Phuket pronounced as "poo-get", is Thailand's largest island located roughly about 800-900 km South West of Bangkok. There are two main references to the origin of the name "Phuket". One source says that it comes from the Malay word "Bukit" (meaning hill), and another saying it is actually a Thai word meaning a mountain (phu) of jewel (ket). The hilly landscape around the islands interior and the fact that Phuket was once a "mega" tin producing location in the region may have attributed to the origins of its name. Dating as far back as the third century A.D, Phuket has somehow magically drawn hordes of people to its shores.
Despite its small size, Phuket was economically important owing to its natural resources of ivory, gems, natural pearls and spices. Phuket back then saw a diverse array of visitors stepping onto her shores, from Chinese Junks to Malay pirates and Indian merchants to Arabian Traders. |
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Not much has changed since then. Phuket now heads a different "following" of tourists, from Sun Worshippers, bikers and surfers, couples and families looking for some quality time to frenetic “a gogo “party goers. They just keep on coming!
Phuket’s ideal location in the Andaman, ranks its beaches as some of the best in Thailand. Consistently my tour guide keeps reminding me “the 3 must dos while I am in Phuket is to
- “Drink shooters below scantily pole dancers erotically dancing above you @ Bangla Road"
We did this and found: (Bringing your girlfriend with you is not such a good idea), Although most of the board games that the girls will offer to play with you are for mere fun and to pass the time, most of them will spice it up by asking you to buy a drink if you lose at any point!
- Go binge crazy in Old Phuket Town with all the small fancy snacks sold on the road side.
We did this and found: Not only do they have small snacks. Some of these food businesses have been handed down for generations, and some of them are really famous. Try the chicken rice, pork rice, and pork in herbal soup.
- Doze off to a Thai massage @ Laem Sing Cape.
We did this and found: Massages start from 300THB. Secluded and relaxing.
You can read about Phuket’s history on Wikipedia and other websites. Here are the handpicked historical stuff that you might be interested and something that you can relate to, because of the visual statues and sites existing around town that you might very well pass through and wonder what they are.
Two Heroines Monument (A statue of two women): Phuket’s most famous monument in Amphoe Thalang is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sisunthon (Mook), who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders. Thao Thepkasattri the wife of Phuket’s governor together with her sisters help, manage to cleverly disguise local women as male soldiers and use palm trees as weapons, thus appearing to increase Phuket's military manpower. After a month's siege, the Burmese tired, lost heart and left. The two women were regarded as heroes for this.
Sometime in 1967: The Sarasin Bridge was built to connect the main land with Phuket. Now you can catch a bus from anywhere in Thailand to Phuket.
4th May 1997: 'King Cruiser' : A 85-meter passenger ferry on a routine run to the Phi-Phi Islands went off course and hit the Anemone Reef. The huge gap in the ripped hull caused the ship to sink in minutes. All passengers and crew were rescued from this accident. This is now a famous dive site. Its multiple decks and spacious open areas of the wreck provide shelter for a large numbers of fish and crabs.
If you are going to dive – The engine room and car deck can now be accessed together with the passenger section. There are no more doors, so you can’t get trapped there.
Lots of fish have been attracted to the wreck so far, as well as eels and zillions of crabs. It's location near to Shark Point has undoubtedly had something to do with its rapid population growth.
December 26, 2004- Tsunami
Phuket was badly hit by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. The 2004 Indian Ocean earth quake resulted in 10-15 meter waves when it hit phuket’s shores.
As many as 300 people were reported dead in Phuket including foreign tourists and as many as a thousand unreported deaths of illegal workers building new beach resorts in the Khao Lak area. Most of the beaches along the west coast – Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata all suffered bad damages. The villages were all flattened and resorts destroyed.
The combined effort- by both international reliefs and the locals, managed to rebuild and restore the buildings and resorts to be back in operation by February 2005.
There are still plenty of existing signs that will tell you where the nearest Tsunami exit route is. (Even on the islands). Now, there are Tsunami warning towers located along the beaches (tall single column towers by the beach) and also 22 U.S.-made tsunami-detection buoys to be positioned around the Indian Ocean as part of a regional warning system against giant waves caused by earthquakes under the sea.
To learn more on Phukets history, you can check out the Thalang National Museum. Established in 1985, this museum is located 200 meters from the Heroines Monument. Built in a southern architectural style, the museum exhibits the Battle of Thalang, the way of life, culture and history of Phuket and the South.
Getting to Phuket
Flights
Phuket International Airport services most international flights coming in and going out of Phuket.
The Airport is roughly about 45 minutes from Patong, Kata, Karon beaches and is about 30minutes from Phuket Town. There is a minivan service outside that will take you to Phuket town for 80THB, and Patong, Kata or Karon beach for 150THB. The minivan will most probably stop halfway to a travel agent (travel agent pays the driver to bring in business). If you haven’t booked into any hotel, and wish to wander around looking for one yourself, just let them know you are not interested in their services.
Taxi
If you are taking the taxi, it will cost you about 500THB from the airport to the Patong, Karon, Kata Beaches. We found that stopping a taxi outside and letting it run on meter is much cheaper than the set coupon taxis from the booth. (Extra cost might be the commission for the ticketing agent).
Bus
You can catch a bus from the bus terminal (located near Thanon Phang Nga).
Busses to Bangkok (500- 900 THB, takes about 13-15 hours journey).
Busses to Hadyai (220-300 THB, takes about 7-8 hours journey)
Busses to Krabi ( 120-150 THB, takes about 3.5 hours journey)
Busses to Koh Samui ( 250-280 THB, takes about 8 hours, including boat ride)
Busses to Trang (150-200 THB, takes about 5 hours journey)
*beware when you buy combination tickets. Make sure before you hand over your receipts to the driver, you have a copy to prove that you bought the ticket
*Also make sure you do not have valuables put into your luggage storage area in the bus, as there has been known to be thefts.
Going around Phuket
Renting a motorcycle is the easiest and most convenient way to get around the island. Rental of bikes below 125cc ranges from about 250 THB to 350 THB/ day. (Comes with helmet, and make sure you wear them, as there is a law against not wearing them. Fines up to 300THB if you are caught).
*Most rental companies require a valid photo driving license of you.
The police are more lenient if you are just riding around the beach area. Take special care if you are headed out, from beach to beach or especially if you are headed to Phuket Town.
Sawngthaew and Motorcycle taxis
Sawngtheaws
Many Sawng thaews ply the main roads. There is no designated bus stop so to you can literally hail one anywhere. Rides start from 50 THB. This bus like jeeps runs from 7am to 5pm. anytime before or after, you will need to pay premium. (It can cost you up to 300 THB -500THB from Patong to Kata or Kamala).
There are small ring buttons inside to let the driver know where to stop.
Motorcycle taxis rides start from 30THB. (Riding around town will cost you only 30THB)
*Best to prepare change and just pay the driver straight, without any questions. Asking him how much will usually result in being overcharged.
Phuket Important Numbers
Tourism Authority Office
73-75 Phuket Road, Muang District
Tel- 0 76212213, 076211036
(Open 8.30am- 4.30pm)
www.tat.or.th
Police: 191, 076223555
Tourist Police
Phuket Town - 076254693
Patong Beach - 076340244
Emergency -1155
Marine Police, Sea Rescue- 076340917
Bangkok Phuket Hospital
www.phukethospital.com
Tel:076254425
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