Phuket - Pearl of the Andaman

 

Location

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, situated off the south-west coast on the Andaman Sea. The island is about the size of Singapore, with some 40kms (25 miles) of beaches. Phuket is located about 900 kms south from the nation's capital, Bangkok, and is connected to the mainland by a 100 meter-long causeway. Flying time to Bangkok to the north and Singapore to the south is approximately the same at 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Population

Phuket's population of 1.6 million people ranks sixth among all provinces in Thailand. The province is the richest in Thailand (on a per capita basis) and second only to Bangkok in real terms.

In the past, the island derived much of its wealth from tin production, which began in Phuket over 500 years ago. The presence of tin attracted European colonial powers such as the Portuguese and British. Many Chinese and Malay workers also came to Phuket as labourers to work in the tin mines. This mix of different cultures has given Phuket a flavour of its own. The influence of the Chinese and Portuguese are still evident in the old town today. There is also a strong muslim community in Phuket, with about 35% of the island's population being muslims of Malay descent.

Climate

It is warm in Phuket all year round with temperatures ranging between 25 - 34°C (77 - 93°F). Phuket's weather is typically divided into two distinct seasons, dry and rainy, with transitional periods in between. The seasons are dictated by the tropical monsoon, which is characterised by prevailing winds that blow from the northeast for half the year, then reverse and blow from the southwest, producing a dry season and a wet season.

Attractions

Along with the incredible beaches, hills and lush jungle, Phuket is a water lover's paradise. The reefs and surrounding islands teem with marine life. There is a host of water activities including scuba diving, yachting, water-skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and parasailing on offer. Other attractions are the Phuket Aquarium, the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and five golf courses, including the prestigious Blue Canyon Country Club. 

Phuket is an ideal base from which to explore the Andaman region. Many boats leave Phuket for trips around Phang Nga Bay, with its impossibly sheer limestone outcrops that rise out of the sea, many caves and odd shaped islands. Other popular destinations are Phi Phi Island, Racha Islands and the Similan Islands. The Similans are considered to be among the top ten dive sites in the world. 

Phuket is not all about beaches. If you have time, the interior is definitely worth exploring. There are rice paddies, rubber plantations and small slices of Phuket's remaining rainforest. Phuket Town is definitely worth checking out. There's plenty of shops and departments stores, as well as a few flea markets as well as some small antique and handicraft shops. Many of the streets are lined with Sino-Portuguese shop houses and houses, a reminder of the island's heritage.

Patong, across the island from Phuket Town, is the noisy nightlife centre of the island with great beaches and facilities. Beaches such as Kata, Karon, Kamala and Surin are quieter and have a more relaxed feel to them.

Living in Phuket

With its lush vegetation, stunning palm-fringed white beaches, crystal clear waters, friendly people and a solid infrastructure in place, Phuket continues to be the location of choice in South-East Asia for those seeking a second home or to invest in property.

A large expatriate community already resides on the island and continues to grow year-after-year. International schools, world-class hospitals, shopping malls, etc. are within easy reach from any part of the island.