Visitors to this island paradise may be more than satisfied by Phuket's remarkable natural beauty, but those in search of further stimulation can be sure to find something among the many activities and entertainment available to fill every moment of their holidays.

Not only do most of the major hotels and resorts offer a wide selection of quality international restaurants and bars, featuring cabaret shows and live music, but every tourist centre has numerous other entertainment venues. Patong is undoubtedly the epicentre of the island's entertainment scene, boasting a wealth of bars, clubs, live music, and cabaret shows, yet there is still plenty the discover around the island, with Kata/Karon and Phuket town offering such a diverse range of clubs and nightspots that its difficult to know where to start.

Yet, it is not all after-dark diversions. If a little time away from the beach appeals during the day, then there are plenty spots offering other kinds of enlightenment, including cultural shows. In fact, with so much to see and do, both day and night, Phuket is guaranteed to keep you entertained

Simon Cabaret

There's not a diva in the West who can compare, and many a catwalk model has turned green with envy at the sight of the lady-boy performers of Simon Cabaret. This hugely popular tourist attraction, on the hill just outside Patong, has been wowing audiences for years with its exotic, hilarious, often risqu?, transvestite cabaret. With sets and choreography that would do Broadway justice, and gowns dripping with diamante, the boys who are girls stiletto-strut their stuff to full houses each night at 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Thai Culture Show

Offering visitors an opportunity to experience remarkable recreations of historical and cultural aspects of Southern Thai life, the Thai Culture Show, on Thepkrassatri Road, has made enormous efforts to recreate the life and ambience of a typical rural village of the past. Home to 500 workers and performers, who bring new meaning to term "living in the past", the show brings to life ancient rites and rituals, enacts classical Thai dances and offers displays of Thai boxing and swordsmanship.

The complex also houses a dining hall decorated with over 20,000 varieties of orchid and tropical trees. Digestion is aided by the lilting sounds of Thai classical and folk music played on tradition instruments.

Phuket Fantasea

The very biggest of all Phuket's extravaganzas, Fantasea brings Hollywood-sized, Las Vegas-style entertainment to the island. Remarkable acrobatics, dazzling light work, stunning set design and a host of animal action combine in a song and dance spectacular that brings to life tales of history and mythology that will leave visitors in no doubt that Phuket was at least as, if not more, exciting way back when.

Set upon 140 acres in Kamala Bay, this unique cultural theme park houses an immense theatre, a festival village offering carnivals, games and handicrafts, and reportedly the world's largest buffet of Thai and international cuisine.

Dino Park Mini Golf

The only chance you will ever get to play eighteen holes around T. Rex and his pals. Karon's Dino-Park offers an excellent, semi-educational, wholly fun, hour or two of diversion that will excite both kids and adults alike. A rumbling volcano and giant re-creations of dinosaurs are scattered around the mini-golf park, making for some interesting hazards. After your game, stop off at the park's own version of the nineteenth hole, the Dino-Bar, for a pterodactyl burger.

Tel: 076 330 625 or Fax: 076 330 516, 076 330 999 for further information.

Thai Boxing

"Muay Thai" as it is call in Thai, strikes blows at -- and with --every part of the body. The stadium is located at Sapan Hin in Phuket Town and bouts are held every Tuesday and Friday nights From 20.30 - 24.00. Price Adult 500/700/1,000 Child 250/350/500 for details and information about tickets call 0-7621-4690 , 081-5352209.