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