Thailand's great island and Andaman launchpad: beaches for every mood, a colorful Sino-Portuguese old town, and the legendary island runs. Karon-Kata suit families while Patong parties; Phi Phi and Phang Nga (James Bond) are the two obligatory sea days; Big Buddha, Wat Chalong and old-town cafés fill land days. A third of native Phuket is Muslim — mosques and halal spread beyond the loud zones; choose your home beach carefully and book island boats by rating, not price.