Phuket

Located in the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a cluster of 33 islands spread across an area of 354 sq km. Phuket Island, the largest in Thailand is 890 km away from Bangkok and is connected to the mainland through a bridge. The island comprises three districts of Muang, Kathu and Talang.

The history of Phuket dates back to the first century BC. The earliest mention of the island comes from the records of Ptolemy, the famous Greek geographer who lived during the third century AD. Since then, Phuket has remained an attractive destination for its natural resources comprising ivory, spices, natural pearls, precious gems, hides, firewood, caulk for ship hulls, and ambergris. 

Mountains occupy majority of the island's landscape and the rest are plains. The most popular of Phuket's beaches are on the western coast of the island. It enjoys a warm tropical climate with the temperature remaining constant throughout the year. There are basically two seasons in Phuket - the dry season and the rainy season. Even during the monsoon, there is plenty of sunshine. 

Apart from the European influence the island has had throughout the centuries, Phuket is a cultural melting pot inhabited by a diverse set of ethnical groups like the Thai, Chinese and Malays. Many expats have also made the island their home. Buddhism and Islam are the main religions practiced by the inhabitants.

The construction of an airport and road links during the 1980s has led to the present tourism boom, and transformed the island into a bustling tourist resort. The island still retains much of its traditional character. Being a major tourist destination favoured by young as well as the old Phuket today is one of the most expensive islands in Thailand.