Phuket Stunt Show

When you're tired of risking your life, why not go and see how the experts do it? You can’t miss the showground. After dark, two bright searchlights cut through the night sky and can be seen for miles around. The show runs every night (except Wednesdays) in acustom-designed facility in Chalong. Every night, a team of international and home-grown stuntmen (and stuntladies!) risk their lives in a non-stop, real-time extravaganza, which will have you on the edge of your seat. The stadium is equipped with state of the art sound and light systems, which build the atmosphere of excitement and expectation.

The first half of the show is rather like a circus with water instead of a sawdust ring. One minute you're laughing at the zany antics of the clowns, the next, holding your breath as Olympic divers perform incredible feats – the climax is a 27-metre double summersault dive into less than three metres of water. In between the high dives, a jet ski performs the most amazing, death-defying stunts including the ‘submarine’ where the craft and rider shoot straight upwards and then both plunge below the surface completely – defying the laws of gravity, not to mention sanity.

The second half of the show is a mock battle between pirates and treasure hunters with sword fights, rockets, explosions, fire and fury. It’s just like the movies except it’s happening in front of you – real danger, real fire, real smoke, real noise. You even get to smell the action.

Afterwards stick around for a beer and a bite to eat (the Norwegian smoked salmon with scrambled eggs is highly recommended), and you can get to talk to the performers informally. I wanted to know how a man can run 50 metres with his clothes on fire and live to eat popcorn. The secret? “Make sure you know the wind direction!” For more information visit www.phuketstuntshow.com.

Try Muay Thai (Thai boxing)
Saphan Hin Stadium in Phuket City stages regular demonstrations by well-trained martial arts experts and there are plenty of schools on the island offering training in Muay Thai. If you prefer a quiet gym, then Rawai Muay Thai Camp in the south of the island might be suitable for you. If you plan to watch a Muay Thai fight for real, you should visit the Boxing Stadium located in Bangla Road, Patong. Details: Phuket Boxing Stadium. Bouts are held every Friday evening from about 8pm. Rawai Muay Thai Camp, call +66 (0)81 476 9377 or check www.rawaimuaythai.com. Phuket Muay Thai Camp and Gym is located on Kata Beach, tel +66 (0)76 284090 or check www.phuket-muay-thai.com.