Amanpuri - Phuket Island is off the west coast of the Kra Isthmus, 890km south of Bangkok. First mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd Century, the island was a regular port of call for Arab and Chinese ships. Portuguese and Chinese settlements began to appear in the 18th Century. Phuket is 50km long and 21km at its widest point. Connected to Thailand’s Phang Nga province by bridge, the island is surrounded by the azure Andaman Sea. Phuket is served by numerous domestic and regional flights and Bangkok, less than two hours flying time away, has connections to major international destinations. Complimentary private limousine transfers to and from Phuket airport are offered to guests and the 17km drive to Amanpuri takes 25 minutes. Climate The dry season in Phuket extends from November to April. The rainy season is between May and October. While there can be frequent showers during the rainy season, these tend to be of short duration and are often followed by sunshine.  Room Forty pavilions and 30 Thai villa homes are interspersed throughout the coconut grove. The resort’s pavilions are 115 square metres each, including the private outdoor terrace. Pavilion rates are determined according to view and location. All pavilions feature an outdoor sala, a king-size bed, separate bath and shower, refrigerator with fully stocked minibar, electronic safe, stereo CD cassette system, IDD services and wireless broadband connections, also available in public areas of the resort, and air-conditioning. Pavilions 105 and 103 enjoy the best views of the Andaman Sea.  Language Thai is the official language but most people associated with travel on the island understand English.  Currency The Thai currency is the baht and it is convertible into most major currencies. Common bank notes are in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 baht. The baht is further subdivided into 100 satang but it is uncommon for travellers to deal with such small denominations. Immigration Requirements Most travellers will not require a visa for stays of less than two weeks provided their passports are valid for more than six months from date of entry. Enquiries should be directed to the Thai embassy or consulate in your area. Health At Amanpuri, a doctor is on call 24 hours a day. In certain areas of Southeast Asia there is a chance of contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Reasonable precautions, including the use of mosquito repellent will minimise the risk. You may also wish to consult your doctor.