What comes into the mind of travellers when we talk about sea, sun and sand? Phuket must definitely be one of the answers. Especially when we think about the island in which there is plenty of accommodation and all kinds of facilities. In addition, a number of various activities can also be found in this island.
In the early Christian Era, the cape of Phuket was locally referred to as Jung Ceylon, while locals called it Thalang, which evolved to Thanlng the name of the main town to the north of the island. As the perfect stopover sheltering traders from monsoons, Jung Ceylon welcomed merchants from India, Persia, Arabia, Burma, China and aslo Siam. During the 16th century, the island was also a popular trading port for tin. In 1785, Thaland town was surrounded by Burmese troops who invaded the coastal area.It was under the leadership of Chan, the widow of the governor, and her sister, Muk, who united the local resedents 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 Sri Soonthorn, repectively. There are still hightly respected by Phuket residents even today.
When the city was in a peaceful state, the development of mining was so unprecedented. Chinese businessmen and miners later migrated to Phuket and soon enjoy thriving weath. The island's long history has shaped the distintive Phuket of the present with its diverse ethnic groups, culture, architectural influence, and fine cuisine. Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors than its natural heritage of sea, sand, sky beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travellers to the city, while Phuket style of hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walk of life.
Getting to Know:
1. Phuket is located approximately 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.
2. There are only two seasons in a year the green season ( May to October) and the hot season (November to April)
3. Phuket is divided into adminstrative districts: namely, amphoe Mueng, Amphoe Thaland and Amphoe Kathu.
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Geography
Phuket is the same size as Singapore Island. About 70 percent of Phuket is forested hills. Mai Tha Sip Song is the highest peak on the island, 529 meters above sea level. Low plains form the rest of the area, mainly in the center and south. There are three canals, Khlong Bang Yai, Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, which run through the island.
Phuket is the largest island in the country, but the smallest province in the South. It is located between 7?45' and 8?15' north latitude, and from 98?15' to 98?40' west longitude on the map.
Surrounded by 32 smaller islands, Phuket occupies 543 square kilometers. The overall length from north to south is 47.8 kms and 21.3 kms from west to east. Phuket connects to the mainland by two bridges, the Sarasin Bridge and Thoa Thep Krasatri Bridge (600 meter, across Pak Phra Channel, bridging Chatchai Landing of Phuket and Tha Nun Landing of Phangnga). To the south and west Phuket adjoins the Andaman Sea, and the Krabi Sea to the East.
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Climate
Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degree Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degree Celsius.
Economy
Since the early 1980's the tourist business has been Phuket's chief source of income. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and souvenir shops are much in evidence on the west coast. However, while once all-importance tin mining has ceased, tourism is by no means the island's only activity. Agriculture remains important to a large number of people, and covers by far the most part of the island. Principal crops are rubber, coconuts, cashews, and pineapples.
Prawn farming has largly taken over the east and south coasts. Pearl farming is also important. Phuket's fishing port is at all time filled, and processing of marine products, mainly fish, makes a significant contribution to the economy. With so many healthy industries supplying income, construction has become a major factor in employment. This range from massive public works projects, large office buildings and hotels, and housing estates with hundreds of units, down to single family homes, apartments and additions.
Population
The island's official population as of December 1998 was 231,206. Most live in Muang district.
Thirty percent of the island's population are Chinese descendants. But they differ from those in Bangkok because they came from the Hokkien region of China, who migrated to Phuket during the boom of the tin mining industry in the 17th - 18th century. Today, the Chinese are responsible for much of the trade and commerce in the city. They also represent the strongest culture of Phuket town.
Equal to the Chinese descendants is the Thai Muslim community which also comprises 30 per cent of the island's population. Muslims living in southern Thailand are of Malaysian extraction and arrived at an early date. There is also a small number of sea gypsies living in a village in Ko Sirey. By far, sea gypsies are the most interesting original inhabitants of Phuket island but the intrusion of tourists is impinging on their lifestyle.
With the tourism boom in Phuket during the last decade, Phuket has attracted people from other regions to work in the tourism industry, which is now the largest source of income. So it's easy for tourists to spot the local people who can communicate in English.
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Government
The administration in Phuket is divided into three districts, Thalang in the north, Kathu in the west, and Muang in the south. The cities of Phuket and Patong have their own city governments, with elected city councils, the leading members of which serve as mayor. There are also elected provincial, district, and sub-district, or Tambon councils. The local constabulary is part of the Interior Ministry.
Phuket is the richest province in the south and ranked number six in Thailand, thanks to the tourism industry. Since the early 1980's, tourism has been Phuket's chief source of income. In 1997, Phuket's income per capita was around 156,675 baht. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, tour agencies, entertainment businesses and souvenir shops have been springing up like mushrooms along the west coast. In the past, Phuket's wealth was mainly built on tin mining but when tin demand in world markets declined, tourism took over as a money machine for the island. Agriculture ranks as the second source of income. Rubber, coconut, cashew, and pineapple plantations are an important part of the economy. Aquatic animal farming such as prawn and pearl farming are occupations that people living in Phuket rely on.
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.
Emergency Phone Numbers in Phuket
While in Phuket, tourists can get into problems like accidents, thefts, losing credit cards, lost cheques, etc. The Phuket emergency phone numbers will help you in these situations. In such case,don't hesitate to ask for assistance from the tourist police, police and locals who are generally quite helpful in nature.
Some of the emergency phone numbers in Phuket are the following
- Police: 191
- Tourist police: 1155, +66 (0)76 225 361, +66 (0)76254 693
- Marine police: +66 (0) 76 211 883
- Fire: 199
- Phuket tourist rescue centre: +66 (0)76 383 907
- Phuket International Hospital Ambulance Service: +66(0)76 210-935
- Hyperbaric Services: +66 (0)89 871 2335
- Harbor master: +66 (0)76 391-174
- Customs: +66 (0)76 211 105
- Diving recompression chambers: +66 (0)76 342 518
The emergency phone numbers in Phuket for hospital are given below:
- Vachira Hospital, Phuket Town, Tel: +66 (0)76 211 114
- Bangkok Phuket Hospital, Phuket Town, Tel: +66 (0)76 254 421
- Phuket International Hospital: +66 (0)76 249 400
- Ruan Paet Hospital : +66 (0)76 211 578 / +66 (0)76 212 950 / +66 (0)76 216 179
- Mission Hospital Phuket: +66 (0)76 237 220-6 / +66 (0)76 211 908
- Patong Hospital: +66 (0)76 344 225 / +66 (0)76 342 633-4
- Thalang Hospital: +66 (0)76 311 033-4 / +66 (0)76 311 111
- Vachira Phuket Hospital: +66 (0)76 211 114 / +66 (0)76 217 294-8
Telephone Assistance:
- Operator: 100
- Directory Enquiry-Local: 183 or 1133
- Directory Enquiry-Overseas: 100
- Billing Enquiries: +66 (0)76.214.299
- Lost or Stolen Credit Cards
- American Express: +66 (0)2 273-0022, 273-0044 (24 Hrs.)
- Diners Club / Citicorp: +66 (0)2 238-3600 (24 Hrs.)
- Mastercard Center: 001-800-11-887-0663
- Visa Center: +66 (0)2 256-7324-9 (24 Hrs.)
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