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