Introduction
to Phuket in Thailand
Luxuriantly
verdant Phuket is Thailand 's largest island (approximately
the size of Singapore) and nestles against the 
Andaman
Seas coast 862 kilometers south of Bangkok. Phuket traditionally
derives its wealth from tin and rubber. Blessed with teeming
marine life, it has enjoyed a rich and colorful history --
Phuket 's most famous landmarks is the monument to the heroines
Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon who rallied islanders
to repel Burmese invaders in 1785. The island is blessed with
magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches,
sparkling island-dotted seas, genuinely hospitable people,
comfortable accommodations, superb seafood, tropically vegetated
mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century
Sino-Portuguese-influenced architecture which create an enchanting
ambiance perfectly suited to total relaxation
Location
& Boundary
Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's
Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45"
and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98'
40" west longitude on the map.
Thailand's largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller
islands that form part of the same administration, with a
total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest
point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers.
It is bounded thus:
On the
North: Lies the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running
the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri
Bridge.
On the South: Is the Andaman Sea.
On the East: Is Ao Phang - nga Bay (In the jurisdiction mainly
of Phang - Nga Province).
On the West: Is the Andaman Sea.Phuket in Thailand
Economy
Since the early 1980's the tourist business has been Phuket's
chief source of income. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies,
and souvenir shops are much in evidence on the west coast.
However, while once all-important tin mining has ceased, tourism
is by no means the island's only activity. 
Agriculture
remains important to a large number of people, and covers
by far the most part of the island. Principal crops are rubber,
coconuts, cashews, and pineapples. Prawn farming has largely
taken over the east and south coasts. Pearl farming is also
important. Phuket's fishing port is at all times filled, and
processing of marine products, mainly fish, makes a significant
contribution to the economy. With so many healthy inqustries
supplying income, construction has become a major factor in
employment. 
This
ranges from massive public works projects, large office buildings
and hotels, and housing estates with hundreds of units, down
to single family homes, apartments and additions.
Geography
About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range
runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive.
The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at
529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong,
Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent
of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by
low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin,
Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.
Shopping
By comparison with Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Phuket offers the
serious shopper a rather narrow selection and too few shops
to build up a head of steam. There are a few lo-cal handicrafts
but most gift items are imported from other regions of the
country. If you plan to vi si t other parts of Thailand, spend
your time enjoying Phuket and save your shopping for later.
If you do not plan to travel elsewhere in Thailand, then you
should not leave Phuket empty-handed. There are a number of
su-perb items that will seduce you into reaching for your
wallet, not once but several times. The low prices may weaken
whatever sales resistance you may possess. Since the devaluation
of the baht, the bargains are all the more enticing. Yet there
is still scope to bar-gain a price down.
Local
Crafts
Pearls: Phuket is known as the Pearl of the South and produces
international-standard natural, cultured, teardrop and artificial
pearls (made from pearl dust glued to form a globule).
Pewter: Thailand is the world's third largest tin exporter
and most of the metal comes from Phuket. Thus, pewterware,
an amalgam of lead and tin, is a traditional craft here. Steins,
plates and other items are sold at prices lower than in other
parts of the country.
Nang Thalung: These bright-coloured shadow puppets
cut from buffalo hide make excellent wall decorations.
Purses:
Yan lipao is a fine grass that southerners weave into beautiful
purses. The art has been revived by Queen Sirikit as part
of her SUPPORT project to bring prosperity to village women.
Batik: The south is a major batik centre, producing
both readymade clothes and lengths.
How
to get there
By
Car : Take Route 4 from Bangkok to the south. Along the
way pass the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi,
Prachuap-Khirikan, and at Chumphon go right to Ranong. From
Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kapoe Districts to Phang-nga
Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takuapa,
and Thai Muang Districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy.
Then, cross the Thao Thep Kasattri or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket
Island. The distance is 867 kilometers
By
Coach : Both air-conditioned and non air–conditioned buses
leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. Southern
Bus Terminal Tel. (02) 4347192, 4345557-8, Phuket Central
Company Tel. (02) 4355019, Phuket Travel Tel. (02) 4355018,
Phuket Bus Terminal Tel. (076) 211480.
By
Air : Thai Airways International operates flights to Phuket
daily. The travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes. Contact TG office
in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800060, 6282000 for flight schedule
and reservation.
By Sea
: The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Puket is visited by
both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad.
Contact your travel agent for information about the many different
ships that stop at Phuket.
