Thailand has a rich cultural heritage that thrives in its temples, museums, and traditional villages. Mai Khao, a village on Phuket Island, offers a lot for history and culture buffs.
Introduction
Thailand, Phuket, and Bangkok are names you hear every day. When someone plans a trip to Thailand, they might say they’re planning to visit Phuket, but they wouldn’t mention Mai Khao. It flies under the radar. Despite not being as famous as other Thai destinations, you’ll still find a few luxury resorts here, and the beaches are to die for! Beyond the more obvious attractions, the village is home to several temples and festivals that give you deeper insights into Thai culture.
This article guides you on what to do and where to visit to get the best culturally immersive experience during your trip.
Guided ToursÂ
Looking to join a guided tour? You’re in luck! If it’s your first time in Phuket, joining a guided tour is the best thing to do. It’s also the best way to get insider perspective. A knowledgeable guide will take you beyond the surface and share stories that add colourful context to what you see. These tours are excellent if you’re looking to dig deeper into the local way of life. That’s not even the best part: a guided tour will help you find spots you’d otherwise miss. Plus, these tours include many other attractions outside Mai Khao but within wider Phuket, giving you the opportunity to see and experience everything in an organised way within a short period of time. There are full-day tours, half-day tours, group tours, and family tours.Â
On a side note, if you’re a family planning to explore Mai Khao on your own, which can be so much fun and intriguing because you don’t know exactly what you’ll discover, stay at one of the Phuket family resorts that offer easy access to attractions. One option is Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites.
Language and GreetingsÂ
Many people in Mai Khao speak English, so you won’t encounter significant communication barriers. That said, it’s always a good idea to learn a bit of the local language to blend in, especially since you’re aiming for cultural immersion. Thai is the official language, and here are some phrases that’ll come in handy:
- Sawasdee – helloÂ
- Khop khun – thank youÂ
- Sabai dee mai? – how are you?Â
- Khun cheu arai? – what is your name?
- Yindee – you’re welcomeÂ
- Chok dee – good luckÂ
When it comes to greetings, a handshake is perfectly fine, but the Thai greeting is called wai. How do you do a wai? Bring your palms together, position them in front of your collarbone slightly below your chin, and then bow your head a little with a smile.
Indigenous Cultures
Thailand has a diverse culture. While not specifically in Mai Khao, there are Thai hill tribes who maintain their own dialects. In the northern highlands, you’ll find the Karen and Hmong people. While Mai Khao is not home to indigenous groups, the residents, much like those in other rural parts of Thailand, maintain their traditional way of life. People live in perfect harmony with nature, and traditional crafts like weaving and pottery are popular. Many villagers farm too.
Festivals
If you know anything about Thailand, you know there’s always something fun and culturally rich happening. The culture is full of colourful festivals, and you can witness some of them during your visit to Mai Khao. Songkran, the Thai New Year, is at the top of the list. With water fights, street parties, and temple ceremonies, the entire country comes together to celebrate. However, the celebrations in Mai Khao are more intimate, with an unmistakable communal spirit. Loy Krathong is another popular festival where locals float small, decorated baskets on the water to honour the goddess of rivers and seas.
TemplesÂ
You’ll find several temples in Mai Khao, but you shouldn’t limit your temple hopping to just this area – Phuket is home to a long list of temples. Temples are called wats, which is why you see the word wat at the beginning or end of every temple’s name. These temples are not just places to pray for good fortune; they also serve as community hubs where people gather to celebrate their culture. Wat Mai Khao is a small temple in Mai Khao where you can appreciate traditional Thai architecture. If you can, add a few more temples to your itinerary. Wat Chalong, Phuket Big Buddha, Wat Khao Rang, Jui Tui Shrine, Wat Phra Thong, and Wat Suwan Khuha are must-visits!
MuseumsÂ
Any culture buff would agree that museums contain the heart and soul of a destination’s culture. This is why you should carve out some time to visit a few. They hold extensive collections of treasures, including artefacts and old photographs. Located not too far from Mai Khao is the Phuket Seashell Museum, which has a collection of shells and marine fossils that highlight the surrounding natural beauty. Got more time? Great! Add these to your itinerary too: Baan Chinpracha, Phuket Philatelic Museum, and Phuket Trickeye Museum.
