Phuket Island located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman Sea, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South’s wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province. Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of proximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide. Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.
Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of Phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23 C and 33C. Phuket’s topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.
Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.
Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging
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Phuket Population |
The island’s official population as of December 1998 was 231,206. Most live in Phuket town. Thirty percent of the island’s populations are Chinese descendants. But they differ from those in Bangkok because they came from the Hokkien region of China, who migrated to Phuket during the boom of the tin mining industry in the 17th – 18th century. Today, the Chinese are responsible for much of the trade and commerce in the city. They also represent the strongest culture of Phuket town. Equal to the Chinese descendants is the Thai Muslim community which also comprises 30 per cent of the island’s population. Muslims living in southern Thailand are of Malaysian extraction and arrived at an early date. There are also a small number of sea gypsies living in a village in Ko Sirey. By far, sea gypsies are the most interesting original inhabitants of Phuket Island but the intrusion of tourists is impinging on their lifestyle. With the tourism boom in Phuket during the last decade, Phuket has attracted people from other regions to work in the tourism industry, which is now the largest source of income. So it’s easy for tourists to spot the local people who can communicate in English.
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| Travel to Phuket |
By car From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road) through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 12 hours.

By air This is perhaps the easiest way to get to Phuket. Domestic airlines operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Phuket. Some flights go to Phuket via Samui Island with a 40-minute stopover. List of operators are as follows:
Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya and Samui. For more information, browse its website at www.bangkokair.com Thai Airways International has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Phuket route. In addition, they have regular flights connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat Provinces. For more information, book your seat online at www.thaiairways.com
Air Asia also offers several daily flights connecting Bangkok and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Visit www.airasia.com for reservations.
By bus Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips by air-conditioned bus, which normally leaves in the evening, take about 13 hours. Or visit www.transport.co.th Getting to Phuket from abroad
There are several direct flights between Phuket and international destinations, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, and Sydney.
Dragon Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air and Singapore Airlines also operate international flights connecting Phuket with other destinations. Please contact our office for more details.
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Phuket Population |
The island’s official population as of December 1998 was 231,206. Most live in Phuket town. Thirty percent of the island’s populations are Chinese descendants. But they differ from those in Bangkok because they came from the Hokkien region of China, who migrated to Phuket during the boom of the tin mining industry in the 17th – 18th century. Today, the Chinese are responsible for much of the trade and commerce in the city. They also represent the strongest culture of Phuket town. Equal to the Chinese descendants is the Thai Muslim community which also comprises 30 per cent of the island’s population. Muslims living in southern Thailand are of Malaysian extraction and arrived at an early date. There are also a small number of sea gypsies living in a village in Ko Sirey. By far, sea gypsies are the most interesting original inhabitants of Phuket Island but the intrusion of tourists is impinging on their lifestyle. With the tourism boom in Phuket during the last decade, Phuket has attracted people from other regions to work in the tourism industry, which is now the largest source of income. So it’s easy for tourists to spot the local people who can communicate in English. |
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FERRY TIMETABLE IN ANDAMAN SEA |
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FROM |
TO |
DEPARTURE |
ARRIVE |
Phuket |
Phi Phi |
08.30 Am. |
10.00 Am. |
*Phuket |
Phi Phi |
11.00 Am. |
12.30 Pm. |
Phuket |
Ao Nang |
08.30 Am. |
10.15 Am. |
Phuket |
Railay |
08.30 Am. |
10.45 Am. |
Phi Phi |
Phuket |
09.00 Am. |
10.30 Am. |
*Phi Phi |
Phuket |
13.30 Pm. |
15.00 Pm. |
Phi Phi |
Phuket |
14.30 Pm. |
16.00 Pm. |
Phi Phi |
Krabi |
09.00 Am. |
10.30 Am. |
Phi Phi |
Krabi |
14.30 Pm. |
16.00 Pm. |
Phi Phi |
Railay |
15.30 Pm. |
16.45 Pm. |
Phi Phi |
Ao Nang |
15.30 Pm. |
17.00 Pm. |
*Phi Phi |
Lanta |
11.30 Am. |
12.30 Pm. |
*Phi Phi |
Lanta |
14.00 Pm. |
15.00 Pm. |
*Lanta |
Phi Phi |
08.00 Am. |
09.00 Am. |
*Lanta |
Phi Phi |
13.00 Pm. |
14.00 Pm. |
Phuket |
Koh Yao Yai |
09.00 Am. |
09.25 Am. |
Phuket |
Koh Yao Yai |
10.00 Am. |
11.00 Am. |
Phuket |
Koh Yao Yai |
14.00 Pm. |
15.00 Pm. |
**Koh Yao Yai |
Phuket |
08.00 Am. |
09.00 Am. |
Koh Yao Yai |
Phuket |
15.00 Pm. |
16.00 Pm. |
Koh Yao Yai |
Phuket |
16.00 |
16.25 Pm. |
Phuket |
Koh Yao Noi |
12.00 Pm. |
13.00 Pm. |
Phuket |
Koh Yao Noi |
14.00 Pm. |
15.00 Pm. |
Satun (Pakbara) |
Koh Lipeh |
13.00 Pm. |
14.00 Pm. |
***Koh Lipeh |
Pakbara |
10.00 Am. |
11.00 Am. |
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Remark: *Operate during November – April. Only.
** Except Friday boats leave at 15.00 Pm. Only.
***On Monday, Wednesday and Friday boats leave from Pakbara to
Koh Lipeh at 11.30 Am.
Notice: The itinerary can be changed depend on the weather and sea conditions.
For more information please feel free to contact us. |
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FERRY TIMETABLE IN GULF OF THAI |
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FROM |
TO |
DEPARTURE |
ARRIVE |
*Suratthani (Donsak) |
Koh Samui |
06.00 Am. |
07.30 Am. |
**Koh Samui |
Suratthani |
05.00 Am. |
06.30 Am. |
Suratthani |
Koh Phangan |
06.00 Pm. |
10.30 Pm. |
Suratthani |
Koh Phangan |
07.30 Am. |
12.00 Pm. |
Suratthani |
Koh Phangan |
12.30 Pm. |
17.30 Pm. |
Suratthani |
Koh Phangan |
15.00 Pm. |
19.00 Pm. |
Suratthani |
Koh Phangan |
23.00 Pm. |
05.30 Am. |
Koh Phangan |
Suratthani |
07.00 Am. |
10.30 Am. |
Koh Phangan |
Suratthani |
12.30 Pm. |
16.00 Pm. |
Koh Phangan |
Suratthani |
13.00 Pm. |
16.30 Pm. |
Koh Phangan |
Suratthani |
17.00 Pm. |
21.30 Pm. |
Koh Phangan |
Suratthani |
22.00 Pm. |
05.30 Am. |
Koh Phangan |
Koh Tao |
08.30 Am. |
09.30 Am. |
Koh Tao |
Koh Phangan |
10.30 Am. |
11.30 Am. |
Suratthani |
Koh Tao |
08.00 Am. |
14.30 Pm. |
Suratthani |
Koh Tao |
23.00 Pm. |
08.00 Am. |
Koh Tao |
Suratthani |
10.00 Am. |
16.30 Am. |
Koh Tao |
Suratthani |
20.30 Pm. |
05.30 Am. |
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Remark: *Boats leave every hour from 06.00 Am. – 19.00 Pm.
** Boats leave every hour from 05.00 Am. – 18.00 Pm.
Notice: The itinerary can be changed depend on the weather and sea conditions.
For more information please feel free to contact us. |
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