Phuket’s Big Buddha

Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away.
The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island (think sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay and more.) Easily reachable via a six-kilometre road leading from Phuket’s main artery, it’s a must-visit island destination.

Close up to the image itself it is very peaceful and the only noises you will hear are the tinkling of small bells and the yellow Buddhist flags in the compound flapping in the wind plus soft background dharma music.
Known among Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha in full, it is 25 meters across at the base. The whole body is layered with beautiful white Burmese marble that shines in the sun, making it a natural symbol of hope. The views, and the actual image itself are all breathtaking.

What to Wear
Avoid beachwear, short skirts and T-shirts with offensive texts or images. If you feel you have dressed a little too daringly for a religious site you can always ask for a sarong to cover up with from the site centre, free of charge.
Did You Know
a) Nakkerd Sea View Restaurant is located near the Big Buddha and is a nice place to chill out after visiting the site. The food there is reasonable in terms of taste and price and the view, of course, is wonderful.
b) The road to Nakkerd Hills is in good condition, most parts are newly built but it has many curves and some steep climbs. Some young tourists enjoy hiking up, even though it usually takes them over an hour to reach the top.

Looking for somewhere to stay while on holiday in Phuket? Check out our website for great deals on accomadation.

Ao Sane Beach. A hidden gem!

Ao Sane Beach is the proof that Phuket still has some little beaches hidden from view where you can pretend nothing has changed in the past twenty years. Of course there is no such thing as a ‘secret beach’ anymore, but you have to make a little effort to get there. These might just be small tiny sandy coves, but it is a good feeling to step on one.

Ao Sane is in fact very visible from Nai Harn Beach, you just need to drive to Phuket Yacht Club, then drive or walk through a tunnel under the Phuket Yacht Club to get there. There is even a small hotel called ‘Baan Krating’ which unfortunately looks a bit run down, but really has a unique location. Ao Sane consists of three very small sandy bays and you can walk from one to another through the few beach bungalows,

The first bay, the largest, has everything you need for the day, a nice beach restaurant where people seem to spend a lot of time chit-chatting or reading in the tree shade. Food is good and prices acceptable.

You can rent a couple of beach chairs on Ao Sane Beach for 200 baht a day, and even a snorkeling gear at the very small ‘Armin’s Dive Shop’. You could even take your first dive lesson right there for 950 baht!

Small bungalows made of bamboo and thatched roofs along the beach are very basic but not really cheap, around 800 baht per night for a fan room, but what a setting! Just looking at the few lucky people idly sitting on their wooden balcony make you feel the pace of tropical life. More luxurious are the Baan Krating beach front Bungalow, but starts around 4,000 baht a night (photo)

The second bay and third beaches are mostly used by the Baan Krating Resort but you can go there and have a drink of a beach massage.

Looking for somewhere to stay while on holiday in Phuket? Check out our website for great deals on accomadation.

All about Kata

Kata Beach is the most popular beach in Phuket after Patong and just before Karon Beach. It enjoys a superb large white beach with an incredible very blue sea, a nice island that makes great sunset photos. With less crowd than Patong, a good and growing choice of dining venues, shopping, nightlife and hotels, Kata beach is a great family destination.
Kata is divided in three main areas. Kata Center, Kata South with Club Med in the middle and Kata ‘Back Road’.

Kata Center

Kata Center is the oldest part and has grown around a busy intersection, not much has really changed around there if you exclude Starbucks and Peach, a trendy restaurant. Nightlife is very active and you’ll find a lot of Beer bars, but no Go Go Bars. If you drive at night you can’t miss all this small bars all loudly playing a different music, the ones at Kata center intersection being the brightest and most welcoming. Don’t be shy to stop have a drink for the fun of it. Dining option are plenty, but if you want a special dinner, try Kampong Kata Hill, on top of the hill right behind Starbucks.
There used to be a clear gap between Kata center and Kata South, but it has now merged.

Kata South

A lot of new streets opened recently and it is hard to keep count of the restaurants, shops and foot massage around here. Most popular are the Italian ‘Capannina’ in a back lane, and the ‘Boathouse’ itself with its prime beach view. Not far it also one of the best sea view restaurant on the Island, ‘Villa Royale’. More affordable and also with a view are a couple of local restaurants at the extreme south of the beach. The plastic chairs and table kind of place. The only nightlife here if you exclude shopping is the old fun ‘Ska Bar’, build under a giant tree on the beach itself.

Attractions In & Nearby Kata Beach:

• Dino Park – a well designed dinosaur themed mini golf with its own cool volcano! Nice but so hot you will forget to play well at the end, just to get out for a drink.
• Kata View Point, a few kilometers south of Kata Beach with a nice view on 3 bays.
• Kata Temple, a rather humble temple on Kata Beach back road.

Looking for somewhere to stay while on holiday in Phuket? Check out our website for great deals on accomadation.

Interesting facts on Phuket

Phuket is the biggest island on the west coast of Southern Thailand region. With a total area of about 543 square kilometres, it nearly equals Singapore in size. Phuket is located approximately 862 kilometres South of Bangkok and 180 km West of Krabi. It is linked to Phang Nga province on the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. The hot and humid climate of Phuket can be divided into 2 seasons, summer from December to April and rainy from May to November.

Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and currently from tourism and long-stay residents from Europe and allover the world. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign traders’ ship logs. The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Phuket has about 340,000 inhabitants. Agriculture remains important to a large number of people, and covers a large part of the island. Principal crops are rubber, coconuts, cashews, and pineapples. Prawn farming has largely taken over the east and south coasts. Pearl farming is also important.

The island has long been a favoured travel destination European tourist and offers something for everyone; peaceful beaches and hectic and exciting city life. Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, and powdery, palm-fringed beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodation and seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture, numerous sporting and leisure opportunities and a lush tropical landscape — all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
Phuket has some of the most ideal and breathtaking beaches in the worlds. The best known includes Patong which has developed a lively night time-scene. There are also more sedate beaches like Kata and Karon, sharing Phuket’s wonderful coastline with the Andaman Sea.

Looking for somewhere to stay while on holiday in Phuket? Check out our website for great deals on accomadation.

Iron Man 3 now showing in Phuket!

Hey there movie fans!

The long awaited Iron man 3 is now showing in both the SF Cinema Citys in Patong and Central Festival, Phuket.
Here’s a discription taken from Rotten Tomatoes.com

Enjoy!

Marvel’s “Iron Man 3″ pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

A nice bit of exercise for a Saturday

Ever thought about taking part in a Marathon but it just seemed a bit too much hard work?

Well this walk around Phuket town sounds much easier to me, and you can win prizes too!

The event is taking place on Saturday 11th May 2013.

The discription is as follows:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket is organising a walk rally around Phuket Town with great prizes. First prize is a return ticket Phuket-Kuala Lumpur and second a 3 day 2 night stay at the Mercure Krabi resort in Krabi.
Registration fee is 199 Baht for 2 persons.

For more information contact:
tatphuket@tat.or.th

Something for Phuket’s Music fans!

This coming week is a treat for you music fans out there, with everything from Jazz music to Break dancers putting on live shows all over Phuket.

Here is some more info for you. Have fun!

2nd Phuket International Jazz Day

Jazz musician Jeffrey Sevilla presents the second international jazz day on Phuket Island that is for both musicians and music lovers alike. All are welcome to come enjoy the music and meet the local jazz community: Phuket jazz volunteers, music matter collectives, soul heads, boy navio quartet, nin jazz, MM jazz kids, PSU big band and more. There is no entrance fee.

From 30 Apr 2013 To 01 May 2013
Time 20:00 – 01:00

B-Boy Battle Competition

Where’s the Beef? Get your fill of burgers at the B-Boy Battle Burger Eating Competition and the chance to win the prize 10,000 Baht and possibly 15,000 Baht. Register now until April 30.

04 May 2013

Battle of the Young Bands 2013 – Final

Legend Music is once again holding the Battle of the Young Bands competition in association with The Hard Rock Café Phuket and Class Act Media.
Saturday afternoons from the second weekend in March sees bands from local schools or who are home schoole on the island competing in the first round heats. The winning band from each weekend showdown will play in the final event on May 4 plus visitors to the website can vote online for two bands also to play in the final event.
The winner of the ‘Battle’ receives 50,000 Baht in cash courtesy of Hard Rock Cafe Phuket and the recording, mixing and mastering of one song at Legend Music.
The show opens at 4pm with announcements and a performance by last year’s winners Legends of Siam and closes with the announcement of the winner along with a performance by Hard Rock Cafe’s Revolution.

04 May 2013
Time 16:00 – 19:00

Songkran Festival 2013

Songkran Festival is the traditional Thai New Year celebrated on April 13th.
At this time of year the Thais pay homage to Buddha images, clean their houses, and sprinkle water on their elders. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water-throwing that can be very welcome in the heat of Thailand’s sunny days.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this “blessed” water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder.

Songkran is one of the best times to visit Thailand to experience a combination of local culture, fun and sun.

Here at Kata Ocean View we offer a range of holiday accommodation for those wishing to stay on the Island of Phuket during the Songkran festival, conveniently located in a tranquil residence overlooking the beautiful Kata Beach, yet only minutes away from the festivities.

For more information contact us for more information.

The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX)

Join us in Phuket this month as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX).

Combine the excitment that this event has to offer with a relaxing holiday here in one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands.
This month The Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) celebrates its tenth anniversary here in Phuket.

The world famous event will take place at Phuket’s five-star Royal Phuket Marina with it’s purpose built exhibition space overlooking the in water display and offering spectacular views of the yachts.

The Expo will begin on Thursday 21st March, and run until Sunday 24th March from 11am to 7pm daily. Giving you the opportunity to spend your nights exploring the magical nightlife and fine dining that Phuket has to offer.

Kata Ocean View is the perfect place to stay for the duration of the event, offering both one and two bedroom Western style apartments, located close to the event and only minutes away from the beautiful Kata Beach.

For more information please contact our sales team today.

Cinema times Phuket ( 7th – 13th March 2013)

Hi everyone!

We know that it is sometimes hard to find the correct cinema listings in Phuket, as some websites are not up to date, contain incorrect information or just plain confusing.
so, each week we will now be printing the most up to date cinema times from both the SFX Coliseum, in Central Festival Phuket and the SF Cinema City, located in Jungceylon Patong, Phuket.

All listings are direct from the cinemas’ websites and will be printed every Thursday. The times are as accurate as possible at the time of writting. For furthur information please call the telephone numbers provided at the top of each table.

Enjoy!

Cinema times @ SFX Coliseum, Central Festival Phuket.
From Thursday 3rd January 2013

For more information please call 076 209 000

Cinema times @ SF Cinema City, Jungceylon Patong, Phuket.
From Thursday 3rd January 2013

For more information please call 076 600 555