 |
|
|
|
|
Useful Telephone Numbers
| Police |
|
191
|
| Tourist Police |
|
1699 and 1155 |
| |
|
(076) 214368 |
| |
|
(076) 219878
|
| Ambulance |
|
(076) 254425 |
| |
|
(076) 210935
|
| Medical Emergency |
|
1719
|
Bangkok-Phuket
Hospital
|
2/1 Hongyot Utis Road
Phuket Town (24hrs) |
(076) 254421-4
info@phukethospital.com
www.phukethospital.com
|
Phuket International
Hospital |
Bypass road
next to Big C supermarket
44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd
|
(076) 249400
(076) 210936
info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
www.phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
|
| Mission Hospital |
4/1 Thepkasattri Road
Phuket Town
(Sun-Thu 08:30-16:00)
(Fri 08:00-12:00)
|
(076) 212386
(076) 212149
(076) 237220-5
(076) 211907
pkah@phuket.ksc.co.th
www.missionhospitalphuket.com
|
| Wachira Hospital |
Yaowarat Rd
Phuket City"
(Daily 08:30-16:00)
(24 hours Emergencies) |
(076) 211114
(076) 211155
(076) 212150
vachirapkt@hotmail.com
www.vachiraphuket.go.th
|
| Patong hospital |
57 Sainamyen Road
Patong Beach
|
(076) 344225
(076) 340617
(076) 342 633/4
(emergencies) (076) 340444 (admin) (076) 344108
(Fax) (076) 340617
info@patonghospital.com
patonghospital@hotmail.com
www.patonghospital.com
|
Thalang Government Hospital
|
Thepkrasattri Rd
Thalang
|
(076) 311111
|
| Dr Thiti Clinic |
1 Visit Road
Rawai
(near Chalong Circle)
|
(076) 381781
|
| Dr Niran's Clinic |
5/12 Moo 8 Chaofa Rd,
Phuket 83100
(opposite Esso Chalong)
|
(076) 283002-8
dr_niran@hotmail.com
|
| Bangkok International Clinic |
Canal Village
Laguna Phuket
|
(076) 325442
|
Phuket Tourist Rescue Centre
|
Chalong |
(076) 383907 - 9
|
| Immigration |
|
(076) 212108 |
| |
|
(076) 221905
|
| Customs |
|
(076) 211105
|
| Harbour master |
|
(076) 391174
|
Diving Chambers
(Recompression)
|
Hyperbaric Services
Patong |
(076) 342518 |
Diving Chambers
(Recompression)
|
Vachira Hospital
Phuket City |
(076) 211114 |
Diving Chambers
(Recompression)
|
Bangkok Phuket Hospital
Phuket City |
(076) 254421 |
|
|
|
|
Phuket Police Stations
Phuket Tourist Police, 100/31-32 Bypass Road, Tambol Rasada, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 355015, 076 254693
Phuket Traffic Police Station, Yaowarat Road, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 220919, 076 212115
Marine Police Division 5, Phuket Road, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 211883, 076 214368
Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters, Yaowarat Road, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 212046, 076 212194
Muang District Police Station ( Phuket City ), 1 Chumporn Road, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 216856, 076 212115
Kathu District Police Station ( Patong Beach ), SaiNamYen Road, Tambol Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 - Tel. 076 342719, 076 342721
Thalang District Police Station, Thepkrasattri Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 - Tel. 076 311123
Chalong Sub-District Police Station, Tambol Chalong, Muang, Phuket 83000 - Tel. 076 381247, Fax. 076 381930
Cherng Talay Sub-District Police Station, Tambol Cherng Talay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 - Tel. 076 270043
Kamala Sub-District Police Station,Tambol Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83120 - Tel. 076 385310
Tah Chat Chai Sub-District Police Station ( Mai Khao ), 22 Moo 5, Tambol Mai Khao, Muang, Phuket 83110 - Tel. 076 311242, 076 311368
Thung Thong Sub-District Police Station ( Kathu ), Tambol Thung Thong, Kathu, Phuket 83120 - Tel. 076 321182, 076 321516
|
|
|
|
|
Climate
Thailand's climate is governed by a tropical monsoon pattern, which produces two seasons in Southern Thailand and three seasons in the other regions of Thailand.
Accordingly in Phuket, there is a "dry" season from November to May, (as a result of the N.E. monsoon). This period starts with slightly cooler temperatures, followed by higher temperatures from March to May.
By the end of June the "wet" season officially begins, with the onset of the S.W. monsoon. However the actual week or month depends on the monsoons in any given year.
In Phuket temperatures are warm throughout the year, with only slight variations in highs and lows.
The most popular time to visit is from November through to March, when the temperature and humidity are slightly
lower. At this time there is a comfortable cooler breeze, with generally clear blue skies and very calm seas. Temperatures typically reach 32C and drop to 24C at night.
The hottest months are April and May with temperatures ranging from 27C upto 36C.
There can be short heavy thundery showers, which actually provide a welcome relief from the temperature and humidity.
June, July and early August are slightly less hot ( 24C to 33C ) with generally fine weather and plenty of sunshine between brief heavy downpours.
By the end of August, through to October inclusive, the wet monsoon sets in more noticeably, but, even then, there are still long sunny intervals between the heavy showers.
September is the wettest month. Beaches are slightly windswept and less picturesque looking,
and some water-based activities are restricted (eg. visits to the Surin and Similan islands). Nonetheless, Phuket is very enjoyable at any time of the year with a wide range of attractions and excursions.
And of course the low season brings with it some bargain prices.
|
|
|
|
|
Shopping
Bargaining is the norm when shopping at markets, small stalls and shops or from street vendors. Depending on your skills, you can expect to pay around 10-40% less than the original asking price.
But a larger retail outlet will sell only fixed price merchandise.
Phuket is a shopper's paradise and can compete with Bangkok for quality goods and souvenirs. Amongst other things, Phuket is famous for pearls, sea-shell ornaments, nielloware and dried seafood.
However Phuket offers a very large selection of so many other superb items, from handicrafts to jewelry, silks, and clothes and tailoring. Many of the crafts originate from other regions of the country.
The low prices will weaken whatever sales resistance you may possess!
In Phuket town, the main shopping areas are Montri road, Phang-Nga road, Thalang road, Yaowarat road, Ratsada road, Thepkasattri road, and the new Central shopping plaza on the edge of town.
And the best beach resorts for shopping are Patong Beach, Karon Beach, and Kata beach.
The following is a selection:
|
|
|
|
|
Thai Silk
This iridescent cloth has achieved world fame, and for good reason. It can be cut into scarves, ties, pillow slips as well as outstandingly beautiful dresses. It is also sold in lengths.
Clothes
There is a very wide range of summer evening wear and beach clothes at very reasonable prices. You could
arrive with the barest wardrobe and find everything you need right here. Many beautiful and artistic, good quality cotton, T-shirts make excellent gifts.
Tailoring
Phuket has several highly qualified tailoring shops. Have an excellent quality suit made at a fraction of the price back home, and in a fraction of the time.
Purses
Southern Thailanders weave a fine grass (Yan lipea) into beautiful purses. This is an old art which has been revived by Queen Sirikit to bring prosperity to village women.
Batik
The South is a major batik center. Both ready-made clothes and lengths are available.
Leather
The hides of a wide range of animals (including snakes, frogs, lizards, crocodiles, armadillos, cows and even chickens) are used to make shoes, belts, wallets, bags and attache cases.
Nang Thalung (Puppets)
These bright coloured shadow puppets are made from buffalo hide and are produced locally.
They make excellent wall decorations.
Umbrellas and Fans
There are some lovely umbrellas and painted fans made from silk or Sa paper from tree bark, mainly from Chiang Mai.
Cashew Nuts
The production and preparation of cashew nuts is one of Phuket's lesser known local industries. Cashews can be inexpensively purcahesd in their natural raw state, or prepared with a variety of spices or flavours.
|
|
|
Gold
For Thais, gold is not just an important precious metal, but is considered an ordinary article of merchandise with social kudos, as a guarantee for financial liquidity and at the same time as personal security in times of need.
In Thailand there is a unique unit of measurement for weight, called "Baht" (ie the same name as the currency).
One "Baht" weighs 15.16 grams.
Thai gold is 96.5% pure (equivalent to 23 carat); the remaining 3.5 per cent consists of alloy metals
added to make the gold harder and more solid for processing, as well as more robust in day-to-day use.
International standards apply to gold and they are followed in Thailand. All gold items are of course hallmarked.
Gold jewellery is (or should be) sold almost exclusively on the basis of weight. Only small sums (approx. 150 - 250 baht) are added to the gold price to cover the cost of labour. (Compare this to some countries where the work of a skillful goldsmith has a price all of its own).
One exception might be Bangkok International Airport, where the prices seem very inflated.
Gold with a level of purity less than 23 carat is considered inferior and Thais regard 10, 14 or 18 carat gold as utterly worthless; in Thailand such gold is never accepted as security.
All reputable gold shops will have the price of one Baht weight clearly advertised (eg. 14,000 baht per Baht). The price should be the same in all shops for the current day.
Such shops will have on display rows
of 1 Baht, 2 Baht, 3 Baht and 5 Baht necklaces, and 0.5 or 1 Baht rings for example.
There are some spectacular and intricate designs, and as already stated the labour should only be a few hundred baht.
Metal art objects
Bronze dieties, animal and abstract figures are cast and clad in gleaming brass skins.
Bronze is also crafted into cutlery sets.
Gold and silver are pounded into jewellery items, boxes and other decorative items.
Lacquerware
Items include wooden figurines, ornate containers and trays and other items. The usual varieties are either in gleaming gold and black, or in matte red with black or green details.
Bird's nests
High grade bird's nests are on sale at reasonable prices. Bird's nests are abundant in Phuket and its surrounding provinces.
|
|
|
Gems and Jewellery
Thailand has a huge jewellery industry and is the world's largest coloured gem cutting centre. Prices are relatively low. There are some
fantastic designs and the labour is cheap.
Pewter
Pewterware is an amalgam of lead and tin. Thailand is the world's third largest exporter of tin and a good deal of the metal still comes from Ko Phuket. Plates, steins and other items can be found.
Pearls
You may come across pearls for sale. Ko Phuket produces international standard natural, cultured, teardrop and artificial pearls. The latter are made from glued pearl dust to form a globule
Baskets
Wicker and grasses are made into tissue boxes, storage boxes, mats and other practical household items.
Wood
Antiques are in short supply but there are various copies (sold as copies not originals). Images of animals, gods, precocious children and betelnut boxes in a variety of finishes are quite popular. For the most varied range of wooden furniture, one really needs to visit Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
All wooden items have remarkable craftmanship.
Home decor items
Artificial flowers and fruits made of paper and fabric are almost indistinguishable from fresh varieties. Burmese kalaga wall hangings (stuffed with cotton to create a bas-relief effect) depicting kings, mythical animals and gods
are also to be found. Paper mache products excellent gifts and home decor items.
Ceramics
These range from jade green glazed celadon pottery to earthenware, stoneware, and (Chinese) blue and white items. These originate from Northern Thailand.
Thai Orchids
Thailand is famous for its huge variety of orchids. Their magnificent colours and durable beauty make them a popular purchase. Specially packaged flowers, complete with water supply, are easily transported.
|
|
|
|
