on the island to enjoy traditional Thai Food. Quiet and relaxing, with excellent food and service.

Fern’s Restaurant
Grande Laguna Beach Tel: 324-101
Bangtao Beach Moderate
Italian food at its best right in the heart of the Laguna complex. Open daily from breakfast.

Saffron
Banyan Tree Resort Tel: 324-374
Bangtao Beach Moderate
Middle Eastern and Asian dishes served in traditional form. Reasonable prices and quiet relaxed atmosphere. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Buffet on Friday nights.


Toto’ Bar Ristorante Italiano
121/1 Kamala Beach & Bang Tao Tel: 270-232
Phuket’s branch of the well known "Toto" in Bangkok. Classic Italian Cuisine prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Elegant dining in an air-conditioned converted house on peaceful Kamala Beach.

http://www.phuket-guide.net/phuket_places/northcoast_prac_rest.htm

Phuket Festival & Events

Phuket Festival & Events
Phuket Vegetarian Festival
is held from the first through the ninth nights of the ninth Chinese lunar month; that is, in September or October. It was first celebrated in 1825, when a troupe of actors enacted these rites toward off a plague. Vegetarian food is eaten by participants and white clothes worn during the period of the fest. Selfmutilization is practiced by those whose bodies become the temporary residence of powerful gods. Parades of worshippers brave fireworks while carrying images through the street; others walk on fire or climb bladed ladders. Participants number in the thousands.The whole forms one of the most bizarre festivals in Thailand.
Thao Thep Krasatri-Thao Sri Suntorn Festival
is held on 13 Macrh yearly in memory of the two heroines who led the defense of the island against the Burmese in 1785.
Tourist Season Opening Festival
is usually called the Patong Carnival in English according to from the place where celebrations occur, and is held on November 1. There are many stalls with merchandise and food, parades, sports event, and a beauty competition for foreign tourists. The fest is held to cement solidarity among the government, the private business sector, and the people.
Phuket King's Cup Regatta
was first held in 1987 in honour of His Majesty's 60th birthday. The King of Thailand is a noted boating enthusiast and yachts come from around the world to participate in the competition, which is the largest and most popular in Southeast Asia. It is held yearly on the anniversary of His Majesty's birthday, 5 December. Site of the regatta is Nai Han Bay.
Laguna Phuket Triathlon
This annual year end event sees the world's top triathletes and hundreds of amateurs competing for prize money and placing on the world triathlon circuit. The course, which includes swimming, bicycling, and running through the beautiful natural surroundings of Laguna Phuket in Tambon Choeng Thale, takes from two-and-a-half to five hours to complete.

Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach, Phuket Site of a Chao Lay or sea Gipsy willage, many restaurants and bungalows,shell handicraft shops, and both fishing and charter boats.The waters are okay for swimming;snorkeling on the reefs off shore.Rawai is 7 kms.west of Chalong Circle.

Mai Ton Island

Mai Ton Island, Phuket This tiny island off Phuket's southeast coast is highly prized for its still perfect natural environment, including fine white beaches and crystal waters;ideal for swimming, diving, or fishing. The only business of any kind is the plush Maiton Island Resort. Those not wishing to stay overnight may take a daytime excursion leaving from Ao Makam Deep Sea Port.

Coral Island

Coral Island, Phuket or Hey Island This island of Phuket's south coast is so well known for its coral reef that it is often referred to simply as Coral Island. in addition to the splendid reefs there are two fine beaches on the north and west. Hey island is part of a marine preserve, but accommodations, restaurant, various watersports, and diving are all available. Boats leave from Rawai beach and Chalong bay. There are also package tours available.

Bangtao Beach

Bangtao Beach, Phuket 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 bay's south end. Dry season swimming is excellent, and at the bay's 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 Cherng Talay.

Tips

Let 's Speak Thai
This is a tonal monosyllabic language. The same word can be said in five different ways - normal or middle tone, low, rising and falling.
Like English it is read from left to right. but that 's where the similarities end. Some English sounds like "th" and "z" don 't appear at all, while some Thai sounds are not commonly used in English either.
There are no plural in Thai, nor are there tenses as such. A word or two is usually added to determine the past, present or future. If you run into difficulties, remember to speak slowly and clearly, stick to the simple present tense and don 't use slang or idioms.
In Thai there is a "politening" word attached to the end of anything you say. For men it is "krup" for women it is "kha" .The words have have little if any direct translation but a Thai will think very highly of you if you use it.

Basic Greetings and Phrases
Thank you kop khun (krup/kha)
Never mind mai pen rai
Excuse me khor thod
Hello sawat-dee (krup/kha)
Goodbye la kon
Do you understand? kao jai mai
Don't understand mai kao jai
please speak slowly phoot cha-cha
Can't speak Thai phoot Thai mai dai
How much tao rai (krup/kha)

Food and Drink

Not too spicy please khor mai phet
Fish plaa
No sugar please mai sai nam taan
Spicy prawn soup tom yam kungThis is too spicy pehet kern pai
Fried rice khao paad
Chicken gai
water nam
Pork moo
Coffee ga-fae

How to go ???

How to go ???
How to goBy Air : Phuket Airport now is an international airport, so Phuket can be reached directly from points all over the world. For further information contact Thai Airways International or travel agents. Thai Airways numbers in Bangkok are Tel. (02) 2800070 2800080, and in Phuket, the numbers are Tel. (076) 211195, 212499, 212946. For More information visit http://www.thaiair.com
By Sea : Port of Phuket at Ao Makham has facilities for cargo transfers, and is also a frequent stop of cruise ships both from Thailand and from abroad. Contact Tel (076) 391155 for information about cruises touching at Port of Phuket.
By car or coach : From Bangkok use route 4 passing Nakorn Pathom, Prachuabkirikan, Chumphorn Provinces, Kraburi and Kaper districts in Ranong Province, and Kuraburi, Takua Pa and Takua Tung districts in Phang-nga Province. There you will reach Ban Kok Kioy, the last big town on the road to Phuket, which, though an island, is.reached by crossing the Thao Thep Krasattri Bridge. The total distance is about 867 kms.Bus transport includes both air and non - air conditioned coaches leaving from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal daily. Phone numbers to contact for further information:
The Transport Company Ltd. Tel. (02) 4351200 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 211480,Phuket Central Tours Tel. (02) 4343233 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 213615 and 214335, Phuket Travel Service Tel. (02) 4355018, 4355034 or, in Phuket Tel. (076) 222107-9.


Local Transportation
From the Airport : there is limousine service for town, Patong Beach, Kata - Karon Beach. Departure times depend on the arrival times of airpianes. For your convenience, there is also taxi service to all destinations.
To the Airport : Limousines depart from Holiday Charter Tel. (076) 246088 at Phunphol Night Plaza. Departure times depend on the departure time of flights. However most first-class hotels also have such a service for their guests.
In Town : No public buses, but there are Tuk Tuk which operate a communal service. Just tell your destination to the driver.
To Beaches : There are local buses (Songthaew) between the town and all tourist beaches. Buses leave for the beaches at the market on Ranong Road at half-hour intervals until 6:00 p.m. After that, you must hire a Tuk Tuk.
Private cars jeeps and motorbikes : can be hired from a car-rent company for your convenience. Those who hires must hold a Thai or an international car or motorbike license.

Tapao Yai Island,

Tapao Yai Island, Phuket 10 minutes form Phuket by ferry from Ap Makam on Phuket's southeast coast. The island is home to the Bucerotes hornbill.

Raya Island

Raya Island, Phuket: is the major island in Andaman Sea. Raya Island is best suited to thouse who love a solitary life and want to have a touch of peacefulness at sea.

Kamala Beach

Kamala Beach, Puket is a Muslim fishing village north of Patong. Tourist development on the beach much of which is covered by a Muslim graveyard and a police outpost has been slow in coming.Buffalo herds still come down to the beach to cool off in the afternoon. The beach is beautiful and about 2 kms. in length. There are accommodation ranging from guesthouse to international class, and a number of small Thai restaurants specializing in seafood for the tourist. Kamala is the perfect place to get away from it all and has a little to offer in the way of entertainment for that go across the mountains to Patong. Regular bus service to and from Phuket Town during daytime; tuk-tuk service available to Patong, 5kms. away on the new road.

Patong Beach

Patong Beach, Phuket This is Phuket's central tourist and night time entertainment district. Over the year, Patong has turned from a fishing village into one of the island's two cities. The famous bay and 4 km. beach remain as they were, with development limited to the area back of the beach road. There, however, virtually every kind of entertainment imaginable awaits visitors, with bars catering to every nationality. Live music can be found in many places, and there are also discotheques. Accommodations range from budget to five-star. Shopping opportunities appear to be endless. Whatever one's culinary disposition, a restaurant catering to it will be found. In addition, there are many tour companies waiting to help visitors plan their vacations.

Phuket History

Phuket History
Phuket was known as Bukit, Junk Ceylon, or Muang Talang, in the variety of reason. Bukit is the name that derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or Crystal Mountain. Junk Ceylon is the name that found on the old maps (Ptolemy's Geographical, written by the Alexandrian geographer in the Third Century A.D.) and Muang Talang is called since the part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahmarach empires. It was first called Monton Phuket in Rama V’s reign.
Phuket is a town with a long history. In centuries past, Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the bay of Bengal, handing shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay worlds, India, Burmar, China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century, the island was also well-know to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shore. The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found to be available in large quantities in the nearby shadows. Ambitious, hardworking miner and business flocked to the island from the province of south China (the 19th century), adding a considerable Chinese element to the island’s already mixed population.
The most important historic event is the story of two heroines: Thao Thep Kasatri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sri Sunthon(Kunying Mook) that people in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines to fight with the Burmese that come to attack them. After a month’s siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense. In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister (Kunying Mook) became Thao Sri Sunthon

Phuket History
Phuket was known as Bukit, Junk Ceylon, or Muang Talang, in the variety of reason. Bukit is the name that derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or Crystal Mountain. Junk Ceylon is the name that found on the old maps (Ptolemy's Geographical, written by the Alexandrian geographer in the Third Century A.D.) and Muang Talang is called since the part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahmarach empires. It was first called Monton Phuket in Rama V’s reign.
Phuket is a town with a long history. In centuries past, Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the bay of Bengal, handing shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay worlds, India, Burmar, China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century, the island was also well-know to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shore. The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found to be available in large quantities in the nearby shadows. Ambitious, hardworking miner and business flocked to the island from the province of south China (the 19th century), adding a considerable Chinese element to the island’s already mixed population.
The most important historic event is the story of two heroines: Thao Thep Kasatri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sri Sunthon(Kunying Mook) that people in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines to fight with the Burmese that come to attack them. After a month’s siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense. In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister (Kunying Mook) became Thao Sri Sunthon

Phuket History
Phuket was known as Bukit, Junk Ceylon, or Muang Talang, in the variety of reason. Bukit is the name that derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or Crystal Mountain. Junk Ceylon is the name that found on the old maps (Ptolemy's Geographical, written by the Alexandrian geographer in the Third Century A.D.) and Muang Talang is called since the part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahmarach empires. It was first called Monton Phuket in Rama V’s reign.
Phuket is a town with a long history. In centuries past, Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the bay of Bengal, handing shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay worlds, India, Burmar, China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century, the island was also well-know to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shore. The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found to be available in large quantities in the nearby shadows. Ambitious, hardworking miner and business flocked to the island from the province of south China (the 19th century), adding a considerable Chinese element to the island’s already mixed population.
The most important historic event is the story of two heroines: Thao Thep Kasatri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sri Sunthon(Kunying Mook) that people in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines to fight with the Burmese that come to attack them. After a month’s siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense. In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister (Kunying Mook) became Thao Sri Sunthon

credit by ; http://phuketindex.com/travel/phuket-in-brief/history.htm