SUMMER CALL. James Bond Island, one of Phuket, Thailand’s premiere tourist destinations makes the perfect getaway this summer. See story on page 3.
PHOTO BY BONG LACSON
PRETTY MUCH like Bangkok.
Though the traffic is not as horrendous, Phuket has its fair share of the Thai capital’s shibboleths of fine but inexpensive street foods, spa and massage parlors, bargain prices for clothes, bags, shoes, fashion accessories and all.
Plus authentic Thai villages and exotic “Thaigerr shows,” thrilling tiger encounters. And cultural revues, notably Siam Niramit – a “must-see show” featuring the “Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam.”
Pretty much like Pattaya.
The bars and the girls evoke memories of Fields Avenue, the beach though spells a whale of a difference. The expanse of the beach, down to the curve is pretty much similar. Though Phuket’s – with the wider choices of Patong, Kata, Karon and Kalim, to name just four – has the whiter, softer sands, approximating to a certain degree that of world famous Boracay.
Exclusive pulchritude comes to Phuket through Phang Nga, where lies majestic James Bond Island, named such for its being the locale of the Roger Moore rendition of 007 in The Man with the Golden Gun.
And as in every Bond movie, the island is a beehive of girls, girls, girls in all shades and shapes, and degrees of undress. Wow! Wee!
Long-tail boat rides through mangrove forests past towering limestone cliffs thick with foliage, and a stopover for lunch – spicy, spicy Thai seafoods, naturally – at Panyee floating island with its quaint Muslim village and golden domes masjid complete the island- hopping experience.
(Cebu Pacific fl ies Manila-Phuket-Manila four times weekly. For the finest tours, contact Tourism Authority of Thailand)
