All posts by Phuket Elephant Trails

About Phuket Elephant Trails

Working at Phuket Elephant Trails - tours and elephant rides in Phuket. location: Phuket, Thailand. Duty: Content manager. View all posts by Phuket Elephant Trails →

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island

Phang Nga Bay is only a short distance northeast of Phuket. This truly amazing place is a National Park, famous for its astounding landscape. The bay comprises of over 40 islands. These are limestone rock islands, which extend spectacularly from the water and rise skyward, providing really astonishing view.

limestone islands extend out of the ground for a significant part of the coastline surrounding the bay. There are numerous stream estuaries towards the bay’s northern areas. The bay is protected from the waves of the rainy season and as such usually quiet all through the year.

In 1974, Phang Nga Bay became known to the world in the James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, which highlights the bay at its peak. In the movie, Bond navigates a light airplane over the fantastic landscape, giving spectacular picturesque views of the area. He arrives at Scaramanga’s island where they fight across the shoreline and in a hall of mirrors. In Thai, the island is called Koh Pingkan, but due to its marketing opportunity, the Thais for the most part refer to it as the James Bond Island. The particular rock, known as Koh Tapoo, that in the motion picture houses a laser gun, is largely referred to as James Bond Rock.

The James Bond Island has turned into the iconic figure of Phang Nga Bay. This is because it is the most fascinating place on the bay. Every touring vessel includes the James Bond Island on their schedule so it is often a busy location during daytime. Another major component the island possesses is a colossal chunk of rock that numerous centuries ago, broke off from the bluff and slid down onto the shoreline, creating a wedge-shaped tunnel (it housed the passageway to Scaramanga’s den in the movie). There is a bunch of ornamental stores down by the shoreline.

Since Phang Nga Bay is a national park, you are required to pay a recreation park fee. Being that all visitors want to see James Bond Island, this is the place the fee is collected. In case you visit the island privately, an entry fee will be collected. If you are on a visit the recreation center charge is added to your visiting fee.

Most Phang Nga Bay guests hope to visit James Bond Island, however, there is a great deal more to appreciate.

Another popular destination for the numerous boat tours is Koh Panyi’s Muslim Sea Gypsy village. This is a 200-year old community which was one of the first to inhabit the bay. They used stilts to build their village over the water. By day, the boat tours convey crowds of visitors to indulge in fresh seafood and purchase trinkets. When all the boat tours have left, the villagers pack up shop and come back to the fishing village life. A couple of rental cottages are available in the village for the individuals who would like to stay over and see the bona fide village life. (Don’t forget that it is a Muslim community and as such you ought to dress reasonably and cease from drinking liquor).

These two are the major spots in Phang Nga Bay. There are many other points of interest in the bay and the tour boats usually include one or two other stop-offs on their itineraries.

There are caves located on most of the limestone islands. Water leaking through the limestone rocks for centuries, has shaped some astounding caves and rock shapes on the islands. A few of these cave walls have fallen to shape an element the Thais refer to as ‘Hong’, which is the Thai word for room. These are fallen cave walls that are presently outdoors rooms on the island, usually containing little tidal ponds. Koh Panak and Koh Hong are two brilliant illustrations of such elements.

In Koh Panak, there is a cave that leads you into the Hong at the center of the island, but can only be accessible at low tide. A light is needed for navigation and ensure to lower your head for the 80-meter paddle through the cave stream. When you break into the light at the island’s center, it is a Jurassic Park sort of venture into a different universe.

Ocean kayaks can be hired to paddle around a portion of the islands. Once in a while, this is the best way to get a decent perspective of the ‘hongs’. It is an incredible approach to truly value a portion of the dazzling landscape.

There are numerous little beaches covered up all over the islands in Phang Nga Bay. They are not generally great to swim in as the numerous streams that run into the bay convey a great deal of dregs that implies the ocean depths tends to feel a touch grimy and soggy. The beaches are extremely beautiful and are stunning spots for a touch of serenity. They are frequently encompassed by lavish vegetation and sheer bluffs.

The sediment from the streams diminishes visibility thereby making the bay not perfect for snorkeling or diving. Yet, some pleasant spots exist and there are a lot of fishes around.

Phang Nga Bay’s tremendous topography is because of the limestone shelf beneath it. Limestone shapes under the ocean. Over a large number of years, the skeletons of tons of marine living beings tumble to the seabed. In the long run the immense weight of their own weight presses the carbon and calcium down into deposits of solid rock, at times several meters in depth.

Over many more years, the ocean rises and falls, at times uncovering the limestone rock. In the long run, a series of geographical powers breaks the limestone sediments and expose the fantastic rough protrusions that portray Phang Nga Bay.

The limestone sediments that structures Phang Nga Bay really stretch south the distance down through Trang and Krabi regions. This showcases a comparatively staggering view along the coastal stretch, as well as the astonishing Phi Islands.

Visiting

The simplest way to visit Phang Nga Bay is by joining a tour. They are moderately priced, beneficial and include pickups as well. The disadvantage of taking part in a tour is that you are visiting with a group and as such on a limited schedule.

For the audacious individuals, it is highly befitting to rent your own particular longtail boat and a boatman for 1500 to 3500 Baht for a customized voyage through the bay, depending on how long and what you want to explore.

Phang Nga Bay, Phuket

Phang Nga is one of the must see areas whilst in Phuket. Its location is in the marine national park, a breathtaking scene of around 40 + “Karst” Islands that extend straight out from the quiet green waters. A really superb scene to behold with shrouded hollow caves, tidal ponds and unlimited mangroves channels to make exploration of.

Heaps of wildlife to pay special attention to incorporating monkeys, monitor lizards, the uncommon hornbill, kingfisher birds, the not all that lovely “fish out of water” mudskippers and many more.

Phang Nga excursion is completely different from the Phi Phi Islands. This is the reason numerous visitors do both, however in the event that you can just do one, this is a decent decision. This is particularly predominant amid the monsoon as it is located in a shielded bay, in this way it is not subject to the expansive ocean swells that are found on the intersection to the Phi.

In any case, here we need to let you know more about inlet arrangement from logical perspective than rather examining different excursions from Phuket Island. Yes, science exhausted a hefty portion of us in school-it wasn’t taught rightly. Disregard all that! Read on! And set yourself up for your next adventure in Phang Nga Bay! This short data will make your excursion there a way more fascinating!

Limestone karst furnishes Phang Nga bays its complex magnificence. Furthermore, anything this excellent is constantly complicated. The principal critical geology happened around 300 million years prior to when South East Asia was the biggest coral reef ever. Clearly framed under the ocean, the bow shaped reef kept running from Bali and Borneo north off Australia and floated past Thailand, making mind boggling weights that undulated the scene into giant edges running North and South. The greatest edge turned into the Isthmus of Kra (Malay Promontory), one of the World’s Fantastic “land bridges” utilized by wildlife to relocate through the distance to Bali and Borneo.

The islands of Phang Nga bay began submerged life million of years back as a feature of the biggest coral reef. The coral developed and died framing a store of CALCITE or CALCIUM CARBONATE many meters thick. This shaped the premise of Limestone.

75 million years ago, the limestone was pushed upwards from the ocean bed by the weight of the developments of the worlds plates. This is a comparable impact to the development of mountains. The islands we behold have been molded by the impacts of wind, downpour, undulation and current activity in the course of the last 75 million years.

With its conception in coral, limestone is britle. You see incalculable splits or openings in the stone made by weight. Limestone is regularly abundant in fossils, you may discover sections from the hard parts of marine creatures and plants, It’s downpour water that makes the strange karst that draws in individuals to Phang Nga Bay. Indeed, even in the dry season, water dribbles down inside the cave in an endless procedure that eats away the islands (acidic downpour water disintegrates calcium carbonate). Overwhelming precipitation makes karst, so these peculiar shapes are normally found in the Tropics. The blend of raised reef limestone up in a tropical storm area makes this locale incredible karst.

The procedure that breaks up particles in the water that streams down through the island is called “Percolation” – in the same path as permeating water pass through espresso blend. Clear water gets the espresso particles as it runs through the grounds, and trickles cocoa shaded espresso into the pot.

Phang Nga’s islands are carved by the corresponding permeation procedures. The water “on top of the islands is somewhat acidic (it incorporates carbonic corrosive), furthermore helped by acids in rotting vegetation on top of the islands. Since limestone and seawater are both basic, permeation erodes the stone quicker that the seawater. With gravity on its side, water discovers splits (deficiencies) in the stones and fills them. The Hydrogen potential difference (acidic/basic) erodes the stone, gradually dissolving particles into the water. This expands the breaks until they gain their path totally down through the rock to ocean level, the water table in little limestone islands. These breaks amplify into evacuation tubes which get to become caves!

A hefty portion of the limestone islands in Phang Nga incorporate caverns. Some of these cavern frameworks have crumpled to shape a component the Thais call ‘hongs’, the Thai word for room. These are crumpled cave frameworks that are currently open-air rooms inside of the island, frequently containing little tidal ponds, in some cases, avoided everybody stunning shorelines! Koh Hong and Koh Panak are two fantastic cases of such components.

There is a cavern in Koh Panak that must be gotten to at low tide that leads you into the hong in the focal point of the island. You require a light to traverse and keep your head low for the 80-meter oar through the cave stream. At the point when you enter back into the light in the frontal point of the island you may feel that you are in a different universe now, who knows perhaps you are!

5 Authentic places on Phuket Island.

Posted On 12 Nov 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In Culture
Leave a comment

Tourist destination Phuket is famous for its fabulous beaches, where thousands of tourists from all around the world crowd all together under the baking sun. It doesn’t look like the paradise escape it was years ago. And it seems that Phuket’s authentic lifestyle has vanished when tourism became one of the island’s major industries.

Or not? Is it something left in Phuket?

I know that some of you are searching for the authentic places to see. Some of you want to learn more about the real lifestyle of local people. And some of you just want to escape touristic frenzy. I know it because I am this type of a traveler, loving to explore real things over artificial touristattractions.

Well, I have been working and living here, in Phuket Island for 5 years, and I can point you in the direction of some places you may want to check out during your trip.

Here they are:

Phuket old town.

Before Phuket became a popular tourist destination, the major industry on the island was tin mining. You can find evidence of it in Old Phuket Town, especially in Thalang and Deebuk roads. You won’t find crowds of tourists here. However, the place is quite popular among backpackers.

Old Phuket Town is where the real Phuket can be found. The best option to explore the town will be to take a walk here. Its streets still have a charm of the 18th century. Centuries ago it was the busiest part of the island with numerous merchants from different places, big and small shops and entertainments for common folks and rich tin mine owners such as opium houses and red light district known now as a Soi Romainee.

The initial town was built by Portuguese businessmen, later it was predominantly occupied by Chinese immigrants. It’s no wonder the town’s architectural style, which is called Sino-Portuguese, has a Mediterranean layout and picturesque Chinese patterns.

Enjoy speaking with the locals, who now own sma

After you’ve bought the seafood of your choice, some of you may like to cook it yourself, but for those who don’t, there are options for you right there. Just across the road, restaurants like Sea Gypsea and Rawai BBQ provide its customers barbecue and cooking services, where you can have you freshly caught seafood cooked just the way you like it.

In two words: the best fish on the island and the most reasonable price.

Aside from Sea Food market Rawai Pier also features numerous local pearl and seashell shops right on the way to Seafood market. The right side of the beach is an anchorage for dozens of longtails boats. You can easily hire one of themto visit some nearby islands. Best time to do this is morning hours around 9 am.

Rawai beach is located at the southern tip of Phuket, the way to go to Phromthep cape, which has the most sunset in Southern Thailand.

Rawai Beach.

Rawai beach is the first beach place in Phuket Island for local people. Years ago, locals would drive the 17km from Phuket town to Rawai on weekends to while away the afternoon underneath the beach’s casuarina trees. Believe it or not the area remains the same until now, and is still popular among local Phuketians.

However, Rawai beach is not a swimming beach but offers beautiful views on the many nearby islands in a peaceful, local atmosphere. Many seafood restaurants stretch along the beach line. And who needs to swim when you have good seafood, an amazing view, sea breeze, and all of it is under shadows of casuarina trees!

A small group of sea gypsies have been living here for years, and nobody can say how long exactly. Sea gypsies are a non-Thai ethnic group with their own language and culture. There are three settlements in Phuket, and many others can be found on small islands around Phuket. Sea gypsies are skilled fisherman; therefore, one of the best in Phuket Sea Food market is right here.

In two words: the best fish on the island and the most reasonable price.

SapanHin.

SapanHin is a public park near the sea where every evening crowds of locals come to spend their time with loved ones, family, or friends.
And where there are many locals there is much food!

On the way to the park you will see many motorbike stalls selling local snacks, drinks, or fruits. Basically, it is all types of food you need for a picnic, with one exception – it is all Thai food!

A Chinese shrine named ‘Giew Tian Geng’ is also an interesting place to visit here.

Interesting sights of Sapan Hin include: Chinese shrine named ‘Giew Tian Geng’, tin mining monument and about 30 minutes mangrove forest trail.

If your hotel is in one of the major tourist spotsof Phuket I won’t recommend you visit this place itself alone because it is quite far.

But combining it with visiting Old Phuket Town and Rang Hill (below) can make your day out of touristic craziness in Phuket.

Also Sapan Hin is the best place in Phuket for watch the sun set.

Rang Hill

Rang Hill is the place where delightful shades of tropical forest trees, fresh wind, and stunning view are combined together.

Located almost in the center of Phuket, Rang Hill gives you the perfect panoramic view over Phuket town. And evening scene of Phuket’s night lights is very romantic.

Photo source: Dainel Chvanov

Occasionally you can meet wild monkeys here. You shouldn’t be afraid to take pictures with them, but be careful if you want to touch or feed them. They are still wild animals.

There are two popular restaurants on the top, Tung Ka Cafe and Khao Rang Breeze. Both have a stunning view and good food. And both are great places for an evening dinner. Yes, it looks a little bit posh, but prices are reasonable. And it is not much more expensive than in an average restaurant on one of Phuket’s popular beaches.

However, if visiting this place at the evening doesn’t fit your schedule, check ice coffee in Tung Ka Cafe, it is good at any time of a day.

Fresh market or Downtown market.

It is a small but very interesting place in Old Phuket Town.Make sure you visit it while you explore the town’s streets. Why market? Because a market is a great place to sample real local life, no matter where you are. Yes, times are changing and now we have big department stores all around the place. Even though people continue shopping in markets in an old manner like a hundred years ago. And if you want literally to bite a piece of Thai culture you should come here.

There are of course local markets all over Phuket Island, but the main market is still in Phuket Town. Spices, fruits, herbs, fish, and meats. This is not at all a tourist market, also the prices. Therefore don’t expect someone to speak English to.

To find the market you should go to the Krabi road in Old Town, then when you see Thai Hua museum try to find a sign on the opposite side of the street that says: “Fresh Market”. Go through the narrow passage between buildings and you are here.

The Famous Festivals On Phuket Island.

Posted On 17 Oct 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In Culture
Leave a comment

(photo made by Dimitris Christopoulos )

If you are planning your visit to Phuket and you still haven’t chosen your travel dates. Perhaps this small article will give you food for thought. There is a number of remarkably authentic festivals running on Phuket through the year. It would be a good idea to visit one of them.

Here it is – three the most famous Phuket’s festivals.

The vegetarian festival in Phuket

Phuket Vegetarian festival is a very colorful event on this island. It is an annual festival, and the most famous and important days for Thai Chinese who live on this island. The event lasts for a period of 9 dayson the Nine lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The origin of this festival is not clear. It is commonly believed that the festival was brought to Phuket by a wandering Chinese opera group who fell ill with malaria while performing on the island, and then they decided to follow strict vegetarian diet and pray to the Nine Emperor Gods to ensure purification of the mind and body. To the amazement of everyone the opera group made a complete recovery. From the 19th century till date, the festival has grown and developed into a very spectacular yearly event.

The Ceremony.

The people celebrate this by holding a festival that is meant to honor the gods as well as an expression of the people’s happiness and survival. During the festival, the people will eat vegetarian foods, clean the body, wash the kitchen utensils which shouldn’t be used by those who did not participate in the festival, avoid sex, avoid alcohol, wearing of white color clothes and going to pray or participate in the Chinese temples nearby. Everyone can participate in this festival except the pregnant women also those menstruating should not attend thisceremony. The highlight of this festival includes various, fire walking, body piercing and the others acts of self- mortification undertaken by participants acting as the gods. It is believed that the Chinese gods will protect such persons from harm.

The celebration of the festival takes place at the six Chinese temples. The main one is JuiTui Shrine which is not far from the fresh market in Phuket town.

The Chinese temples in Phuket which participate in this festival are BaanThaRua Shrine, CherngTalay Shrine, Sapam Shrine, Kathu Shrine, and Sui Boon Tong Shrine.

The event starts from with the raising of the lantern pole which is a notification of the Nine Chinese gods and that the festival is about to begin. For the next few days, the local people bring their household gods and the offering to the temple. It is believed that the household gods will benefit from an annual injection of the spiritual energy that fills the temple.

At the end of the festival, all the Chinese temples will take part in the display of performance and straight to the Chinese Temple at SapanHin which is the place to send all the Chinese gods back to the haven.

(photo made by Vichaya Chatikavanij )

Songkran festival in Phuket

You are welcome to Thailand; enjoy the Thailand water festival on the month of April, away from the heat of the summer. Songkran, this word from the Sanskrit language means passage of the Sun from the sign of the Zodiac to the other sign. As far as history is concerned this festival is not just to enjoy but it is a meaningful family event for Thais in the whole country. It still varies from region to region and also focuses on enriching religious intention. Songkran is being celebrated for 3 days, starting from April 13 to April 15. The first day of Songkran is on the 13th, it was the official New Year for Thais until 1888. Today, Thais has changed it to be celebrated on January 1. On the first day, people starts their day with cleaning their houses, washing every Buddha statues in the house and in the temple and bringing the offering to the temple with the wearing of new clothes to meaning good luck for the coming new year. Then at the end of the procession in the temple, they will start pouring water oneach other. The second day is April 14; this is a very important day to the family, so this is to the reason why Thais go back to their hometown more than others for festivals. And the last day of the festival is April 15; this is the day to celebrate with the family, relative, friends or neighbors.Thais usually party or go to visit their relatives, friends and travel somewhere together.

How to Celebrate – Water Fighting

The most famous aspect of the SongKran celebration is the throwing of water. People walk to the streets with containers of water, using the bowl, water guns at the same time; you may get covered with the powder which is mixed with water. So, fun time begins then until late in the night.

In Thailand, there are top 5 provinces to visit in the Songkran festival; Bangkok in Khao San road; Chiang Mai; Pattaya and Phuket.

Phuket Songkran festival starts from the night of April 12.Tourists and local people will go to the walking street in Patong beach, well known as Bangla Street. The water fighting begins from then until the last day of the festival on April 15. Taking place once in a year, this festival is an event that everyone shouldn’t miss it.But before anything else,you must prepare the stuff to protect your things from the water like a waterproof bag or even the plastic bag, so then just have fun with it!

LoyKrathong Festival in Phuket

The festival is celebrated annually throughout the southwestern Tai; Thailand, Laos, Shan, Taninthary, Kelantan, Kedah and Xishuangbanna. The festival originates from an ancient ritual that involves paying respect to the water spirit.

Loy Krathong festival involves floating a basket. It will be celebrated on the 25^th of November this year 2015. This festival takes place in the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in traditional Thai lunar calendar. On the night of the full moon, Thais launch their Krathong on the river, canal, lake or a pond. Krathongs are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant.Modern Krathongs are more often made of bread. A bread Krathong will disintegrate after a few days and can be eaten by fish. BananaKrathongs are also biodegradable.Styrofoam Krathongs are not used anymore because of its pollution and it takes years to decompose.A Krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense stick, candle, coins and pieces of hair and nails. Coins are offered to the river spirit and pieces of hair and nails are meant to float the bad luck away from life and make a wish for happiness.

On Phuket Island, Loy Krathong festival takes place almost everywhere at water area, the sea or a lake such as the Patong beach, Phuket town at Sapan Hin. But the most popular place is at the Karon beach which is the official place to enjoy this festival with the local and tourists. The event will start 7days before the night of full moon. And on the last day is the day for Loy Krathong and also with the beauty contest called Nang Noppamart or Queen of the contest.

The famous places to visit during Loy Krathong festival are Sukhothai province, Chiangmai province, Phuket Island and Bangkok.

Shopping in Phuket? – The best authentic products shopping guide!

Posted On 30 Sep 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In shopping
Leave a comment

There are many wonderful and beautiful sites to see here in Phuket. Unfortunately for our visitors however, the beauty of Phuket will have to stay right here where it belongs. Sorry! But you can bring some of Phuket home with you. While you may not be able to fit an elephant in your suitcase, there are plenty of souvenirs that will fit just fine with you on the flight home.

You may be saying to yourself as you read this “Nah…I’m not the shopping type.” But just because you may not want anything for yourself, don’t forget about your friends and family. After all, they are most likely wishing they could be in Phuket with you, so the least you can do is bring a souvenir home to them.

We’re not talking about trendy or tacky items that you can pick up in any tourist trap around the world. Nor does Phuket offer you the high fashion of New York or London, of course. So just what kind of souvenirs can you find here in Phuket? Listed below are just a few of the authentic and enjoyable treasures that can be found only in Phuket (or almost only in Phuket).

1. Thai Spices for Tom Yam Kung, Curry, etc…
These local and authentic spices are especially great to bring home for use when you start to miss the world-famous delicious Thai food that you enjoyed here in Phuket. Yum!2. Thai Fisherman Pants
Why wear those boring old pajamas you’ve had forever when you can be lounging in the comfiest pants known to mankind? Thai Fisherman Pants haven’t been around for hundreds of years just because they look amazing – they are incredible comfortable too! Take our word for it – try on a pair and you’ll never want to take them off.

Pros: Stylish, comfortable, and adjustable.
Cons: You may not want to wear them during your yoga class – somebody just may try to steal them!

3. Thai Rome or Thai Whisky
Phuket offers some of the best and most unique whiskey on the planet. Perhaps a part of your fun here in Phuket is because of these local favorite drinks. Take some home and throw a Thai-themed party wearing your Thai Fisherman Pants! A guaranteed blast!

4. Pearls
There is a real pearl farm in here in Phuket boasting over 100,000 productive oysters! Beautiful and affordable, you won’t find a better place to purchase the purest pearls and dazzling jewelry on Earth. Some people make the trip to Phuket specifically to purchase these brilliant pearls.5. Thai Magic Amulets
Don’t believe in magic? Doesn’t matter! These replica Buddhist amulets not only represent deep spiritual meaning, but are beautiful and authentic to the charm of Thailand. And because they are replicas, they are very affordable! Authentic Buddhist amulets can cost more than $300 USD, which attract collectors who are ready to pay large amounts of money for some rare and ancient pieces. The replica amulets here in Phuket are just as durable and charming, but at a fraction of the cost.

6. Thai Coconut Oil
The Thai Coconut Oil native to Thailand can be used for many purposes. It adds just the right flavor in many delicious Thai recipes; it can be used as a natural lotion that leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, and a conditioner giving your hair a clean, healthy, and natural shine.7. Leather products.
One thing is for sure – you’ll never find a snake or a crocodile crawling anywhere near a leather shop in Phuket. Why? Well, at these leather shops you’ll find many products made of exotic genuine leather from alligator, crocodile, stingray, snake, and ostrich. These leather shops are world renown for specializing in handbags, bags, purses, wallets, belts, briefcases, luggage, attaché cases, tote bags, shopping bags, boots, shoes and much more!

We are extremely confident that you’ll have a fabulous time here in Phuket. And, we are equally sure you’ll find some of the most unique, authentic, and enchanting souvenirs that will be perfect for you or your loved ones back home. Enjoy!

5 Amazing Places You Have Missed in Phuket!

Posted On 25 Sep 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In TOP 5
Leave a comment

Recently, we published ‘Top 5 Phuket Tours‘ and ‘Adventure Tours and Activities in Phuket.‘ But when doing most of those activities, you visit places far off the island, which means many interesting sites of Phuket itself are unfairly left behind.

To make the most of your time on Phuket Island, we will highlight five great places to visit. They’re not only interesting, but most of them are also free!

1.Wat Chalong: Learn about Buddhism and admire beautiful temples.

Phuket—here you can find Catholic churches, Chinese shrines, Muslim mosques, Sikh temples, Hindu temples, and many more. Despite the huge religious diversity and different animistic beliefs, 70 percent of the local population are Buddhists. Buddhism plays a significant role in daily life in modern Thai society. And Buddhist temples are everywhere here.

Thai Buddhist temples are somehow unique in their art and architecture styles (though you still may find some similarities with Buddhists temples in Myanmar and Laos). If you haven’t seen any yet, here is your chance! Visit the most beautiful Buddhist temple on the island: Wat Chalong. (The word wat means ‘temple’ in Thai.)

When visiting Thai Buddhist temples, try to avoid beachwear, short skirts, and t-shirts with offensive text or images. Especially for ladies—the shoulders and legs should be covered (to the knees). Don’t worry If you have nothing appropriate to wear; almost all big and popular religious sites offer sarongs for visitors. (A sarong is a garment consisting of a long piece of cloth worn wrapped around the body.)

2. Bang Pae Waterfall and Gibbon Rehabilitation Center: Deep into nature.

This is the only place on our list where you have to pay a 200 baht entrance fee, because the waterfall is a part of a national park. Bang Pae waterfall is the biggest waterfall in Phuket, but we have to admit that it isn’t really big by international standards.

However, nature and hiking lovers will definitely find it interesting. A few hours’ trek through dense jungles is available here. You can meet some not-dangerous animals and even gibbons freely jumping from tree to tree. The plant life here is just amazing, with trees, lianas, colorful flowers and more growing up to twenty meters high.

Not far from the waterfall, you will see Gibbon Rehabilitation Center. Many gibbons are caught and kept as pets in Thailand, but this is illegal. The center takes in gibbons who have been rescued, either taken away from their “owners” by the police or handed in by owners who no longer wished to look after them. They then go through a long rehabilitation before often being released back into the forests.

5464217181_1691a23dc0_b Here you can see some cages with Gibbons. The center’s volunteers will tell you more about the animals and their daily routine. If you like, you can even join their volunteer program and spend more time helping animals. (See the project website: http://www.gibbonproject.org)

3. Big Buddha Hill: Be inspired.

Undoubtedly it is the most recognizable landmark in Phuket, Big Buddha Hill can be seen from everywhere in the southern part of the island. Soon after construction started in 2004, the 45-meter high marble statue became one of the most remarkable symbols of Phuket.

Why should you visit it? First of all, it is a giant shining and inspiring marble statue; second, it is a Buddhist temple*; third, the view from here is just amazing! (You also may check our ATV to Big Buddha and elephant riding tour.)

*Don’t forget about the dress code for religious places!

4. Old Phuket Town: Find real Phuket.

Describing Old Phuket Town could take a whole book.

And I am ready to bet it would be an interesting book, telling us an amazing history with secrets, love stories and incredible adventures.

Exploring every corner and street after street, you will always discover something new. If you want to experience the authentic lifestyle which hasn’t changed through time. Old Phuket Town is where the real Phuket can be found.

Almost two centuries ago, it was the busiest place on the island. Numerous shops sold various goods from all around the world.

Initially built by Portuguese businessmen, later it was predominantly occupied by Chinese immigrants. It’s no wonder this architectural style, which is called Sino-Portuguese, has a Mediterranean layout and picturesque Chinese patterns.

We recommend you start your walking tour from the tourist information center located at Phangnga Road. Here, absolutely free, you can get a brief historical introduction and pick up an Old Town map.

On the map, you will find the locations of all the important sites, such as Chinese shrines with porcelain dragons, small Buddhist temples, great old mansions, and remarkable authentic shop houses—much to every photographer’s delight

Don’t think that you are having deja vu if you see something familiar. Not so many people realize it, but the Robin Williams film Good Morning Vietnam and some parts of The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio were filmed right here in Old Town.

5. Sunset Viewpoint at Promthep Cape: Phuket’s best evening show!

Located in the island’s southern end, Phromthep Cape is the island’s favorite sunset meeting point. Every evening, many people with cameras or mobile phones gather here to take a memorable shot of Phuket’s most beautiful free show: sunset.

Here you will also find a lighthouse that houses interesting historical maritime artifacts. Walk up onto the rooftop and enjoy a 360-degree scenic view. From here, you also can spot some distant islands such as Phi-Phi, Ko Racha, etc.

Sunsets in Phuket are always around 18:30 throughout the year, so be sure to get into sunset-watching position by about 18:00.

How to Visit—and Some Tips

To visit it all, you will need to join a tour or use your own transport—you can rent a car or a motorbike. All the places described can be easily found with Google maps. However, if you feel lost, just ask locals: they will always point you in the right direction. If you wish to go trekking at the waterfall and to visit all these places, then you will need at least two days for it. But if you skip the jungle trek and can be quick, one day might be enough.

SNAKES IN THE BELIEFS OF THAI PEOPLE

Posted On 9 Sep 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In Culture
Leave a comment

Thailand Sunset It was early morning. The first portion of sunlight just highlighted the bamboo floor of my bungalow. I still had a headache after yesterday’s party and barely could open my eyes. But suddenly, I felt something cold around my leg. Was it real, or just another hangover delusion? No, it was moving and it was big. I immediately moved my blanket away–a snake! I hadn’t felt so awake at that hour of the morning for many years!

A few seconds later, it jumped to the floor and crawled away. “Joy!” I screamed loudly. Joy was the name of the Thai girl from whom I was renting the bungalow. Luckily, she wasn’t far and rushed into my room.

“Hey, what happened?”

“Snake, snake! Did you see it?”

“No, you probably were dreaming. We haven’t seen snakes here for many years,” she replied with a smile.

“Do you think I was dreaming?”

“Sure you were. Was this snake colorful?”

“Yes, and quite big! Why?!”

“Don’t worry. It is very lucky if you saw it, even if you weren’t dreaming. Just wait, something good is going to happen soon.”

She smiled again and left the room. I still couldn’t believe it was just a dream. Yeah, welcome to real Thailand. Joy said it is a lucky sign, but I thought it was a nightmare!

(Based on a true story)

Snakes in the Beliefs of Thai People

Thai people have many beliefs and taboos. They believe that many invisible things exist around us. Some of the most common beliefs are about spirits, dreams, big trees and snakes. It still can be found wherever you are—in Bangkok, the capital, or in a rural area of the country.

Do you know why snakes are a big part of Thai beliefs? Simply because Thailand has around 200 species of snakes, of which around 60 are venomous. But dreaming about a snake or meeting a real one doesn’t always promise you something good. Let’s find out more together.

Snakes are everywhere in Thailand, and sometimes it is even a part of some Thai cuisines. Many Thai people wish to dream about a snake, but not because they love to eat it.

If you saw a snake in your dream—even if it was biting, attacking, or wrapping around you—that means you will meet your soulmate within the next day or sooner. However, it is necessary for the snake in your dream to be a strange one, big and colorful. If not, and you dreamed about a small black (not colorful) snake, the meaning turns bad. Like a small black snake is crawling into your dream, bad luck is coming into your life.

Another belief is that if you see a real snake right in front of you, don’t jump away. Better touch your wallet and make a wish. This snake can be one of the forms of Naga-spirit, and it might bring you wealth and good luck in your job or business.

But if you see a king cobra in the jungle or in your yard, then leave it alone. Many Thai people believe that a king cobra is a form of one of the forest’s gods, goddesses or a spirits. And if you harm it, the forest’s goddess may make you sick until finally you die from something doctors cannot diagnose!

While walking in a Thai Buddhist temple (we recommend that you visit one), you will definitely notice numerous images and sculptures of snakes. Yes, snakes are literally everywhere in Thailand.

“It is said that four weeks after Gautama Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended. However, the mighty King of Serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the one who is the source of all protection.” (Source: Wikipedia)

That’s why Mucalinda Naga is depicted in Thai temples, where the serpent plays a role of a protector of Buddhism. But that is not all. In old Buddhist legends, a snake or “Naga” changed his appearance into a man in order to enter the monkhood. Since that time, during the ordination ceremony in Thailand, the candidate to enter monkhood must answer the question if he is a human being or not.

We mentioned the word “Naga” a few times, and now you might be wondering who Nagas are. And this question is even more complicated than you could imagine. Places where Nagas were worshiped are found all around the world: Mexico, Tibet, Malaysia and even Australia. People living in the northeastern part of Thailand, Isan regione, believe that they are descendants of a Naga king’s daughter who married a human man.

Some scientists believe that the Thai people’s beliefs about Nagas are left over from the Davaravati Kingdom, which vanished centuries ago.

Different Types of Elephants

Posted On 11 Aug 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In ELEPHANTS
Leave a comment

On your Thailand vacation in Phuket, you may opt for the once in a lifetime experience of riding an elephant. This experience is memorable, as elephants are one of the most fascinating, beautiful, and intelligent creatures on our planet. If you choose to ride an elephant in Thailand, make sure you do your research. The company you go with needs to treat their elephants well. Elephants are treasured throughout the world and have a long history in Thai culture. A reputable elephant sanctuary will have plenty of information on the caretaking and welfare of their animals.

Once you choose a quality elephant camp, you might decide that you want to get to know more about the animal you are about to have a personal encounter with. And you should! Elephants are one of the world’s most beloved animals for good reason. Their biology and social structure is truly unique. The first thing you should know is that there are two different types of elephants: the African elephant & the Asian elephant. These two species have a lot in common, but they also have some marked differences. Which type are you riding? Read on to find out how the spot the differences.

Both Asian and African elephants are considered the largest land mammal. Elephants are huge—shockingly huge—but the African elephant tends to be a little bit larger than the Asian elephant. Full-grown male elephants in both types tend to be about 12 feet tall at their highest point, but African males average around 14,000lbs and Asian males average around 11,000lbs. In both African and Asian types, females will be a few feet shorter and several thousand pounds lighter.

The main difference between the two types, and the one that is easiest to spot, is the shape of the ears. African elephants have much larger ears that are shaped like a fan, or like the continent of Africa itself. These large ears help the elephants cool off in the hot Savannah sun. Asian elephants, however, have much smaller ears. Asian elephants tend to live in thick jungle environments, so they do not need large ears to help them cool off.

All African elephants have tusks, even the females—although the tusks on the female elephants are slightly smaller. Asian elephants do not always have tusks. Females very rarely have tusks, and if they do they are quite small. Most males have tusks. This can pose a special problem for Asian elephants. It is illegal to kill them, but some hunters break the law and still. Most of the time hunters are after the tusks, so that means males are at a greater risk to be killed. Because of this, females have fewer males with good genes to breed with. This brings us to numbers. There are far more African elephants still living in the wild than Asian elephants. It is estimated that there are around 400,000 wild African elephants, while there are only around 50,000 wild Asian elephants.

There are other smaller, more detailed physical differences between Asian and African elephants. African elephants tend to have skin that is more wrinkled, while Asian elephants have smoother skin. Another aspect that surprises most people when they meet their first elephant is that they are covered in wiry, coarse hair. The younger the elephant, the more hair it will have. The head of African and Asian elephants can also give you a clue on what type of elephant you’re meeting. African elephants have large, rounded heads with a single dome at the top. Asian elephants have longer heads that are topped with a “double dome” structure. The feet of African and Asian elephants vary as well. Asian elephants have four toes on their back feet and five toes on their front. African elephants have only three toes on their back feet and five on their front. You can also count the “fingers” on the tips of their trunks. Asian elephants have a single “finger” on their trunks while African elephants have two.

Both African and Asian elephants should be treasured and protected. Elephants are naturally gentle beasts. They are exceptionally smart and have complex social structures. Both types of elephants are normally open to interactions with humans. If you decide to ride elephants while on your Thailand vacation, be sure to use your new-found knowledge to see if you’re riding an Asian or African elephant, and make sure that the place you choose treats these amazing creatures with the respect and care they deserve.

Top 5 Phuket Tours

Posted On 4 Aug 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In TOP 5
Leave a comment

Hello, dear reader! Are you planning your vacation in Phuket? There are a lot of places to visit and things to do here. Don’t rush! Relax and read carefully—I promise you will get your answers soon.

I have been working in the tourism industry here for almost five years, and I can say that Phuket is changing. I have met a lot of people who came here a second time after their first visit ten or even twenty years ago. They barely could recognise the Island. Twenty years ago, famous Patong Beach was just a fisherman’s village a few kilometres in length! Now it is a famous worldwide tourist’s city.

But after living and working here, I have noticed one thing which always remains the same: people of all ages and nationalities who come here for the first time pick the same tours. I can’t say why, but through years, the same Phuket attractions continue to draw the attention of first-time visitors.

Every man to his taste! I can’t recommend something that everyone will definitely like. But if you were my own friend, visiting Phuket the first time, I would recommend that you to take note of these five most popular Phuket tours.

1. Similan Islands

In my personal opinion, these are the most beautiful islands within easy reach from Phuket. The great explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau was one of the first people who highlighted this place to the public in his 1990 film, Thailand: Convicts of the Sea. Even now, the islands remain one of the most popular dive destinations in the world. Clear water allows you to observe colorful marine life ten meters deep, right from the boat’s deck. One-day and overnight snorkeling tours leave daily from Phuket from November to May. The Similan archipelago is a national park, which is closed to all visitors from May to November.

Tours leave daily throughout the year. Average price for a day tour is: $70-80 USD.

2. Phi-Phi Islands

Probably the most popular place in all of Thailand since the 2000 movie The Beach was filmed there! A one-day trip to the Phi-Phi islands is a great way to spend your day out of Phuket. You can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and cruising on a speed boat among paradise-like islands of Phi-Phi archipelago.
The tour to the Phi-Phi islands became number two in our list while Similan archipelago is number one, even Phi-Phi islands are more popular. The reason is that the Phi-Phi islands draw a lot of tourists. Some people, especially after watching The Beach, expect an abandoned tropical paradise, but instead they find themselves surrounded by crowds of tourists.However, the tour by itself is good. Just leave all your expectations and enjoy your day in Phi-Phi.

Tours leave daily throughout the year. Average price for a day tour is: $40-60 USD.

3. Khao Lak National Park

Undoubtedly, Phuket is a sea destination. But if you drive just one and a half hours from Phuket to the mainland, you will discover one of the oldest tropical forests in the world. A tour to Khao Lak National Park includes traditional bamboo rafting, elephant riding, visiting a Buddhist temple, waterfall and many more. I recommend reading the whole tour description here. Khao Lak tour from Phuket – description.

Another alternative to Khao Lak National Park is Khao Sok National Park. The tour itinerary is almost the same, but Khao Sok National Park is slightly farther away, so it is better to consider visiting Khao Sok National Park only if you are ready for an overnight adventure.

4. Phang-Nga Bay

Phang-Nga Bay’s amazing limestone formation rises vertically out of the emerald-green water.
Islands of Phang Nga Bay were a part of the largest coral reef in the world 130 million years ago. Dead coral turned into the limestone. And 75 million years ago, the limestone was pushed upwards from the seabed by the pressure of the movements of the world’s tectonic plates.

These islands are the unique creation of nature. And if you are nature lover, this tour is right for you. Unlike the other two island tours mentioned here before, the water of Phang-Nga Bay isn’t that clear, the beaches aren’t that beautiful, and you will not have a chance to see underwater life or go snorkeling here.

But the scenery and experience you can get here is unforgettable and unique. Here, you can explore limestone caves and mangrove lagunas and meet its inhabitants, canoeing through narrow passages into it.Take memorable pictures in front of another landmark of the area: James Bond Island. The James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed here. And visit local fishermen’s village Koh Panyee, the whole of which is built out over the water on stilts, with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear.

Tours leave daily throughout the year. Average price for a day tour is: $40-60 USD.

5. Simon Cabaret Show

Enough day tours—too much of it can be tiresome. It’s time to go out for the evening! There are a number of evening shows performed in Phuket almost daily, such as “Fantasea,” “Siam Niramit,” “Afrodite” or “Simon Cabaret” shows. The most popular choice is the Simon Cabaret. The show has good entertainment value, and professional soloists dressed like Tina Turner or Diana Ross. It’s some of the most flamboyant fun you’ll ever witness. The majority of the actors are transgender, but are living life as beautiful young women who express their talent through life as cabaret performers.

Show runs daily throughout the year. Average price is: $20-25 USD.

If you are going to spend one or two weeks in Phuket, the best combination of tours will be a one-day island tour + a one-day jungle tour + an evening show. And if after doing it, you feel that you want more, just take one more island tour.

Have a good time in Thailand!

Where to Ride an Elephant in Thailand?

Posted On 1 Aug 2015
By Phuket Elephant Trails
In tours, Where?
Leave a comment

Elephants are an important part of Thai culture. Thailand itself has more than 70 elephant camps, most located in the north. You’ll soon find that every guesthouse, travel agent, and tuk-tuk driver seems to be peddling a different elephant experience.

Not all elephant camps are equal! With so many elephant camps all around, it can be hard to choose one, but we hope our brief info below can help you out.

You can enjoy elephant rides at Ayutthaya, Pai, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, or anywhere else you go in Thailand. Almost every tourist destination offers you different sorts of elephant tours.

And don’t worry if during your vacation you are not going to cross the whole country from the south to the north. Whether you are in Phuket or in Pattaya, there is the abundance of choice.

However, if you have a chance to travel throughout the country, the best places where you can interact with elephants will be in the north of Thailand: Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Sukhothai or Surin provinces.
Here, you not only can ride an elephant, but become a mahout for a couple of days or spend a week or more as a volunteer. Several organizations based here focus their efforts on helping save Asian elephants. If you are looking for deeper interaction or want to support these gentle Asian giants, these are places to go.
But if your adventure isn’t going so far into the country, and you—like many others—are concerned about choosing an ethical elephant camp, here are three simple tips for you. These tips apply wherever you spend your holidays, whether Krabi, Phuket or Samui.

Ethical Elephant Trekking Rules:

The biggest red flag is if a camp does an elephant show. Avoid any circus-like shows or places where the elephants are made to play soccer or dance on two legs, as these activities can be pretty bad for the elephants’ physical and mental health.
Make sure to check into what happens to the elephants after the elephant camp closes for the day. Are they able to interact with one another and keep up on their social skills freely, or are they chained and penned up all night?
Try to find a camp where you can ride bareback by yourself, which is better for the elephants. It is not always possible, especially in southern Thailand, but keep it in mind. And at least ride the elephant with bare feet. We also should mention that it is always possible to sit alone on elephant’s back, which again is better for elephant’s health. But unfortunately, to do this in most of the camps, you have to pay for yourself and the cost of a second passenger.

We understand that it is difficult to check before you take an elephant tour. But following these simple rules will make your elephant ride less harmful for animals wherever you do it in Thailand. Just use these tips when it is possible, and enjoy your vacation!

From our side, we are proud to say that all elephant camps we (phuketelephanttrails.com) cooperate with in Phuket don’t perform any elephant shows. And the elephants’ “after work” time is as close to their natural environment as possible.