Sam
Thailand's only island province, Phuket is a world famous tourist
destination, renowed for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, lots of
offshore islands providing great sites for diving, as well as plentiful
high quality resort accommodation. Formerly its great wealth came
from tin mining, and the influence of the Chinese tin and rubber
entrepreneurs is evident , especially in the town, where numerous
Chinese temples and shrines celebrate a Vegetarian Food Festival
every October. Today the province's wealth comes from the vast
tourism industry that has developed in recent years, as travellers
around the world discover Phuket has a lot to offer in the way of sun
and sea. By contrast the hilly intererior hides forests, a national park,
gibbon rehabilitation centre and promises of elephant treks.
The Biographies of Thao Thep krasatree
and Thao Sri Soon Thorn (click here)
|
Location & Access
Located 862 kms south of
Bangkok.Phuket International
Airport handles numerous daily
flights from Bangkok and other
Thai towns and resorts, as well as
direct flights from Europe and
Asia. Regular buses and coaches
make the 14-hour journey from
Bangkok. No trains.
Geography
Thailand's largest island is oval in
shape, with most of its land area
rolling hills alternating with
basins. A series of bays run up the
west coast, with fine white
beaches and jutting headlands.
The beaches on the east coast are
muddier and flatter. Phuket has
one river, Lam Huai river, and 32
smaller outlying islands.
Borders
North : Phang Nga
South & West : The Andaman Sea
East : Phang Nga Bay
Highlights
Attractions: Patong Beach.
Phromthep Cape, Karon-Kata
Beaches, Wat Chalong, Phuket
Aquarium
Souvenirs: Kung siap (shrimp
chilli dip), taosaw dessert, cashew
nuts, pearls, batik cloth
Festivals: Laguna Phuket
Triathlon (October); Phuket
Vegetarian Festival (October
20-28); Patong Beach Carnival
(November); King's Cup Regatta
(December) |
 |
|
