There is no shortage of tropical beach paradises in SouthEast Asia where you can get away from it all. So what makes Phuket, the largest island in Thailand and its richest province, so special?  Superb white sand beaches, topical jungle, rocky headlands, stupendous sunsets, crystal clear ocean water, world-class restaurants and resorts, top-flight golf, and legendary Thai hospitality and charm are a start. Phuket has everything that you need to live a full and rewarding life, with enough variety to please any temperament. Here is a sampling of what makes Phuket so special.

World-Class Hospitals
Medical care is at the top of most people’s lists when considering a place to call home. High-quality, affordable care is of the utmost importance, and there is no shortage of these in Phuket. Thailand is a significant leader in medical tourism, with Bangkok and Phuket being at the forefront. For all your medical needs, whether it be an annual checkup, dentistry, or a major operation, you will find fully qualified doctors, surgeons, and specialists with experience in the latest technologies and procedures. Best of all, medical services are a fraction of the cost of the same services in North America and Europe.

Schools
If you have children, then education is necessarily a primary consideration in choosing a home. In addition to local schools, several of which have bilingual programmes, there are two international schools with English as the primary teaching language. QSI is a small school offering education in the American curriculum, while British International School is a large school offering a British curriculum to boarding and day students.

Beaches and water sports
You can hardly talk about Phuket without mentioning the fantastic beaches and crystal waters of the Andaman Sea. Wander down to the beach and rent a chaise and umbrella for the day for pennies, then lie back and wave your hand to order another beer. There are many beautiful beaches around the island, with most of the popular white sand, swimming beaches on the west coast. The east coast is rockier and home to marinas and harbors catering to yachtsmen, sailors of every stripe, and fishermen. Game fishing, coral reef diving, parasailing, and snorkeling are a few of the many options to explore.

Recreation
Golf, golf, golf is the lure for many a sporting visitor to Phuket. World-class golf courses like Blue Canyon Country Club offer a variety of courses to play, all under the tropical sun and in beautiful settings. Female caddies add an element of fun to the game, contributing their knowledge and expertise and adding a unique Thai spirit to your experience. Non-golfers can enjoy bungy jumping at a waterfall, elephant treks, snake and monkey shows, or a trip to a nearby island on a longtail boat. The Phuket Zoo, Phuket Aquarium, and Butterfly and Insectarium are fun and informative for visitors of any age.

Shopping
Whether your shopping taste runs to handcrafted items or boutique finds, you can indulge your passion on Phuket. Just before the sun sets, night markets spring up all over the island, offering produce, prepared foods, and everything else you can imagine, all reasonably priced. Bargaining is half the fun. Batik shops offer colorful cloth and shirts, and home décor shops have wood carvings, antiques, and silver treasures you will enjoy for many years. For upscale, modern shopping, Robinsons department store in Phuket Town and Central Festival mall have all the fast food and designer clothing you could wish. Shop til you drop at Jung Ceylon, a new multi-building complex in Patong that features displays and demonstrations of Thai handicrafts. Several grocery stores carry a wide range of Western and imported foods, and Big C, Tesco Lotus, and Makro are fully stocked with everything you might want for housekeeping.

Dining and Nightlife
Surrounded by the sea, Phuket is naturally home to a wealth of fresh seafood that is artfully prepared everywhere you go. From freshly caught fish grilled at roadside stands by the beach in Rawai to upscale dishes prepared by international chefs at award-winning restaurants, the choices are endless. Thai food is known for its layers of flavors and complicated spices. Try home cooking with Chinese influences at local shops or dine on elegantly garnished classical Thai dishes at finer restaurants. There is no shortage of excellent steakhouses and authentic Italian, German, and French restaurants (usually run by authentic Italians, Germans, and French). After dinner, you can party until dawn at one of the many lively beer bars, go-go clubs, discos, and cabaret shows.

Festivals and Events
There is always something to celebrate on Phuket. Traditional festivals like Loy Krathong are beautiful and traditional, while Songkran is wet and wild. The annual Vegetarian Festival, held only on Phuket, is host to some of the stranger and more bizarre rituals that you may ever witness. Phuket is also host to world-famous events such as the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and the Johnny Walker Classic Golf Tournament (held three times in Phuket). Phuket also plays host to a variety of tournaments and festivals each year featuring international competitors in surfing, volleyball, rugby, and more. Jazz and blues festivals, boat shows, art exhibits, and much more will keep you as busy as you want to be.

Thai Culture and Hospitality
Thailand is known everywhere as “The Land of Smiles” for good reason. Thai people are naturally hospitable and friendly and welcome you to paradise with open arms. It is a place of contrasts, with elaborate and bejeweled Buddhist temples sharing the neighborhood with simple Muslim mosques. Thai massages are legendary and inexpensive at neighborhood massage businesses, or elaborate and pricy at upscale, full-service spas. The silk-clad, modest Thai woman gracefully bowing in the traditional wai greeting and the knee boot-clad, miniskirt wearing bar girl are all part of the scene. You have the freedom on Phuket of choosing your own style. Eat and live simply, taking in the best that nature has to offer, party until the sun comes up, or indulge in elegant rituals and the finer things of life. It’s your life, so have fun. That’s the Thai way.