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Phuket province

Phuket[a] is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast.[6] Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.

"Phuket" redirects here. For other uses, see Phuket (disambiguation).

Phuket
ภูเก็ต

ภูเก็ต (pronounced [pʰûː.két̚])

Bukit (Rumi)
بوکيت‎ (Jawi)

普吉
Phóo-kiat (Tâi-lô)

Thailand

Phuket (city)

Narong Woonsiew
(Since 15 Jun 2020)[1]

543 km2 (210 sq mi)

Ranked 76th

416,582

Ranked 63rd

755/km2 (1,960/sq mi)

Ranked 4th

0.6399 "average"
Ranked 41st

baht 209 billion
(US$7.5 billion) (2019)

UTC+7 (ICT)

83xxx

076

TH-83

phuket.go.th

Phuket province, encompassing an area of 576 km2 (222 sq mi), ranks as the second-smallest province in Thailand. Its size is comparable to, albeit slightly smaller than, that of Singapore. Historically, Phuket Island was situated on a major trading route between India and China. This strategic location led to its frequent mention in the logs of foreign ships, including those from Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England. Despite this attention from various European powers, Phuket was never colonized by any European nation.


Economically, the province's wealth was initially derived from tin and rubber production. In more recent times, Phuket has transitioned to tourism as its primary source of income. More than 100,000 foreigners are estimated to have settled in Phuket.[7]

Toponymy[edit]

There are several possible derivations of the relatively recent name "Phuket" (of which the digraph ph represents an aspirated /pʰ/). One theory is it is derived from the word Bukit (Jawi: بوکيت‎) in Malay which means "hill", as this is what the island appears like from a distance.


Phuket was formerly known as Thalang (ถลาง Tha-Laang), derived from the old Malay Telong (Jawi: تلوڠ‎) which means "cape". The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name. In Western sources and navigation charts, it was known as Junk Ceylon or Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang; Jawi: تنجوڠ سالڠ‎; i.e., "Cape Salang").[8]: 179 

Geography

Andaman Sea

7°53′24″N 98°23′54″E / 7.89000°N 98.39833°E / 7.89000; 98.39833

576 km2 (222 sq mi)

50 km (31 mi)

20 km (12 mi)

529 m (1736 ft)

Khao Mai Thao Sip Song

386,605 (2015)

1,042/km2 (2699/sq mi)

Administrative divisions[edit]

Provincial government[edit]

Phuket is divided into three districts (amphoe), which are further divided into 17 subdistricts (tambon), and 103 villages (muban).

Health[edit]

6 hospitals exist in Phuket. The main hospital in Phuket operated by the Ministry of Public Health is Vachira Phuket Hospital, with smaller hospitals at Thalang and Patong. 3 Private hospitals exist which are Phuket International Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, and Mission Hospital Phuket.

Sport[edit]

Phuket F.C., also known as The Southern Sea Kirins, was established in 2009 and subsequently joined the Regional League South Division. The team designated Surakul Stadium as their home ground for matches. Sirirak Konthong took the helm as the inaugural coach of the team. In their formative year, Phuket F.C. demonstrated significant progress in the league.


The 2010 season marked a notable achievement for Phuket F.C., as the team clinched the title in the Southern Regional Division 2. Despite a loss to Buriram FC in the final, Phuket F.C. secured second place in the Division 2 Champions League. This performance facilitated their promotion to the Thai Division 1 League for the 2011 season.


In 2017, Phuket F.C. was officially dissolved. This decision was influenced by financial difficulties, particularly issues surrounding the termination of contracts.[50]


The following year, in 2018, Phuket F.C. underwent significant changes. The club merged with Banbueng F.C.,[51] a move that resulted in a substantial reorganization. By 2019, this merged entity adopted the name Phuket City.[52] However, this renaming was short-lived. Subsequent changes in the club's management, particularly a takeover by the board members of Banbueng F.C., led to a reversion to the name Banbueng F.C. Along with this change in nomenclature, the club relocated its home ground to the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi.


In a separate development, Patong City, another football club, marked a notable milestone in 2020. The club participated in the 2020–21 Thai League 3 Southern Region, marking its first appearance in this league. This participation signified a new chapter in the club's history and its evolving presence in regional football.[53]

The is a prominent statue of Gautama Buddha in the Maravichai posture, situated in Phuket. This statue stands at a height of 45 m (148 ft) and spans 25.45 m (83.5 ft) in width. Constructed primarily from concrete and clad in Burmese white marble, it overlooks Ao Chalong Bay. The statue serves as the principal Buddha image for Wat Kitthi Sankaram (Wat Kata) temple. In 2008, Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, designated the Phuket Big Buddha as the 'Buddhist Treasure of Phuket.'

Phuket Big Buddha

The Two Heroines Monument (อนุสาวรีย์วีรสตรี), located in Thalang District, is a memorial dedicated to . These figures are historically significant for their role in mobilizing residents to repel Burmese forces during an invasion in 1785.[54]

Thao Thep Kasattri (Kunying Jan) and Thao Sri Sunthon (Mook)

The Thalang National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ ถลาง), established in 1985 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Thalang War, is an institution that showcases the cultural and historical heritage of Phuket and its surrounding regions.

[55]

(หาดกะรน), known as the second largest tourist beach in Phuket,[56] is situated approximately 20 km (12 mi) from the town center.

Hat Karon

The Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon Fair, observed annually on March 13, commemorates the heroines Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon. These figures are celebrated for their leadership in mobilizing the people of Thalang to defend against Burmese invaders. This event holds significant historical importance in Phuket.

, known in Hokkien as 'Kiú-Hông Sēng-Huē' or 'Kiú-Hông Iâ', and locally among the Chinese community in Phuket as the Vegetarian Festival ('Tsia̍h-tshài-tseh' in Hokkien or 'เทศกาลกินเจ' (กินผัก-เจี๊ยะฉ่าย) in Thai), occurs on the first day of the ninth Chinese lunar month. This period usually falls between late September and early October. During this festival, Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry adhere to a nine-day vegetarian diet, a practice believed to bring purification and avert troubles in the coming year. The festival is known for its ascetic rituals, including fire-walking and ladder-climbing on sharp blades.[59]

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

The , or 'Phóo-tōo-tseh' in Hokkien ('Û-lân-phûn Sēng-Huē' in full), is celebrated on the middle day of the seventh Chinese lunar month. Central to this festival is the tradition of ancestor worship, which involves preparing food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper, symbolizing material items like clothes and gold for the spirits. The festival typically includes serving elaborate vegetarian meals with seats reserved for deceased family members. Activities may also encompass the release of miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, symbolizing guidance for lost souls.

Ghost Festival

Phuket King's Cup Regatta (งานแข่งเรือใบชิงถ้วยพระราชทาน), held each December, is a prominent yachting event hosted by the Kata Beach Resort. It attracts participants, predominantly yachtsmen from neighboring countries, competing for various trophies.

[60]

The Laguna Phuket Triathlon (ลากูน่าภูเก็ตไตรกีฬา) is an annual event held each December in Phuket. This triathlon, comprising a 1,800 m (5,900 ft) swim, a 55 km (34 mi) bike race, and a 12 km (7.5 mi) run, along with a 6 km (3.7 mi) fun run, attracts a diverse array of athletes from around the globe.

[61]

The Phuket Travel Fair (เทศกาลเปิดฤดูการท่องเที่ยวจังหวัดภูเก็ต), also known as the Patong Carnival, commences on November 1st each year. Predominantly celebrated in Patong, this event is characterized by colorful parades, sports events, and beauty competitions, attracting significant participation from both foreign tourists and Thai nationals. The opening of the Patong Carnival is a particularly popular event, drawing crowds exceeding 30,000 visitors.

[62]

The Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival (งานประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) is observed annually during the middle of the sixth and eleventh lunar months. This festival involves communities from the sea gypsy villages of Rawai and Sapam, Ko Si-re, and Laem La, located near Phuket's northern tip. Key activities include nighttime ceremonies where small boats are set adrift, a tradition akin to the Thai festival of Loi Krathong, aimed at dispelling evil and bringing good fortune.

Phuket Bike Week is recognized as the largest motorbike event in Asia. It annually draws motorcyclists and spectators from various countries, including France. The event features a range of activities such as motorcycle exhibitions, bike parades themed 'Ride for Peace', custom bike contests, and live entertainment. Additionally, it includes competitions like Mr. Phuket Bike Week and showcases bike accessories and apparel from both local and international vendors.[64]

[63]

Monument to Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon in Phuket

Monument to Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon in Phuket

Kata Noi Beach

Kata Noi Beach

Big Buddha monument overlooking Phuket

Big Buddha monument overlooking Phuket

Patong Beach

Patong Beach

Ko Hae Island

Ko Hae Island

Phromthep Cape and Kaeo Yai Island

Phromthep Cape and Kaeo Yai Island

Mai Khao, Thalang District

Mai Khao, Thalang District

Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David:

Phuket’s Historic Peranakan Community

Phuket travel guide from Wikivoyage

PhuketSilkProperties,

A Complete Guide to Safely Purchasing Property in Phuket

7°53′24″N 98°23′54″E / 7.89000°N 98.39833°E / 7.89000; 98.39833