Phuket - The Andaman Beauty
Short Facts
Size: About 543 km2
Population: About 300.000
Location: South-West Thailand
Main town: Phuket City (former Phuket Town)
Province: Phuket
Phuket flag and seal:
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and on one of it's most popular destinations. About 70% of the area is covered by jungle and the best beaches is generally found on the west coast. Many people consider it to be their favorite island in the world and Phuket has something to offer all its visitors. Families, people who travels alone, pensioners, couples, backpackers, sport lovers and party people etc. You can find them all in Phuket.
It is not hard to find your favorite spot here or a calm place where it is easy to relax. Phuket is a large island and it is normally only in places like Patong you might end up in some crowds. The best weather in the Andaman area (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi-Phi etc.) is from December until May. But the prices decreases significantly the rest of the year, as well as the number of tourists.
Tourism and the Local Population
Since the early 1980s, tourism has been the main source of income in Phuket. On most beaches you will find many hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and souvenir shops. But tourism is by no means the island's sole source of income. Agriculture is still important for many people here. Main crops and products are rubber, coconuts, cashew nuts, and pineapples.
Source of Income
Prawn farming has its main location in the eastern and southern parts of the island. Pearl farming is also an important source of income for som inhabitants. In Phuket's fishing port, many fishing boats returns with today's catch for the restaurants and the markets on the island. With so many good sources of income, construction has become a major branch in Phuket. This includes everything from public projects, office buildings, hotels, resorts and residential areas with hundreds of units.
Phuket official population size is more than 300,000. Most live in Muang district. About a third of the island's population are Chinese descendants. And another third is Thai Muslims of Malaysian origin. There is also a small number of sea gypsies who lives in a village on the island of Koh Sirey.
