Phuket is the biggest island in
Thailand, located in the
Andaman Sea of southern Thailand.
The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of the
Phuket mountain range, which ranges for
440 km from the
Kra Isthmus. The highest elevation of the island is Mai Thao Sip
Song (
Twelve Canes), at 529 m above sea level.
It is estimated that Phuket has a total area of about 570 square kilometres (including the provinces other islands). Phuket is about 536 miles (862 kilometres) south of
Bangkok, and covers an area of about 134,178 acres (543 square kilometres) excluding small islets. It is estimated that if all its 39 other small islands are included,
Phuket Province will cover an area of about
145,792 acres (590 square kilometres). The island total length, from north to south, is estimated at 30 miles (48.7 kilometres) and 13 miles (21.3 kilometres) wide.
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 nine brooks and creeks.
Forest, rubber and palm oil plantations cover 60% of the island. The western coast has several sandy beaches, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy.
Near the southernmost
point is Laem Promthep (
Brahma's Cape), which is a popular sunset viewing point
. In the mountainous north of the island is the Khao
Phra Thaeo Non-hunting
Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest. The three highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 mtrs), Khao
Bang Pae (388 mtrs) and Khao
Phara (422 mtrs). The
Sirinat National Park on the northwestern coast was established in
1981 and protects an area of 90 km² (68 km² marine area), including the Nai
Yang beach where sea turtles lay their eggs.
One of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket is
Patong Beach on the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in
Patong, and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in
Thai. Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include
Karon Beach,
Kata Beach,
Kata Noi Beach, and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Rawai. To the north of Patong are
Kamala Beach,
Surin Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong. There are many islands to the southeast, including Bon
Island, just a short boat trip away. There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the
Similan Islands lie to the north west, and
Phi Phi Islands to the south east.
Islanders engage in a lively tourist trade, catering to snorkellers and scuba divers.
- published: 06 Oct 2011
- views: 215