Pop. : 168.000 h
Pin Code : 83000
Country Code : 076


Local weather
Good plans

Phuket is the name used for a province, an island and a town. The island stretches on about 60 kilometers from north to south and about 20 kms from east to west, so its surface is approximately 810 km2. It’s the biggest Thailand’s island. Its northern extremity is linked to the continent by a bridge measuring a few hundred meters called the Saracenic bridge. Phuket is located on the western cost of the thai isthmus, Indian Ocean side which is called for his part closed to the cost Andaman Sea. The island is only exactly 1000 kms away from the capital Bangkok.

The main Phuket resources are tourism, hevea plantations (tree producing rubber) and coconut and cashew trees plantations, tin (mainly a past wealth as actually on very strong decline or even totally disappeared) and then fishing industry. It is after Bangkok, the richest part of Thailand. A quarter of its 230 000 inhabitants (except tourism and immigrant work force) lives in Phuket City, the administrative capital of the island. Phuket population is composed of  Thais, Chinese, numerous Muslims of Malaysian origin (approximately 35% of the global Phuket population), of Chao Nam (sea gypsies) and also of Europeans and Indians who came and seeked here their fortune, working in restaurants, tourism for the first ones and clothes and fabric business for the second ones.

Phuket Island began to become well known in the 70’s, with the hippies’ arrival, amplified in the 80’s by the fashion of “sun in winter”. At this time the island began its huge touristic growth, which didn’t go without spoiling part of its marvelous landscapes. The anarchic construction of huge hotels right on the beaches borders ruined the most beautiful ones. However, Phuket remains one of the most valued « sun destination » and its huge number of beaches and small remote bays still allow you to find a small paradise spot away from the tourists' crowd.

There are about 3 millions tourists visiting Phuket every year. They come in majority from Europe (Germany, France, Italy and mainly from northern countries.) but also from Asia (Korea, Hong Kong, Japan...).

Phuket island is a totally wonderful site but mainly the western and southern costs seem to be born from an exotic dream. The coastline offers extraordinary variety of colors and majestic landscapes. The hills are covered with thick tropical forest going down till white sand beaches bordering an emerald green sea. The coral reefs, leveling some bays, are treasures to worship, and it is no use being a diver to fully admire  and enjoy the corals and multicolored fishes symphony.A simple mask and a tuba are more than enough. If you are lucky you will even be able to see lobsters and octopuses. For more experienced divers, Phuket offers some of the most marvelous diving sites all over the world.

How to go to Phuket ?

From Bangkok :

By bus : 1000 km and 14 hours bus… It is the cheapest way to reach Phuket from the capital. There are buses for all types of pockets.. from the cheapest ones without AC and which stops on the way to take passengers till the most expensive ones the VIPs, comfortable (A.C, only 24 seats to improve the space for each passenger) and fast. Departure from Southern Bus Terminal. Numerous companies, with a lot of departures every day with or without A.C. For VIP buses, be ready to spend approximately 970 B for a one way ticket. Most departures are between 3 and 5 p.m., with arrival in Phuket the next morning. As usual in Thailand, food and drinks (without alcohol) are included in the ticket price.

By plane : approximately 10 Thai Airways flights per day. Little less during the rain season. 1h25 flight. Tariffs on 01/01/2006 : 2950 B for a one way ticket, 5900 B for a return ticket. Thais can get 15 % discount at certain times of the day. Enquire at the counter. Other destinations by Thai Airways :

• Chieng-Maï - 1h55 flight
• Hat Yaï - 0h45
• Narathiwat - 1h
• Singapour 1h45
• Hong Kong 3h35

Thai Arways office in Phuket : 78, Ranong Road Phone : 211 195 Domestic flights and 212 499 international flights. Locate on Phuket-City map. Company website : http://www.thaiair.com/

When to go to Phuket ?

Avoid the period from May till October rather rainy in Phuket and specially September. December, January and February are the nicest months to visit Phuket. Beware of sea currents which can be very dangerous from Mai till October.

		Jan	Feb	March	April	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Average
Temperature	°C	26.9	27.6	28.3	28.5	28.1	28.3	27.8	28.0	27.2	27.1	27.0	26.7	27.6
Pluviometry	mm	35.0	30.7	38.8	163.2	348.2	212.8	263.0	262.6	419.3	305.4	207.3	52.0	194.9

Today’s temperature :

Transport on the island

To go to Phuket-City the best is to use Thai Limousines from the airport (approximately 400 B). There is also a bus service: from the airport to the town, bus every hour from 6.30 a.m. till 8.30 p.m. and from Phuket City to airport: bus from 5 a.m. till 8.30 p.m. Tariff 52 B in 2006. Enquiries: 01 415 22 11 or 076 241 463.

There are also connections till the main island beaches. You then can choose between:

• Tuk-tuk: you will find them everywhere but they generally are very expensive. Bargain a lot if you don’t want to be cheated!
• Songthaews: they ply between Phuket City center, precisely the Old Market (Ranong Rd), and the island beaches. Easy and cheap.
• Moto taxis: 20 B taking charge and then 10 B per kilometer (tariff to be negotiated!)  To be multiplied by 2 if you are 2 passengers.
• Car rent: a good address = Pure Car Rent, 75 Rasada Road Website : http://www.purecarrent.com/. Competitive prices and full cover insurance included.
• Motorbikes rent: all over the town and beaches. We have no preference.

To be seen in Phuket

The best to visit Phuket is not to stay "prisoner" of a particular beach, as there are so many wonderful sites to discover on this island and to rent a bike or even better a car.