If you want to get an eyeful of sea critters without getting wet, then this centre displays a varied collection of tropical fish and other marine life. Some are alive in tanks, others stuffed and displayed. The sea turtle exhibit is the most impressive and informative.

The museum contains five exhibit halls that mainly chronicle southern themes, such as the history of Thalang-Phuket and the colonisation of the Andaman Coast, as well as descriptions of the various ethnicities found in Southern Thailand. The focal point of one hall is a towering statue of Vishnu that dates to the 9th century.

This multi-million-dollar 'cultural theme park' was voted best tourist attraction in Thailand from 2000 to 2004. Despite the billing there aren't any rides, but there is a truly magical (if undeniably gaudy) show that manages to capture the colour and pageantry of traditional Thai dance and costumes.

Combined with state-of-the-art light-and-sound techniques that rival anything found in Las Vegas (think 30 elephants, acrobats, magic and rain), the show takes place on a stage dominated by a huge replica of a Khmer temple reminiscent of Angkor Wat. Kids especially would be captivated by the spectacle.

There is also quite a good and varied collection of souvenir shops and bars in the park offering Thai-made handicrafts, fire juggling and elephant rides. The Thai buffet dinner is surprisingly good. Tickets can be booked through hotels and tour agencies.

Karon and Kata were both spared the large scale tsunami damage suffered by other beach towns and are now up and running again. These two coastal resorts draw visitors who are looking for comfort without the noisy freneticism of Patong to the north.

A long sweep of gently curving beach, Hat Karon remains relatively undeveloped. More grand resorts will no doubt arrive, but for now, at least, there's an element of hush about the place. The northern section of the beach, around Th Vitat, is a little dowdy, but features a handful of decent budget hotels, while the southern section blends seamlessly into livelier Hat Kata.

Of the twin resorts, Kata is the more interesting destination for younger travellers, with a livelier, more upbeat atmosphere. It is also home to some of the island's best restaurants, including the celebrated Boathouse.

There's not much to do along this stretch of beach except - well - go to the beach, but it's well positioned to reach all the major attractions Phuket has to offer.

This tiny island is known for its chao leh (sea gypsy) village and hilltop reclining Buddha. There's a loop road that goes around the island, passing a few residences, shrimp farms, rubber plantations and a bit of untouched forest. The main beach, Hat Teum Suk, has chairs and thatched shelters; it's modest, rather a local hang-out.

The village is the largest settlement of Urak Lawoi sea gypsies in Thailand. It's little more than a poverty-stricken cluster of shacks on stilts and a seafood restaurant called, rather poignantly, Gypsy World.

The Urak Lawoi, the most sedentary of the three sea-gypsy groups, are found only between the Mergui Archipelago and the Tarutao-Langkawi Archipelago, and speak a creolised mixture of Malay and Mon-Khmer.