Phuket is Thailand’s largest
island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy
Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline 862
kilometres south of Bangkok.
Phuket formerty drives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a
richand colourful history. The island was on one of the major
trading routes between India and Chaina, and was frequently
mentioned in foreign
trade’s ship logs.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded whit Phuket. Other
visition were less friendly. Phuket’smost famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines
Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785
to repel Bur mese in invaders.
Phuket is blessed whit magnificent coves and bays, powdery,
plam-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerelyhospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood,
delightful turn-of-the-century sino-portuguese architecture;
numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a lush tropical
landscape – all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for
truly memorable holidays.
Once, Phuket and Phang Nga were located on the main landand the provinces borderline is at the area of the Sarssin
Bridge. At the item, it use to be Thailand’snarrowest area. As time went by , the waves and longshore
current deposit separated the two provinces and made Phuket the
largest island of the country.
Nowaday,to make a visit to Phuketis very convenient by crossing the Sarasin and Thep Krasattri
Bridge which link Phang Nga with Phuket.
However , either Thai or foreign tourists choose to travel by plane
which takes approximately one hour to arrive at Phuket.
Phuket has two major seasons : the Rains Season From May through
October, and the Hot Season from November through April. There are
many sunny days throughout the Rains Season: showers customarily
last little more than 2 or 3 hours. September is the wettest month.
The best monthsare
November through February. Average temperatures range between 22 and
34 degrees Celsius.
How to get there
By carFrom Bangkok,take
Highway 4 through Nakhon Pathom , Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon,
thence through Ranongprovince’s
Kra Buri and Kaper districts, Phangngaprovince’sTakua
Pa andTakua Thung
districts and onto
Phuket island acrossthe Thao
Thepkasattri Bridge. The total distance is 862 kilometres.
By bus
Airconditionedcoaches and non-airconditioned buses leave Bangkok’s
Sounthern Bus Terminal everyday.
By railThere are
no direct train services to Phuket. Travellers by train must get off
at Phun Phin railway station in Surat Thani and continue by regular
buses to Phuket.
By airThai
Airways operates daily jet flights between Bangkok and Phuket. There
are also domestic connections with Surst Thani and Hat Yai.