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Phuket Island
The island of
Phuket lies off the West coast of Southern Thailand in the
Andaman Sea, approximately 890km from Bangkok. It is Thailand’s largest
island at 550sq km and is surrounded by many smaller islands that add a
further 70 sq km to its total land area. Phuket is separated from the
mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, where
a causeway connects the island to the mainland.
The most
beautiful beaches are found on the West coast, separated by rocky coves
and headlands. The east coast comprises limestone shoals with only a few
sandy beaches while spectacular limestone islands adorn the horizon.
Coral gardens full of exotic marine life dot the emerald waters
surrounding the island.
Phuket has
the second highest per capita income of any province in Thailand outside
of Bangkok. Tourism has dominated the island’s economy for the past two
decades. Each year, over 3 million visitors arrive to enjoy Phuket’s
natural splendor and many amenities.
For much of its history, Phuket’s economy was based on tin mining. Since
the fall in the demand for tin in the 1980s and restrictions placed upon
tin dredging to protect the coastal waters, the industry’s importance
has greatly declined.
Rubber became an important part of the local economy at the beginning of
the twentieth century when large areas of rainforest were cut down to
make way for rubber plantations, many of which can still be seen on the
island.
Other contributors to the local economy include: Pearl farms;
Agriculture and horticulture in the form of coconuts, cashews, tapioca,
cacao, rice and pineapple; prawn farming, and the processing of marine
products.
Phuket is Thailand’s only island province and is also the country's
smallest province in terms of area.
The island is divided into three administrative districts or amphoe;
Thalang, to the north, Kathu to the west and Muang in the south.
Although Phuket is an island, getting here is very straightforward. The
majority of visitors arrive through Phuket International Airport.
However, you can also get to Phuket by road, rail, and of course by sea.
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