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 Phuket,
also known as "The Pearl of the Andaman", is Thailand's
biggest island and one of the country's most important tourist attractions. Roughly
the same size as Singapore, the terrain is varied and features a hilly backbone,
magnificent west coast beaches and a secluded east coast. Phuket's climate is
tropical with temperatures hovering about 30 degrees centigrade all-year round.
There are two monsoon seasons; one from May to October and a cooler period from
December to April. Recent History: Over 100 years ago a large influx of Chinese
Hokkien labourers arrived to work in the tin mines and many stayed. Today, the
island has more of a Chinese flavour than most Thai provinces. After the tin boom
subsided, tourism became an important industry and most of the west coast is devoted
to hotels and their spin-off enterprises. The property market on Phuket has blossomed
within the last few years and partly as a result the face of the island has changed.
Phuket now has an extensive infrastructure with international hospitals, decent-sized
roads, shopping galore and some of Thailand's best restaurants. Leisure activities
include sailing, diving, excellent golf opportunities and swimming.
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