One of the reasons why I bought this house is that it offers scenery a bit different from the coast based scenery. It's unusual to have a lagoon behind a house...and beyond the lagoon mountains. Coming out of the mountains down behind the house is our very own elephant trail. Taking tourists for an elephant ride is another main attraction throughout Thailand with some very impressive lengthy hiking/elephant trail tours available in the north of Thailand.

You simply must have a go on a Thai elephant! You wouldn't be taking part in Thai Culture without one.

phuket-tourism.com  this link will give you information and some of the different trail areas.

Beaches

Phuket has the best beaches in Thailand. They are on the West side of the island. If roasting on the beach is your idea of heaven...then you have it all there for you. May you roast in heaven and come back pink. Check out the map. Patong and Karon are the busiest beaches whilst Kata Bay and the small beaches further south again (nearer to my house) are much quieter and offer far better snorkelling and fishing.

Culture

Close to the house is Wat Chalong. You will probably know that there are many impressive temples in Thailand. It's worth going to Bangkok and taking a river ride at night to sea the truly impressive temples on the riverside. Trust me, you will not forget these sights. And it's well worth spending some time (if you have any!) taking in one or two of these riverside major temples...it's mind blowing.

But Wat Chalong is good and very well worth a visit for a few hours. It will give you a taste of what Buddhism is about....and a sense of the never ending noise that accompanies Thai religious life. You'll know what I mean if you go there!!!

Phuket Town is developing fast and is a mixture of new top range shows mingled with little Thai restaurants and stalls. It's also got a very good multi -Cinema. You can buy tickets to the very top range seats...which are luxurious sofa at the back of the cinema and lounge about feeling pretty important for about £2! Although it might be barmy even mentioning a cinema under the heading of culture, I do so because of a trilogy that is currently taking Thailand by storm. In 1550 to 1605, a charismatic leader merged in Thai History named Naresuan. In January 2008 the third part of the trilogy comes out...and yes it's got English sub titles. It will show you a major part of Thailand's history of which the Thai's are incredibly proud...you'll be able to show off your extensive knowledge of Thai Culture at the local bar...now that will impress the locals!!

Fantasy Culture

1stopphuket.com will take you into the web site for the Phuket Thai Culture show. You have to go...it's some spectacle with no expense spared. Combined with dinner and a wander around the side attractions before the main performance..this is a great evening. And again, you can show off to your friends that much of the Thai culture comes originally from the Indian myth the Ramakian which as it progressed eastwards through Asia was rewritten in Thai style by Rama 2 in 1805 and renamed the Ramayana...bla de bla de bla...oooo, won't you seem clever! And if you ARE interested in this side of Thai culture click the link below and it's all there!

usmta.com

 

 

This is the world's biggest Buddha (Meditation Pose) image.

It is currently being built on the top of the biggest mountain in Phuket where it looks down over the whole of the south end of Phuket.

When you are sitting on the Veranda, sipping your chilled drinks, the Buddha will be looking down on you!

It's well worth a trip to see it. The only road leading up the mountain is close to the house.