Phuket

Sometimes, tragedy strikes an island paradise and it takes more than its natural bounty to revive it. Beauty renews as nature intended. Yet, beyond this, it is the tenacity and spirit of its people that buoy its revival – such as the case of Phuket, Thailand’s biggest island.

The island was one of the badly hit areas when the December 2004 tsunami hit Asian shores. Casualties were in thousands, and included locals and tourists. For a while, it seemed like paradise had been tarnished beyond recognition. However, slowly, the people picked up the pieces. The island was reawakened from devastation to reign again as on of the continent’s top tourist destinations.

The attraction of Phuket is quite apparent. It is a hilly island surrounded by pristine waters. Most of the commercial beaches are to its west, varying in tourist draws and crowd density. The quiet beaches are towards the north and south ends. The party beaches are in the middle, particularly in the beaches of Patong and its neighbor Karon and Karon Noi. Several smaller islands (locally referred to as Ko) are within reach and brimming with possibilities for further adventure. Ko Bon is great for daytrips, snorkeling, and idling on the beach. Scuba diving is likewise popular in the adjacent islands of Ko Racha. Some of these islands have resorts, catering mostly to the high-end market – good alternatives for staying in Phuket.

Travelers to Phuket need a valid passport and visa. Since the island is a tourist center, there are typical traveler hassles, such as petty crime and inflated prices. The tuk-tuks – the local makeshift taxis – are known to gouge visitors with high rates. It is advised to haggle and agree on the best rates first, before riding a tuk-tuk. The climate is hot and humid for most of the year. The best months to go are from November to May.