Your complete travel guide to Thailand and Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa.
To pass the time sitting in the departure lounge whilst waiting to board my flight, I calculated that this year I'd already spent around 50 hours in flight. That's an awful lot of peanuts. Kicking off 2017 with a few days shivering in Davos, Switzerland followed by the direct meteorological opposite; dripping in sweat in Abu Dhabi , a Sojourn in Singapore, and now I was preparing to be fired off back across the globe again towards south east Asia for a spell in Phuket, Thailand. Known by the moniker as the 'Land of Smiles'.
The fine line between business and pleasure gets blurred when the business side of things requires having to jet off to far reaching exotic locations, on this occasion to oversea the running of a MICE event on behalf of a client.
I'd also have the pleasure of returning to one of my favourite countries. This trip was timed perfectly so I'd narrowly avoid monsoon season, which was expected to arrive in July. However, standing between me and this paradise island, first of all was the matter of a fifteen hour non-stop flight from London, Heathrow to Phuket International to get out the way.
It had been several years since my last trip to the Kingdom of Thailand - to give its official name, and never to this part of the country previously. After 3 and a bit in-flight movies, a questionable meal, loads of peanuts, we were preparing to land in Phuket, International Airport.
Thailand
Totalling 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi)Thailand is the world's 50th largest country by total area. It is slightly smaller than Yemen and slightly larger than Spain.
Phuket
Phuket is is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. It lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga Province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay. It is located on a major trading route between India and China.
Phuket Province has an area of 576 square kilometres (222 sq mi), somewhat less than that of Singapore, and is the second-smallest province of Thailand. Its wealth and prosperity originally derived from the tin and rubber industry. Today, most of the province's income is generated through tourism.
Phuket, often misprononunced, Phuket is actually pronounced 'poo-get' Its name derived from the Malay word for hill (Bukit)
Phuket was formerly known as Thalang (Tha-Laang), derived from the old Malay 'telong' which means 'cape'. The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name.
Seal of Phuket
Phuket's national seal commemorates the sisters -Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon; the widow and sister-in-law of the then recently deceased former military governor of Phuket province. His death in 1785 suggesting to the nearby Burmese army that the island was undefended. However, on hearing of this imminent invasion the military governor's first lady and her sister ordered all the women on the island to dress up as male soldiers and take up positions along the city walls.
This high stakes military bluff paid off, and the advancing Burmese marauders retreated due to the perceived strength of Phuket's defenses. The two women became local heroines for the successful deflection of the invaders. The seal pays tribute to the bravery of Phuket's leadership.
Patong Beach
Patong is the main tourist resort of Phuket. Over the years it has gained much popularity, especially with tourists from Europe. It is the centre for the island's nightlife and shopping district. There are many hotels and bars in the area, and has over the years, developed into a Mecca for tourist. It's easy to understand why, with a 3.5 km beach along the entire length of the town's west side. Featuring a nightlife so rambunctious, its reputation precedes it around the world. Patong Beach is a tale of two cities. By day it’s a bustling, beach resort, known for its slightly higher than average population of vendors, capitalising upon the thriving tourism. Depending on your expectations of a 'beach holiday', a short stay in Pa tong probably won't restore your equilibrium and rejuvenate you from the weariness of your 9-5.
However, it will flood your senses with neon lights, music, energy, food, dancing, and reinvigorate you into a party state of mind. If holiday conjures up images of dozing in a hammock between two palm trees on a desert island. Patong beach probably isn't the destination for you. As well as being the perfect location for a getaway, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has gone for the hard sell to promote Patong beach as a wedding venue, with the panoramic beach views as the perfect back drop for a sunset beach wedding, with several hotels in the area offering fantastic wedding packages to host your nuptials.
I had the privilege of staying at the Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa located on Merlin Beach.
There were certainly no complaints from me concerning the standard of the hotel's location, service and facilities. This hotel is massive! There are tons of food options, 3 different pools, gym, spa etc. The beach is private! The rooms were super clean, without being clinical. The staff were super attentive and very helpful.
My room featured a small balcony which opened directly onto a magnificent beach view.
Certainly not a hardship, when met with this jaw-dropping view of Merlin Beach.
With only a few hours of upright 'sleep' in my airplane seat, and possibly experiencing mild delirium from major jet-lag. Once decamped in my room, a quick hop in the shower, I was straight back out down to the facing beach.
Oh my goodness, having landed at the crack of dawn, the morning sun had just begun to kiss the white sands. With the energy of a dog after a long distance car journey, I darted down the beach towards the sparkling crystal clear waters, and consistent with today's digital age, rather than be in the moment I drew my smartphone to document my surroundings through fear I would one day forget the stunning landscape I once had the pleasure of visiting. And fortunately I did, or we wouldn't have these great photos to rub your noses in.
After dipping my toe in the sea, my energy spike had started to wane and it was back to the hotel room for a disco-nap.Unfortunately, due to the severity of jet-lag, my body required more sleep than a disco-nap was able to cure.
Awaking several hours later than I had planned. Adjusting to my surroundings, after the usual first few confused thoughts of - "...Where the heck am I? What year is it? And, who's the president?"
The distant sound of crashing waves snapped me out of my temporary discombobulation and like an episode recap I was 'back-in-the-room'. Curious as to what the weather was doing during my rest, from my balcony, I could see the preparations of a wedding ceremony unfolding further up along the beach by a gazebo that had appeared. I could make out what appeared to be a bride and groom taking their vows against the back drop of the beach. On closer inspection, I realised that this was a staged photo-shoot, rather than an actual in-progress wedding ceremony. A photo opportunity to demonstrate the resort's potential as an unrivalled wedding destination/venue.
Exploring further through the grounds of the resort I was gobsmacked by the sheer
vastness of the complex. To illustrate the size of this, I snapped a handy resort map I encountered during my reccy of the grounds. As well as being located on a private beach, the resort's other amenities includes;- Three beautifully appointed swimming pools with swim-up bar, modern fitness facilities, kids club, Spa and a wide variety of food & drink options, airport transportation, meeting rooms/conference facilities. Phuket Marriott is located on a beautifully secluded stretch of white sandy Tri-Trang Beach, and boasts its own reef and stylish accommodation. The resort is the ultimate destination for individual travelers, families, weddings and corporate functions. The Phuket Marriott has an outstanding activity program for all ages offering extensive options for the most discerning of travellers. If paradise exists, I had almost certainly found it.
Corporate
Phuket Marriott boasts a large number of meeting and exhibition spaces available to accommodate a range of business and team-building activities organised by a dedicated in-house events planning team offering activities to take you out of the resort and off exploring the island.
Other MICE facilities include:
•7,000 square feet of flexible meeting room space for business events in Phuket
•Modern facilities and in-house dedicated events planning stafF
•One of the largest exhibition rooms in available in Phuket
•High-speed internet access and audiovisual services in meeting rooms
•Various unique team building activities at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach programs available
•Events catering available for delegates
I could have easily lounged on the beach for six days with frozen margaritas working on my tan, but it was time to venture beyond the resort and see what else Phuket had to offer.
I could have easily lounged on the beach for six days with frozen margaritas working on my tan, but it was time to venture beyond the resort and see what else Phuket had to offer.
Things to see and do
The Big Buddha
The 45 meters high Buddha statue (Phra Phuttha Mingmongkhon Akenakkhiri) is one of Phuket’s landmarks. You can see it from many parts of the island and many visitors stop by during their holidays. The temple complex is free of charge and houses an exhibition with the story of Buddha and most of the time there is also a monk present who blesses the visitors before you reach the huge statue. You are invited to leave a donation to fund the ongoing construction of the base and immortalize yourself on a marble slab used for this construction.
Laem Ka Beach
The Laem Ka Beach is one of those beaches that are not so highly populated and neither signposted or visible from the street. A perfect getaway for a bit of peace away from the touristy beaches of Phuket.
The beach is rather small and offers a great view on some islands off the coast and is a great spot for a swim. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere and the beach without all the hustle and bustle.
Wat Chalong
The Wat Chalong is the biggest and most famous temple on Phuket and is located in the town of Chalong. The temple is dedicated to two monks (Luang Pho Champ and Luang Pho Chuang), who lived during the times of King Rama V. There are statues honouring those monks in the main temple.
The large Chedi is in addition to the main temple the highlight of Wat Chalong. There is also access up to the roof to enjoy a beautiful view of the entire temple complex and surroundings.
In stark contrast to the grand temples and classic Thai architecture, I hopped on a shuttle bus and headed down to Phuket old town to explore the markets I'd heard so much about.
A short rickety shuttle ride later, I found myself in Phuket, Old Town.
Phuket Old Town
The old town is definitely worth a visit. The colorful houses in the historical heart of Phuket Town are quite unique in Thailand. You can stroll around the streets, explore the market stalls or just settle down in one of the coffee shops and soak up the atmosphere. Besides that, you can discover sights such as the Chinese Temple or the Sirikit Park ( built in honour of the Queen).
Wat khao Rang
The Wat Khao Rang is one of the less-visited temples in Phuket and is located in Phuket Town. Next to the big golden Buddha statue is another temple building. The staircase is protected by a temple guard in the form of a giant statue. There are also statues from 3 Hindu Gods. The temple looks quite new and is well maintained. It was founded by a monk named Luang Pu Supha who claimed to be the oldest man in the world at 118 years, (although, personally I think it was more likely that after out-living everybody else in the area, he lost track of his age
Bangla Walk
If you've come to Thailand for the party, Bangla Walk in Patong, is one of the most famous red light districts in the country. Featuring everything you'd expect to find in Bangkok, and a 3km beach. The area is very popular for tourists and is therefore prone to crowding as a high volume of tourists, leads to an equally high volume of vendors. Highly unsuitable for families with young children due to the large number of adult-themed bars. Ping-Pong shows have surprisingly very little to do with table tennis, so I'm told.
Muay Thai Boxing
If watching two grown men in hi-visibility polyester shorts kicking seven bells out of each other is your idea of entertainment, Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong is the place for your bloody fix. The ring is located on the second floor, and fights start from 9pm, until midnight. During the day vehicles fitted with loudspeakers are often seen announcing the scheduled fights, alongside the bill boards and posters on display in the area.
Thailand Travel Etiquette
As I previously mentioned Thailand is often known as "The Land of Smiles" which is a testament to the Thai people who are known to be some of the most welcoming and hospitable people on the planet. However this does not give you carte-blanche to go about making tons of faux pas, even though the people will probably continue to smile albeit through gritted teeth. The locals are known to be very forgiving of social blunders made by tourists. The following tips will ensure your experience of Thailand, will live up to its reputation of the 'Land of Smiles', and not the 'Land of filthy looks'.
Observe the following etiquette tips and customs to ensure your visit is a positive experience to keep the locals happy, or don't; discovering things the hard way often makes for a hilarious travel anecdote.
Phuket Do's
•Do take your shoes off - It is extremely disrespectful to keep your shoes on while entering homes, temples, shops and even some restaurants in Thailand. It’s no wonder why slip on/slip-off sandals are so popular, as they can be easily removed. If you notice a big pile of sandals by an entrance door, that's your cue to remove your own.
•Do be careful with your feet -Pointing your feet at someone, raising your feet higher than someone's head, or simply putting your feet onto the table or chair are considered extremely rude in Thailand. The soles of feet are seen as dirty; don't show them to people! Avoid pointing feet at Buddhas. When sitting on the ground, try to sit in a way that doesn't show others the bottoms of your feet. Of all the things not to do in Thailand, pointing with or using your feet is one of the biggest no-nos. Considered the lowest, dirtiest part of the body in many Asian cultures with the head being the highest. Pointing your toes or the bottoms of your feet towards someone or something is extremely impolite. Hence, do not hold doors open with your feet, point your feet towards Buddhas or even angle your feet towards monks.
•Do dress modestly - Yes, Thailand is a tropical country and most days are very warm, but going around town in your two-piece bikini is considered impolite by the local people. Many tourists assume that because of the warm climate it is acceptable to remove their clothing in public, but that is not the case. Beach attire is acceptable on the beach, in some beach-side bars/restaurants and in your hotel room. Otherwise, men, keep your shirts on and ladies, wear your cover-ups. Be extra-conscious of your clothing when visiting temples. Dress conservatively (preferably in white), and women particularly should wear long skirts or trousers and have their shoulders covered.
•Do Return a wai- The wai is Thailand's prayer-like gesture with the hands together in front and head slightly bowed. To not return a wai is considered very impolite; only the king and monks aren't required to return wais. Try not to wai with your hands full. The respect behind the gesture is mostly lost with a travel guide and map in both your armpits and a coconut between your knees. If you do happen to be carrying items you cannot put down a slight bow of your head will generally suffice.
•Do use your right hand- The left hand is considered dirty, as it is sometimes used for "toilet functions." Always use your right hand to pass objects to someone and when paying. Touch your left hand to your right forearm (showing that it is safely out of reach) if you wish to show extra respect.
•Do 'get a room' - Most Thai people will not even hold hands or hug in public, so it's advised to not go overboard with public displays of affection while in Thailand. French kissing in public is strictly forbidden, so save your intimate moments for the privacy of your hotel room or a deserted beach.
Phuket Donts
•Don't hug a monk – I'm not even sure why you would, but if for some peculiar reason you felt compelled to cuddle a monk, please don't. They are highly respected in Thailand and it is therefore forbidden to stand over or be positioned higher than one. If you're chatting to a monk who is sitting on the floor, sit on the floor also. Due to their vow of chastity, they aren’t allowed to touch women. If a monk is required to interact with a woman, he often won’t even hand her something. Rather, he’ll place the item down for the woman to pick up for herself. Even on buses, monks are not allowed to sit beside a woman. Ladies, if you spot a vacant seat next to a monk, rushing over to sit by him, will force him to get up, find a new seat and failing that possibly stand up for duration of the rest of his journey.
•Don't disrespect the royal family – Unlike members of our own royal family who are regularly lampooned. The King of Thailand and his Royal family are highly regarded in Thai society. There are often many pictures commemorating them throughout the country. Therefore, it is very disrespectful to say anything or act in any way negatively towards the Royal family, even stomping on a dropped Thai coin as it rolls away is considered a no-no; coins display images of members of the Royal family and past relatives. Remember - Thai people find it insulting to be touched by feet.
•Don't point with your fingers - Pointing at someone is considered rude in many cultures but particularly so in Thailand. If you must indicate a person, do so by lifting your chin in their direction. When motioning for someone to come over, don't use fingers pointed upward; make a patting motion with your fingers straight and palm toward the ground. Pointing at inanimate objects and animals is usually acceptable, but it's more polite to point with your entire hand rather than a single finger.
•Don't throw things - Tossing an object or money in someone's direction is rude. Take time to walk things over to people and pass items properly, face up, preferably with your right hand. Unfold money when paying someone.
•Don't touch anyone on the head - Do not touch a Thai person’s head or ruffle their hair, as this is seen as very disrespectful. If you happen to touch someone’s head by accident, apologize immediately. Thai people will sometimes pat a child on the head, but as a Westerner it’s best not to do this to any child to prevent any embarrassment. The head is regarded as the highest part of the body.
•Don't lose your cool - Raising your voice at somebody, blowing your top, or displaying strong emotions is generally frowned upon in Thailand. Keep your cool even when things do go wrong; you'll be more respected for doing so. When things hit the fan, rather than having a public Basil Fawlty style meltdown, chuckle to yourself and say "mai pen rai." There are many different opinions on the direct translation,(personally when used in this context, I think it carries the same meaning as 'C'est la vie' or 'Hakuna Matata',) but mai pen ray literally means “no worries” or “it’s nothing.” The expression can also be used as “your welcome” after someone says “thanks.”
•Don't shake hands but do have a 'wai' ready - Thai people typically do not greet each other by shaking hands because they do not like to have personal contact with strangers. Rather, they place both their open palms together at chest height and bow slightly. This is called wai. It would be wise to practice this greeting before you visit. Do not bow to children or a person of lower status however, as you would only be embarrassing them. If you are greeting a person of high importance, bow slightly deeper.
•Don't eat with a fork - Dining is a social affair in Thailand. There are no specific dining periods so visitors can enjoy cheap yet delicious food all day and all night from local restaurants, street side vendors and hawker stalls. Thai food is eaten with a spoon and a fork, but it is the spoon that goes in your mouth. You use the fork to push the food onto the spoon. Thai food is often cut into small pieces and served soft enough that a knife is not necessary. Chopsticks are only used when eating noodles.
•Don't whistle at night - One of the things on this list you might not be aware of. You’ll notice that Thai people may become very uneasy if they hear a whistle after dark. This is because they are very superstitious and believe that whistling at night is bad luck because you’re calling out to evil spirits. Don't be singing 'Always look on the bright side of life' after dark, and if you must, do leave out the whistley bit.
•Don't let a tuk-tuk driver take you to a gem shop - A little bit scary, this one. - This is one of the biggest scams going, in the tourist areas of Thailand. Tuk-tuk drivers will try to persuade you to visit a special gem shop. Some may even go so far as to say that your intended destination is closed due to a public holiday and try to convince you to let them take you to where the best deals are. Inside these kick-back shops, tourists are usually harassed, possibly drugged, and told that they can buy hand cut jewels and sell them at home for a large profit. However, most victims are swindled out of a lot of money in exchange for fake costume jewelry.
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