Practicalities

Paradise may be closer than you think
Phuket enjoys easy international access with direct and connecting flight links to the rest of the world by a modern international airport. Phuket is just an hour's flight from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur; 1.5 hours from Singapore; 3.5 hours from Hong Kong; 7 hours from Taipei or Seoul; 8 hours from Tokyo; 8--10 hours from Sydney; 13 hours from London; or just 17 hours from Los Angeles.

Time: Thailand is 7 hours ahead of GMT.

Currency: Thai Baht. Currency exchange is available at Canal Village, provided by Siam Commercial Bank. Currency Converter.

Weather & Climate
Phuket has a tropical climate and is warm all year round. It is affected by both of the tropical monsoons. Generally the best time to visit Phuket is between November and April. The cool northeast monsoon lasts from November to March when the temperature is relatively low and there is a breeze. April and May are the hottest months, with frequent and short showers. June to August is low season – the weather is reasonable and costs are often lower. September and October is the wettest season.

Etiquette
Things worth remembering…remove your shoes before entering any temple building. Do not treat the Buddha images disrespectfully, although you may photograph monks, temples or images and all Buddhist ceremonies. Importantly for women, do not touch monks or hand anything to them directly.

Visas
Many nationalities get an instant 30-day tourist visa upon arrival. This is non-extendible. If you overstay the term of the visa, there is a fine of 200 Baht per day. If you intend to stay longer, you can obtain a 60-day tourist visa from a Thai embassy before arrival in Thailand. Multiple-entry visas are also available.

For nationalities that do not qualify for an on-the-spot visa, you can have a 15-day visa issued on arrival, which costs US$7. There is a visa booth in customs control at Don Muang Airport in Bangkok, and also a photo booth for the required passport photograph. Applicants must present a return ticket as proof of intent to leave Thailand on time. There is also a visa booth at Phuket airport.

Getting There

Air: Phuket International Airport receives flights from all around Asia, Australia and Europe and flights from Bangkok take a little over an hour. It is a good idea to book your tickets to Phuket early, especially during the November-May high season. When you arrive, our Laguna Phuket Hospitality Centre is located in the Arrivals Hall of the Phuket airport to greet and assist Laguna's guests. The resort is only a 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.

Sea: There are no regular ferry services to Phuket from other countries. If you come from abroad by yacht, you must clear Immigration and Customs located at Chalong Bay, on the southern end of Phuket.

Road: Phuket is 885km south of Bangkok and connected to the mainland by a 1200m causeway. Both government-operated buses and private air-conditioned tour coaches regularly make the 14-hour journey between Phuket and Bangkok. Phuket bound buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal.

Rail: There is no rail service to Phuket itself. The night train from Bangkok (Hua Lumphong Railway Station) to Surat Thani is scenic but very tiring. At Surat Thani you must transfer to a bus to reach Phuket.

Island Transport

Public transport: From the airport, 'limousines' to Phuket Town or to one of the west coast beaches cost 400 Baht. The minibus service is 80 Baht, which can be much slower. There are also the ubiquitous tuk-tuks or open taxis. If you want a tuk-tuk to yourself, expect to pay 300-1,000 Baht, depending on where you are going. Otherwise, if the vehicle picks up more people along the way, the fare should be somewhere around 20 or 40 Baht.

The route buses, or songthaews, are converted trucks with benches serving as seats. They work regular routes and the destinations are clearly marked in both English and Thai. Fares cost around 20-40 Baht per passenger. Motorcycle taxis are for the stouter of heart, and the fares are to some extent negotiable. You can recognise them by the numbered vests on the drivers.

Car rentals: You can hire vehicles by the day or by the week. Make sure that insurance cover is offered as the driver is liable for all damage costs in the event of an accident or otherwise.

Ferries: Regular ferry services run between Phuket and the spectacular Phi Phi islands a couple of hours to the east. Tour boats also offer daytrips to the Similan Islands, about 50 miles to the northwest, which are famed for the quality of their diving.

Boat rentals: You can rent everything from a traditional wooden 'longtail' boat (with driver) to a 30-knot speedboat that can get you to the Similan Islands for diving or snorkelling and back within a day. This is one way to see the Phuket coast from the sea or to visit neighbouring islands. Other ways involve chartering a sailing yacht or getting a place on a live-aboard diveboat.

Telephone Numbers
The telephone country code for Thailand is 66 and the local area code for Phuket is (0)76. To phone Phuket number 123456 from abroad, dial +66 76 123456. From within Thailand dial 076 123456.

Police
- Tourist Police: 1155
- Police: 076 212 046 or 076 212 115 or 191
- Marine Police: 076 211 883

Airlines
- Thai Airways International: 076 211 195 or 076 212 499 or 076 212 946
- Bangkok Airways: 076 212 341 or 076 225 033

Fire: 076 211 111 or 199

Immigration
- Immigration: 076 212 108
- International Airport : 076 327 230-7

Tourist Offices
- Tourist Office: 73-75 Phuket Road ; Tel 076 212 213 or 076 211 036;
- Tourist Service Centre: 076 612 740

Post & Communications
- Public Telecommunications Office: Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town (phone calls can be made from there) Tel: 076 216 861

Hospitals & Treatment
- Bangkok Phuket Hospital operates a central medical clinic located at Canal Village shopping centre. The medical clinic is open daily from 9.00 to 21.00 hrs and there is a doctor on duty from 10.30 to 16.30 hrs.
Tel: 076 325 442

Hospitals
- Medical Clinic at Laguna Phuket 076 325 442 or 076 324 453 - 7. Ext. 206-207
- Phuket International Hospital 076 249 400
- Bangkok Phuket Hospital 076 254 421
- Mission Hospital 076 212 386

Getting Around Laguna Airport Hospitality Centre Practicalities About Phuket

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