The document provides information about a planned 3-day trip to Phuket, Thailand from October 15-17, including details about transportation, accommodations, attractions, events, currency exchange, and dining options.

1. Trip to Phuket

2. Phuket Island Map

3. Phuket’s Geography Phuket lies off the west coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea, approximately 890km from Bangkok. It is Thailand's largest island Phuket is separated from the mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, where a causeway connects the island to the mainland. Phuket is quite hilly. The most beautiful beaches are found on the West coast, separated by rocky coves and headlands. The east coast comprises limestone shoals with only a few sandy beaches while spectacular limestone islands adorn the horizon. Coral gardens full of exotic marine life dot the emerald waters surrounding the island, although sadly much of Phuket's coral has been disappearing due to environmental pressures and human activities.

4. Attractions Phuket is a heaven for leisure activities, both on land and in water. Whether you like action in the water, there are water sports available such as sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and jet ski. They are available for rent at watersport centres, Kayaking or canoeing is available at most of the resorts and watersport centres located throughout. As the island abounds with magnificent marine life, scuba diving and snorkeling should not be missed.

5. Places to visit

6. If diving is not for you, there is submarine tour service to take to down to explore the ocean. Tropical forest on the island allows an exploration on foot or on elephant’s back. More adrenaline-driven sports like paintball, bungee jumping or go-kart are available too.

7. MARKETS AND BEACHES

8. Weather and Climate Located in the Andaman Sea, Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate with dry and wet seasons. In its hot season, the weather is bright and sunny. It can be sweltering hot in some months. During the rainy season, some beaches in Phuket can be dangerous due to the undercurrents. But in general, the downpour takes only a short time and followed by the sunshine.

9. Best time to visit The best time to visit Phuket is during the months of November to March. During this time of the year cool, moisture-laden North Eastern winds keep flowing in from the sea. The average temperature during this period remains at a comfortable 75ºF to 89ºF (24ºC to 32ºC), which is really attractive for tourists from coldest regions of the world.

10. Currency and time difference The currency used in Phuket as well as in the rest of Thailand is the Thai Baht. The present conversion rate for 1 US Dollar equals to around 32.09 Thai Baht according to international Foreign exchange rates. Time difference: 2hrs ahead of india

11. Phuket City Map

12. Air Tickets Date of trip: 15 th October- 17 October 2010 2 nights/ 3 days trip Airlines: Air India Round trip for 1 adult price: 24,550

14. Hotel Patong Beach Lodge 207/21-25, Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong, Kathu, 83150 Phuket 2 star Hotel Cost: THB 1900 for 2 nights

15. About the hotel Patong Beach Lodge is located along Patong Beach, a 5-minute drive from Jungceylon Mall and Bangla Road. The hotel offers 24-hour reception, an outdoor pool with jacuzzi and a restaurant. The air-conditioned rooms at Lodge Patong Beach come with a cable/satellite TV and minibar. Standard amenities include a tea/coffee maker and free bottled water. Guests can enjoy water sports such as skiing and snorkelling by the beach.

16. The hotel features a 24-hour business centre and a quiet library. For convenience, safe deposit boxes at the front desk and laundry services are provided. Orchid Lounge overlooks the pool and serves Thai and international dishes. Cocktails and light refreshments are served at the Pool Bar. In-room dining is available. Hotel Patong Beach Lodge is a 20-minute drive from Phuket’s city centre. The hotel is 25 km from Phuket International Airport.

18. Phuket Events & Festivals

19. Phuket Vegetarian Festival: 8th - 16 th October, 2010 The Vegetarian Festival takes place at the start of the ninth Chinese lunar month, which falls in late September or early October. This is Phuket's most famous and spectacular festival. The rituals, which last for nine days , are performed to purify both body and mind. During this time, participants go on a strict diet, which is technically vegan as no animal products are allowed to be consumed.

20. Loi Krathong: 21 st Novenber, 2010 Loi Krathong takes place on the night of the full moon in November and is the most magical of all Thai festivals. Small lotus-shaped boats woven from banana leaves, called krathongs , are floated on water. These vessels contain small flowers, candles, incense and offerings to thank Mother Water for providing water for them to use.

21. December 2010 King's Cup Regatta: 4th - 11 th December The King's Cup is Asia's premier regatta. The event takes place in the first week of December as it was inaugurated to honour the King's birthday, which is on December 5th. Sailing enthusiasts from around the world come to Phuket every year to take part in the event, which not only involve lots of sailing but plenty of parties in the evenings. Laguna Phuket Triathlon This annual competition takes place in the Laguna Resort complex at Bang Tao Beach. It attracts professional and amateur triathletes from around the world. The event comprises a 1.8km swim, 55km cycle and 12km run through beautiful natural surroundings.

22. Patong Carnival The event is held to celebrate the start of the high season at Patong Beach. There will be 3 stages on the beachfront featuring displays of traditional Thai culture performed by university students brought in from various regions across the country. There will also be plenty of stalls selling handicrafts, food and beverage, fireworks displays, and parades.

23. March 2011 Phuket Gay Festival The Phuket Gay Festival is one of Phuket's largest annual events. Taking place in Patong, the festival runs over four days with many parties, a volleyball tournament and a street parade that is the highlight of the festival. The Thao Thep Krasatri - Thao Sri Suntorn Festival (mid-March) This event is held annually in mid-March to honour Phuket's two heroines.The festival takes place in the area around the heroines' monument on Thep Krasatri road. There is a fun-fair, food stalls and stage performances throughout the week.

24. April 2011 Songkran: 13th - 15th Beginning on the 13th of April Thai people all over the country celebrate the Thai New Year, the most important holiday on the Thai calendar. The holiday is best known for revellers playfully splashing water on each other and dabing scented powder on each others faces as a new year blessing. People roam the streets armed with high pressure water pistols or stand by the side of the road with buckets and hoses, ready to drench any passer-by. If you venture out during this period, the 13th in particular, expect to get soaked!

25. Phuket Food & Dining Guide Street Food and Hawker Stalls in Phuket Day or night, you will see them everywhere. Along the beach front, the roadside, the markets and at any major event. The Hawker stalls (some permanent, some temporary) sell an incredible range of food from fruit to spicy salads. These vendor stalls may be treated warily by some visitors because of hygiene fears, but many visitors find that what is on offer is deliciously satisfying, and incredibly good value. Some of the foods offered by such vendors are not available in standard restaurants or food outlets, and offer your only chance to sample some really unique tastes.

26. Rattan Baskets The simplest of vendors carry their wares in balancing rattan baskets slung on a pole, which is carried across the back. From these vendors you can buy grilled bananas, sweet potato or corn, grilled eggs (still in their shell), steamed groundnuts or corn, BBQ chicken, satay, meatballs on skewers, garlic sausage, sticky rice mixed with banana and shredded coconut or red beans wrapped in banana leaves. Some even have a tiny hotplate for grilling tiny coconut puddings!

27. Stainless Steel Carts The next step up in sophistication is the mobile vendor selling wares from a stainless steel cart with wheels, pulled or pushed along the road. You can find a great range of natural ice creams. The cart is equipped with a stainless steel container packed with dry ice to keep the ice-cream icy cold. Often you'll hear them coming before you actually see them as they often have a small cow bell attached to their stall to attract customer's attention. Flavours include the favourite - coconut ice-cream, sometimes decorated with corn, red bean and coloured noodles made from yam paste.

28. Motorbike Side Cars The most sophisticated of vendors have stalls attached to a motorbike. They usually have a favourite spot to settle down in for the day or night, where they place a few small plastic or wooden chairs and tables around so that customers can sit and eat on the side of the street. Depending on the food, the stall might be equipped with a charcoal grill, hot plate and preparation area, with all the ingredients either hanging down from the top, or stacked around the sides protected by Perspex walls. Serving more than just snacks, these stalls can provide substantial meals and attract dozens of customers at busy times of the day.

29. Vending Areas Often you will come across clusters of such vendors - each offering something different, so that the customer can pick and choose from a variety of stalls and have a veritable feast for 40-50 Baht. You might find the following being sold - egg or rice noodle soup, with or without broth, containing beef, chicken, pork, or fish balls, ground beef or seafood, vegetables or tofu; fried noodles with chicken, seafood or pork, vegetables and egg; Thai style sukiyaki; fried vegetables with or without tofu or meat; glutinous rice with chicken and broth; red pork or duck with rice; stewed pork with pickles and greens and boiled egg on rice; northeastern Thai food such as papaya salad, mango salad, warm chicken , beef or pork salad, grilled pork or beef accompanied by sticky rice; Biriyani chicken with soup; mango and sticky rice; fruit shakes; and much much more.

30. Links http://www.agoda.in/asia/thailand/phuket/patong_beach_lodge_hotel.html http://www.hotels.com/search.do?pointName&searchParams.arrivalDate=15-10-2010&searchParams.departureDate=17-10-2010&lon=0.0&queryFormState=CLOSED&searchParams.hotelId=273079&searchParams.resolvedLocation=destination%3A1308721%3AUNKNOWN%3AUNKNOWN&monthCheckOut=10&fromHotelDetails=false&destination=Phuket%2C+Thailand&fromLandmark=false&showSimilarDestinations=true&searchParams.rooms[0].numberOfAdults=1&asaReport&dayInMonthCheckIn=15&destinationId=1308721&fromDisambiguation=false&destinationForLandmark&monthCheckIn=10&activeTab=DESTINATION&dayInMonthCheckOut=17&lat=0.0&rooms=1 http://www.tripadvisor.com/Discount_Hotels-g293920-Phuket.html http://www.travelchacha.com/outbound/Phuket.html http://www.phuket.net/visit-phuket/ http://internationalflights.yatra.com/flight/intl/searchIntl?depart_city_1=DEL&destination_city_1=HKT&flight_depart_date_1=15/10/2010&class_1=E&ADT=1&CHD=0&INF=0&type=R&ci=AGR_TRP_OB_AIM&depart_city_2=HKT&destination_city_2=DEL&flight_depart_date_2=17/10/2010&class_2=E http://www.phuket.com/dining/index_cuisine.htm