What to see and do in Phuket, Thailand – top 10

By: Andy Burrows

Phuket's natural beauty, thriving international community and pristine beaches set it apart fro Thailand’s other resorts. Even after the tsunami of 2004, the communities consolidated efforts have succeeded in holding on to almost all of the former clout as a tourist hub. The tourist industry here is second to none, and visitors are always well catered for, no matter their preferences or background.

Adventure sports

Adventure sports are top-notch in Phuket, and due to the island's status as one of Asia's top tourist destinations, the offerings and equipment are first rate as well. The adrenaline sports of Phuket are all about getting a new perspective on things. Nothing affords this better than perching on the back of an elephant and traipsing through the jungle or taking a plunge under the care of Thailand's only licensed bungee jump operator. There's also a shooting range on the island and it's possible to join guided ATV tours headed to remote beaches and into the hills on the island's interior. Less jostling go-kart rides can be taken in most of the major towns.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre

The Gibbon Fund is found on the Royal Reserve on the same land as the Bang Pae Waterfall. This project takes domesticated gibbons and makes every effort to reintroduce them into the wild. To date, three families have been successfully grafted back into their natural environment, and lucky visitors can catch sight of these primates among the trees.

Water sports

The beaches at Phuket are world-renown for their clear and calm Andaman waters. Visitors arriving on the island have the opportunity to enjoy water-related sports and activity which are central to a stay in Phuket. Diving and snorkelling present a wonderful vantage point on the underwater environment. To take in the vistas directly above sea level, there are mooring areas all over the island with the possibilities of sailing lessons, dinner cruises, fishing expeditions and kayaking. Those who wish to raise themselves high above the water can gain a new perspective on the island while parasailing.

Island hopping

The Thai islands of the Andaman Sea are known around the world for their beauty and glamour. A couple of them have been featured in James Bond films, with another having appeared in the Hollywood film, The Beach. Boats can be chartered to every one of the islands in the archipelago, and some of them offer modern amenities and accommodation, while others remain remote and relatively untouched. Some of the most staggering views can be found around these more primitive islands and can be comfortably enjoyed from the boat, some of which are sleeper-equipped. Islands like Phi Phi have plenty of accommodation to offer guests.

Waterfalls

The three major waterfalls of Phuket are all worthy of their own daytrip. Ton Sai is a picturesque waterfall surrounded by palm trees. Kathu Waterfall is located farther inland and many visitors choose to stop here and enjoy a picnic or a swim in its cool pools. Bang Pae Waterfall sits on the land of the Gibbon Fund and visitors to this stretch of land can enjoy the scenic waterfall along with the added possibility of catching sight of a gibbon in its natural surroundings.

Eating out

What better reason to travel to Thailand than to enjoy the endless supply of Thai food? The abundance of fresh seafood only enhances this draw in Phuket, where the tourist scene rolls out a full menu of possibilities ranging from Thai favourites to international specialties. Quality dishes can be found at the food stalls and small restaurants as well as at the resorts and five-star hotels. The most authentic food is found away from the beaches.

Shopping

While Phuket's shopping scene is as exhaustive as the markets in Bangkok, there are still plenty of opportunities for bargain shoppers, antique hunters and more mainstream shoppers seeking souvenirs. Leather goods, ceramics, jewellery and clothing are in steady supply. It's even possible to get fitted by a tailor and have some clothes custom-made during your stay.

Thai kick boxing

Muay Thai is Thailand's contribution to the martial arts scene. This form of kick boxing has been developed and honed in Thailand for centuries, recognised today for its highly effective moves. Exhibitions take place in Phuket Town every Friday night. Meanwhile, those who wish to study Muay Thai will find training gyms located in Phuket as well as at Rawai and Chalong.

Temples

There are a few Buddhist temples, or wats, on the island. Most of them are easily accessed from the main roads, and local taxi drivers will readily know them all. Shoes should be removed and shoulders and knees covered before entering a Thai temple. Some of the well-reputed temples include Pra Nahng Sahng, Pra Tong, Put Jaw, Jui Tui and Sanjao Sam San. Wat Chalong is probably the most popular with tourists, with its many murals, unusual design and modern pagodas.

Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape has been widely photographed over the years, mostly for its spectacular scenery and beautiful sunsets. It's also worth a visit to take a look at the peculiar shrine which locals adorn with miniature elephants as a means of making merit. There's also a statue that was built in honour of the Thai prince who modernised the country's navigational methods and founded a maritime school in the 19th century.

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Phuket A Haven for Investor

By: Wolfgang Jaegel

These days, visitors to Phuket cannot help but notice the number of premium property projects being marketed on the island. Developers on this tourist hotspot are going all out to woo buyers with projects running the gamut from luxury villas to upmarket resort condominiums with ultramodern facades and interior design.

Post-tsunami Phuket’s property market is enjoying a boom fuelled by rising demand from expatriates. Real-estate consultants say foreign investors from Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe and the Mediterranean from the bulk of buyers who are snapping up properties across the island.

Traditionally hot market Property on Phuket has always been sought after, owing to its status as a top resort destination in Southeast Asia. About the size of Singapore, the 570 sq km island attracts tourists and investors with its striking natural beauty, unique brand of Thai hospitality and cost of living that is lower than other markets in the region such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

“[Phuket] distinguishes itself by its unique blend of safety, unrivalled hospitality, and the degree of sophistication of its economy and property market. It is a fully serviced island with first-class facilities, very accessible from anywhere in the region, thanks to its international airport, and benefits from a fantastic natural environment,” notes David Simister, chairman of CB Richard Ellis Thailand.

Bouncing back post-tsunami It’s not just luxury villas that are being snapped op on Phuket. Consultants say the island is enjoying strong demand across the entire spectrum of properties available. Supply has also evolved to fit all budgets, from US$70,000 ($1 approx US$ 0.64) to above US$ 7 million.

Where are these investors coming from? Analysts say demand has historically been from cosmopolitan Hong Kong and Singaporean residents, as well as western expatriates living in the region. That profile, however is changing. “ We are now seeing an increasing number of high net worth individuals coming from areas such as China, and expect to see more and more buyers from Europe as Mediterranean resort prices continue to rise and people realise that Phuket can offer a very good value-for-money exotic lifestyle.” says Simister.

Choice investment properties Potential buyers on Phuket invariably look for ocean-view properties, which are highly sought-after because of limited supply. These fast-selling developments include Trisara, which consists of exclusive US$ 2.6 million to US$ 5.3 million ocean-view and ocean-front villas on 1,300 to 2,900 sq.m. land plots adjoining an eponymous six-star hotel. Another sought-after development is The Heights, with 200 to 415 sq.m. sea-view condominium units priced from US$ 400,000 to US$ 950,000. Both projects sold half the units released within months of launching.

While buyers previously looked to projects on the traditionally popular west coast of the island. Phuket’s south and east coast are steadily gaining prominence as an alternative, as a result of the exhaustion of prime land in the west coast. A high-end project with prices lower than that on the west coast is Supalai on Ao Por, which offers three-and four-bedroom villas with sea views for less than 20 million baht. Just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, the area is less crowed and located near amenities such as golf courses and marinas. Such properties represent much better value for money, with higher capital-appreciation prospects as the area develops.

While consultants say Phuket’s property rental market is still in its infancy and most investors buy for owner-occupation, properties can offer healthy yields depending on their type, location and furnishings. Simister of CB Richard Ellis estimates that yields for an actively managed property can range from 6% to 12% a year, based on 100 nights’ occupancy. He adds that rental returns usually reach their full potential once the property and development it is in are fully completed and have been in operation for high seasons.

Room for more growth CB Richard Ellis is more bullish. Simister says, “Far from being a bubble, the high level of real estate activity seen on the island is only the beginning. Phuket is in the early stages of a long-term growth curve. The market has only one way to go, which is up, in terms of volume of sales, and range and sophistication of properties and facilities offered.”

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Phuket Honeymoon Spa Dedicated Relaxation

By: Maypopup M.

In this article, we will discuss why this subject is so important and how you can benefit from this information.

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ingoing the function vicinity of the variety-new royal Spa is a relaxing experience in itself. The interiors are daubed in yielding and organic lighting, and furnished with antique and contemporary pieces. The song is reserved at discrete readings. While sipping on gently-brewed herbal teas, you are guided through the wide menu of Body, thoughts and Soul treatments by professionally-skilled members of force.

Alligned with the obsolete origins of Thai press, intentions are mostly from the Sri Vijaya kingdom that spanned the vital and southern regions of Thailand between the 7th and 9th centuries. The mostly Hindu influences came from India. Life-mass sculptures of handsome figurines, recreated from this era, are set in niches along the corridor primary to secretive suites. A figurine farther each scope holds a lit candle when it is taken, assuring you broad privacy.

Each secretive suite is easy yet elegant. The stockade are sheltered in mellow, rose-coloured silk with light green accents, and the intention shape of the lotus. With over 300 plaza metres of dedicated treatment locale, the spa skin 4 of these enclosed and outside suites, each with a very open 60 plaza metres.

Going through the final part of this article, we will see just how important the subject can be to many people.

Alligned with the primeval origins of Thai knead, outlines are mostly from the Sri Vijaya kingdom that spanned the middle and southern regions of Thailand between the 7th and 9th centuries. The mostly Hindu influences came from India. Life-mass sculptures of charming figures, recreated from this era, are set in niches along the corridor important to secretive suites. A figure outer each extent holds a lit candle when it is engaged, assuring you finished privacy.

Each reserved suite is austere yet elegant. The parapet are roofed in yielding, rose-coloured silk with light green accents, and the create pattern of the lotus. With over 300 shape metres of dedicated treatment vicinity, the spa skin 4 of these internal and outside suites, each with a very open 60 shape metres.

A average stately Spa Suite includes: a secretive therapy preparation region (withdraw from the guest region), two lush storeroom-extents for guests, a shower and steam extent, a surplus extent, two interior treatment beds, a jacuzzi with a relaxing Thai-design couch, and a large outside suspended treatment bed. All venues have imposing views of the sand of Nai Harn Bay.

Two of the stately Spa Suites have sole skin: A wet-treatment marquee with a Zen backyard and mineral treatment beds, where you can indulge in a body clean, or any of the wet treatments, in full privacy. A lotus pool and buried jacuzzi finished these oases of relaxation.

After experiencing some of our dedicated treatment parcels - Honeymoon Experience, totality Relaxation, Away from it All, or A Day In The Kingdom of Siam - Body, thoughts & Soul will remain in your recall of Le royal Meridien Phuket liner guild royal Spa.

That's the hottest from the phuket honeymoon spa authorities. Once you're forward with these dreams, you'll be disposed to move to the next degree.

If you could take the main ideas from this article and put them into a list, you would a great overview of what we have learned.

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Jumeirah | jumeirah island | phuket ocean villas | beach villas

By: Matt

Jumeirah Hotel Pool Villas Released For Sale On Jumeirah Private Island PhuketThe Ultimate Valentine’s Day wish list item, HONG KONG, 12 January, 2008HONG KONG, 12 January, 2008

- TGR Group Asia, the visionary developer behind Jumeirah Private Island Phuket, has today announced that Jumeirah Hotel Beach Villas are being released for sale from 1 January 2008, just in time for lovers seeking the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift!

Jumeirah Private Island Phuket is an 80 acre exclusive island resort scheduled for completion in late 2009/2010 and set to offer levels of luxury, privacy and security as yet unseen in Asia Pacific.

In total, there are 12 pool villas set amongst tropical gardens that all command open sea views. The beach villas offer direct beach access and views of scattered islands.

Jumeirah Hotel Beach Villas are an investment based purchase with a compulsory lease back to the Jumeirah Group in place. Buyers can expect a minimum guaranteed yield of 5% for the first 3 years although projections are in-excess of 7%; and sixty days personal usage per year.

Each Jumeirah Beach Villa has direct beach frontage, 220sq metre indoor living space, 350sq metre external living space and a total plot size of 650 sq metres.

If you would prefer to take up permanent residency on the island, there are just a few remaining properties of the 48 residential villas being constructed, starting at US$3 million. So far homeowners from 14 different countries have committed to making Jumeirah Island Phuket their tropical residence.

All properties enjoy full access to a number of luxurious Jumeirah managed facilities including a super yacht marina capable of accommodating yachts of up to 70m with 24-hour access. Facilities will include four restaurants and bars as well as extensive leisure and fitness facilities including a large free form swimming pool, tennis court and Jumeirah’s signature Talise Wellness Spa. In addition, the Island will offer a private yacht club, boutiques, a business centre and a library with dedicated reading room

The island, set to be managed by Dubai based luxury international hospitality group Jumeirah, is located less than 500 metres off Phuket in the Southern Gateway of Phang Nga Bay and will encompass exclusive residential villas, resort, super yacht marina and yacht club.

Jumeirah Private Island Phuket will offer spectacular views of the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay to the north, views of the beaches of Ao Po Bay to the west and two 450 metre white sand beaches with views of both Naka Yai and Naka Noi.

The greatest care has been taken to protect the ecology of the island. Only 25% of the island will be built on, an integrated rainwater collection scheme will be in operation, thermal insulation in all roof structures will reduce air conditioning energy consumption, double block cavity wall and double glazed windows and patio doors will encourage thermal efficiency.

The resort can be reached by a seven minute helicopter rise or by a 15 minute car journey to Phuket followed by a four minute private motor yacht ride. Transport on the island itself will be by electric car only.

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Ladyboys of Phuket

By James Spellman

When I first told my friends that I was planning an extended stay in Thailand, it is amazing how many times I heard the same stupid reply - "watch out for them ladyboys!" Again and again, I heard this inane comment until it really started to grate. Everybody making the same stupid joke as if it was clever and original. What a ridiculous stereotype of Thailand, I thought. As if there are ladyboys everywhere you go.

The funny thing is, once I moved to Thailand, I soon discovered that ladyboys, or katoeys as they are known in Thailand, really are everywhere. It is not just a handful of them working the tourist resorts. You will see them working in shops and restaurants. Even if you go out into the country, you will find katoeys. They really are everywhere.

In fact, I had not been here long before I had a personal acquaintance who was a katoey. One of the things I noticed was just how comfortable other Thais were in her company. Straight Thai men were quite happy to give her compliments such as telling her how beautiful she looked. They all called her 'she' as it is polite and made her happy.

Personally, I was initially a little uncomfortable in her presence. I wasn't scared she would jump on me. She was a pleasant and well-balanced person. I was just a little unsure how to deal with her. It was the charming way the other Thais treated her that soon put me at ease.

What is a Katoey?

What exactly is a katoey? I had this discussion with a couple of western friends recently. They both live in Phuket and both said that you can only call someone a katoey if they have had gender altering surgery; otherwise, you should use the term ladyboy. This I feel is a western invented distinction. Katoey is a Thai word and that is not how it is used.

Thais use the term much more loosely. They use the term for any man who acts like a woman. Transgender male is probably the closest English term. Men who have gender altering surgery are katoeys. So are those who take hormones to create female attributes such as breasts. So are those who dress up like a woman. In fact, even gay men who put on a bit of make up and flounce around are referred to as katoeys.

Why so many Katoeys in Thailand?

By this definition, there certainly are plenty of katoeys in Thailand. So why is this phenomenon so much more common here than in other countries? It seems unlikely that there is a genetic reason for Thailand to have more transgender males than other countries. I think the reason is much more to do with the tolerant attitude of the Thai people.

There are many katoey TV stars, singers and models. They even have katoey beauty contests. There have been several katoey movies such as 'Beautiful Boxer' which is the true story of a katoey who became a champion Muay Thai fighter. She would often kiss her defeated opponents.

Katoeys seem to be a widely accepted part of Thai society. This is probably partly to do with the Buddhist religion and its preaching of tolerance towards others. However, other countries with a strong Buddhist influence (Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Laos, Japan) are not known for their ladyboys.

There must be something else at work. I think one strong factor is the Thai belief that life should be fun (sanook). When they see a katoey, they think it is fun. They will laugh and joke about it but not in a nasty way. They certainly will not hurl abuse or threats as might happen in western countries.

So the main reason why there are so many katoeys in Thailand is simply that Thai society is open and tolerant to them. It makes you wonder how many transvestites there might be in western countries if our societies were a little more forgiving.

How Many Katoeys Work in Phuket?

In the wake of the tsunami tragedy and the media feeding frenzy that followed, a friend sent me an article from a British newspaper. The reporter was in Phuket and obviously struggling to compete for attention with reporters at harder hit areas. So he did what a lot of reporters in Phuket did and started focusing on the seedier side of the local nightlife. Quite what this had to do with the tsunami tragedy I am not sure.

This particular reporter seemed to be fascinated with the ladyboy scene. He made a few sweeping generalisations about Phuket's nightlife, suggesting the whole island was truly a cesspit of debauchery. He then claimed there were 5,000 ladyboys working in Phuket's sex industry and a huge demand for their services.

Where did he get this figure? It seems like a very bold claim. Is there a census? Do the authorities make a ladyboy count? I really doubt there was a reliable statistic available to this reporter. Like most of his report, I think he just made it up but he obviously saw enough ladyboys around to think it was a reasonable guess.

Phuket's high season population is estimated to be around 500,000. If 5,000 of them are ladyboys then that would be 1% of the population. That would seem very unlikely but not totally inconceivable. But he said 5,000 actually working in the sex industry. Where was this army of available ladyboys?

At Soi Katoey in Bangla Road, Patong, there are always a few dancing at the front of the soi. There is another katoey bar at the back and Moulin Rouge ladyboy show. But surely even at the highest estimate, there could not be more than 50 ladyboys working in Soi Katoey. There are maybe another 30 performing at Simon Cabaret Ladyboy Show - does that even count as the sex industry? For the sake of argument, let's say it does. Then there is the gay area around Soi Paradise. There are quite a few ladyboys around this area but I think an estimate of 100 would be very generous.

There are a few ladyboys freelancing along the beachfronts where they annoy passing drunks. But really, they are not there in very high numbers. Let's be generous again and say 100. Have I missed any? Maybe there are a few dotted around other sex establishments.

So even if we round up my figures, we have a very generous guesstimate of 300 ladyboys active in the sex industry. I actually think that is probably extremely generous. A lot of the above figures are probably the same katoeys moving from location to location and I think I have overestimated all my guesses. The total figure could be as few as 100.

So I would say somewhere between 100-300 katoeys working in Phuket's sex industry. Certainly not 5,000 but then a figure of 100 would not make good press.

Men and Katoeys

So what about the demand for Katoeys? Are there really lots of men looking for their services? Since their most common approach seems to be trying to fool very drunk men, I would guess that their services are not massively in demand. I have met a few men who have had sexual encounters with katoeys. Most of them claim it was a drunken mistake.

I did meet one guy who happily proclaimed he had just been 'blown off' by two katoeys in his hotel room. He was rather proud of himself and certainly not claiming it was a mistake. You do meet some funny characters in Patong.

I guess there is some genuine demand for katoeys. Although they are active in the gay area, I do not think it is strictly a gay thing. Although they are made-up as women, I do not think it is a straight thing. But there is a hard-to-define group of men who do find katoeys attractive. Certainly, there is a lot of curiosity about them. Every month, the word 'katoey' is in the top 20 list of search keywords that have led people to our Phuket website. And we only have a small section on katoeys.

Negatives

Although katoeys are generally well accepted in Thai society there is still a negative side to their reputation. They do have a reputation for being spiteful and untrustworthy. I have personally met a few during my years in Thailand and I have to say that on the outside they all seemed well adapted and happy. However, I have also heard plenty of stories of katoeys involved in criminal activities such as pick pocketing and other thefts. They have also been known to harass and threaten passers-by late at night while looking for customers along the beachfronts.

These things certainly do happen but the scale of the problem is not clear. Whether katoeys really commit crime on a scale greater than other Thais is hard to judge.

They also have a reputation for being emotionally unbalanced. As I said, all the ones I have met have seemed fine. However, I think it is fair to say that the strains of their lives are very demanding and it is not surprising that many of them lose emotional control easily.

The tolerance of katoeys in Thai society is not absolute. Their families, particularly the fathers, sometimes reject them. Men who in most other ways are tolerant of katoeys, can still find it shameful to father one.

And the authorities' tolerance also has its limits. When a katoey volleyball team won the national championship, two of the team were selected for the national team. The government stepped in and blocked their selection. They did not think it was good for the country's image.

Saving Private Tootsie

In 2002, there was a Thai movie given the English title 'Saving Private Tootsie'. In this movie, a plane crash strands a group of katoeys in the jungle of a war torn neighbouring country. A group of macho Thai soldiers is sent to rescue them. The story revolves around the personality clashes between the flouncy katoeys and the macho soldiers as they try to escape this neighbouring country.

In the end, they all pull together to make the final crossing back to Thailand. The soldiers put aside their dislike for the katoeys and their leader returns home to finally accept his son, who is also a katoey.

The movie's message is one of tolerance that is typical of Thai society. At the end of the movie there is a nice quote from one katoey. "I may have been born in the wrong body, but at least I was born in the right country."

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Thai Wives - Why Are So Many Westerners Coming To Phuket To Marry?

By James Spellman

Here on the beautiful island of Phuket in Thailand, there are a great number of mixed Thai-Western marriages. It really is turning into quite a phenomenon. Around Phuket's schools and playgrounds it is common to see mixed-race children happily playing with the 100% Thai kids. They are usually easy to spot with fairer skin, western features and non-black hair. A whole generation of culturally diverse, multi-lingual children is growing up and will soon be quite an asset to Phuket's tourist industry.

This phenomenon of mixed marriages in Phuket has really exploded over the last decade. Of course, the major reason is the expansion of Phuket's tourist trade. When you have more than a million western visitors a year, it is natural that some of them will meet and fall in love with local people. Especially when the local people are so appealing.

But there must be more to it than that. The tourist resorts around the Mediterranean, Caribbean and US also receive millions of foreign visitors a year. There are mixed-nationality marriages at these resorts but not thousands in a small area like there are in Phuket.

One thing stands out when you look at Phuket's ex-pat population -the vast majority of us are men. Probably around 90% of the ex-pat population is male. That is not the case when you look at the breakdown of tourist visitors where the split is only 60-40 in favour of males.

So while there are many women visiting Thailand, only a small percentage of them decide to settle here. It is probably a similar percentage to those that settle at other holiday resorts. But the men are marrying Thai women and settling here in numbers that way exceed what is typical elsewhere. There is an obvious conclusion to draw. There are a lot of men coming to Phuket to actively seek wives. They are not just falling in love while on holiday - they are coming with the pre-planned intent of finding a doe-eyed Thai beauty to be their spouse.

Many men seem to be dissatisfied with their experiences of women in their home country. Society has changed rapidly in the west over the last few decades. Women have become more confident and assertive. They can be intimidating to approach and fast with a withering put-down. They are much more demanding in their relationships and expect a lot of concessions from their partners.Many men do not like it. They still want the fifties ideal of a feminine, doting wife.

So they come to Thailand in search of the answer to their problem. Here, they believe they can still find women who are beautiful, feminine and attentive to their husband's needs.

It is dangerous to generalise too much about the men who marry Thai girls and settle in Phuket. They all have their own story. Just the same, there are common patterns. You can place a lot of these men into three broad groups:

Group 1. There are those that come to Phuket for 'normal' reasons such as work or a break from work. It is natural that some of these people will meet and fall in love with locals. This happens all over the world. There is no doubt that Thai women are very charming so perhaps it is more common here than elsewhere.

Group 2. Then there are those who fall in love with their bargirl. The girls who work in the sex industry are good at selling themselves; it is their job. It is not usually the hardened sex-tourists that fall for their charms. They tend to pick up a new girl every night with no emotional attachment. It is the new guys. The men who come to Phuket for the first time, not quite knowing what to expect. They probably have an idea that they are going to pick up a prostitute but they don't know how it works. They end up doing the GFE (girl friend experience). That is picking up a bar girl and then keeping her for the entire length of the holiday. They act as if they are boyfriend-girlfriend. The girl gets plenty of time to weave her magic. She tugs the guy's heartstrings with her life story until he is brimming with sympathy. She gives him lots of affection and by the end of his holiday, he is in love.
(see http:// www.knowphuket.com/ naughtynightlife. htm for more info).

Group 3. Then there are those who come with the pre-planned intent of finding a wife. They have thought about it and come to the reasoned conclusion that a Thai wife would make their life better. Some of these guys will look for their new wife around the sex venues of Patong. Others want to stay away from the sex industry girls. They may try dating agencies or internet matching services. Some of them will try to meet 'good' Thai women away from the tourist resorts. Their approaches may vary but the conclusion is the same - they think a life in Phuket with a Thai wife would be better than their current life back home.

Whatever the reasons, the mixed Thai-Western marriage is now an established part of Phuket's scenery. Not all of these Western men find their dream wife. Many of these marriages run into problems but that is true of marriages the world over. There can be extra problems related to marriages between people from different cultures. Still a lot of western men are very happy with their choice.

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