Introduction

Phuket, 867 km from Bangkok, is Thailand's largest island, and the country's only island province. It is also a regional government headquarters, and with a population of 1.6 million, Phuket ranks as the sixth largest province in Thailand.

Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket derived much of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production, which dates back over 500 year. Today, Phuket is the country's major tourist attraction. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the island itself is blessed with lovely seashores and forested hillsides. Approximately 1.75 million Rai of the island is forest. Phuket Town also has some wonderful examples of Sino-Portugese architecture.

The dream of escaping to an idyllic tropical island becomes a reality on Phuket; Thailand's southern paradise

Shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately 21 km wide by 48 km long, the island is sparsely populated outside Phuket Town. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves, rubber plantations and a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. (Browse Beaches of Phuket).

Unspoilt stretches of fine white sand are found along the entire west coast of the island. Each sun-drenched beach has a character and charm of its own, and is separated from its neighbors by picturesque headlands and backdrops of wooded hills. Lapping the shore are the sparkling warm blue waters of the Andaman Sea.

Location and Boundaries

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7'45" and 8'15" north latitude, and from 98'15" to 98'40" west longitude on the map.
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square km. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 km; at its longest, 48.7 km.

Geography

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive.

The highest peak is Mai Thao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District.

The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Khlong Bang Yai, Tha Jin, Khlong Tha Rua, and Khlong Bang Rong, none of which is large.

Climate

Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry.

The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest.

The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast.

Highest average temperatures, at 33.4ºC, prevail during March.

Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22ºC.

Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate. It's warm all year 'round, but the two periods of April - May and September - October are the hottest. The September-October period is also the wettest.

The best time to visit Phuket is during the cool NE monsoon season, from November though March, when it isn't so humid, and the cool breezes keep things comfortable. The average temperature is around 75ºF to 89ºF (24ºC to 32ºC).

The hottest time is from April through May, with temperatures ranging from 80ºF to 95ºF (27ºC to 36ºC). There are frequent short heavy thundery showers, offering welcome relief from the temperature and humidity. The Thai New Year occurs on April 13th and everyone sprinkles (or throws) cool water on each other. No wonder!

Locals enjoy June, July and August, since the weather is usually fine and our favourite haunts remain uncrowded. The usual pattern is brief but heavy showers, with plenty of sunshine between downpours. Everything is a little less expensive at this time of year, as well. Temperatures range between 70ºF and 90ºF (20ºC to 33ºC).

During September and early October locals start to remember their umbrellas. This makes an ideal time to visit abroad. One consolation for those who remain is that the beaches, outdoor restaurants and streets are relatively uncluttered by visitors.
And even at this time, we still get long intervals of sunshine between the heavy showers. Plenty of low season activities, both water- and land-based, are still available on Phuket during this wettest part of the summer season

Government

The island is divided into 3 districts, Thalang in the north, Kathu in the west, and Muang in the south.

Thailand's system of government relies upon a strong central authority, thus the Provincial Governor is a civil servant appointed by the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, as are the Nai Amphoe, or District Chief.

The cities of Phuket and Patong have their own city governments, with elected city councils, the leading members of which serve as mayor.

There are also elected provincial, district, and sub-district, or Tambon councils. The local constabulary is part of the Interior Ministry.