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Phuket, formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang or 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island it has no land boundaries.<br/><br/>


Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailand’s largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.
Phuket, at 810sq km Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea just off the coast of Phang-nga Province. Joined to the mainland by a wide causeway it has developed into the most luxurious and exquisite beach resort in Thailand.<br/><br/>

In centuries past Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, handling shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay Worlds, India, Burma (Myanmar), China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century the island was also well known to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shores.<br/><br/>

The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found in large quantities in the nearby shallows. Miners and businessmen flocked to the island from the provinces of south China, adding a considerable Sinitic element to the island's already mixed population.<br/><br/>

It was not until around 1975, however, that Phuket's potential for tourism was finally realised. A sweep of warm, sandy beaches line the western, Andaman Coast.
Phuket, at 810sq km Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea just off the coast of Phang-nga Province. Joined to the mainland by a wide causeway it has developed into the most luxurious and exquisite beach resort in Thailand.<br/><br/>

In centuries past Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, handling shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay Worlds, India, Burma (Myanmar), China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century the island was also well known to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shores.<br/><br/>

The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found in large quantities in the nearby shallows. Miners and businessmen flocked to the island from the provinces of south China, adding a considerable Sinitic element to the island's already mixed population.<br/><br/>

It was not until around 1975, however, that Phuket's potential for tourism was finally realised. A sweep of warm, sandy beaches line the western, Andaman Coast.
Phuket, at 810sq km Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea just off the coast of Phang-nga Province. Joined to the mainland by a wide causeway it has developed into the most luxurious and exquisite beach resort in Thailand.<br/><br/>

In centuries past Phuket was an important trading post on the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, handling shipping and dealing with sailors from the Arab and Malay Worlds, India, Burma (Myanmar), China and, of course, Siam. By the 16th century the island was also well known to Europeans, as first Portuguese and Dutch, then English and French sailed to its fabled shores.<br/><br/>

The island enjoyed an unprecedented surge in wealth when tin was found in large quantities in the nearby shallows. Miners and businessmen flocked to the island from the provinces of south China, adding a considerable Sinitic element to the island's already mixed population.<br/><br/>

It was not until around 1975, however, that Phuket's potential for tourism was finally realised. A sweep of warm, sandy beaches line the western, Andaman Coast.