|
|
|
THE
NORTH I CENTRAL
&
EAST
COAST I THE
NORTHEAST I THE
SOUTH |
|
Chumphon
I
Krabi
I
Nakhon
Si
Thammarat
I
Narathiwat
I
Pattani
I
Phang
Nga |
|
Phattalung
I
Phuket
I
Ranong
I
Satun
I
Songkhla
I
Surat
Thani
I
Trang
I
Yala |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Located
approximately
862
kilometers
south
of
Bangkok
is
Phuket,
Thailand's
largest
island,
which
is
often
dubbed
as
the
pearl
of
the
Andaman,
or
the
pearl
of
the
south.
Its
natural
resources-
rocky
peninsular,
limestone
cliffs,
white
powdery
beaches,
tranquil
broad
bays
and
tropical
in-land
forests
contribute
to
making
it
the
South's
wealthiest,
busiest,
most
visited
and
most
popular
island
and
province. |
|
|
|
Nestled
in
the
tropical
zone
off
the
west
coast
of
the
southern
part
of
Thailand
in
the
Andaman
Sea
and
the
Indian
Ocean,
the
province
covers
an
area
of
approximately
543
square
kilometers
(excluding
small
islets).
It
is
estimated
that
Phuket
Province
covers
an
area
of
approximately
590
square
kilometers
if
its
39
other
small
islands
are
included.
The
islands
total
length,
from
north
to
south,
is
estimated
at
48.7
kilometers
and
approximately
21.3
kilometers
wide. |
|
|
|
Phuket
borders
on
Phang-nga
Province
to
the
north.
The
other
3
sides
are
encircled
by
the
Andaman
Sea
the
place
where
many
of
the
best
diving
sites
are
located.
The
island
is
connected
to
Phang-nga
Province
by
Sarasin
Bridge
and
Thep
Krasattri
Bridge. |
|
|
|
Staying
on
the
island
is
easy,
as
there
are
only
two
seasons
in a
year
-
the
rainy
season
(May
to
October)
and
the
hot
season
(November
to
April).
The
low
season
of
phuket
is
between
September
and
October
as
they
are
the
wettest
months.
The
best
period
for
a
visit,
is
from
November
to
February,
when
it
is
possible
to
see
the
clear
blue
sky,
feel
the
fresh
sea
breeze
and
marvel
at
the
crystal
clear
water
while
lying
on
powdery,
palm-fringed
beaches.
Average
temperatures
ranges
between
23 C
and
33
C. |
|
|
|
Phuket's
topology
is
exceptional
with
70
percent
of
its
area
covered
with
mountains
which
stretch
from
north
to
south
and
the
remaining
30
percent
being
plains
located
in
the
central
and
eastern
parts
of
the
island.
The
island
does
not
have
any
major
rivers
except
for
a
total
of 9
brooks
and
creeks. |
|
|
|
Phuket
is
divided
into
3
administrative
counties
namely
Amphoe
Muang,
Amphoe
Thalang
and
Amphoe
Kathu. |
|
|
|
Phuket
has
a
lot
more
to
offer
its
visitors
other
than
its
natural
heritage
sea,
sand,
sky,
beach,
forest,
and
world
renowned
diving
sites.
Sino-Portuguese
architecture
casts
its
spell
delighting
travelers
to
the
city,
while
Phuket-style
hospitality
has
never
failed
to
impress
visitors
from
all
walks
of
life.
In
addition,
accommodations
ranging
from
world-class
resorts
to
tropical-style
bungalows
have
warmly
catered
to
the
different
needs
of
travelers.
For
seafood
lovers,
there
is a
lot
more
to
sample
than
just
Phuket's
famous
lobster.
Altogether,
these
characteristics
have
made
Phuket
a
truly
unique
destination. |
|
|
|
History
of
Phuket
Most
geologists
believe
that
the
area
known
as
Phuket
today
was
once
a
cape
that
extended
into
the
Andaman
Sea.
Geographical
formations
gradually
changed
the
capes
location,
finally
detaching
it
from
the
mainland. |
|
|
|
A
famous
Greek
philosopher,
Claudius
Ptolemy,
was
the
first
person
who
mentioned
the
cape
in
his
book
written
in
the
year
157.
The
cape
was
locally
referred
to
as
Jung
Ceylon,
which
was
located
between
latitudes
6 N
and
8 N
(the
present
site
of
Phuket
Island).
Natives
called
the
place
Cha
Lang,
which
evolved
to
Tha
Lang
the
name
of
the
main
town
to
the
north
of
the
island. |
|
|
|
As a
perfect
stopover
sheltering
traders
from
monsoons,
Jung
Ceylon
welcomed
merchants
from
India,
Persia,
Arabia,
Burma,
China
and
also
Siam.
During
the
16th
century,
the
island
was
also
a
popular
trading
port
for
tin
with
Portuguese,
Dutch,
English
and
French
traders
flocking
to
the
island.
This
contributed
to
making
the
development
of
mining
so
unprecedented.
Chinese
businessmen
and
miners
later
migrated
to
Phuket
and
soon
enjoyed
thriving
business
wealth. |
|
|
|
Apart
from
serving
as a
meeting
point
for
traders
from
Europe,
Central
Asia
and
China,
Phuket
also
attracted
ambitious
immigrants,
especially
those
from
Portugal
and
China,
to
work
in
the
tin
mines.
With
its
colorful
history,
visitors
admire
the
Sino-Portuguese
style
architecture
in
the
city
especially
those
buildings
located
along
the
Thalang
and
Yaowarat
Roads. |
|
|
|
Thalang
town
was
surrounded
by
Burmese
troops
who
invaded
the
coastal
area
in
1785.
It
was
under
the
leadership
of
Chan,
the
widow
of
the
governor,
and
her
sister,
Muk,
who
united
local
residents
and
successfully
fought
and
drove
the
invaders
out
of
Phuket.
It
took
over
30
days
for
the
defending
troops
of
Phuket,
under
the
command
of
Chan
and
Muk,
to
claim
their
victory.
As a
result
of
such
heroic
deeds,
noble
titles
were
granted
to
Chan
and
Muk
as
Thao
Thep
Krasattri
and
Thao
Si
Sunthon
respectively.
To
honor
them,
a
monument
was
established
at
Tha
Ruea
Intersection,
12
kilometers
to
the
north
of
Phuket
City
in
1966.
They
are
still
highly
respected
by
Phuket
residents
even
today. |
|
|
|
However,
24
years
later,
the
Burmese
succeeded
in
seizing
Thalang
causing
many
local
residents
to
flee
to
Phang-nga
and
Krabi.
In
1825,
some
of
them
returned
to
re-establish
a
town
and
established
a
rice
farming
community.
On
the
other
hand,
the
area
to
the
south
of
the
island
(Phuket
City
today)
was
developed
and
became
a
tin
trading
center. |
|
|
|
When
Phuket
was
elevated
to a
town
in
1850,
it
attracted
more
immigrants
from
Thalang
and
nearby
communities.
In
1894,
Phuket
was
promoted
to
be a
Monthon
administrative
unit
under
the
supervision
of
the
central
administrative
body
(located
in
Bangkok). |
|
|
|
In
1902,
Phraya
Ratsada
Korsimbi,
a
Sino-Thai
businessman
who
contributed
to
developing
the
modern
city
of
Phuket
was
appointed
Governor
of
Phuket.
He
also
helped
to
improve
the
welfare
of
local
residents
and
set
up
the
market
system
in
the
countryside.
In
1916,
Phuket
became
a
province. |
|
|
|
The
tin
mining
industry
has
gradually
failed
to
generate
economic
growth
in
Phuket,
especially
after
1985
when
the
price
of
tin
fell
by
half.
However,
with
its
natural
resources,
Phuket
later
emerged
as a
tourist
destination
with
great
potential.
This
polished
pearl
of
the
Andaman
is
truly
a
destination
that
provides
visitors
with
memorable
experiences. |
|
|
|
The
islands
long
history
has
shaped
the
distinctive
Phuket
of
the
present
with
its
diverse
ethnic
groups,
culture,
architectural
influence,
and
fine
cuisine.
With
approximately
35
percent
of
the
population
being
comprised
of
Thai-Muslims,
it
is
possible
to
see
an
equal
number
of
Wats
(Thai
temples)
located
next
to
Mosques. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
