Situated in the ‘Land of a Thousand Smiles,’ Phuket is rich in culture, treasured sites and picturesque landscapes. When in Club Med Phuket, we highly recommend that you venture on excursions outside of the resort. With so many opportunities for cultural explorations, here are 5 things to do in Thailand you should not miss out on:

Venture on a journey to the Phi Phi islands

Book in for a day trip to the renowned Phi Phi islands for a taste of its beauty and charm. Painted with clear blue waters and unparalleled topography, it’s no wonder it's become a popular shooting location for many Hollywood movies like ’The Beach,’ ’Stealth’ and ’Cutthroat Island.’

Start the day trip on an hour-long speedboat ride to the first stop of the excursion, Phi Phi Leh island. You'll want to come prepared with bathing suits and plenty of sunscreen. Here, you’ll be basking in the sun and cooling off in the water for a refreshing swim and snorkel. The next stop is Phi Phi Don island for some shopping in the village area. It’s the perfect opportunity to find souvenirs for friends and family back home. By the end of the excursion, you’ll have embraced yourself in the beauty, cuisine and culture of Phuket.

Explore the cultural heritage of Phuket town

You don’t have to venture far to find cultural attractions. Only a 30-minute drive from our resort is the historical Phuket town. Phuket town is a great place to spend a day away from the beach as its rich with cultural heritage. Influenced by Sino-Portuguese architecture, the buildings are blanketed with vivid colours, decorative tiles and intricate designs. You won’t find a town like this anywhere else.

There’s almost an infinite number of things you can do in Phuket town. For all things culture, make your way to the Thai Hua Museum. Here, you'll learn about the history of the first Chinese immigrants into Phuket. For your shopping and food cravings, visit the town on a Sunday for the street market at Thalang Road. If you’re solely looking to wander and explore with no plan in hand, head over to Thalang Road where you’ll find everything from cafes, shops and admirable architecture.

Discover Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok

If you're looking to go a bit further afield, take an excursion to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. If you’re interested, make your booking in our resort and our GOs will assist you with everything from airport transfers, tour guides, and tickets for the places you will visit.

On a two-day trip, expect to make the most of the city’s many monuments, markets and authentic Thai dishes, like exploring the National Palace, the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho, just to name a few. You’ll also stop at Bangkok’s famous floating markets where you can devour in traditional Thai fruits, vegetables and dishes. Visits to these places is one of the best things to do in Thailand. By the end of the excursion you'll be an expert in all things Thai culture and tradition.

Pay a visit to the Big Buddha

Built in 2002, the famous Big Buddha landmark is one of Phuket’s most cultural and religious symbols. Not only is the impressive 45-meter marble-crafted statue a must-see, but the 360-degree views overlooking the south of the island is an attraction in itself. We highly recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset for the best views.

Although the Big Buddha is one of Phuket’s most popular tourist destinations, it is still important to remember that the Buddha itself is an active temple in which monks are present. For that reason, it is a must to dress modestly – covered shoulders, no beach wear, and knees covered. You’ll also notice that the atmosphere here is peaceful and calm, a far cry from the noisy bustle of Phuket’s commercial areas. At the temple, you’ll often hear services and melodic chanting coming from the Big Buddha itself. So, if you’re looking for a deep dive into all things culture and tradition, visiting the Big Buddha is one of the best things to do in Thailand.

Explore the charming sceneries of Phang Nga Bay

For a traditional island visit experience, join our excursion to Phang Nga Bay, one of Phuket’s most famous attractions. The natural limestone formations and multitude of islands form among the most beautiful sceneries in the world. When you’re staying at Club Med Phuket, getting to Phang Nga Bay from Phuket is easy. We can help you arrange a day trip cruise for you with transport from the hotel and even a Thai style buffet prepared on board for you when it’s time for lunch.

To see all of Phang Nga Bay, we’ll take you on a cruise on a traditional Chinese junk. From here, you can either jump on a canoe to discover Hongs which are hidden caves and grotos found in some of the surrounding islands. But for the most popular attraction at Phang Nga Bay, we'll take you to visit the famous James Bond Island, a shooting location for the movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun.'

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