Phuket Genaral Information

History
Dating back to A.D. 1025 indicate that the island's name derives from the Tamil Manikram, or crystal mountain.For the most of the history,Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon,. The name is thought to have its roots in Patolemy's Geography written by the Alexandrian geographer in the Third Century A.D .He mentioned that in making a trip from Souwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was neccesary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.
Phuket was the gateway on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter.

The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium age. Then when Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empire governed in the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket is an emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literature times.
During the Sukhothai period, Phuket was associated with Takua Pa in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya period in the 16th century.Then,the island was divided as northern and central regions then when was governed by the Thais, and the southern and western were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

When Ayuttaya was sacked in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. However, the enemy was anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma.
This led Phuket has the most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Khunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governer, and her sister Mook, After a month's siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.
In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Sunthon.
During the Nineteenth Century, Chinese immigrants arrived to work for the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen. In 1933, with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries
Phuket is situated in the south of Thailand, on the Andaman sea coast,it is a part of the Indian Ocean.It lies between 7'45" and 8'15" north latitude, and from 98'15" to 98'40" west longitude on the map. Phuket,Thailand's largest island is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that formed part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, 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
It is about 70 percent of Phuket province is mountainous; a western range from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters high, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District. Another about 30 percent is mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains, streams including Khlong Bang Yai, Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, none of which is large.

Administration
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 councils. The local constabulary is part of the Interior Ministry.

Population
Official population as of March 31, 2001, was 252,282. This figure those who are registered as living in Phuket. Phuket' s attraction as a center of economic activity has resulted in many settlements that 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.

Economy
Since the early 1980's the tourist business has been Phuket's principal income from hotel's business, 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, cashew nuts, and pineapples.
Furthermore, prawn farming has taken over the east and the 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.

Weather
The weather of Phuket 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 to 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.

Phuket Area Guide