| Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and is approximately | | | | were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, |
| the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy | | | | wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and her |
| Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean | | | | sister Mook. After a month's siege the Burmese were |
| coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.Phuket is | | | | forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and |
| an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's | | | | her sister were credited with the successful defense.In |
| Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying | | | | recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan |
| between 7' 45 " and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' | | | | the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually |
| 15" to 98' 40" west longitude on the map. Thailand's | | | | reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. |
| largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller | | | | Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.During the |
| islands that form part of the same administration, with | | | | Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such |
| a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its | | | | numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic |
| widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, | | | | character of the island's interior became predominantly |
| 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:About 70 percent of | | | | Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained |
| Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from | | | | populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.In Rama V's |
| north to south from which smaller branches derive. | | | | reign, Phuket became the administration center of a |
| The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve | | | | group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and |
| Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries | | | | in 1933 with the change in government from absolute |
| of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there | | | | monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was |
| yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in | | | | established as a province by itself.BoundariesOn the |
| the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams | | | | North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges |
| include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta | | | | running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the |
| Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is | | | | newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge. |
| large.History of PhuketPhuket Island has a long | | | | On the South Is the Andaman Sea. |
| recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 | | | | On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction |
| indicate that the island's present day name derives in | | | | mainly of Phang-nga Province). |
| meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. | | | | On the West Is the Andaman Sea. ClimatePhuket's |
| For most of history, however, it was known as Junk | | | | weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds |
| Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old | | | | that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. |
| maps. The name is thought to have its roots in | | | | There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The |
| Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexadrian | | | | rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during |
| geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned | | | | which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The |
| that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay | | | | dry season is from November through April, when the |
| Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang | | | | monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average |
| Si Lang.Phuket was a way station on the route | | | | temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during |
| between India and China where seafarers stopped to | | | | March. Lowest averages occur in January, when |
| shelter. The island appears to have been part of the | | | | nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius. |
| Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that | | | | TransportationBy CarTake Route 4 from Bangkok |
| established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first | | | | south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn |
| Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was | | | | Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at |
| part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed | | | | Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south |
| as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, | | | | through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga |
| Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others in | | | | Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through |
| those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.During the | | | | Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before |
| Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua | | | | reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is |
| Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area | | | | the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is |
| with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading | | | | 867 kilometers.Both air-conditioned and |
| post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The | | | | non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus |
| island's northern and central regions then were | | | | Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual |
| governed by the Thais, and the southern and western | | | | bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket |
| parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in | | | | Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in |
| the hands of foreigners.After Ayuthaya was sacked | | | | Phuket (076) 211480 By AirDetails about flights to and |
| by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum | | | | from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from |
| in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the | | | | Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or |
| Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, | | | | in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel |
| however, were anxious to return to the offensive. | | | | agents around the world. There are also many regular |
| They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, | | | | and chartered flights from other airlines.By Sea The |
| and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This | | | | Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by |
| led to Phuket's most memorable historic event. A | | | | both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from |
| passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the | | | | abroad. Contact your travel agent for information |
| Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket | | | | about the may different ships that stop at Phuket. |