Royal Princess
Chiang Mai
2,400 Only

Grand Jomtien Pattaya
Chonburi
1,700 Baht Only

	Hotel	Area	Rate in Baht (32 baht=1us$)	Booking

Phuket is Thailand ’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.Phuket formerly derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders. Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture; numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a lush tropical landscape – all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.

CLIMATE
Phuket has two major seasons: the Rains Season from May through October, and the Hot Season from November through April. There are many sunny days throughout the Rains Season: showers customarily last little more than 2 or 3 hours. September is the wettest month. The best months are November through February. Average temperatures range between 22 and 34 degrees Celsius

How To Get There
Car : From Bangkok, take Highway 4 through Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, thence through Ranong province’s Kra Buri and Kaper districts, Phangnga province’s Takua Pa and Takua Thung districts and onto Phuket island across the Thao Thepkasattri Bridge. The total distance is 862 kilometres.

Bus : Air-conditioned coaches, varying in 3 types, depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal to Phuket every day. Departure times are as follows:

VIP Bus: 5.30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Standard 1 Bus: 5.30 p.m., 5.45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6.30 p.m., 6.40 p.m., 7 p.m., 7.10 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Standard 2 Bus: 7 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Travelling time is about 13 hours. For further details, please call 0 2435 1199, 0 2435 1200.

Train : There are no direct train services to Phuket. Travellers by train must get off at Phun Phin railway station in Surat Thani and continue by regular buses to Phuket. Please call 1690, 66 2223-7010, 66 2223 7020 for more information.

Air : From October 23,2003, Phuket Air offers daily flights to Phuket and the journey takes only 1.20 hours. Flight time is available at 10.30 hrs. from Bangkok and 18.30 hrs. from Phuket. For more information, call Bangkok Office 66 2679 8999 or Phuket Office 66 7522 0184-6 or view www.phuketairlines.com

Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya and Samui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2265 5678 Reservation tel. 66 2265 5555 or view their website at www.bangkokair.com

Thai Airways has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Phuket route. In additon, they have regular flights connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2628 2000 or view their website at www.thaiairways.com...