Phuket - Web Guide to Travel to Phuket Thailand

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and isassembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan,
approximately the size of Singapore. Phuketwife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and
nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters onher sister Mook. After a month's siege the
Thailand's Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometersBurmese were forced to depart on 13 March,
south of Bangkok.Phuket is an island connected by1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited
bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Seawith the successful defense.In recognition King
coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45 "Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific
and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98'Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually
40" west longitude on the map. Thailand's largestreserved for royalty, by which she is known
island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islandstoday. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.During
that form part of the same administration, with athe Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants
total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured atarrived in such numbers to work the tin mines
its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at itsthat the ethnic character of the island's interior
longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:Aboutbecame predominantly Chinese, while the coastal
70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a westernsettlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim
range runs from north to south from whichfishermen.In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the
smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Maiadministration center of a group of tin mining
Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters,provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with
which lies within the boundaries of Tambonthe change in government from absolute
Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet).monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island
The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly inwas established as a province by
the center and south, is formed by low plains.itself.BoundariesOn the North Is the Pak Prah
Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin,Strait, spanned by two bridges running
Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none ofside-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the
which is large.History of PhuketPhuket Island has anewer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge.
long recorded history, and remanins dating backOn the South Is the Andaman Sea.
to A.D.1025 indicate that the island's present dayOn the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the
name derives in meaning from the TamilJurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province).
manikram, or crystal mountain. For most ofOn the West Is the Andaman Sea.
history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon,ClimatePhuket's weather conditions are dominated
which, with variations, is the name found on oldby monsoon winds that blow year round. It is
maps. The name is thought to have its roots intherefore always and humid. There are two
Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexadriandistinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season
geographer in the Third Century A.D. Hebegins in May and lasts till October, during which
mentioned that in making a trip fromthe monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry
Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it wasseason is from November through April, when the
necessary to pass the cape of Jang Simonsoon comes from the northeast. Highest
Lang.Phuket was a way station on the routeaverage temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius,
between India and China where seafarers stoppedprevail during March. Lowest averages occur in
to shelter. The island appears to have been partJanuary, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees
of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam PornCelsius. TransportationBy CarTake Route 4 from
Ling) that established itself on the Malay PeninsulaBangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces
during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muangof Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi,
Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and SiriPrajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to
Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in aRanong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi
constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, byand Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In
which it was known to others in those largelyPhang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi,
pre-literate times, was the dog.During the SukothaiTakua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before
Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah inreaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which
what is now Phang-nga Province, another areais the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket.
with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established aDistance is 867 kilometers.Both air-conditioned and
trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in thenon-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus
16th Cent. The island's northern and centralTerminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the
regions then were governed by the Thais, andindividual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng
the southern and western parts were given overJumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel.
to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of(02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480 By
foreigners.After Ayuthaya was sacked by theAirDetails about flights to and from Phuket
Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnumInternational Airport can be obtained from Thai
in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove outAirway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or
the Burmese and re-unified the country. Thein Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from
Burmese, however, were anxious to return totravel agents around the world. There are also
the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid themany regular and chartered flights from other
southern provinces, and carry off the populationsairlines.By Sea The Deep Sea Port (Port of
to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket's mostPhuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and
memorable historic event. A passing sea captain,cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad.
Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese wereContact your travel agent for information about
en route to attack. Forces in Phuket werethe may different ships that stop at Phuket.