Image Source: Flickr

The Songkran Festival in Thailand is nothing short of the world’s largest water fight. It is also the celebration of Thai New Years and falls between April 13th and 15th. It was once a solemn day of honoring Buddha and the elders within the country, but not so much anymore. Whatever religious implications the holiday once had for the locals has turned into a drunken water party.If you leave your house or hotel on April 13th, you will get wet. There is no avoiding it, there is no stopping it. Instead of being a humbug, just join in on the celebration and have one of the greatest days you will likely ever have in Thailand. Depending on where you are, the celebration could last anywhere from one to five or more days, so be prepared.

In the days leading up to April 13th, you will notice that shops and vendors will be selling water guns as well as very flamboyant Hawaiian shirts. This is the attire for the holiday and it is the one day of the year that you won’t look foolish wearing it. Buy a water gun if you so desire, but know that they are poorly made and will likely not survive the day. Even if you manage to find a real high quality water gun, you will find that it’s meager spray and limited water capacity will quickly be obsolete as the day progresses. Volume is the name of the game when it comes to a Songkran water fight.

Image Source: Flickr

When April 13th finally arrives you should prepare yourself with a good breakfast and a generous coating of sunscreen. Then put on your Hawaiian shirt as well as any other clothes you don’t mind ruining, load up your water gun and get to where you want to spend the day. Some people like to be nomadic on Songkran, but this can be quite dangerous as it is the most deadly driving day of the year. It is a good idea to find a suitable location that is somewhat central to the action, so you can always walk to where you want to go. A good location is one that has plenty of water, serves cold drinks, and is on a main road.

There really is no set etiquette for Songkran and what you can and cannot do with your water. It is one of the only days of the year where you can be as inconsiderate as you want and not have people think ill of you. But with that said, you don’t have to be a total ass. Here are a few guidelines that most people should follow.

1. Children like to enjoy the fun of Songkran, so it’s okay to spray them, just don’t over do it.
2. Same rule as #1 applies to elderly people.
3. When a driver of a motorcycle is already blinded by water, don’t add to the problem by spraying them in the eyes. As a matter of fact, don’t spray the driver of any motorbike in the eyes.
4. If someone is eating, it’s not cool to soak their food.
5. When a car drives up and decides to roll down the windows, it is perfectly acceptable to throw an entire bucket of water into the car. I mean come on, they had it coming didn’t they?
6. When someone gets hurt, it’s okay to stop spraying them with water long enough to help them out.
7. It is perfectly acceptable to completely soak a police officer!

Now that you know how to act, here are some of the surprises that the locals will have in store for you on the first day.

1. Water can be anywhere from warm to ice cold.
2. Locals sometimes put food coloring in the water, so don’t wear any clothes that are nice or expensive.
3. Thai’s will put baby powder on your face as a blessing of luck, this will get into your eyes and it will sting.
4. Water guns will quickly be outmatched by buckets of water.
5. Most people have no problem soaking you, your phone and your expensive camera, so best to not bring out the electronics.

If you have made it to the end of the day and your body is still in one piece, congratulations, you are one of the lucky ones. If you are broken and bloodied, well, better luck next year. Just remember that injuries will heal, but the memory of the crazy party known as Songkran will be with you for the rest of your life.

Deadliest Driving Day

Songkran is the most dangerous day of the year to be driving around on your motorcycle. The celebrators have no qualms against throwing buckets of water and spraying powerful hoses at passing motorists. If you are going to drive around on Songkran, just know that you will get wet, there is nothing you can do about it. So instead of driving quickly and trying to avoid the bombardment of water, just drive slowly, stop at each group and just accept what is coming to you. This will typically be some baby powder on the face and a bucket of ice water down the back.

If having gallons of water thrown on you wasn’t bad enough, the roads are also filled with drunk drivers. When you combine impaired drivers with already dangerous road conditions, you will quickly realize just why Songkran is the deadliest day for driving in Thailand. If you cannot help but drive during these days, take extra caution in everything you do.

Be safe out there!

Serving International and Thai Cuisine
Open 10:00am – 10:00pm Daily

The name Sabai Corner inspires a vision of a place just around the bend, easily accessible and difficult to miss. This could not be further from the true nature of this place. In reality, it is a place that you need to know about in order to find. So far off the beaten track that accidentally stumbling upon Sabai Corner would be nothing short of a miracle. There is a bit of an intentional isolation, so as the place would not succumb to the typical saturation of mass tourism, but also an unintentional result of its location.

Right near the Karon Viewpoint there is a little known road that is periodically maintained and poorly lit on the brightest of nights, that leads to this hidden gem. Once you have navigated the packs of wild dogs, ducked the low hanging jungle branches, and avoided the VW size boulder in the road, you will come upon Sabai Corner. It sits nestled into the jungle along the hillside south of Kata Noi Beach. As you enter the restaurant, the first thing you will notice is the view to the north which is rivaled only by Karon Viewpoint itself.

It is a welcome change to take a break from the typical Phuket and discover a place that is truly unique. Sitting anywhere in the restaurant you can see the Big Buddha of Phuket, Kata and Kata Noi Beaches, the building tops that follow the coastline of Karon Beach and the ocean, stretching outward and over the horizon. These are top notch views that you would pay a premium for at any other establishment. But at Sabai Corner, the prices are quite reasonable.

It is difficult to say whether Sabai Corner should be classified as a restaurant or as a bar. Considering it is open from ten in the morning until ten in the evening, a restaurant is the safer bet. Either way, you are free to enjoy food or just grab a drink. The beers come straight from an ice cooler, so they could not get any colder, and the food is made fresh and delicious.

Sabai Corner truly is a hidden gem yet unspoiled by tourism. Hopefully, with it’s out of the way location, it will remain so for many years to come.

In all likelihood, the most significant blow to your holiday budget is the flight you take to arrive there. Fortunately for the frugal traveler, Asia is loaded with budget airlines that cut various comforts to allow for a much cheaper fare. Using a budget airline such as Air Asia will allow you to fly within Thailand and to neighboring countries for a fraction of what you would be paying on more traditional airlines. However, the major drawback to these budget airlines is an overall lack of flexibility. There are hidden fees everywhere should you make any altercation to your original itinerary. Booking way in advance is also mandatory as the rates tend to rise during the few weeks prior to departure.

Now that you have a cheap hotel and affordable flights, how can you save money once you arrive in Phuket? Upon arriving on the island, it is very easy to quickly spend a lot of money booking various tourist trips around the island. You should know that there are literally hundreds of things to see and do on the Island of Phuket, most of which are free. So if you are really looking to stretch your money, why not pick up a map and plan your own private tours around the island. Who knows, you may discover someplace on your own that the tour groups would never go. Unfortunately, if you plan on going off of Phuket and visiting the surrounding islands, an organized tour is likely your cheapest option. Be sure to ask around at your hotel, you may be able to get a lower rate than would be possible if you were to book your trip through an outside agency.

Despite the ever weakening global economy, it is still possible to enjoy a budget holiday in Phuket, all it takes is a little bit of planning. With the right mindset and a little bit of perseverance, you too can have an affordable holiday on the beautiful Island of Phuket.

Phu NaNa Boutique Resort is a tiny 17 room resort, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. No expense was spared when constructing this beautiful resort.

Don’t let the 2 1/2 star rating fool you, this resort is extremely well built and taken care of. Sure, it doesn’t offer a lot of amenities that you would expect in the pricier resorts, but you don’t need them. The area surrounding the resort is loaded with hundreds of businesses catering to your every desire.

The resort is composed of 16 private one bedroom apartments and a single two bedroom suite. Each of the rooms is beautifully decorated and offers a coffee and tea maker, refrigerator and LCD television. Outside the room is equally well tended with a beautiful pool running down the center of the resort so you are never more than a few feet from the water.

Although it is lacking in a restaurant of it’s own, the Phu NaNa Boutique Resort is located right next to the Bamboo Cafe, which is a local favorite which serves up a mix of International as well as Thai Cuisine. In addition to that, there are many other restaurants within a few minutes of the resort that will certainly quench any type of hunger.

If you happen to be training Muay Thai at the local Rawai Muay Thai Gym, the Phu NaNa Resort is a mere two minute walk and a perfect place to stay if you don’t want to stay at the gym itself.

The Rawai area is quite tame compared to it’s bigger sister Patong Beach, but that doesn’t mean that Rawai doesn’t offer it’s own form of nightlife. In fact, the nightlife scene is quite thriving in Rawai, with much less sleaze then it’s famous sister city.

If you are looking for an enjoyable stay in the Rawai Beach area, the Phu NaNa Boutique Resort is a great choice. Whether you want to relax at the local Nai Harn Beach or live it up with the local nightlife, you cannot go wrong.

Le Piman Resort is a small boutique resort ideally located in a quiet part of Rawai, but just minutes away from all of the action. So whether you want a quiet holiday, to spend your time partying, or just a combination of both, Le Piman Resort is a great choice.

The resort consists of 19 separate rooms that are more like apartments as they each come with a living room, kitchen area, bedroom and bathroom. Each of the rooms is well decorated and comfortable for two people to stay. Step out onto your front patio and you will immediately notice the large swimming pool running down the length of the resort.

Spend the day lounging by the pool or venture over to Nai Harn Beach which is considered by some to be one of the top ten beaches in Phuket.

At Le Piman Resort, you won’t find all the amenities that you would at larger resorts. But this shouldn’t be a problem as it is located within a couple minutes from dozens of restaurants, bars, massage parlors, spas. The best part about getting out of the resort for these amenities is you won’t be paying resort prices.

For a quiet resort holiday that won’t break the bank, La Piman Resort is an excellent choice.

Average Temperature in Phuket

Phuket is located south of the Tropic of Cancer and north of the Equator in what is known as the Tropics. Due to it’s location, Phuket experiences exceptionally good weather throughout the year. Unlike other areas of the world that experience distinct seasons of warm and cold, the temperature in Phuket remains relatively warm during the entire year.
Source: www.weather.com

Based on the data in this chart, you can see that the average temperature throughout the year ranges from about 27 degrees Celsius to about 30 degrees Celsius or 81 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Basically, the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year. This is of course just an average based on the median temperature in a day averaged with all the other days in a month. A given day can be either warmer or colder than what is shown, but on the average, it will be around the temperature listed in the graph.

Average Phuket Rainfall

Now that you know that the average temperature in Phuket is warm and nice, the deciding factor should be the amount of rainfall. Nothing can ruin a beach holiday faster than a huge amount of rain that just won’t quit.
Source: www.weather.com

By looking at the data, it becomes pretty obvious as to why December through March is considered the “Dry Season.” If you are looking the highest possibility that your Phuket holiday will be rain free, then traveling here between December and March is likely your best option. However, despite what the graph shows you, the other months really aren’t that terrible.

Why the “Low Season” isn’t that Bad

I have no hard data to back up my claim, only my years of experience living in Phuket. During the “Low Season” months, a given month will typically have about 15 days of rain. That may seem like a lot, but that also means that it has about 15 days of no rain at all. Also, the days that it does rain may only be an hour or so of rain before the clouds blow away and it is sunny again.

One of the most common types of rain in Phuket is what I call the “hit and quit” rain. With dark clouds in the sky, it will begin with a strong wind, followed by a few drops of rain. Once this occurs, you have about two to five minutes to seek cover before the rain starts to pour down. During this rain, a huge volume of water will fall from the sky. But just as quickly and unexpected that it started, it will stop. The clouds will blow away, the sun will come out, and the remainder of the day will be nice.

Phuket is not all sunshine, as some days are cloudy and wet the entire day. This happens mostly during the “Low Season” due to the increased amount of rain, but you run the risk of encountering these days even during the “High Season.” If you encounter one of these days, it won’t be a complete waste, as there are lots of rainy day activities available on Phuket. Then there are the rainy days that will fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

Should You Travel to Phuket During the “Low Season?”

Ultimately, the decision remains with you whether you would like to travel to Thailand during the “Low Season.” Now that you know that the weather isn’t as terrible as most people believe it to be, here are some other reasons to give it consideration.

• During the “Low Season” you will get better rates on Hotels and Resorts, as much as 50% off the “High Season” prices.
• Since most people think the “Low Season” has terrible weather, there will be much less people around, giving the island a better feel.
• If it does happen to rain, you will have an excuse to experience some of Phuket’s rainy day activities.

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It is only natural to get caught up in the beauty of the beaches on the Island of Phuket, but even though you are on holiday, don’t forget the dangers of Phuket beaches.

North-West Phuket Beaches

The North-West Beaches of Phuket are generally considered the best beaches on the island. For the most part, they are white sand beaches that slope gently into the sea creating perfect environments for sunbathing and water activities.

The majority of beaches located in the north-west are quieter and less developed then the busy south-west coast. However, the area around these beaches are typically pricier. With expensive resorts occupying much of the beachfront real estate, these beaches are less welcoming to the average beach goer that is not a resident at one of the resorts.
The major beaches are Kamala Beach, Bang Tao Beach and Mai Khao Beach, but there are a large number of smaller beaches both easily accessible and not easily accessed.

South-West Phuket Beaches

The South-West Beaches of Phuket Island are also the most famous. Not necessarily famous for their natural beauty so much as the tourist districts that occupy the surrounding areas. These are the busy beaches that tourists built.

On most of these Phuket beaches, you will find all of the accommodations that you would expect at a tourist beach locale. There are beach loungers for rent, rentals for water activities available, as well as drink and food services delivered right to your chair. The beaches are more crowded then anywhere else on the island, but they are also the most accessible to the majority of tourists.

Along the south-west coast you will find the infamous Patong Beach as well as the beautiful Kata Beach and Karon Beach.

South Phuket Beaches

The Beaches in the South of Phuket as a whole are the worst beaches for sunbathing and water-sports, with the exception of Ao Yon Beach. The majority of the beaches to the south are located along the Chalong Bay and Panwa Cape. Most of the beaches along these coasts are rocky and narrow. When the low tide comes in, the water recedes very far from the shore, exposing a muddy and rocky seabed.

The majority of the beaches along south Phuket Island are relatively sheltered compared to those along the western coast. During the monsoon season, these beaches do not suffer as badly to foul weather as do the western beaches.

There are fewer tourists along the eastern and southern coasts of Phuket Island, so the beaches located here also offer more privacy then you would experience on the other Phuket beaches. In addition to the privacy, the south beaches offer beautiful views of the Chalong Bay and Panwa Cape as well as many of the outlying islands. So for a relaxing vacation away from the crowds, south Phuket may be the perfect area to check out.

Private Phuket Beaches

In Phuket, there is no such thing as a private beach. A lot of times, a developer will purchase all of the land adjacent to a beach, making it virtually inaccessible to anyone else. It is illegal to cross over the private land to gain access to the beach, but it is perfectly legal to arrive at the beach by sea. If there is a beach that is accessible only by sea, the land owner cannot force you off of the beach, but they won’t be nice to you.

The Big Buddha of Phuket

Location: Chalong Bay

The Big Buddha of Phuket sits atop one of the highest points on the Island of Phuket and can be seen from most places in south Phuket. The statue itself sits at 45 meters high and 25 meters high. It was constructed using approximately 135 tons of Burmese white marble. Although it is still under construction, it is already one of the must see Phuket tourist attractions. Read More…

Phuket Beaches

Location: West Coast

A trip to the Island of Phuket would not be complete without venturing out and experiencing some of the world class beaches. To experience the most beautiful beaches in Phuket, you cannot go wrong with a trip down the western coast of Phuket Island. This is where you will experience the absolute best that Phuket has to offer and you will understand why Phuket is a top tourist destination. Read More…

Bangla Road (Soi Bangla)

Location: Patong

The absolute spectacle that is Soi Bangla can not be explained, it must be seen for itself. Bangla Road is the beating heart of the Phuket nightlife and is one of the major reasons for many tourists to grace the shores of Phuket Island. It is the heart of the Phuket sex industry, and whether you love it or hate it, it is one of the must see tourist destinations in Phuket Island. Read More…

Simon Cabaret

Location: Patong

The Simon Cabaret in Patong Beach is the largest Transvestite show in Phuket Island. It is a grand musical extravaganza featuring the famous ladyboys of Patong. The show itself is of Las Vegas quality, with fantastic costumes and beautiful kathoey performers lip-synching to the most popular music from around the world.

Phuket Fantasea

Location: Kamala

Said to be the ultimate Thai culture theme park, Phuket Fantasea is a huge 140 acre complex full of activities and entertainment. The highlight of the park is the Las Vegas style theatrical show which is one of the must see Phuket attractions. Live the myths and legends of Thailand through an amazing show that should not be missed. Read More…

Wat Chalong

Location: Chalong Bay

Wat Chalong Temple in Chalong Bay is the largest and most important temple in Phuket Island. The Grand Pagoda which is the dominant feature of the temple is said to contain a bone splinter from the Lord Buddha himself. The walls of the pagoda are beautifully adorned with murals depicting the story of the Buddha’s life.

Laem Phromthep Viewpoint

Location: Rawai

It is known to many as the number one viewpoint in south Phuket. Whether this is true or not is open for debate, but there is no question that Laem Phromthep offers magnificent views. Everyday there are bus loads of tourists that are brought up to the view point to watch the sunset. On the days that there are few clouds on the horizon, it can indeed be a spectacular show. Read More…

Phuket Town Night Market

Location: Phuket Town

If you are a shopper or just want to buy some souvenirs to take back home, you must visit the Night Market in Phuket Town. There are literally hundreds of stalls set up within this tightly packed marketplace selling all sorts of things. You can buy most anything that you can think of and expect to get it at a very good price. Read More…

Muay Thai Boxing

Location: Patong

Muay Thai Boxing is the national sport of Thailand and it is the reason for living to many Thai’s. Be sure to check out a Muay Thai match when you are in Phuket. The sport is much faster paced then Boxing and has a lot more energy. Combatants use their fists, elbows, knees and feet to bring their opponent down. Read More…

Elephant Trekking

Location: Kata

A visit to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without getting on the back of a six ton animal and tromping through the jungle. The ride itself may not be very comfortable, but you will remember the experience forever. In additional to riding on an elephant, you get an opportunity to explore many out of the way paths that would otherwise be inaccessible. Read More…

Being the helpful lot that we are, we have painstakingly gone through our list of every Phuket beach and compiled a list of what we feel are the Top 10 Beaches in Phuket.

Of course this is not a definitive list, we may have ranked a beach too high or too low based on your own observations. This is purely our opinion, based on the time we have spent in Phuket. So without further ado, I present to you…
 

The 10 Best Phuket Beaches

#1 Freedom Beach

Location: Patong

Freedom Beach is one of the least accessible of all the Phuket beaches. Unless you are in the mood to trek a kilometer through thick jungle over private land, the beach is only accessible by boat. But if you enjoy spending a day in the sunny Phuket weather relaxing on a lounger, Freedom Beach is a good choice.

#2 Banana Beach

Location: Laguna

Once upon a time, Banana Beach was one of the last unspoilt Phuket beaches, but lately the secret has apparently gotten out and the tourists have flocked here in droves. It is also known as Banana Rock Beach and despite the rise in tourism, the beach is still stunningly beautiful.

#3 Paradise Beach

Location: Patong

Located just outside of Patong Beach is Paradise Beach, one of the best kept Phuket beach secrets. It is situated in a small sheltered bay and is surrounded on either end by rocky headlands. The beach is sandy and is well maintained, unlike Patong Beach, it has been able to retain it’s natural beauty despite the influx of tourism.

#4 Kata Noi Beach

Location: Kata

Located just south of Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach is one of the most beautiful Phuket beaches. Unlike it’s big brother, Kata Noi Beach is still reasonably undeveloped, giving it a more private feel. There are no beach vendors and only a handful of loungers to bask in the sun.

#5 Kata Beach

Location: Kata

Kata beach is a popular stop over for many tourists as it is one of the nicest Phuket beaches. Despite all of the tourist activity located on and around the beach, Kata beach is still very beautiful. The beach is lined with casuarina trees that offer a relaxing shade to those afraid of the sun.

#6 Laem Singh Beach

Location: Surin

Laem Singh Beach is one of the more beautiful beaches in Phuket Island and was relatively unknown until recently. Nowadays, the beach is packed full of tourists, but you really can’t blame them. Despite the increase in tourism, the beach is still absolutely stunning and well worth a look.

#7 Nai Harn Beach

Location: Nai Harn

Nai Harn Beach is one of the best Phuket beaches with it’s beautiful white sand that slopes gently into the Andaman Sea. This beautiful beach is never as crowded as some of the more popular tourist beaches and as a result, is more quiet and relaxing.

#8 Nai Thon Beach

Location: Laguna

Nai Thon Beach is a one kilometer long stretch of the squeakiest sand that you will ever experience in your whole life. It is considered part of the Sirinath National Park and has thus far escaped the over-development that many of the other Phuket beaches have suffered.

#9 Bang Tao Beach

Location: Laguna

Bang Tao Beach is an eight kilometer stretch of fantastic beach, making it one of the absolute best Phuket beaches. It is home to the famous Laguna Complex, an area consisting of seven upscale resorts and a private golf course. Laguna dominates much of the center of the beach, with a number of hotels and bungalows operating at the southern end.

#10 Kamala Beach

Location: Kamala

Kamala Beach is a beautiful two kilometer stretch of white sand beach that is the perfect destination for families wanting to stay away from Patong. Before it was a small Muslim fishing village and although there is still a significant Muslim population, now Kamala is a bustling little town.

Honorable Mention:

Surin Beach

Location: Surin

Surin Beach is a one kilometer long strip of golden sand that provides all the luxuries of Patong Beach without the dirty water and huge number of tourists. The beach is famous for it’s crystal clear water that will make you think Patong Beach is a cesspool.