Phuket Thailand - Land of Sandy Beaches

The island of Phuket lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. It is about 890km from Bangkok and is Thailand's largest island at about the same size as Singapore (550 square km). It is surrounded by a number of smaller islands that add another 70 square miles to its total land area. Separated from the mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, there is a causeway that runs from the island to the mainland.

Phuket is a mountainous island with some peaks rising above 500m. It highest peak is Mai Tao Sipsong at 529m. Covered by lush jungle growth, many of the lowlands consist of plantations of rubber coconut, pineapple with rice paddies interspersed. A significant portion of the island is rainforest and part of the protected park of Khao Phra Thaeo.

One of the most wondrous beaches is found on the west coast, divided by rocky cokes and headlands. On the east coast there are limestone shoals with fewer sandy beaches with a view of the spectacular limestone islands adorning the horizon. There are many coral gardens complete with a diverse selection of exotic marine life swimming through crystal clear, emerald waters that surround the island. Sadly, much of Phuket's coral has fallen victim to environmental problems and pressures of human intervention into the natural eco system.

Residents of Phuket are made up of Thai people who have migrated from the mainland, ethnic Chinese, Malays and the Chao Leh otherwise known as sea-gypsies who are the indigenous people of Phuket.

At the last census it was determined that Thai-Buddhists account for a large portion of the population equaling nearly 71% of the total. The Malays are next at 24% and the Chao Leh only make up 4% of the entire populous. Thai-Buddhists include the Chinese who have become completely assimilated and it is estimated that the percentage is somewhere close to 35% of the total 71% counted.

Most of these people live in Phuket City or Patong Beach, distributed along the East-West axis according to The National Statistical Office, who conducted Thailand's latest census in the year 2000. In reality the number is probably much higher than the reported 250,000 because many who live and work in Phuket live somewhere else.

Seasonal workers and visitors account for a significant number year round. Taking all of this into account, the figure has jumped as high as 500,000 during peak times.

Phuket has the second highest per capita income in Thailand only rivaled by Bangkok. It is primarily due to the tourist economy that has expanded over the past two decades. Annually an estimated three million visitors take advantage of the paradise-like conditions that Phuket offers.

Many of the vacationers rent the Phuket villas which are renowned for being the most luxurious in the world. Phuket villa rentals are a sought after commodity where supply can always keep up with demand as jetsetters from around the world come in search of the ultimate luxury and decadence that the island produces.

Phuket wasn't always an island paradise, having its start as a tin mining community rife with pollution and poverty. Since the fall in demand for tin since the 1980s, as well as restrictions imposed by the Thai government, there has been a change.

Rubber became an important economic commodity around the start of the 20th century, and with large areas of rainforest destroyed in that process by the rubber plantations, many can still be seen on the island.

Local economy is also bolstered by the Pearl farms as well as agricultural and horticultural contributions in the form of coconuts, cashews, cacao, rice, pineapple and tapioca. As well there is prawn farming and marine product processing.