| Phuket, also known as the 'Pearl of the | | | | influential destination as their business |
| South,' is the largest island in Thailand, | | | | region during the 16th century. |
| spread across 570 sq km. Located in the | | | | |
| sparkling as well as clear green water of the | | | | Apart from these, scores of merchants and |
| Andaman Sea, Phuket is about 890 km from | | | | traders from different parts of Europe began |
| Bangkok. With its dramatic scenery, stunning | | | | to flock to Phuket due to the growing |
| beaches, amazing coral reefs, and tropical | | | | importance of tin. As a result, the then king |
| sunshine, Phuket is truly an incredible | | | | decided that the area should be governed by a |
| destination. Apart from these, the island is | | | | European. Consequently, the place was |
| also rich with its historical past. | | | | governed by a French missionary, namely, |
| | | | Renee Charbonneau, between the periods 1681 |
| Phuket boasts of a long recorded history | | | | and 1685. Shortly, the British also began to |
| filled with remarkable events. Throughout its | | | | get attracted with the rich resources of |
| interesting history, Phuket was inhabited by | | | | Phuket, and as a result, the East India |
| various ethnic tribes who molded their lives | | | | Company decided to choose Phuket as their |
| according to the place's environment. | | | | base to administer the Malacca Straits. |
| | | | Accordingly, in order to scout the island, |
| The island got its present name from | | | | the British sent Captain Francis Light, who |
| 'Manikram,' a Tamil word meaning 'Crystal | | | | later married a girl from the island. |
| Mountain.' But, for most of the part of the | | | | |
| history, Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon, the | | | | Perhaps most important event in the history |
| evidence of which is its mention on old | | | | of Phuket is the attack of the region by |
| Portuguese sea maps. This has also been found | | | | Burmese in 1785. However, the Burmese were |
| mentioned in the book written by Claudius | | | | defeated by the militants under the |
| Ptolemy - a Greek geographer - in 157AD. | | | | supervision of two legendary women, Kunying |
| | | | Jan and her sister, Mook. Today, they are |
| According to this book, Phuket is thought to | | | | famed as the heroines, and a monument has |
| have been once a cape, attached to the | | | | been built on the Thep Kassattri road, in |
| Thailand's mainland. Later, the peninsula was | | | | commemoration of their decisive action. |
| destroyed due to natural calamities, and as | | | | |
| such, it got separated from the land. | | | | As a result of the growing importance of tin, |
| Further, this book states that, in order to | | | | during the beginning of the 19th century, |
| travel to the Malaysian Peninsula, it was | | | | Chinese laborers began to flock to Phuket, |
| required to pass a cape, which according to | | | | whose strong influence can be still seen in |
| Ptolemy was the Junk Ceylon, also known as | | | | the region. In 1876, a group of Chinese |
| Junk Ceylon. The cape was given a location | | | | laborers, discontented with their salary and |
| between the latitudes of 6 N and 8 N, which | | | | working conditions, began a bloody riot of |
| is believed to be today's Phuket. History has | | | | theft and murder in the island. Then, the |
| it that the cape was visited by sea merchants | | | | locals headed to Wat Chalong in order to get |
| from across the globe, since it provided | | | | sheltered by two prominent monks. These two |
| great opportunities to relax and replenish. | | | | monks later convinced the laborers and |
| | | | eventually the place again gained its |
| The names of various dynasties have also been | | | | passivity. One can now find a temple |
| found mentioned in the recorded history of | | | | dedicated to these monks in Wat Chalong. |
| Phuket. During the 1st century AD, Malaya | | | | |
| Peninsula was believed to be a part of the | | | | In the 20th century, Phuket was stated a |
| Shivite Empire. Later, the area was dominated | | | | monthon, and was given control of areas such |
| by the empires of Srivichai and Siri Tahm. | | | | as Ranong, Krabi, Takua-Pah Phang Nga, Satun, |
| During this period, the region was well-known | | | | and Trang. In 1933, Phuket gained provincial |
| by its symbol - the dog. In the 13th century, | | | | status, and since then, it has been |
| Phuket came into the hands of the Thai power, | | | | administered by an Interior |
| during which it was a prominent as well as a | | | | Ministry-appointed governor. |
| flourishing city, with a treasure trove of | | | | |
| natural pearls, ivory, gems, ambergris, | | | | Phuket still continues its long tradition of |
| caulk, hides, firewood, and spices. | | | | welcoming foreigners. It is estimated that |
| | | | more than two million tourists visit here per |
| During the 15th century, Phuket shot to fame | | | | year, attracted by its serene atmosphere, |
| as one of the leading tin mining producers of | | | | world-class attractions, and exciting |
| the region. Later, influenced by the rich | | | | nightlife. |
| assets of Phuket, the Dutch made this | | | | |