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SOME SELF-DRIVE TOURING SUGGESTIONS PHUKET ISLAND EXPLORATION
(Two days, or more) Although only 50 kilometres from north to south, a drive around Phuket’s rugged headlands and beautiful sandy bays is several times this distance. An around-island drive is comfortable in a day, with highlights including spectacular views, as from Phromthep Cape, and visits to such attractions as an orchid farm, sea shell museum, Wat Chalong temple, Phuket Zoo, a pearl farm at Yon Bay and the aquarium at Cape Panwa. There is a sea gypsy village at Si Rae island and a yacht marina at Sapam Bay. A second day’s drive could include Phuket City and nearby hill for island views, the Heroine’s Monument and National Museum. Interior roads pass through rubber plantations and forests to such attractions as Bang Pe waterfall, the Butterfly Thai Village and a Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in Khao Phra Khaeo National Park. Along the way you may find an opportunity for a brief elephant-back safari, while Patong Bay is lively with diverse dining, nightlife and shopping. A car is also useful when playing Phuket’s excellent golf courses. NORTH TO RANONG
Phuket-Khao Lak-Ranong
(Two days, or more) From Phuket City, a drive of 285 kilometres north to the busy fishing and trading port of Ranong takes the traveller, along good roads, through grand and varied scenery of forests and limestone hills. Along the way are several worthwhile sightseeing stops and side trips. Beside the Andaman Sea are extensive national parks, including Hat Thai Muang and Laem Som, its pristine beach fringed by ancient casuarina trees. Khao Lak National Park is a welcome stopover, with good hotels and opportunities for such soft adventure experiences as an elephant-back safari, bamboo river rafting and jungle walks. This is also a key gateway to the lovely offshore Similan islands. Roadside signs point out a number of beautiful waterfalls along this route, well worth visiting and ideal locations for a picnic or forest walks. Highlight in Ranong is the prospect of taking a short boat trip to Kawthaung, the most southerly port town in neighbouring Myanmar (Burma). One can return by the same road, or cross the Kra Isthmus mountainous region to the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and loop south at Chumphon to Lang Suan and the fishing port of Surat Thani. Crossing back to the Andaman Sea, the return is via Phang Nga to Phuket. Taking this alternative, longer return would add about three more days to the itinerary. SOUTH TO TRANG
Phuket-Phang Nga-Krabi-Trang
(Three days, or more) From Phuket to Trang is around 310 kilometres. This is a delightful drive through some of South Thailand’s most spectacular tropical forests and towering limestone hills. Highlights include side trips to visit Than Bokkharani and Khao Phanom Bencha national parks. The former is noted for its complex of caves and botanical gardens, the latter for its many waterfalls and wildlife. Krabi, with its good hotels, is a convenient resting place and centre from which to visit numerous idyllic offshore islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, and several magnificent beaches. Further south, the picturesque old town of Trang, with its open-fronted shops, markets and good hotels, offers interesting sightseeing and delicious seafood. This is also a convenient base from which to explore deserted beaches and escapist islands such as Koh Ngai, Koh Muk with its Emerald Cave and the exquisite Koh Kradan. This whole region is also honeycombed with caves and laced by lovely waterfalls, hidden away in the vast forest reserves. SOUTH THAILAND LOOP
Phuket-Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Trang-Krabi-Phuket.
(Seven days, or more) This round trip, covering some 900 kilometres from Phuket City, (much more with side trips) would give travellers a truly comprehensive experience of this most scenic and unspoiled region of Thailand. The route includes a wide diversity of nature at its most enchanting-tropical rain forests, rubber plantations, mangrove swamps and glorious beaches; with tumbling waterfalls, jagged limestone cliffs and mysterious caves as highlights. Crossing the causeway out of Phuket island, the route passes several important national parks - Hat Thai Muang, Khao Lak and Khao Sok en route, via the town of Takua Pa, to the fishing port of Surat Thani on the east coast, facing over the Gulf of Thailand. From here one can take a vehicle ferry as a side trip to visit the well-known resort island of Koh Samui. Continuing from Surat Thani, the main road curves south again, often close to the shore, and passing through charming small towns and fishing villages, to the ancient city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. With its history dating back many centuries and a distinctive local culture. The National Museum and holy Wat Phra Mahathat are well worth visiting. From here the road turns inland and proceeds, through glorious unspoiled scenery and the towns of Ron Phibun, Thung Song and Huai Yot, to the charming old trading centre of Trang. This is an interesting city for sightseeing and side trips to idyllic beaches and offshore islands. From Trang, the route turns north and returns, via Krabi and Phang Nga towns, to Phuket. This is a delightful adventure and includes many of South Thailand’s off-the-beaten-track attractions. For such an itinerary, a good guide book, such as the Lonely Planet “Thailand’s Island and Beaches” would be a valuable source of detailed information. |
