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Visitor Information -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has an office in Phuket Town at 73-75 Phuket Rd. (tel. 07621-2213), but there is far better information at any hotel concierge or tour desk. There are lots of free maps on offer (all are full of advertisements) and for driving around the island, pickup the very detailed Periplus Editions Map of Phuket at bookstores. Restaurants and hotel lobbies are good places to pickup any of a number of free local publications: Phuket Food-Shopping-Entertainment is packed with dining suggestions and ads for many of the island's activities; What's on South has some useful information on Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi and there a few fun ultraglossy local magazines for sale

Medical Tourism in Phuket -- Medical services in Thailand are on par with anywhere in the developing world. Many practitioners have overseas degrees and experience. With such quality, affordable services, many tourists come to Thailand to have work done that would otherwise cost the proverbial arm and a leg elsewhere. So whether it's the root-canal you've been putting off or that cosmetic procedure you've always dreamed of, why not do it for cheap and make up the difference with a few days/weeks/months at a beach resort? There are a number of tour operators that cater to these very needs and Bangkok Phuket Hospital, is one of many quality, affordable choices.

Special Events -- If you are on Phuket in October, don't miss the Vegetarian Festival. The name is misleading -- it's not about animal rights or being health consciousness, but a Thai Chinese tradition on Phuket (and now celebrated widely throughout Thailand) that corresponds with the Buddhist lent. For 9 days not only do devotees refrain from meat consumption, many also submit to physical self-mutilation through extreme body-piercing with long skewers or swords and walk over coals. The festival began as an act of penance to the spirits to help early inhabitants ward off malaria, but these days the rituals are more for young men to prove themselves and for gaining other kinds of merit and good luck. Early morning processions follow through the streets of Phuket Town, with onlookers clad in white for the occasion. During this time you can also feast on terrific vegetarian buffets at just about any restaurant in Thailand.