Check out Sapan Hin

This is a public park located by the sea at the end of Phuket Road. Here there’s an old dredger-shaped monument called somewhat unimaginatively, the ‘60 Year Mine Monument’, which was built on the headland at the southern end of Phuket Road in 1969. This commemorates one Captain Edward Thomas Miles, an Australian who brought the first metal ore-dredger to Phuket in 1909, hence the ‘60 year’ bit.

In former times, Sapan Hin was regarded as the gateway of Phuket because the promontory was the chief trading port for freighters. As time went by, more land was reclaimed and developed into parks and public facilities, which now include a sports centre, large playing fields, restaurants, and the Island’s boxing stadium. It’s also the site of two colleges – Phuket Community College and Phuket Vocational College.

Every day many Phuket residents visit Sapan Hin for jogging or just to enjoy walking along the mangrove-lined paths. In the evenings people turn out to play tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, lawn bowling and takraw. Others come to picnic and enjoy snacks and drinks available from the small market.

At the south end of Sapan Hin is the Kiew Tian Shrine, which plays a significant role in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. All the street processions end here.

To get to Saphin Hin just hop in a Tuk-Tuk or taxi; they all know it.

Get away from the main beaches

Tri-Trang Beach is well hidden from the normal tourist routes, about three kilometres south of the main Patong Beach.

Tri-Trang Beach is great for swimming and snorkeling when the tides are high, but at low tide the seas recede to expose a rocky foreshore. At this time it’s still a delightfully picturesque spot. Just chill on the sunbeds provided.

For the intrepid, there’s a further tiny beach almost adjacent to Tri-Trang called Paradise. To get there from Tri-Trang continue to follow the narrow jungle road keeping a weather eye out for the signs. Follow the small precipitous and winding concrete road passing Baan Yin Dee on up to the Merlin Beach Resort. Drive past the resort and follow the road up the hill through the forest where it ends at Paradise Beach.

Paradise is a private beach open from 9am until 6pm, and is never crowded. The waters are crystal-clear and the pure white sandy beach is framed by a lush green backdrop of coconut palms. Only 150 metres long, Paradise is a jewel in a perfect setting – a serene and unspoilt delight to the eye. There’s a small restaurant, which also rents beach chairs, snorkelling gear etc. If you’re actively inclined why not try sea kayaking among the rocky coves.

If you would seek still more tranquillity and privacy, there’s another small and white powdery-sand beach, located next to Paradise Beach. Just continue south down the small path through the rocks.

Follow the same track up the hill and you’ll reach a quiet and peaceful viewpoint which offers wonderful vistas of sea and surf; the darker blue of the deep waters contrasting with the azure surf effervescing on the dark, rocky promontories. As the sun goes down the whole sky becomes a pastel palette of light and dark – a sight you’ll never forget.