Phuket Travel Guide

Other sources claim it was formed from the Thai words for ‘mountain’ and ‘jewel’, being ‘phu’ and ‘ket’ respectively. Prior to this, Phuket was called ‘Jung Ceylon’, a reference that is evident on historic European navigational charts and an alteration of the Malay Tanjung Salang words for ‘Cape Salang’.

Later, it was called ‘Thalang’, a name that still remains in one of the island’s districts before finally settling on the name it is known as today. With its 576 square kilometers it is just a bit smaller than Singapore, but it is the country’s largest island.

Phuket’s idyllic position along a major maritime trade route, as well as its valuable natural raw materials such as tin, gained the attention of a number of nations in the past. In the 17th century the Dutch and English displayed their interest in trading.

Towards the end of the century, the French were exporting the most amount of tin, and Siamese King Narai decided to appoint a French governor to oversee Phuket in an attempt to rid the Dutch and English influence on the island. The French were later expelled following the Siam Revolution in 1688 where they attempted occupation one year later but to no avail.

In 1785, the Burmese saw a battle that eventually ended in their defeat when the wife of the deceased governor of Phuket Province, Than Phu Ying Chan and her sister, Khun Muk defended the isle by dressing as male soldiers and forming a powerful army. In honour of these brave siblings, King Rama I awarded them each with royal titles and they are recognised to this day for their courage and fearlessness in a commemorative statue known as Heroine’s Monument.

Phuket’s tin mining industry continued to grow and was a booming business by the 19th century, which saw a large influx of Chinese migrants arrive to work for the European mine owners. The Chinese began mixing with Thais by initially sharing their knowledge and traditions, and eventually through inter-marriage whereby a new culture was created that is known as ‘Baba’.

Tin mining has ceased to exist on the Andaman isle where natural resources that continue to thrive are rubber plantations and palm oil production. Phuket’s main source of income though comes from tourism.

The island first sparked the interest of keen sun seekers in the 1970’s and produced the beginning of another boom. Resorts began popping up in Patong and Phuket Town at first, eventually spreading into other parts of the isle. Today, Phuket continues to grow by expanding its opportunities in business and tourism, while still maintaining its soulful charm and charisma.