Welcome to Phuket
Located
approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island,
which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south.
Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches,
tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's
wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.
Nestled in the
tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman
Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square
kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers
an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are
included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7
kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide. Phuket
borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by
the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The
island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri
Bridge. Staying
on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season
(May to October) and the hot season (November to April). Visitors are not recommended
to travel to Phuket between September and October as they are the wettest months.
The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible
to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal
clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures
ranges between 23?C and 33?C. Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent
of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining
30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island.
The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks. Phuket
is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang
and Amphoe Kathu. Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea,
sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture
casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality
has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations
ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered
to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to
sample than just Phuket's famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have
made Phuket a truly unique destination. |