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General Information |
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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 with hotels of all price ranges.
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. |
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. |
| 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 largely 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.
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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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Government
The island is divided into three districts, Thalang in the north, Kathu in the west, and
Muang in the south. Thailand's system of government relies upon a strong central
authority, thus the Provincial Governor is a civil servant appointed by the Interior
Ministry in Bangkok, as are the Nai Amphoe, or District Chief. The cities of Phuket and
Patong have their own city governments, with elected city councils, the leading members of
which serve as mayor. There are also elected provincial, district, and sub-district, or
Tambon councils. The local constabulary is part of the Interior Ministry. |
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. |
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Sabana Resort
Sea Sun Sand Resort
Patong Swiss Quantum
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