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Looking forward to an affordable and enjoyable getaway to Phuket? Let us help you with the plans. Our guidebook and its well-drawn maps will help you find the best places to visit, stay, eat and shop. It'll also give you tips on transport, tours, culture, festivals and the local language.
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| Help Save the Leatherback Turtle! |
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| Fund collecting in progress... |
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| The Leatherback Turtle is the largest of all living sea turtles. It can be easily differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its carapace, which is covered by skin and oily flesh. Found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, it has an extensive global range, reaching as far north as Alaska and Norway, as far south as the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, and the southernmost tip of New Zealand. Classified as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN, the species' global population is dramatically declining. It is threatened mainly by the harvesting of its eggs, which is considered a delicacy and by the pollution of oceans and beaches. Phuket's Mai Khao beach is a nesting ground for leatherback turtles. In 2002, The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation was established to aid in conservation efforts. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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Phuket is an island in the Andaman Sea situated in southern Thailand. As a major tourist destination in the Southeast Asian region, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world each year. It is served by Phuket International Airport, which is located in the north of the island. The main modes of transportation in the city are buses, passenger trucks, taxis, cyclos and tuk tuks. However, being an island, boast are also a very important mode of transport, connecting Phuket to the mainland nearby islands. There are numerous accommodation options in Phuket, from inexpensive lodgings to luxury resorts. The island, which is undergoing intensive development at the moment, has many new hotels, apartments and houses that are currently in construction.
Though known for its notoriously loud and raunchy nightlife, which is concentrated mainly in Patong Beach, Phuket's main attraction is its natural beauty. Blessed with sandy beaches, a mountain range and verdant rainforests, the island delights nature lovers with jungle trekking, bird watching, snorkeling and elephant riding, as well as parks, wildlife centers and nature reserves. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy diving, fishing, water skiing, sailing, kayaking and surfing at Phuket's many beaches, like Karon, Kata, Nai Harn, Kamala and Surin, or in the nearby Similan and Phi Phi Islands. At the top of everyone's list of leisurely activities in Phuket is - spa treatments. Scattered throughout the island, they provide weary travelers with well-deserved rest and relaxation. Visitors can also try out the many restaurants and clubs that offer a dazzling array of food and ambiance, to suit every taste and preference
Families and discerning individuals can go on island tours, rock climbing, play mini golf and visit theme parks like Phuket FantaSea. To make your trip even more memorable, it is best to plan your holiday to coincide with one of Phuket's many events or festivals. The island often plays host to international events such as: yacht racing, fireworks displays, triathlons and regattas, as well as traditional celebrations like Loi Krathong and Songkran. However, if a quiet afternoon is more your thing, pay a visit to the Thalang National Museum, the Phuket Sea Shell Museum or the many historic temples. Shoppers are advised to bring large suitcases, as Phuket's been described as a shopaholic's 'dream come true'. There are open-air village markets, noisy night markets, street stalls and modern department stores, which sell everything under the sun and more. A good number of upmarket boutiques sell traditional handicrafts, designer clothing, jewellery, antiques and housewares.
Though Phuket was greatly affected by the tsunami of December 2004, barely a year later, most of the physical damage caused by the tsunami had gone. Much of the tourist industry, which drives the Phuket economy, has since been restored. To visit Phuket, obtain your Visa at Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates. A single-entry tourist Visa (valid for 3 or 6 months) will cost about USD25. Tourist Visas will allow you to stay in Thailand for up to 30 or 60 days, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. Americans and nationals of some 40 other countries need not apply for a tourist visa for stays not exceeding 30 days.
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