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Serene sunsets, seemingly endless golden beaches, luxurious tropical resorts and hotels, a rich and varied cuisine, activities galore both on land and in the water, rejuvenating spas and a vibrant nightlife - who could ask for more in a holiday destination? And Phuket has it all - in spades.
Located in the south of the country, Phuket is Thailand's largest island, measuring around 21 by 48 kilometres. The island was first earmarked for development during the 1980s. Although still suffering slightly from the effects of the deadly the Tsunami which hit Phuket in December 2004, the island city has worked hard to get back on track and is now set once more to take its rightful place as the number one resort destination in Thailand, if not the whole of Asia. And with good reason.
Phuket is truly a tropical paradise, with mile upon mile of unspoiled beaches and secret coves, especially along the island's western coast. The main tourist enclaves around Patong Beach are more developed and offer the visitor a range of facilities second to none, with the entire range of watersports and other activities available. Phuket is also a popular anchorage for the yachting fraternity and the island hosts the annual King's Cup Regatta in December. The island's main town, Phuket Town, is unremarkable except for the lingering influence of its early Portuguese inhabitants and its central role in the annual Vegetarian festival held each autumn. The island boasts some spectacular scenery and the beautiful Khao Phre Thaeo National Park, all of which can be explored by renting a car or jeep. Phuket is also justly famous for its excellent golf courses, while tennis and other sporting attractions are also on offer. Hotel accommodation is plentiful and covers the entire range, from budget guesthouse to luxury resort hotels and spas. Restaurants and bars are equally wide in scope and reach, while the twilight "scene" in Patong caters to most tastes and pockets. For families, couples or the single visitor, Phuket offers something for everyone, and you'll very likely find you keep coming back for more. To explore Phuket further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide members, simply select your channel of choice at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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