Introduction
Phuket,
a large island in the Indian Ocean, is 867 kms. from
Bangkok. It is the only island having provincial status,
and was a regional headquarters as well, with a rich
and colorful history.
Known
as the Pearl of the Andaman, it derived much of its
former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production,
which in Phuket dates back over 500 year. Today, Phuket
is the major tourist attraction of Thailand.
The
surrounding waters contain much varied marine life,
and the town is notable for its Sino-Portuguese architecture.
It is a very attractive island for sightseeing, with
lovely seashores and forested hillsides.
Its
population of 1.6 million people ranks sixth among all
provinces. Approximately 1.75 million Rai of the area
is forest land.
The
main occupation here is rice farming. The average per
capita income is 14,343 baht.
Location
and Boundaries
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. Phuket, Thailand's
largest islands, 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:
North
Lies The Pak Prah strait, spanned by two bridges running
side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer
Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge.
South
Is the Andaman Sea.
East
Is Phang-nga Bay (In the jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga
Province).
West Is The Andaman Sea.
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 Tha Sip Song, or Twelve
Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries
of Tambon Patong, Kathu District. The remaining 30 percent
of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed
by low plains. Streams include the Khlong Bang Yai,
Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, none
of which is large.
Climate
Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon
winds that blow year round. It is therefore always warm
and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and
dry.
The
rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during
which the monsoon blows from the southwest.
The
dry season is from November through April, when the
monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures,
at 33.4 degree Celsius, prevail during March.
Lowest
averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to
22 degree Celsius.
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-importance 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 largly taken over the east and south coasts.
Pearl
farming is also important. Phuket's fishing port is
at all time filled, and processing of marine products,
mainly fish, makes a significant contribution to the
economy.
With
so many healthy industries supplying income, construction
has become a major factor in employment.
This
range 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.
Population
Official population as of December, 1998, was 231,206.
This
figure numbers those who are registered as living in
Phuket.
Phuket'
s attraction as a center of economic activity has resulted
in many living on the island whose registration is elsewhere.
The total population of Phuket varies considerably depending
on the time of year, through it is never less than the
figure given above.
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