Discover the Best Things to Do in phu*ket: A Traveler’s Ultimate Guide - Only By Land (2024)

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1. 

   Natasha June 12, 2017 at 5:48 pm - Reply

   We will be making this exact journey soon!! But the opposite way from Penang to phu*ket. I will check out the Similan islands for sure, heard lots of great things about them. Your pictures are beautiful

2. 

   Lynne Sarao June 13, 2017 at 12:11 am - Reply

   It has been a dream of mine to visit phu*ket for so long. Every photo I’ve seen looks like heaven. But, beyond the photos I didn’t really know that much about phu*ket. So interesting that so many movies were filmed there and that you can also get a shuttle to Penang quite easily. I’ll have to keep that in mind for when I finally get to visit!

3. 

   Barry June 13, 2017 at 12:13 pm - Reply

   Whoa! Reminds me of the Jason Bourne movie where he does boxing to meet the living expenses in some South Asian country!
   I didn’t know of this boxing scene in phu*ket! Interesting indeed.
   Oooh. Those turquoise waters and those island landscapes look just stunning!

4. 

   Iza Abao June 13, 2017 at 1:31 pm - Reply

   I would definitely like to train Muay Thai too. You look fit and healthy! Muay Thai is cool and a total body workout. I did not know that James Bond has a famous landmark in Thailand. The beach looks awesome!

5. 

   Claire Summers June 13, 2017 at 2:17 pm - Reply

   I must admit I got in and out of phu*ket as quick as I could on my visit last year. But I didn’t realize how many Thai Boxing camps were there. I may have been tempted to stay. Looks like your time there was worthwhile you look so different from your profile picture because of the weight loss. Incredible!

6. 

   Rachelle Gordon June 13, 2017 at 3:40 pm - Reply

   Kudos on the training! Sounds like something I’d like to do, and I’m sure I’d have an internal struggle too if I was ever offered a chance to fight. One of the first times I saw a picture of Thailand was from The Man with the Golden Gun (still one of my favorite Bond films), so it has always had a soft spot in my heart. I’m hoping to visit next year for my birthday!

7. 

   Jean June 13, 2017 at 8:48 pm - Reply

   I’ve avoided phu*ket due to all the Australian tourists. Now I’m more likely to consider it for some Muay Thai training thanks to your recommendation. Though there’s no way they could convince me to fight for reals in a stadium!

8. 

   Whitney June 13, 2017 at 8:54 pm - Reply

   Wow, these are some incredible photos. I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand, this just gives me even more reason to plan a trip. Thanks for sharing these incredible beaches.

9. 

   yukti June 14, 2017 at 3:18 am - Reply

   Loved the beauty of Similan Islands and Phi-phi Islands.The water is so crystal and clear. I am not that much of boxing type but my husband loves it so it would be fun for him to try Thai Boxing on Beach. Big Buddha and Chalong temple will also attract me due to religious importance. Nice photographs with lovely description.

10. 

    Kevan June 14, 2017 at 6:32 am - Reply

    Thanks for the post. I have read alot about Thailand and phu*ket, but never from this perspective. It is so refreshing to hear a different side of a well know place. The boxing camps look grueling, and I can certainly find better ways to fund my travels than getting my skull beaten in like some of the people you described. The timing of your post about is James Bond Island with the recent passing of Roger Moore. He will always be the one that I think of when I think of James Bond.

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      James Smith June 14, 2017 at 3:08 pm - Reply

      I agree, Daniel Craig is a good James Bond but I think Roger Moore will always the best!

11. 

    pranav Gandhi June 14, 2017 at 11:07 am - Reply

    phu*ket and the day tours look so beautiful! I have never seen such good photos of phu*ket! I just knew about it because one of my friend traveled! Great Photography, it was wonderful reading your article.

12. 

    Emily June 14, 2017 at 11:49 am - Reply

    I didn’t realise that you could stay at Thai Boxing camps for weight loss – a good way to stay in shape when on the road! I went to phu*ket a long time ago and it’s been on my list to get back to one day as I didn’t make the most of my time. I wish I’d gone up to see the Big Buddha and the sunset. The Similan Islands are somewhere I’ll have to get to next time – your photos are beautiful!

13. 

    Marge June 14, 2017 at 1:22 pm - Reply

    phu*ket is somewhere I’d love to visit. I’ve been to other parts of Thailand, but ran out of time. The boxing camp looks awesome! And that water color, just stunning.

14. 

    Jen June 14, 2017 at 2:21 pm - Reply

    Thai boxing before a swim sounds like a lot of fun and a great exercise! The James Bond Island looks amazing. I would certainly go on their tours when I get the chance. I also enjoyed watching The Beach and I really want to visit the exact island they used to film! You had a wonderful vacation!

15. 

    Rahul Khurana June 14, 2017 at 3:09 pm - Reply

    Learning Thai boxing must have been an amazing experience and it’ s good that you didn’t go for a fight to earn some money. Hahaha.!
    I would love to visit Phi Phi and James Bond Island for sure. Have heard a lot about it. There are is so much to do in Thailand. I wanted to know that, how much is the cost for a solo traveller to live in and around these islands?

16. 

    Ali May June 15, 2017 at 1:47 am - Reply

    Well done on going for the Thai boxing training – that’s awesome! I bet it was quite an experience. I had forgotten all about that ROger Moore Bond film having scenes in Thailand, until you just reminded me. It’s a pretty cool place, and I guess the popularity of those tours shows how much people love a movie location. I never made it to phu*ket when I visited Thailand, and I’m actually kind of glad about that.

17. 

    Saravana June 15, 2017 at 1:51 am - Reply

    Beautiful photographs of phu*ket. The water looks so transparent and a mix of green and turquoise, I’d love to swim there.

18. 

    Indrani June 15, 2017 at 2:25 am - Reply

    Looks like wonderful day trips are possible from phu*ket. Planning to make it a base when I travel there. I need to invest in a underwater camera before that. Love the shades of water there.

19. 

    Cat June 15, 2017 at 5:38 am - Reply

    I used to live in Penang and didn’t know that phu*ket is so close! Phi Phi Islands sound like the perfect place for water activities. I’d love to go there to to snorkel or scuba dive!

20. 

    Monika June 15, 2017 at 6:18 am - Reply

    Going to Phi Phi islands has been a dream of mine ever since I watched The Beach! I wasn’t aware of how popular Thai boxing is, I love boxing, but I think you did the right thing by not participating in those fights! Interesting to watch for sure though. Thanks for all the phu*ket tips, especially the day trips.

21. 

    Jenni June 15, 2017 at 10:50 am - Reply

    I didn’t realise there were so many things to see in phu*ket when I went I must admit I didn’t do much in actual phu*ket and went on day trips so I think I have to go back and see the big Buddha and try and catch an amazing sunset

22. 

    Sasha June 15, 2017 at 2:43 pm - Reply

    I love the phu*ket region too, James Bond Island and Phi Phi were some of my favourite spots too. Phang Nga is also incredible. Will have to go back so I can visit the Similan islands too.

23. 

    Kassie June 15, 2017 at 11:40 pm - Reply

    This area of Thailand is so beautiful! When I was there I honestly, kept thinking I found the ultimate paradise….until I visited the next place and was even more blown away. I especially liked some of the quieter islands over there like Koh Lanta & Koh Jum! I also did the overland crossing to Malaysia but went to Langkawi instead and was so happy with how quick and easy it was to get a visa.

24. 

    Annie B June 16, 2017 at 6:52 am - Reply

    I visited phu*ket way back in the late 90’s with my parents, and whilst it’s only a vague memory, what I do recall was how beautiful it was. I’d definitely do far more day trips to refresh my memory, but we did Phi Phi and James Bond island – it was just gorgeous!

25. 

    Julianna June 16, 2017 at 4:46 pm - Reply

    Oh how awesome. I’ve been to phu*ket but only to mai Khao in the north – wish had seen more. James Bond island looks great and the Thai boxing sounded exciting.

26. 

    Diana June 17, 2017 at 6:35 pm - Reply

    My friend who just moved to Thailand has been training in Thai boxing for weight loss as well. To see a Thai boxing match in Bangla stadium would be cool. I would love to visit phu*ket and the surrounding islands of Phi Phi James Bond and Similan, the James Bond Island tour especially sounds like fun.

27. 

    Maggie June 19, 2017 at 7:31 am - Reply

    Great information on phu*ket! Such a beautiful island with so many things to do! I would love to hear more on what you have to say about Penang as well as it’s one of my favourite places in SEA. There is WAY more reason to go there than just for the Thai visa office 🙂

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      James Smith June 19, 2017 at 7:45 am - Reply

      Hi Maggie, yes Penang and Georgetown were wonderful, I will be writing and sharing photos about my time there very soon!

28. 

    Chris Chu June 19, 2017 at 8:06 am - Reply

    I remember going to phu*ket before and promising myself to go again in the near future. Your post definitely jumpstarted my desire to visit phu*ket again, I’d love to make day trips to Phi Phi, James Bond and the Similan Islands.

29. 

    Ania June 19, 2017 at 11:13 am - Reply

    Totally cool you did some training in phu*ket, I didn’t realize how many camps there were there. Great article though, I was feeling a bit nostalgic reading this lol.

30. 

    ada June 19, 2017 at 12:27 pm - Reply

    I visited phu*ket and I had an amazing time! I havent watch James Bond movies so I choose my day trip to Phi Phi Island and see the movie location from “The Beach” . I wish I had more time over there as it was truly the best place on earth ! I wish I could stay there forever! phu*ket was lovely too! Great food, beaches and nightlife! A lot do to over there!

31. 

    Lena June 19, 2017 at 5:53 pm - Reply

    What an amazing place! I haven’t been to thailand, but it’s on the top of my travel list. It’s interesting to know, that it’s so easy to travel on to malaysia as well. And Phi Phi Island is a dream of course 🙂

32. 

    Flo June 19, 2017 at 5:53 pm - Reply

    Haha you were offered $300 to fight? That’s hilarious! Do they just offer money to random westerners to fight?! I really love phu*ket (not Patong) and I’d love to go back for the food, sunshine and beaches soon!

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      James Smith June 19, 2017 at 5:59 pm - Reply

      Hi Flo, they probably ask all westerners who are there at least 4 weeks to go for a fight in the stadium, the ladies too!

33. 

    Danik June 20, 2017 at 9:20 am - Reply

    Apart from the usual stuff like checking out the beaches of phu*ket, would love to try some Thai boxing on the beach 😀 That photo looks pretty awesome.

34. 

    Gemma June 20, 2017 at 6:32 pm - Reply

    Wow, the pictures of the Similan Islands are incredible. The water is so blue and picturesque, I wouldn’t have guessed that was in Thailand. There is so much to do around phu*ket, I’ll have to check it out on my next trip.

35. 

    Marcie June 23, 2017 at 12:55 am - Reply

    I love this! We spent part of our honeymoon at Kata beach and it was lovely! The sand is powdery soft and the water is so clear! Phi Phi Island is definitely a must-see place if visiting phu*ket. This post has me dreaming of banana pancakes and mango sticky rice!

36. 

    Anete June 23, 2017 at 12:54 pm - Reply

    This is such an awesome route. I did part of that recently myself. How great are Thai islands?!?! Phi Phi was something amazing. Great photos! Looks like you had an awesome time 🙂

37. 

    Kate June 23, 2017 at 4:25 pm - Reply

    There are so many convincing pictures! Looks like there is so much to do. I’d personally love to take the Thai Boxing classes. I’m always looking for new ways to be a badass 🙂

38. 

    Samantha June 24, 2017 at 11:41 pm - Reply

    I really want to go to phu*ket as its one part of Thailand I haven’t yet visited! I have a few friends who live there and its like paradise. I do love Thailand and really want to go back!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

39. 

    Sandy N Vyjay June 25, 2017 at 10:17 am - Reply

    Thailand is such a lovely country and its beaches and islands are veritable treasures. When we were in Thailand a couple of years back, due to time constraint we were restricted to exploring Bangkok and Pattaya. Hope to get back to explore some of the other treasures like phu*ket. I would love to head out to James Bond Island, being a great fan of the Bond movies.

40. 

    Paul and Carole June 25, 2017 at 8:17 pm - Reply

    phu*ket is a very diverse island and you explain it well in this post. There are some serious tourist traps that are fun to visit but it also has the idyllic beaches as you describe.

41. 

    Swati & Sam June 26, 2017 at 4:22 am - Reply

    I could revisit phu*ket, Thailand anyday. Such a lovely place and such nice people. The day tour to Similan islands was simply magical. Would love to go back again.

42. 

    Stephanie June 26, 2017 at 3:28 pm - Reply

    I am ready to go to a Thai boxing camp. How fun! You mentioned some great places to visit including James Bond Island along with where “The Beach” was filmed. Great information and photos 🙂

43. 

    Shelly June 26, 2017 at 8:39 pm - Reply

    My boyfriend would love to go to the Thai boxing camp! It would definitely be a little scary to participate in a real fight. I would like to see the Phi Phi Islands! The color of the water looks so beautiful!

44. 

    Rhiannon June 27, 2017 at 9:28 am - Reply

    Any idea why Donald Duck Bay is called Donald Duck Bay? Is that the real name? Seems a bit random!
    As for $300 to fight?? No thank you! I suppose if you have no sense of personal safety and don’t mind potentially giving yourself concussion (or worse!) to pay for your holiday then why not, but I’d prefer just spectating. Sitting on the sidelines, well out of the line of fire.

45. 

    Garth June 27, 2017 at 12:37 pm - Reply

    phu*ket is such a lovely place, I’d be quite happy to return one day. Enjoyed reading your post as it brought back memories of going to the Phi Phi islands, they are beautiful. The Similan Islands sound like somewhere we should explore next. Great Photos too! thanks for sharing your tips.

46. 

    Sam June 29, 2017 at 4:18 am - Reply

    Great post about your phu*ket trip. I would definitely like to visit those beautiful beaches and James Bond Island 🙂 fantastic photos! I loved the movie with Leonardo Dicaprio, The Beach so I must go on the Phi Phi Island tour.

47. 

    Siddharth and Shruti June 30, 2017 at 2:52 am - Reply

    The James Bond tour sounds like a fantastic idea, we love visiting movie and movie locations. $300 to fight! Too dangerous, but man you are fit! We would love to visit phu*ket someday and travel around the Island visiting the sites.

48. 

    Raghav July 25, 2017 at 8:15 am - Reply

    My father is just back from phu*ket so I have been hearing and watching videos from the region all of last week. I was there some years back, but never explored it in detail as it was more of a relaxation resort trip. Being a movie buff I missed out on James Bond island, but my father went so I agree it’s worth a trip because the topography with the mountains and the cliffs in the region is quite unique and the canoe they take into the lagoon was pretty spectacular too. Thanks