“Just a short flight away from Thailand’s capital city Bangkok, Phuket is the largest island on Thailand located in the Andaman Sea. With Phang-nga to one side and Krabi the other, Phuket is one of the most affluent of the seventy-seven provinces in the Kingdom and has been a popular holiday destination for foreigners and locals for many years. Many visitors choose to stay at luxurious Thailand Phuket resorts, which offer stunning views and world-class amenities, enhancing their experience on this beautiful island.”
Historically Phuket has had a strong Chinese influence. Chinese Buddhist shrines and Chinese restaurants are omnipresent on the island. A vegetarian festive with Chinese origins is held on the island once a year. Surrounded by numerous beaches and luxury 5 star hotels in Phuket Thailand the island Is a first choice destination for many visiting the country for the first time. The international airport has links with many countries across the world.
The island city in southern Thailand sits off the west coast of the Thai peninsular. It is still a major port and commercial center exporting tin, rubber, charcoal, timber, and fish products around the world. The island’s surface is mostly land level with some hills that reach a peak of 520 meters. Originally settled on as early as the 1st century the island made up part of the Tai states and was incorporated into the Ayutthaya kingdom around the time of the 16th century. Years later a large number of Chinese arrived and nowadays almost half of the population are Chinese.
Besides being a major seaside resort Phuket is also a popular choice for business conferences and seminars. With several beaches to visit and opportunities for team-building activities Phuket has a plethora of five-star resorts and hotels that can accommodate major corporate functions. Reachable via the international airport or by bridge from the mainland Phuket has good infrastructure, fast internet, and top-class conference halls.
It isn’t all beaches and conferences – Phuket also has a historic old town that exhibits some of the more interesting architecture in Thailand. The lively Phuket Old Town is adorned with brightly painted, century-old Sino-Portuguese townhouses Main Street Thalang Road has stores selling ice cream and fabrics and a Sunday market for souvenirs and street food. The Thai Hua Museum features an exhibit on Chinese immigrant culture. The Jui Tui Shrine showcases colourful statues of Chinese gods.
The island of Phuket has a beautiful historical old town, great viewpoints and iconic cultural attractions. It’s also a good base for exploring the nearby islands and their must-see attractions. These include world-famous places like Koh Lanta, Phang Nga Bay, the famous James Bond Island used for the location in The Man with the Golden Gun, and the Phi Phi Islands made famous as the location for the movie The Beach.
When choosing a week or two of sunshine away from home you could do a lot worse than choosing Phuket as a holiday destination. Large enough to explore and lined with beautiful beaches this, the largest of Thai islands, is a perfect getaway.
