PHUKET FEATURE (1)

Language: Most people you'll deal with speak English and some also speak French, German, Italian, Japanese and Chinese.

Social Conventions:
The main religion is Buddhism. Treat Buddha images with great respect; don't lean/climb on images to take photos. Feet are considered unclean insome parts of south-east Asia. Do not point to or touch things with your feet. When sitting on the floor, guests should not sit with their feet facing forward. Remove your shoes before entering the main building of a temple and when visiting a home. Women should dress conservatively. Bare shoulders and mini skirts are not appropriate for formal occasions. Women should not touch a monk/his robe and also not hand any object directly to a monk - give it to a man to hand over or set the object down and let the monk pick it up. Don't touch anyone's hair/head and don't point your feet or fingers at anyone. Also do not clap/snap your fingers and beckon someone with your palm downwards. Don't show affection for your partner in public. Always stay calm in difficult situations - smiling is used for many things from avoiding confrontation to showing appreciation. It is an offence to make negative comments about the King or Royal Family, incl. destroying or defiling items carrying royal symbols, e.g. bank notes.

Office Hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri.
Shopping Hours: 0900-2100 Mon-Sun.
Banking Hours: 0830-1530 Mon-Fri.

Public Holidays 2008 - New Year's Day (1 Jan); Makha Bucha (21 Feb); Chakri Day (6 Apr-clebration, 7 Apr-day in lieu); Thai New Year (13-16 Apr); Labour Day (1 May), Coronation Day (5 May); Buddha Day (19 May); Mid Year Bank Holiday (1 Jul), Asalha Bucha Day (17 Jul), Khao Phansa Day (18 Jul); The Queen's Birthday (18 Aug); Chulalongkorn Day (23 Oct); The King's Birthday (5 Dec); Constitution Day (10 Dec); New Year's Eve (31 Dec).

Special Events 2008:
Gay Festival (Mar-Apr);
Phuket Fireworks Festival (Aug);
Por Tor Festival (Aug-Sep);
Vegetarian Festival (Oct);
Soccer 7s (Nov);
Laguna Phuket Triathlon (Dec);
King's Cup Regatta (Dec);
Andaman Sea Rally (Dec 2008-Jan 2009).

Tourist Attractions:
Khao Rang; Chalong Temple; antique buildings; Rang Yai island; Naga Pearl Farm; Siam Safari; Phuket Aquarium; Phuket Butterfly Farm and Aquarium; Thai Village and Orchid Farm; Saphan Hin; Phuket Sea Shell Museum; Khao Phra Thaeo National Park; Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre; Similan islands; Phi Phi islands; Phang Nga Bay; beaches e.g. Kata, Karon and Patong; Tarzan's Jungle Bungy Jump; Old Chinatown; Marine Biological Research Centre; Top Gun; Night Markets (in Patong/Phuket Town); Wat Chalong, Wat Phra Thong and Wat Phranangsang Temples; The Boathouse (Kata Beach); Khao Sok National Park.