Phuket's history

Phuket is the smallest province in Thailand, located in the south of the country, and yet home to the largest island and one of the most famous international tourist destinations in Asia, Koh Phuket.

Phuket Island is located in the Andaman Sea off the south west of Thailand. The island features a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south, and from a distance the location looks like a large hill. The sea of the Andaman is crystal clear, and perhaps most closely embodies the visual ideal people around the world hold of Thailand and its beaches. The most popular beaches are on the western coast of the island, while east coast beaches are slightly muddy. Laem Promthep is in the south of the island, a popular spot to view the sunset. Forest covers some 70% of land in Phuket.

The Sirinat National Park on the northwestern coast was established in 1981 and protects an area of 90 km², most of which is marine area, including the Nai Yang beach where sea turtles lay their eggs. In the north is the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-hunting Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest.

Chinese tin miners first settled the island and their influence can still be seen today. Phuket has also been home to British and Portuguese traders who again left their mark. This interesting mix of history and cultures is best scene in the central Phuket Town, which, the most populous area of the island and home to the cheapest accommodation. Today it is tourism that occupies the centre piece of the Phuket economy, along side rubber tree plantations, and area of industry that took a major blow when the December 26th, 2004 tsunami hit the shores of the west coast.

As with most of Thailand, the majority of the population is Buddhist, but there is a significant number of Muslims (30%) in Phuket, mainly descendants of the island's original sea-dwelling people.

One of Phuket most famed religious procession is the Phuket vegetarian festival. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song".

As devastating as the tsunami was, by February 2005 many damaged and most undamaged resorts were back in operation. There is now little sign of the devastation following an extensive rebuilding, and the economy is back on track. The event has left an understandable mark on the culture and psyche of the island, and is marked by yearly ceremonies on the western beaches to honour the memory of those who lost their lives.