SW explores an interesting island
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Suwitcha Chaiyong
Did you know
Tin mining used to be the main source of income in Phuket.
Known primarily for its beautiful beaches, Phuket also has plenty of other attractions to impress tourists. There is wide variety of things to do on the island, from visiting historical buildings to enjoying the island’s natural resources.
Student Weekly recently visited some of the most intriguing destinations in Phuket.
Place: Wat Phra Thong or Wat Pra Pood
Description: At this temple, only the top half of a large golden Buddha statue is visible. Local legend has it that when people tried to dig up the rest of the statue, something strange always happened, so it was decided that it was best left as it was.
Next to temple of the Golden Buddha is Wat Pra Thong Museum, which displays interesting antiques such as utensils, dishes, paper money, coins and wind instruments.
Highlight: The Golden Buddha and antiques.
Opening Hours: Daily from 7 am to 5 pm
Admission: Free
Location: The temple is 21 kilometres from the city. Get on the Thep Kasat Road until you pass the Amphoe Talang crossroad and the district office. The road on the right leads to Wat Phra Thong.
Place: Phuket Bird Park
Description: Phuket Bird Park has more than a thousand birds including parrots, hornbills, ostriches and hawks. Visitors can get close enough to the birds to feed and take pictures with them. The park is full of greenery, making it nice and shady.
Highlight: There is a bird show at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.
Opening Hours: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Admission: 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for children aged 4 to 14.
Contact: 085 789 8000, 076 367 576 and 076 367 586
Website: www.phuketbirdpark.com
Place: Baan Teelanka (Upside Down House)
Description: This is an interesting man-made attraction in Phuket, and the only Upside Down House in Thailand. It’s a good place to visit for people who like to take quirky photos. Near the house is a 950 square-metre labyrinth called A Maze, which was designed by well-known British maze and puzzle designer Adrian Fisher. The labyrinth isn’t too complicated for kids, so it’s a good place for visitors of all ages.
Highlight: Take quirky photos in the house or from the lawn.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Admission: Upside Down House: 200 baht for adults, 120 baht for children aged 4 to 11.
A Maze: 100 baht for adults, 70 baht for children aged 4 to 11.
Contact: 084 456 5279
Website: www.upsidedownhouse-phuket.com
Place: Chinpracha House
Description: Built in 1903 by Prapitak Chinpracha, this old house was built in a Chino-Portuguese Style. Most of the furniture is antiques from China, while other decorations were imported from Europe, including fences from Holland and a ceramic floor from Italy. Both the house and the original furniture are preserved in good condition.
Highlight: The beautiful old architecture and decorations.
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm
Admission: 100 baht
Contact: 076 211 281
Vocabulary
- primarily (adv): mainly
intriguing (adj): very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious
utensil (n): a tool that is used in the house
hornbill (n): a type of bird with a large, curved and often brightly-coloured beak, found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia
greenery (n): attractive green leaves and plants
man-made (adj): made by people; not natural
quirky (adj): slightly strange in an amusing or attractive way
labyrinth (n): a complicated series of paths, which is difficult to find your way through
