Phuket was formerly called Ko Thalang and before that Junk Ceylon (an English corruption of the Malay 'Tanjung Salang' or Cape Salang), Phuket has a culture all of its own, combining Chinese and Portuguese influences with that of the Southern Thais and the chao leh, a seafaring, semi-nomadic group who depend on fishing and boat building, and who have occupied the area for a thousand years.
Located on the main sea trade route between China and India, Phuket had been the important trading station and fishing centre. By the 16th century, a town on the southern coast Bukit had established itself as a major tin production hub, and was visited by traders from the major European colonial powers of the day, including England, Holland and Portugal. The central Thai government maintained control over the central and northern areas of the island, essentially renting out the southern area to European mining interests. With only a fraction of today's population, Phuket boasted an impressive checklist of fauna including rhinoceros, elephants and crocodiles.
Development on Phuket has been influenced by the fact that it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and so it receives much more vehicular traffic than any other island in the country. Combined with the opening of the Phuket Airport in 1976, this has aided in establishing.
Phuket Location and Geography
Location and BoundariesPhuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea Coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45" and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98' 40" west longitude on the map. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:
On the North: Lies the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasattri Bridge.
On the South: Is the Andaman Sea.
On the East: Is Ao Phang-Nga Bay (In the jurisdiction mainly of Phang-Nga Province).
On the West: Is the Andaman Sea.
Find more infomation on Thailand Regional Map Phuket
Geography
About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tha Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District. The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Khlong Bang Yai, Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, none of which is large.
Information About Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.
Phuket formerly derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.
Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood, delightful turn of the century Sino-Portuguese architecture numerous sporting and leisure opportunities a lush tropical landscape all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
Phuket formerly derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.
Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood, delightful turn of the century Sino-Portuguese architecture numerous sporting and leisure opportunities a lush tropical landscape all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
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