Facts about Phuket

Phuket is the biggest island on the west coast of Southern Thailand region. With a total area of about 543 square kilometres, it nearly equals Singapore in size. Phuket is located approximately 862 kilometres South of Bangkok and 180 km West of Krabi. It is linked to Phang Nga province on the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. The hot and humid climate of Phuket can be divided into 2 seasons, summer from December to April and rainy from May to November.

Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and currently from tourism and long-stay residents from Europe and allover the world. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign traders’ ship logs. The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Phuket has about 340,000 inhabitants. Agriculture remains important to a large number of people, and covers a large part of the island. Principal crops are rubber, coconuts, cashews, and pineapples. Prawn farming has largely taken over the east and south coasts. Pearl farming is also important.
The island has long been a favoured travel destination European tourist and offers something for everyone; peaceful beaches and hectic and exciting city life. Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, and powdery, palm-fringed beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodation and seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture, numerous sporting and leisure opportunities and a lush tropical landscape — all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.
Phuket has some of the most ideal and breathtaking beaches in the worlds. The best known includes Patong which has developed a lively night time-scene. There are also more sedate beaches like Kata and Karon, sharing Phuket’s wonderful coastline with the Andaman Sea.