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Koh Phuket is the biggest

island in Thailand, located

in the Andaman Sea, off

southern Thailand. Its

climate is warm all year

round (about 32C, 90F)

with a dry season

(November thru April) and

one rainy season (May thru

October).

ABOUT KOH PHUKET

Koh Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of

Singapore. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge.

It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. The

region has an area of approximately 570 sq. km. and is made up of

one large and 39 small islands. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from

tin and rubber. The island was on one of the major trading routes

between India and China and was frequently mentioned in foreign

trader’s ship logs. Now, derives much of its income from tourism.

Discover a yesterday culture and scenic part of Phuket town, forming

"Old Phuket" with its beautiful antique Sino-Portuguese buildings. The

beginning of the tin boom during the 19th century led to construction

of many fine old mansions and shops, still well preserved. We will take

you to walk through the colorful market. Lunch at a local restaurant

and then proceed to Wat Chalong, one of the biggest and most known

temples on the island, enshrining the gilt statues of two monks heroes

and herbal doctor s

"Luang Poa Chaem"

a n d h i s a s s i s t a n t

"Luang Poa Chuang",

both much revered by

local people because of

their courageous in

quelling the miner

rebellion in 1876.

DISCOVERER

S C U B A D I V I N G i n t h e s o u t h a n d a m a n

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Sino-Portuguese Architecture

Thalang Road is one of very important roads representing

the architecture about Phuket's history and its unique style in

living through the buildings. This is the ‘Sino-Portuguese

Architecture Style’.

These buildings have been carefully designed

and well decorated and visitors can admire

their valuable heritage along Thalang Road.

Both governmental and private organizations

realize and agree to maintain these buildings

for the next generations.

HISTORY OF PHUKET

The two sisters who saved the

island from Burmese invaders are

legendary.

Heroines MonumentThe Heroines Monument was erected in the middle of the city, opposite

Thalang National Museum on Highway 402.

After the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya, then the capital of Siam, in 1767,

King Taksin drove out the Burmese and reunified the country. The

Burmese were bad losers, and outfitted a fleet to attack the southern

provinces and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. The

Monument honors Kunying Jan and her sister Mook who were credited

with the organizing the successful defense of Phuket Island against the

Burmese invaders. This became Phuket's most unforgettable historic

event.

To acknowledge their bravery and leadership, King Rama I conferred on

Kunying Jan the honorific appellation Thao Thep Kasatri—a title of

nobility usually reserved for royalty—and to her sister Thao Sri Suntorn.

Promthep Cape

The great viewpoint at the

southern most tip of the island

where you can absorb the scenery

sunset with a

breathtaking

panorama of

its nice

surroundings.

Hat Patong

Hat Patong

is Phuket's

most

developed

beach

offering

numerous

leisure,

sporting, shopping and

recreational options along its three

kilometers long crescent bay.

Windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing,

swimming and sunbathing number

among the many popular daytime

activities. Patong is equally well

known for its vibrant nightlife,

among which seafood restaurants

feature prominently.

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Dive Sites For Dive Sites Trips in Phuket

Phuket offers many dive trips with well preserved dive

sites including fringing hard coral reefs, soft coral

covered pinnacles, wrecks, mini-walls, and caverns. In

addition to the

abundance of

corals and

anemones, you

may find

yourself playing

amidst a school

of Tuna,

Rainbow

Runner, or

Barracuda. For

the lucky ones

on dive trips,

there is also the

chance to see

Leopard Shark,

Black Tip Reef

Shark, Whale

Shark, and

Sting Ray.

DIVING IN THE ANDAMAN SEA

The Best Dive Sites in

the Andaman Sea

Dives can range from a try dive on the local

reef, to a 3/4 day live

aboard safari to Similan

and Surin Islands, and

t h e w o r l d f a m o u s

Richelieu Rock where

you could see Mantas

and Whale sharks. You

will not be disappointed.

The Diving Programs

• PADI Bubblemaker

• PADI Discover SCUBA Diving Program

• PADI SCUBA Diver Program

• PADI Open Water Certification

• PADI Adventure Diver

• PADI Advanced Diver Program

The waters surrounding Phuket offer some of

the best diving in Thailand.!There are many

diving locations that offer a variety of

conditions suitable for the beginner as well as

the advanced diver. Depth ranges from six to

30 meters and the terrain varies from shallow

coral gardens to vertical walls. Sea life is

plentiful with lion fish

and moray eels common

sights. Visibility ranges

from 10 to 15 meters

directly around Phuket,

to 20 to 30 meters

around the outer-lying

islands, with the water

temperature a! very

pleasant 28C to 30C.

Our instructors and

divemasters are all PADI qualified.

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Koh Racha Yai

To the south of Phuket lies the most visited dive site location. There are several reasons

for the popularity of dive trips here including accessibility to the dive sites, calm

conditions, and beautiful vistas both under the surface of the water and above. Although

Racha Yai is perfect for intro dives, refreshers, and training courses, there is also much

marine life for more experienced divers to enjoy over several varying dive sites.

Koh Racha Noi

Another hour to the south of Racha Yai Island and Phuket lies Koh Racha Noi, where

the excitement levels rise. Often likened to the Similan Islands, a dive trip here is more

advanced than a dive trip at its sister island as Racha Noi has submerged pinnacles,

current washed boulder sites, soft corals, and the chance of larger pelagic fish. For the

less experienced, however, there are also gentle sloping coral reefs and white sandy bays

ideal for training.

Koh Phi Phi

Phi Phi Island (P pronounced like in Peter and not Philip), one of the world's most

beautiful tourist destinations. It is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets. You will

see long white powdery beaches in Phi Phi Don where you can swim and sunbathe here.

You will also visit Phi Phi Le (Maya bay) where thousands of swifts nest inside the

Viking Cave. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, wooded cliffed mountains,

colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman.

Koh Phi Phi Don

Among the isles of Phi Phi, Phi Phi Don, the largest of the two, which lies in the north,

is well known for its fine beaches and the wonderful coral formations located around it.

There is a reasonable assortment of accommodation (not over developed) which keeps it

nice and many tourists return year after year. The main cured bays of Ton Sai Bay and

Lo Dalam Bay are in the south and are really spectacular, offering good facilities. The

other beaches are located at the northern end of the island.

Koh Phi Phi LehPhi Phi Leh is situated almost 2 km to the south of its big sister. In contrast to Phi Phi

Don, this isle is uninhabited, not only because of the law, but also because there are few

beaches able to support hotels. The island's cliffs descend almost vertically into the sea

on all sides. There are a couple of really fantastic coves. Au Maya and Au Lo Sama are

the most scenic coves on the island offering a great place to go snorkeling. The sea

around Phi Phi Leh is relatively deep, especially the southern part, where it can be over

30 meters deep, making it a popular diving spot to see the beautiful corals.

The Phi Phi islands appeared on many Hollywood movies, including ‘The Beach’

featuring Leonardo Di Caprio.

DIVING IN THE ANDAMAN SEA

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Tarutao National Marine Park History

The History of the Tarutao Marine Park goes back to 1939 when a prison was constructed on Tarutao Island. During the Second World War, due to lack of supplies, both prisoners and guards became a much feared group of pirates. After the war the British Naval Troops restored order and the Corrections Department closed down the prison. Villagers from nearby provinces settled on Tarutao Island to cultivate rice, fruit and rubber. In 1972 the National Park was declared, and most settlers where relocated. Sea g y p s i e s w h e r e t h e o r i g i n a l inhabitants of the waters in the Andaman Sea, moving from beach to beach depending on season and the availability of food. Today most Sea Gypsies have permanently settled down, and a small Group lives on Koh Lipe.

DIVING IN THE ANDAMAN SEA

Shark PointShark Point is a small

rocky outcrop to the east

of Phuket. It is one of

the most popular dive

sites around Phuket

made famous by it's resident leopard sharks and

moray eels. Shark Point is made up of coral

pinnacles coming from a sandy bottom of 18

meters, to within 3 to 4 meters of the surface.

These corals are covered with soft corals, and are

home to a multitude of tropical marine life.

Anemone ReefThe dive site lies only a short distance from Shark

Point. When you descend beneath the surface you

will soon see how this dive

site got its name. There are

thousands of sea anemone

covering this coral pinnacle

that rises from a depth of 25

meters to 4 meters from the

surface. Leopard sharks are

also a feature of this dive.

Similan Islands, The best Place to Learn DivingThe Similan are an island group in the Andaman Sea along the Phang Nga Province coast

that lies in southern Thailand. These islands lie at about 84 kilometers northwest of Phuket.

The Similan islands are very popular owing to their aqua blue clear waters and other tourist

attractions. Some of the best coral growths of the world can be easily found here.

Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Centre

The center’s objective is to conserve wildlife within the Khao Phra Thaeo wildlife park. The park is full of virgin

forest and actively conserves a number of wild animals, which would, otherwise, be extinct in Phuket. It is a center for

the study of the environment and the forest vegetation is particular. Giant trees supported by huge buttresses are thick

with creepers and climbers of every description.

Edited by

Parichart Thongparkdee AbrantesMBA in Management and Business AdministrationLife is great!