when in Thailand you have to watch a Thai kickboxing match
a nice and quiet sunset at the beach
vendors continuously work the beach and in the afternoon we make the deal
but the second tier is not bad either
this winning mind-foot combination is for sale in one of the shops
Tara Patong Beach at Phuket Island
Phuket
Island was colonized by Indians some 2000 years ago and its natural reserves have attracted explorers and traders ever since.
From the 16th century onwards, tin mining and export became the economic driver and drew thousands of Chinese laborers.
They left a lasting mark on the local cuisine, culture and architecture as can be seen in
Phuket's Old Town, located in the south-east
of the island.
Nowadays tourism drives the economy and millions of foreigners flock to the warm sandy beaches and waving palmtrees
of
Patong, on the west coast of the island.
The fun does not stop after sunset as Patong has a thriving nightlife.
Phuket's
westcoast was in the frontline of the
Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004, with 1000 people dead or missing and severe
damage to the beaches and infrastructure.
We visited Patong in December 2003, just one year before the tsunami struck...
the front row at Thara Patong Beach
but at 10 AM the front row seats are all occupied or reserved
after sunset Patong comes to life
after the match we hit the streets to find a restaurant. That is no big problem in Patong..
local customs dictate that the match-winner can collect a small fee from the spectators. Pictures are included