PHUKET HISTORY

Promthep Cape Phuket

PHUKET was frist discovered from the west by Arab and indian navigators between AD880-916.These seafaring Explorers found the native inhabitants to be wanderers and believed the migratory race tobe a cross between the An damanese and Nicobar, or "strails islanders" far away to the NW and W These people were naturally excellent swimmers, drives, and mariners, Who are recognized today as the "Chao ley", Or sea gypsies. Even among Marco Polo's circle of adventurers. Phuket was said to exist; but it wasn't until AD 1200 that the first written record of Phuket appeared in the English Sailing Journals of the Indian Archipelago. Three centuries later, the first stream of European sea traders came to the island and found a seaport trading in rhinoceros horn, ivor, geme, and, pearls for the past century,Phuket'S history has been documented In 1906, a missionary named John Carrington kept a journal for the Siam Society of his Southern archeological discoveries, His notes have this to say about old Phuket "One of the most beautiful and enchanting spots in the word lies off the west coast of siam. It is a place where wild elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, waterbuffalo, cattle, monkeys, birds, and reptiles abound Phuket has an enormous deposit of quality tin and elephants bring the ore from the mines to be smelted. The peaceful sea gypsies are reclusive and are described as the. 'People of the strail'. "
Phuket is Thailand's largest island and a province in itself, It is laden with bamboo forests, salacca palm, and fruit trees of banana, mango, jackfruit, and durian.This sculptured island has a land area of 550 sq. km., and is surrounded by 39 offshore island and islets. The island runa in a north to south direction for 50 km, And is 21 km.at its widest point.Threr are two predominant weather systema in Phuket. The clearest, most stable months are between November and April when the temperature ranges between 21 c and 34 c. The seas are crystal clear, and accompanied by sunny days. May to October is the rainy season when cloud coverage, and cooler, more temperate day avail themselves. Brief showers usually occur in the late afternoon, with any "down-pours" occurring late in the evening. The month of September has the most precipitation, and this is true over all of southern Thailand.

Phuket's Two Heroines

Phuket's Two Heroines
captain Light played a pivotal part in the most famous chapter in Phuket's history: the routing of the invading Burmese army in 1785. The Burmese had been repelled a year earlier but returned in a large fleet-which was spotted by the Captain. He lost no time in alerting the authorities in Phuket.


The island's governor had just passed away so the challenge of organising its defence was taken up by his widow, Kunying Jan. She and her sister Mook assembled what forces they could and, according to legend, disguised local women as male soldiers, thus making Phuket's. military manpower seem invincible. The Burmese eventually lost heart and left after a month's siege and as a result King Rama 1 awarded Kunying Jan with the royal title of 'Thao Thep Kasattri'.

Nowadays, one of Phuket's main thoroughfares is Thepkassatri Rd. It leads past a centrally located roundabout on which stand statues of Kunying Jan and Thao Sri Suntorn - Mook's royally bestowed title. 'Heroine's Monument', as it is known, plays host to many locals who wish to pay their respects to their illustrious ancestors

How To Get There
Phuket is located 890 km. South of Bangkok on TheWest coast of the kra Isthmus peninsula. The island is connected to the main land by the Sarasin causeway, a 2 km. highway bridge.

International Airport
Bus Swrvice.

Non air-condition bus:

Bangkok - Phuket, 7 departures daily from the southern Bus Terminal on Charan Sanitwongse Road, Thonburi between 07:30 to 22:30.

Fare:   bath. No advance booking.

Phuket - Bangkok, from the bus terminal on Phang-Nga Road, 7 times daily from 06:00 to 18:30 Fare:   bath.

Air - conditioned bus.
Bangkok - Phuket, From the southern bus Terminal on Charan Sanitwongse road, Thonburi, 9 departures daily between 08:00-20:30. Fare:   bath.

Phuket-bangkok From the bus terminal on. Pnang-Nga. Road, 10 Departures daily between 08:00-17:40. Fare:   bath.

VIP. besce are avilable daily from both bangkok and Phuket busTerminal.They have 31 seats and depart at 18:45, arriving the next day at 15:00. Fare   bath.Seats must be booked inadvance. there are daily local andnair-condinationed bus service to Phuket From: Takuapa, Ranong,Phang-Nga, Nakhonsi Thammarat, and Surat Thani.

Rail Service.
Passengers destined for Phuket can purchase joint tickets from either the Staate Railway of Thailand or Songserm Travel.The rabid train (No.41 Bangkok-Trang) departs Bangkok's Hua Lumpong station at 18:30 and arrives atSurat Thani at 06:00. From Surat Thani Passengers will be take by air-conditioned bus to major hotels in Phuket. Joint train and bus fares for second-class ordinary coach is 424 bath for adults, second-class sleeping berth is   bath, and second-class air-conditioned sleeping berth is 624 bath.

Returning to Bangkok. Passengers can take the chartered bus to Surat Thani from which they can take any Bangkok bound rapid train (No.42, 44,46, and48).

The Main roads and highways on the island are wide, asphalt paved, and well marked by illuminated arrow directional signs in English. The road arround the island is paved with and dirt section well laid and awaiting to be surfaced. Renting a jeep or motocycle is an excellent way to tour the island where steep hills may require careful maneuvering. Private cars, jeeps, and motocycle can be hired from car rentals such as Phuket Car Center and Pure Car Rent in Phuket town. International car rental agencies, like Avis, have counters at the leading hotels, with Hertz having outlets in the Patong hotels. Both companies have rental offices outside the Phuket Airport.

Around Phuket.

Phuket is both an adventurers and ambience seekers island. Luxurious resorts, dense jungle, set roada and modrn tele-communications create an exclusively seft-contained island with aThai character all its own.Take advantage of Phuket; enjoy its ocean sports, nightlift, specialty shops, abundant seafood,. Thai Foodand. sparkling shores.

Sightseeing by tour is an excellent way to experience Phuket. Phang Nga Bay and the Phi-Phi island are Favorites on everyone's travel agenda.If you have time travelling around Phuket can be a real island safari by renting a jeep or motorbike.Keep your camara loaded with plenty of film; because agibbon, sea eagle. , Or spectacular Indian Ocean sunset mat be waiting over the next hill!

Introduce A trip to Pattaya.