Monthly Archives: May 2009

Phuket Golf Courses

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Phuket Golf Courses

Phuket Golf Courses

Phuket is one of the premier golf destinations in South East Asia. If you enjoy playing golf then why not combine a beach holiday and golf holiday into one? This wonderful Thai holiday island is famous for its stunning beaches but it is also well known for its world class golf courses.

A number of well respected golf tournaments are held annually on Phuket and famous golfers such as Tiger Woods have had the pleasure of playing on a number of different golf courses on the island. It is also worth noting that some of these courses have been designed by leading designers such as former champion Jack Nicklaus.

There are a number of different locations from which players can choose. This article offers information on the best courses on the island.

Blue Canyon Golf Course

The leading golf course on Phuket is Blue Canyon  which has been ranked as one of the top golf courses in Asia by various different international publications. A number of well known tournaments have been hosted at Blue Canyon  including the renowned Johnnie Walker Classics Tournament. Some famous golfers which have played at  Blue Canyon include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Greg Norman.

Mission Hills

Another award winning golf course it the one located at the Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort and Spa. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and it is an eighteen hole, par seventy two golf course. What makes this place so spectacular is that golfers enjoy stunning views of the Andaman Sea whilst playing golf.

Loch Palm Golf Club

The golf course at the Loch Palm Golf Club is extremely popular with especially local residents and expats and has recently been completely renovated. Loch Palm is recognized to be one of the leading Thai courses and it is a eighteen hole, par seventy two golf course. It is also home to the largest lake found at any of the courses. Players can find this course rather challenging due to the various height differences on the course.

Phuket Country Club

The Phuket Country Club is home to the oldest golf course on on the island. It is located in the center of the island in the Kathu area. It is the favorite golfing destination on this Thai island among expats due to the affordable green fees and membership fees. If you have a high handicap then te Country Club could be the ideal one for you to visit during your holiday.

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The Lowdown on Phuket

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The Lowdown on Phuket

The Lowdown on Phuket

I spent two years in Bangkok before I decided that I’d had enough. It was nothing against the city, but I just felt as if I needed a change. I was given an opportunity to work in Phuket and I took it. Twelve months later and I feel a craving to return to Bangkok, but I won’t, because I’ve been there and done that.

People often ask me what it’s like in Phuket. I receive numerous emails from people mulling the idea of moving to the island.

Different people come to Phuket with different expectations and different ideas. When I came to Phuket, I had a fair idea of what the place was like. Phuket is a large island. There are more than 10 main beaches and just as many islands dotted around the coast. For this reason, you can find whatever it is you’re looking for in Phuket.

If you want unspoiled beachfront, then head to Mai Khao Beach or Yanui Beach. If you want rowdy nightlife then go to Patong Beach. For surfing you ought to check out Kata Beach. There are even a few splashes of Sino-Portugese culture in Phuket Town.

I live on the outskirts of Phuket Town. I have easy access to decent restaurants, shops, beaches, everything really. While I don’t plan to stay in Phuket forever, I am glad to have lived on the island and really seen it for its good and its bad side.

I’d recommend to anyone to spend a bit of time in Phuket to really see what the place is about.

However, after spending the best part of a year in Phuket, there’s something about the island that just hasn’t clicked with me.

After Bangkok and Pattaya, Phuket is the destination within Thailand that attracts the most expats. People come to Phuket in search of beaches, romance, work, whatever. It isn’t the aesthetics of Phuket that bugs me – there are enough beautiful Phuket beaches and islands to keep anyone happy; it’s the lack of action that can be a bit of a downer.

Coming from Bangkok down to Phuket, there are stark differences that I haven’t been able to get over, no matter how hard I try and convince myself that I’m happy in Phuket. For a start, the social scene sucks. You just don’t have the same mix of like-minded people as you do in Bangkok.

Then there’s Phuket nightlife. I’m not necessarily referring to just clubs and bars, but to everything that goes on once the sun sets. In Phuket, you can’t stroll out at 2 am and find people all over the place. You can’t even travel around the island after dark for fear of being mugged if you’re on a motorbike or being ripped off if you’re riding in a tuk-tuk.

One year in Phuket has left me certain that the island is not a place I want to settle on. However, my idea of paradise is, of course, not the same as the next person’s, which is why many people come to Phuket and never leave.

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Where to Eat in Phuket

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Where to Eat in Phuket

Where to Eat in Phuket

A lot has been written about where to eat in Phuket, but for the most part, it’s difficult to distinguish genuine restaurant reviews from paid advertorials and favorable articles. There’s no doubt that Phuket has a diverse range of places to eat. From the most basic of street food right through to the most lavish of eateries, Phuket has a lot to offer even the most discerning of foodies.

Thailand is famous for its street food and though you won’t find the same kind of choice as you can in Bangkok, Phuket still has street food in abundance. You could spend days arguing about which street vendor does the best noodles or kao man gai, but ultimately, half the fun off eating off the street is in trying a variety of places and seeing which ones are best.

As a general rule of thumb for street food in Phuket, if you pass a place that is absolutely heaving, you can rest assured that that is one place worth eating at. The locals all have their favorite restaurants and they will eat at them regularly, often every day. Many street vendors at least have some pictures of food on their carts for people who can’t read Thai, so if you aren’t sure what or how to order, just point. If all else fails, point at someone else’s dish and see what you end up with.

There are plenty of interesting restaurants in Phuket. One of the best is Natural Restaurant in Phuket Town. The place looks as if it’s alive, with knick knacks everywhere. Walking through the restaurant is like climbing a tree house. Natural Restaurant is one of the best places in Phuket to sample the delights of Thai food.

One of Patong’s most popular restaurants is Coyote on the beach road. This restaurant serves up some of the best Mexican grub on the island. It’s a little pricey compared to eating local food, but for a special occasion it’s worth splashing out for.

There is some debate as to which restaurant does the best pizza in Phuket. There is a lot of choice, but one that stands out from the crowd is Toto’s near the Laguna entrance in Cherng Talay. There’s something about the sauce that keeps people coming back for more.

For something lavish, the restaurant at Indigo Pearl resort in Nai Yang does the best Sunday brunch on the island with an unrivalled selection of food to choose from. Although it’s pricey, it’s definitely worth a visit to sample some fine cuisine.

Whatever your favorite food, you’ll be bound to find it in Phuket, but there’s no harm in being adventurous and trying out some of the many types of fare from around the world that the island has to offer.

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