Like Talen here, I’ve always been interested in Asian culture, and particularly interested in traveling the world in general. So last year when I finally got the chance to visit Thailand and other parts of Asia for the first time, and perhaps the only time in my life, I naturally jumped at the opportunity. Thankfully I’d just freed myself from debt, no small thanks to a little 0 balance transfer credit program, and was finally feeling a twinge of financial freedom again.

So what’d I do? I got myself a low interest credit card this time, slapped it down for a plane ticket, and took off for Phuket, a southern province of Thailand that a good friend assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed with. And thus follows the following: a list of the five places/things that I most thoroughly enjoyed in Phuket, which didn’t send me plummeting back into credit card debt.

Old Town Phuket

If you can pull yourself away from the incredible beaches of Phuket, you might think about venturing off to the historically rich Old Town, where you’ll find Sino-colonial mansions, ornate Buddhist temples, cafes, museums, shop houses, markets, and more.

Big Buddha

One of Phuket’s most sacred and honored places, the Big Buddha is a must-see. With a body contrived of white Burmese marble that glistens in the sun, Big Buddha is a sincerely breathtaking sight, even for an unenlightened Westerner like myself. Sitting 45 meters high atop of Nakkerd Hills, the amazing statue lookout offers a stunning 360-degree view of the island.

FantaSea Show

The island’s biggest show, this amazing performance features trapeze acts, dancers, and performing elephants that will blow your trunk. Before the show, satisfy your taste buds with one of Asia’s biggest buffets, offering delicacies from all over the country. Afterwards, if you’re not too full to stand, explore other entertainment including carnival games, market shopping, a palace of elephants, baby tiger feedings, and plenty of food outlets for those that are somehow still hungry.

Phi Phi Island

For the perfect day trip out of Phuket, throw on your swimsuit and cruise through the water by speedboat to Thailand’s most alluring destination. Visit Phi Phi Leh, the location for Hollywood flick, “The Beach,” and spend the day relaxing and wading in some of the clearest water in the world while pretending to be Leonardo DiCaprio – minus the snake blood drinking of course.

Phang Gna

Just a quick boat ride from Phuket, this nearby province offers much. Explore James Bond Island, enjoy a seafood lunch at Sea Gypsy Village (built entirely on stilts above the water), kayak through caves, or snorkel around the bay. If you’re even more adventurous, join one of Phuket’s most famous tours and embark on an adventure combining elephant trekking, river rafting, and a waterfall excursion through the luscious mountain forests.

If you won’t take my word for it, then take Talen’s – Thailand really is the land of a thousand smiles. It’s got something to make everyone smile, including you. And if you’re anything like me, and are concerned about spending too much, have no fear, like most places in the world, there are ways to get by relatively cheaply. I hope this list helps you enjoy this beautiful province as much as I did. Happy travels.

Related Articles of Interest:

• Travelers Checks a Thing of the Past?
• Finding Work in Phuket
• Phuket Bike Week 2011
• Phuket International Boat Show 2011
• Phuket International Blues Festival 2009

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party

Koh Phangan Full Moon Parties are the end all and be all of parties and one party many travelers must attend every year. Be prepared for a rollicking great time but remember to watch out for your personal safety and stay out of trouble.

If you plan on attending one of the full moon parties you might want to keep a few things in mind:

• While there is a drug culture related to the Koh Phanganfull moon parties, drugs are illegal in Thailand and if caught you will face significant fines, jail time and or deportation and blacklisting from the country.
• Plan ahead and book accommodations early. With over 20,000 people attending each party you want to make sure you have a place to stay.
• If you want to party but don’t want to deal with the noise all night long book a hotel out of town.
• If you want to leave the island the day after the party book your boat in advance as they fill up quickly.
• Police enforcement is stepped up during the party and while they are there for your protection they are also there to make arrests if you get out of hand.

With that in mind remember to look out for your own safety and while everyone loves to party it up doing so to excess could have very real implications. Listed below are the dates for the 2011 Koh Phangan full moon parties.

For much more history and information on the Full moon Parties check outKoh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates 2010.

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party schedule for 2011:

• Wednesday 19,  January 2011
• Saturday 19,  February 2011
• Saturday 19,  March 2011
• Monday 18,  April 2011
• Wednesday 18,  May 2011
• Thursday 16,  June 2011
• Sunday 17,  July 2011
• Sunday 14,  August 2011
• Monday 12,  September 2011
• Wednesday 12,  October 2011
• Thursday 10,  November 2011
• Saturday 10, December 2011
• Sunday 25,   December 2011 – Christmas Party
  
• Saturday 31,  December 2011 – New Years Eve Party

Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates 2012

Related Articles of Interest:

• Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates 2012
• Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates 2010
• Living Like a Thai Day 17: Red Moon Eclipse Edition
• A Birthday Fit for a King
• RoyFest – Phuket Music Festival 2010: Full Moon Version

The Full moon party on Koh Phangan, Thailand has become the quintessential right of passage for many travelers to Thailand. Depending on who you talk to the full moon parties were started between 1987 and 1992 by a handful of backpackers who decided that the best place in the world to witness the full moon was along the crescent shaped beach at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan island. They began to organize small parties among friends at each full moon and over time word spread and the parties became much bigger.

Since it’s auspicious beginnings the full moon parties have grown so much in popularity that it’s not unusual to see between 20-30 thousand people attending any given full moon party and that number grows dramatically during the New Years Eve full moon party. What once began as a small get together with maybe some acoustic guitars or a boom box now comprises multiple venues with world class DJ’s and multiple sound systems.

In recent years the full moon parties have become synonymous with excess and known for rampant drug abuse as well as a huge upswing in the crime rate. There have been quite a few deaths and rapes associated with the event which is billed as the ultimate party experience.

If you plan on attending one of the full moon parties you might want to keep a few things in mind:

• While there is a drug culture related to the full moon parties, drugs are illegal in Thailand and if caught you will face significant fines, jail time and or deportation and blacklisting from the country.
• Plan ahead and book accommodations early. With over 20,000 people attending each party you want to make sure you have a place to stay.
• If you want to party but don’t want to deal with the noise all night long book a hotel out of town.
• If you want to leave the island the day after the party book your boat in advance as they fill up quickly.
• Police enforcement is stepped up during the party and while they are there for your protection they are also there to make arrests if you get out of hand.

With that in mind remember to look out for your own safety and while everyone loves to party it up doing so to excess could have very real implications. Listed below are the dates for the 2010 full moon parties. Keep in mind there is no full moon in February so there will be 2 parties in March.

Full Moon Schedule 2010

Saturday January 30, 2010

Monday March 01, 2010

Tuesday March 30, 2010

Wednesday April 28, 2010

Saturday May 29, 2010

Saturday June 26, 2010

Wednesday July 28, 2010

Wednesday August 25, 2010

Thursday September 23, 2010

Saturday October 23, 2010

Sunday November 21, 2010

Tuesday December 21, 2010

Saturday December 25, 2010

Friday December 31, 2010

Full Moon Party Dates 2011

Related Articles of Interest:

• Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates 2011
• Koh Phangan Full Moon Party Dates 2012
• RoyFest – Phuket Music Festival 2010: Full Moon Version
• 2010 Koh Samui International Jazz Festival
• Thailand Holidays 2010

Phuket attracts a bunch of budding photographers, who usually come to the island with more talent than they find the local media scene can cope with. There are some really good photographers in Phuket, but finding well-paid work is a challenge. If you want to be paid to take photographs in Phuket, you need to network, network and network and then the jobs will come up.

For writers, the island is a lot more forgiving. There are countless publications in Phuket and the Andaman region that will pay decent money for travel articles. It’s just a case of finding them. A number of Bangkok publications will also pay you to write about bits and pieces in Phuket. Again, networking will open up new possibilities.

Another popular line of business is property, but if you’re thinking of going down this route, you will need to be well connected and have a solid game plan. The property market in Phuket is utterly over saturated.

If you want to work in Phuket, you need to meet people and understand the way the island works. It can be a little cliquey at times, but if you can get your foot in, the rest will follow.

This post was written by Matt from Phuket Vogue and Thailand’s Lost Boy.

Related Articles of Interest:

• Phuket International Boat Show 2011
• Phuket International Blues Festival 2009
• Phuket Bike Week 2011
• Phuket Electronic Music and Dance Festival 2011
• Phuket International Blues Rock Festival 2011