 Phuket
travel information and local guide
Phuket, 867 km from Bangkok, is Thailand's largest
island, and the country's only island province. It is also
a regional government headquarters, and with a population
of 1.6 million, Phuket ranks as the sixth largest province
in Thailand.
Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket derived much
of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production,
which dates back over 500 year. Today, Phuket is the country's
major tourist attraction. The surrounding waters contain
much varied marine life and the island itself is blessed with
lovely seashores and forested hillsides. Approximately 1.75
million Rai of the island is forest. Phuket Town also has
some wonderful examples of Sino-Portugese architecture.
The dream of escaping to an idyllic tropical island becomes
a reality on Phuket; Thailand's southern paradise
Shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately
21 km wide by 48 km long, the island is sparsely populated
outside Phuket Town. The landscape is one of lush green hills,
coconut groves, rubber plantations and a coastline dotted
with a dozen spectacular beaches. (Browse Beaches of Phuket).
Unspoilt stretches of fine white sand are found along
the entire west coast of the island. Each sun-drenched beach
has a character and charm of its own, and is separated from
its neighbors by picturesque headlands and backdrops of wooded
hills. Lapping the shore are the sparkling warm blue waters
of the Andaman Sea.
Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's
Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying 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 form part of the same administration, with a
total area of 570 square km. Measured at its widest point,
Phuket is 21.3 km; at its longest, 48.7 km.
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 Thao 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.
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 33.4ºC, prevail
during March.
Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows
dip to 22ºC.
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate. It's warm all year
'round, but the two periods of April-May and September-October
are the hottest. The September-October period is also the
wettest.
The best time to visit Phuket is during the cool NE
monsoon season, from November though March, when it isn't
so humid, and the cool breezes keep things comfortable. The
average temperature is around 75ºF to 89ºF (24ºC
to 32ºC).
The hottest time is from April through May, with temperatures
ranging from 80ºF to 95ºF (27ºC to 36ºC).
There are frequent short heavy thundery showers, offering
welcome relief from the temperature and humidity. The Thai
New Year occurs on April 13th and everyone sprinkles (or throws)
cool water on each other. No wonder!
Locals enjoy June, July and August, since the weather
is usually fine and our favourite haunts remain uncrowded.
The usual pattern is brief but heavy showers, with plenty
of sunshine between downpours. Everything is a little less
expensive at this time of year, as well. Temperatures range
between 70ºF and 90ºF (20ºC to 33ºC).
During September and early October locals start to
remember their umbrellas. This makes an ideal time to visit
abroad. One consolation for those who remain is that the beaches,
outdoor restaurants and streets are relatively uncluttered
by visitors.
And even at this time, we still get long intervals of sunshine
between the heavy showers. Plenty of low season activities,
both water- and land-based, are still available on Phuket
during this wettest part of the summer season
The island is divided into 3 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.
|
