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