Rawai

Asia : Southeast Asia : Thailand : Southern Thailand : Phuket : Rawai

Contents [hide] Understand Get in Get around See Do Learn Buy Eat Drink Sleep Get out

Rawai (หาดราไวย์ Hat Rawai) is a beach in Phuket. The northern part of Rawai is known as Hat Mittraphap (หาดมิตรภาพ), while the southern section has a village and port called Laem Ka (แหลมกา).

[edit] Understand

Rawai is located at the southern tip of Phuket. It is much less touristy than nearby Kata and Patong beaches and an excellent place to experience some real Thai culture. This palm-fringed beach is best known for sea gypsies, a formerly nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Malanesian descent.

[edit] Get in

Along with Chalong, Rawai is one of Phuket's two main ports and has connections to many of Phuket's islands.

[edit] Get around

Rawai is quite spread out and a scooter is highly recommended. The longer your hire period, the cheaper it becomes and is possible to hire one for around 120baht/day. Otherwise expect to pay 150-200baht/day depending on the type of scooter.

[edit][add listing] See

• Phuket Sea Shell Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์เปลือกหอยภูเก็ต). The emphasis is on shells from Thai waters, which are among the most sought-after by collectors, however shells from every part of the world are featured. There are numerous rarities and freaks including the world's largest golden pearl (140 karats), large sections of sedimentary rock containing shell fossils, and a shell that weighs 250 kilograms. The museum is open daily from 8.00 a.m. till 5.30 p.m. Admission is 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children. Tel: 0 7661 3666, 0 7661 3777, 0 7661 3678

• Laem Ka (หาดแหลมกา) Just south of the Phuket Island Resort Hotel and north of Rawai Beach is a small rocky bay, popular with Thais at the weekend.

• Ko Kaeo (เกาะแก้ว) Ko Kaeo is an offshore isle about 3 kilometres out from Rawai beach and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat. It offers picturesque beaches and underwater scenery. There is also a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island.

[edit][add listing] Do

Rawai beach itself is only used to moor fishing boats, long tail boats and speed boats, for snorkeling and sightseeing trips to Phuket's neighboring islands. Mid 2007 a new pier has opened, which is not used for boats, but makes a nice walking/fishing pier. There is a Sea Gypsy Village by the pier with shops and longtail boats for rent. Lots of seafood restaurants on the beach, this is where Phuket Town comes on the weekend for a beach party. There are a few popular cocktail bars on the beach for a limited but fun night life.

[edit] Learn

• Rawai Muay Thai [1]. A busy, well respected training camp where there are always many foreign students there to learn Muay Thai (Thai boxing).

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Phromthep Cape Restaurant, 96/6 Moo 6 Vuses Rd, Rawai Beach, ☎ 0 76288656.  edit

• Sala Loi (ศาลาลอย), Rawai Beach, ☎ 0 7638 1297.  edit

• Suan Son Seafood (สวนสน ซีฟูด), Hat Rawai, ☎ 0 7628 8028.  edit

• Mae Klong Sea Food (แม่คล่อง ซีฟู๊ด), Rawai Beach, ☎ 0 7638 1299.  edit

• Nikita's beach restaurant, 44 Viset rd beach rd (on Rawai beach), ☎ +66 76 288703, [2]. 10am 12pm. Nikitas beach side dinning. Fresh sea food, international food, wood fired pizza. $5.  edit
• Tiffany Restaurant and Coffee Shop, 43/87 Moo 7, Rawai (on the main road), ☎ +66857866272 ‎. 8-12. European style buffet breakfast for 149 Baht. Fresh coffee  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Although Rawai is a quieter place, there are still a good number of bars to enjoy a drink at. Clubs such as Icon stay open past 2AM every night and are popular with the local bar girls when they finish work.

• The Green Man(เดอะ กรีนแมน) 82/15 Mu 4, Patak Rd, Rawai (Tel: 0 7628 1445-50) www.the-green-man.net

Ko Kaeo also has a few nightspots.

• Blue Marina Discotheque (บลู มาริน่า ดิสโก้เธค) Ko Kaeo, Tel: 08 1539 3386 (Vibrant discotheque)
• Chili Pub Restaurant (ชิลลี่ ผับ เรสเตอร์รอง) Ko Kaeo

• Laguna Plaza, Bars and Nightclub, Viset Rd (next to SCB Bank). Hosts a series of themed bars, open every night 6PM-2AM. A great place to have a few drinks, play some pool or just chill out and listen to some music before the adjoining Laguna Club opens its doors at 2AM where tourists and locals party until the sun comes up.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

• Ko Bon island is 10 minutes away by boat and has a good beach, restaurant, and a unit of the Evason Hotel.
• Nai Han beach is only a few minutes away by scooter or taxi or local bus and is one of the nicest beaches on the island.