|
Pra
Nahng Sahng Temple The grounds of this historic
temple are where the Battle of Thalang took place
in 1785. Inside are three very old statues wrought
in tin of the Buddha; they are the largest such in
the world and date from a time when tin was regarded
as a semi-precious metal. The bellies of the three
big statues each contain a smaller statue, from which
derives their name, 'Monks in the Belly' in local
vernacular, or 'The Three Kings' in formal language.
Located on Thep Krasatri Rd. in Thalang Town at the
traffic light (see map).
Pra
Tong Temple This shrine encloses a golden
statue of Buddha that sprang up from beneath the earth
long ago. The story is of a young boy who tied his
buffalo to what he thought was a post; it was in an
area at that time given over to the raising of animals.
After doing so, he fell down in agony and died. The
father of the boy dreamed that the reason his son
had died was for the sin of tying a filthy buffalo
to a sacred object, that what the boy thought was
a post was in reality the golden peak of the Buddha's
conical cap. He told his neighbors the dream and they
all went out to dig up the statue but had no success.
Later, at the time of Thao Thep Kasatri's heroic defense
against the Burmese in 1785, the invaders tried to
succeed where the villagers had failed; their intention
was to take the statue back to Burma. Sacred objects
and slaves were then the most sought after spoil for
armies: Holy statues brought good luck to their possessors,
and the slaves were used for work, and to populate
places that lacked inhabitants - - a frequent problem
for rulers in Southeast Asia, who had a great deal
of land but very few subjects. The Burmese, however,
were unable to retrieve the golden Buddha despite
several attempts; they were finally driven off by
a swarm of angry hornets.
After
this the villagers decided to protect their miraculous
statue by covering the part that stuck up from the
ground with a plaster cast of Buddha's head and shoulders'
which is the way it is today. Located north of the
traffic light on the outskirts of Thalang Town (see
map). A large sign shows the entrance.
Khao
Pra Taew Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension
Center 22.28 square kilometers of virgin
forest are covered by this park, which also actively
conserves a number of wild animals; they would otherwise
be extinct in fast-growing Phuket. It is a center
for study of the environment. Forest vegetation is
spectacular: Giant trees supported by huge buttresses
are thick with creepers and climbers of every description;
it looks like a Tarzan movie set. One species of palm
found, the Governor's Palm or White Back Palm (pahm
lahng kao in Thai) is especially rare. Langurs, barking
deer, mouse deer, deer, bear, wild boar, monkeys,
gibbons, and many species of birds inhabit the forest.
Kao Pra Taew serves also as one of Phuket's most important
water sources. There are two waterfalls of note:
- Ton Sai A small falls over which
pours a great volume of water during the rainy season.
The trees, watercourses, and polls nearby provide
one of Phuket's loveliest scenes. The park headquarters
and a small restaurant with an excellent view are
also at Ton Sai. Located near Thalang Town, 22 kms.
from Phuket Town. Go to the traffic light and take
the road running east; look for posted signs indicating
Kao Pra Taew (see map).
- Bang Pae Best known now as the
site of the Gibbon Fund, a project to return domesticated
gibbons to the forest, Bang Pae is a small waterfall
with a shady forest and thick foliage surrounding.
To get there go to the Two Heroines Monument and take
the road running east, the Pa Khlok Rd., 7 kms. to
Bang Pae (see map). Look for the posted signs.
Surin
Beach Evergreen trees rim this small, curving
bay beneath the foothills north of Kamala. Surin is
home to Phuket's first golf course, a nine-hole course
laid out more than sixty years ago during the reign
of King Rama VII. It is now largely in disuse except
as a park The steep incline of the beach, turbulent
water, and big wave make Surin a dangerous place to
swim during the rainy season. Located at the end of
Sri Suntorn Rd., the road running west from the Two
Heroines Monument, 24 kms. from Phuket Town (see map).
Accommodations and restaurants are nearby.
Singh
Cape The name means Lion's Point in English
- - in this case, the mythical, stylized lion of Chinese
literature, not the African variety; there have never
been any lions found in Thailand. The beach is in
a small, curving bay with rocky headlands at the foot
of forest-fringed cliffs and is among Phuket's most
beautiful. Located about 1 km. south of the entrance
to Surin Beach. Look for signs indicating the path
down to the beach.
Bangtao
Beach : Bang Tao is a large open bay with
one of Phuket's longest beaches. It was once used
for tin mining, but has since been developed into
a luxury resort. Most of it is occupied by the Laguna
complex, a massive five-hotel development with golf
course. There are, however, accommodations available
outside Laguna at the bay's south end. Dry season
swimming is excellent. And at the bay's north end
is a smaller bay, almost completely enclosed, at the
mouth of which is some fine coral. Plenty of places
to eat, tour companies, and other tourist facilities
available either at Laguna or in the nearby town of
Cherng Talay. Located off Sri Suntorn Rd. in Cherng
Talay for access to Laguna; the south end of the bay
may be approached by taking the road north from Surin
Beach. To get to the far north end from Sri Suntorn
Rd., take the road leading to Laguna, but do not enter,
continue on to the town of Bandon where there is an
intersection of asphalted roads, and take the one
leading west toward the sea. This road leads also
to Nai Ton Bay and makes a very pleasant drive. Along
the way are some small bays with good swimming and
no development.
Sirinat
National Park (Nai Yang Beach) This covers
90 square kilometers near Phuket's airport and includes
13 kilometer long Nai Yang Beach. The park stretches
all the way to the island's northern tip. There are
a number of interesting places to visit :
-
Nai Ton Beach This quiet bay nestled at the
foot of high hills has a fine strip of sand. There
are some accommodations but virtually no other business;
it's often nearly deserted. Located between Bang Tao
Bay and Nai Yang (see map). From Thep Krasatri Rd.,
turn at the first traffic light north of Thalang Town
heading west, which is the Nai Yang Rd. (so called
because it passes through rubber plantations, or yahng
in Thai). Look for signs indicating the turn-off to
Nai Ton.
-
Nai Yang Beach This is where the National
Park offices are located. The beach itself is on a
long curving bay lined with evergreens that provide
shade to picnickers - - for which activity this is
a very popular spot. The large coral reef is home
to many different species of fish, and Nai Yang is
well known as a site where sea turtles come to lay
their eggs during the period from November to February;
the population of these has, however, dropped off
greatly. First class accommodations are available,
and small food vendors cater to the many day trippers
that visit. To get there take the Nai Yang Rd. and
look for signs indicating the park entrance.
-
Mai Khao Beach Many kilometers of deserted
beach characterize Mai Khao. There is little tourist
business. The water is fine for swimming during the
dry season; the rainy season brings big waves and
strong currents that are dangerous. This lonely beach
is another where sea turtles come to lay eggs. It
is also home to what the Thais call a sea cicada,
which is a form of marine life. To get there go to
the northern tip of Phuket; the beach lies along the
road's length.
- Sai Kaew Beach
This strip of sand is really just the northern portion
of Mai Khao Beach and has much the same character.
Located west of the bridges spanning the channel between
Phuket and Phang-nga provinces.
-
Mangrove Forest Situated in Sirinat National
Park near Ta Chatchai on Phuket's northern tip, the
mangroves- -saltwater swamps with unique eco-systems
much prized by scientists searching for clues about
adaptation and evolution - - cover about 800 rai.
Anyone with an interest in horticulture will be interested
in the many unusual perennial plants found here: mountain
ebony (khong kahng bai lek), red cycas (prohng daeng),
black myrsina (samae dahm), the Lady's Nails quisqualis
(leb mue nang), and various creepers and climbers
are among the more significant. There are also many
mangrove-dwelling animals with unique evolutionary
characteristics. A nature trail has been cleared for
the convenience of visitors with signs indicating
and explaining the various species.
Naka
Noy Island this small, quiet island with
fine sandy beaches lies just off Phuket's northeast
shore. Waters are suitable for swimming. One item
of interest at Koh Naka Noy not found in many other
places is its pearl farm. Boats can be hired from
Ao Por Pier, off Pa Khlok Rd., for travel to Koh Naka
Noy, and package trips are available at tour agencies,
generally including lunch and a visit to the pearl
farm.
go to
top
|
