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Island pearl

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-24 16:27

 

Located 867 km south of Bangkok, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is shaped like an irregular pearl. It measures 50 km long north to south and is 21 km wide.

Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it has a coastline fringed with white sandy beaches and quiet coves, bathed by the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea and set against a backdrop of green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations.

Phuket once derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoys a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in the logs of foreign trade ship, including those from Portugal, the Netherlands, England and France.

Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied the islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.

Blessed by nature and the smiling hospitality of its people, and supported by superb tourism facilities, Phuket is today one of the world’s premier tropical resorts.

Palm-fringed beaches boast an island-studded sea, superb accommodation, delicious seafood, numerous sporting and leisure opportunities and, of course, year-round sunshine, to conclude the perfect recipe for a truly memorable holiday.

A famous Phuket landmark is a stone standing in the middle of Indian Ocean. As this stone appears in a James Bond film, the island is called James Bond Island.

Climate

Phuket has two main seasons: the rainy season runs from May through October and the hot season, from November to April. However, it remains sunny throughout the rainy season, with showers customarily lasting two to three hours. The best months to visit are November to February. Average temperatures range between 22 and 34 Celsius degrees.

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