About Phuket

Climate
Phuket's climate is dominated by the monsoon winds that blow year round and ensure that the weather is always warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts until October, during which time the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon blows from the northeast. March has the highest average temperatures of 33.4 degree Celsius. January is the coolest month, when nightly lows dip to 22 degree Celsius.

Geography
About 70 per cent of Phuket is mountainous. The main mountain chain runs north-south behind the west coast beaches. The highest peak is Mai Tha Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 metres. The remaining 30 per cent of land consists of low plains, mainly in the centre and south, and streams.

Economy
The early 1980's were a turning point for Phuket. The once all-important tin mining industry expired and the tourism industry has since been Phuket's chief source of income. Hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and souvenir shops have sprouted along much of the west coast.

However, tourism is by no means the island's only activity. Agriculture remains important to a large number of people and covers much of the island. The 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 always full, and the processing of fish and marine products makes a significant contribution to the economy. As a consequence of so many healthy industries generating income, construction has become a major factor in employment. Construction projects range from massive public works projects to office buildings and hotels as well as large and small scale housing development.

Population
The size of Phuket's population varies considerably depending on the time of year, although the official census shows 231,206 people registered as Phuket residents. Additionally, the island receives about three million visitors per year and there is a sizable community of seasonal and temporary workers from other parts of Thailand.

The ethnic makeup of Phuket is roughly 35 per cent Chinese (14 per cent countrywide) and 35 per cent Muslim (4 per cent countrywide) and the Chao Nam, or sea gypsies.

The Chinese population of Phuket originates from the Hokkien region of China. The Chinese arrived to work the tin mines, but as elsewhere in Asia, they made the transition from providing cheap labour to being merchants. They married native Thais and assimilated into Thai culture. Today the descendants of the early Chinese settlers are responsible for much of the trade and commerce on Phuket.

Indonesian-Malayan culture is quite apparent in southern Thailand. Concentrated mostly around Surin and a few other big villages, they work as rice and rubber farmers. In Phuket, muslims of Malaysian extraction came largely to work on the rubber plantations.

The Chao Nam or Sea Gypsies are traditionally a nomadic people and there are three Sea Gypsy villages in Phuket. Little is known of their history and traditions as their language is not written. They follow their own animistic religion and are generally darker skinned and heavier with curly black hair. Sea Gypsies are said to have originated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between India and Burma.

History
With a history stretching back at least one thousand years, Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China as well as a wealthy tin and rubber manufacturing centre and a major trading city.

The Dutch established a trading post during the 16th century. The island's northern and central regions were then governed by the Thais, and the southern and western areas were given over to the tin trade, which was operated by a number of western countries under a power sharing relationship with the Thai monarchy.

The Burmese made many attempts to occupy the Thai kingdom that continued until Burma became a British colony. After a successful invasion, the Burmese were driven from the country in the late 1760s. They later sent a fleet to raid the southern provinces and take slaves to Burma. This led to Phuket's most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled and led by two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After the Burmese were forced to depart in 1785, King Rama I bestowed noble titles upon the sisters in recognition of their heroism.

During the 19th century large numbers of Chinese immigrants arrived as labour for the tin mines. The ethnic makeup of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

Under Rama V, Phuket became the administration centre of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket. In 1933, when the government changed from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island became a province.

The tin ore became depleted and world tin prices fell, the mining merchants turned to tourism around 1980.

Activities in Phuket

• Phi Phi Islands
A group of islands 40 kilometres southeast of Phuket justifiably famous, with spectacular rock walls rising from crystal clear seas and stunning beaches and coves.

• Island Day Trips
Most of the beautiful Andaman Sea 'postcard' vistas are taken on the small, sometimes uninhabited islands surrounding Phuket. The islands of Koh Racha and Koh Kai Nok offer great snorkelling. If you want to avoid crowded tour groups, private snorkelling trips by speedboat to these islands are available.

• Learn to Dive
The waters surrounding Phuket are amongst the clearest, warmest and calmest in the world with a wonderland of tropical coral reefs below the surface. Add world-class scuba instruction at reasonable prices and you have a great place to learn to dive.

• Dive the Similan Islands
The Similan Islands offer the unique chance of diving with whale sharks. As well, Manta rays are common, the coral is exceptionally varied and the water incredibly clear and calm. This island group is ranked one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world.

• Phang Nga Bay
A trip to Phang Nga Bay, with its mystic rock formations towering vertically out of the sea, is the one big 'must see' during a visit to Phuket.

• Koh Pannyi 'Sea Gypsy' Village
Perched on stilts above the sea, Koh Pannyi is included in most tours to Phang Nga's James Bond Island. At lunchtime hundreds of tourists are deposited here to eat and shop.

• Sea Canoeing
There's no better way to appreciate the limestone karsts, caves and hidden lagoons of Phang Nga Bay than by paddling around and through them in sea canoes.

• Hongs by Starlight
This is a unique way to explore the 'hongs' and caves of Phang Nga Bay, on a late afternoon/evening canoe trip. It's so special it has been dubbed "a spiritual experience rather than a tour".

• Whitewater Rafting
Experience the exhilaration of whitewater rafting on an adventurous day trip in the beautiful, natural environment of Phang Nga province.

• Game Fishing
The waters off Phuket offer fantastic game fishing with a variety of good game fish including sailfish, wahoo, barracuda, tuna, marlin and bottom fish.

• Elephant Trekking and Safari Adventures
Elephant trekking provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent beasts and their natural jungle habitat. A safari tour offers a glimpse of typical rural life including elephants, jungle treks, monkeys, canoeing, rubber plantations, water buffalo cart rides and Thai cooking demonstrations.

• Safari Tour by Quad-Bike
A two-hour off road journey by Quad-Bike exploring the countryside along nature trails, taking you through rubber and pineapple plantations, palm gardens and mangrove forests to an unspoiled beach.

• Horseback Riding
Whether you are a novice or an experienced rider, you will have great fun following trails that pass grassland, golf courses, groves of conifers and white sandy beaches. Imagine the thrill of cantering through the surf. Trained guides will accompany you.

• Phuket FantaSea
A unique cultural theme park showcasing Thailand 's exotic roots with a fusion of ancient Thai traditions and cutting-edge technology, circus acts and pyrotechnic displays. You can choose show only or show with dinner at the Royal Feast Buffet.

• City Cultural Tour
Visit Sino-Portuguese mansions, Buddhist and Chinese temples including Phuket's most famous temple, Wat Chalong, spectacular view points, rubber plantations and a working farm to experience typical rural life.

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