The people of Phuket are welcoming, warm and friendly. They are always ready with a smile. In fact, the country is fondly referred to as the ‘Land of Smiles’. Thai’s are also characteristically gentle and kind, no doubt in large part due to their deeply held values and dedication to Theravada Buddhism. These qualities, along with the relaxed tropical ambience and extraordinary beauty of its coastline and islands are what brings millions of visitors each year to the shores of this small and idyllic island destination.
While it’s possible to soak up all the serenity and drift off into total relaxation, in the main resort areas there is little chance of that. The streets are often busy with colourful open-air tuk-tuks - the common mode of transport - whizzing passengers to and from their desired destinations in next to no time. The footpaths are lined with small retail shops packed to the rafters with a myriad of merchandise from latest fashion handbags, sunglasses and watches to cosmetics and light cotton clothing. And of course, there’s always the luggage stores that come in handy when the bags you arrived with are bulging at the seams and there’s still one more day of shopping to fit in before you leave. The visitor’s all too common Phuket problem.
There are also marketplaces worthy of repeat visits. Not that you can’t mix it up. With lots of markets scattered throughout the resort towns at the southern end of the island, visitors can pick and choose. Fresh food markets and night markets are the big drawcards. Night markets are perfect places for those after dark retail splurges. Bursting with interesting bric-a-brac and locally made wares of all sorts, the night markets are terrific for picking up those collectables and souvenirs to take home.
When you’ve shopped until you’re about to drop the restaurants, bars, cafes and street vendors are a ready means for respite and recuperation. Authentic Thai food is another of Phuket’s great attractions. Thai cuisine is a delicious blend of sweet and spicy dishes featuring local produce, seafood and an array of tropical fruits and garden vegetables. They say the first bite is with your eyes, and the Thai people fully embrace that idea. Food is an art form. It is never taken for granted. It is treated with respect and as something to be admired as much as enjoyed. You’ll often be presented with ornate garnishes, trimmings and sculptured vegetables meticulously carved by the skilled hands of chefs and kitchen staff. At any time of the day or night, it’s impossible to ignore the tantalising mix of aromas coming from busy kitchens and cookers - just begging your taste buds to come in and try.
If you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, you can always surprise someone travelling in Phuket with an authentic cooking experience. Thai born Pat is renowned for her two-hour cooking classes and fun educational tours of her local Talad Nud Tahon Khaung market. Pat will take your gift recipient on a wondrous food journey that will give them a greater understanding of the methods and cultural meanings behind her Thai dishes and how they make every dish delicious.
The heat of the day is often the best time to spend on the beaches or lounging around a swimming pool sipping cool drinks under the shade of a large umbrella or palm tree. But if you want adventure you don’t have to look too far. James Bond fans will be in raptures over a day-long cruise of Phang Nga Bay. This is where our intrepid 007 got up to his usual agent-extraordinaire hijinx in 1974 classic The Man with the Golden Gun. The towering islet of Ko Tapu and the bright turquoise sea is synonymous with the movie and created a tourist boom for the region that continues today. The Phitittra Dragon Boat Cruise is another seafaring gift adventure for someone who loves the idea of sailing by beautiful islands, soaking up the local history and culture while watching the sun disappear below the horizon.
Speaking of islands, the Phi Phi islands in Had Noppharat Thara National Park are perhaps the most famous group of the islands along with nearby Ko Yao Yai. There are lots of ways to explore these islands whether it be by boat, canoe and on foot. Having a tour guide on hand will help to make the most of the time spent on these precious little gems of the Andaman Sea. If your gift recipient has a chronic case of wanderlust, the tours listed here on Gifting Owl will help guide you to right adventure gift experience for them.
On land, the island’s national parks skirt areas of the coast and cover vast tracts of the more mountainous interior. Nakkerd Hill near Chalong draws thousands of people year week to marvel at Ming Mongkol Buddha or Phuket’s Big Buddha. Visible for kilometres, this magnificent sculptured Diety casts a long view over the land - an ever-present reminder to those below of the need to always act with spiritual mindfulness, generosity and grace. Religion is a huge part of the Thai culture and most Thai’s practise their faith as a daily routine. There are more than 300,000 monks in Thailand and young men serve a two-year period as monks in their early adulthood. Temples are commonplace and often welcome visitors who seek to spend some time in quiet contemplation.
Who wouldn’t love Phuket? This is one of those places you visit and the minute you leave, you immediately want to return. The local people make every moment a complete pleasure. From Tuk-Tuk drivers who make you laugh out loud as you weave your way over the hillsides and through the traffic, to the street vendors who tempt you with their toasting goodies to the masseurs who relieve your aches and pains and make you feel renewed - this is Phuket. This is a little slice of heaven worth your while.
