| Separated from
the main island of Phuket by the Ta Jin Channel, a
shallow mangrove swamp, Sirey Island is attached by a
causeway to Phuket Town.
You can drive about 4 kms
northeast of Phuket Town and catch the loop road that
goes around the island. The scenery is mostly shrimp
farms, rubber plantations and dusty fishing villages.
Wat Ko Sirey, located on a hill, has a large Reclining
Buddha and attractive panoramas of the natural
surroundings.
On Sirey Island is Thailand's largest community of
Urak Lawai --Sea Gypsies, or Chao Leh, at the village
of Laem Tuk-kae on the south shore. Traditional scenes
and activities have not totally vanished from the
shores of the island. You can spend your morning
seeing fishermen repairing lobster traps or cleaning
their nets. Offering beaches with a rather muddy
bottom, the island is not suggested for swimming.
However, there are some fine seafood restaurants on
the eastern shore. |
