PHK: This is Phuket

THIS IS PHUKET ISLAND (KOH PHUKET)

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, in fact it is a province in southern of Thailand as well, approximately the size of Singapore (See Map). Phuket nestles in balmy the Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometers south of the capital, Bangkok.

Phuket formally derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful 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 British traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket's most famous monument is a memorial statue of 2 heroines-Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.

Phuket is bless with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and excellent sea foods, 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 Island has a long recorded history, and remains dating back to A.D. 1025 indicate that the island's present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil, or Crystal Mountain.

Phuket History

For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexandrian geographer in the 3^rd Century A.D. He had mentioned that in making a trip from Suvarnabhumi to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang. Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been parted of the Shivite Empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millennium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was parted of Sri Vichai and Siri Tahm Empires. Governed as the 11^th in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukhothai Era, Phuket was associated with Takua Pa in what is now Phang-Nga province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuddhaya Era in the 16^th century. The island's northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners. After Ayuddhaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma.

Phuket's Transport

Thai led Phuket's most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines-Khunying Jan being wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor and her sister, Mook (Thai's meaning is Pearl). After a month's siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13^th March 1785. Khunying Jan and again her sister were credited with the successful defense. In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Khunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Soonthorn

During The 19^th century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work for the tin mines that the ethic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen. In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administrative center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933, with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary pattern, the island was established as a province by itself.

HOW TO GO AROUND PHUKET ISLAND

ROAD SERVICES:

Song Taew, Local Transport Open-aired buses provide a cheap and efficient public transport service go through Patong Baech and around the island. Fares vary according to the destination- whether you are running around town, or traveling from Phuket Town to on of the beach resorts. Services are efficient and regular with buses stopping wherever you wish to get on or off.

Mini Buses:

Open-aired colorful (red-purple-yellow-white) subaru mini van, tuk tuk, driving around mostly Phuket island and some famous beaches , such as Patong Beach, especially entertainment hub Bangla Road, are symbolic of Phuket island.

Note: Prices of colorful mini subaru vans (tuk tuk) are fixed hence do not try to show your bargaining power unless you hire a whole day.

Beaches around Phuket Island »

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