A Gem in the Andaman Sea - Phuket Island

Phuket Island (Thai: ภูเก็ต) is under the jurisdiction of Phuket Province of the Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 543 square kilometers. It is the largest island in Thailand and also the smallest province. In 2014, the island had a population of over 600,000. Phuket Island is located to the southwest of Thailand, above the southeastern waters of the Andaman Sea. It is an elongated island that is longer from north to south (the longest point being 48.7 kilometers) and narrower from east to west (the widest point being 21.3 kilometers). To the north, it is adjacent to the Phang Nga Province of mainland Thailand across the Pak Prah Strait, while on the east side, it faces Krabi Province across Phang Nga Bay. The west and south coasts are bordered by the Andaman Sea. Due to its location facing the Andaman Sea, Phuket Island's climate is greatly influenced by the maritime monsoon, with the first half of the year being hot and the latter half being rainy. Phuket Island, with its enchanting tropical scenery and rich tourism resources, is known as 'A Gem in the Andaman Sea.' It is also extremely rich in natural resources, earning it the nicknames 'Treasure Island' and 'Island of Gold and Silver.' The main mineral resource is tin, and the island also produces rubber, marine products, and various fruits. Both industry and tourism are well-developed on the island. The capital, Phuket Town, is located in the southeastern part of the island and is a major port and commercial center. Phuket Island Foreign Name ภูเก็ต, Phuket Island Alias The Pearl of Thailand Type of Administrative Division Province Region Southeast Asia, Kingdom of Thailand Subordinate Areas Phuket City, Kathu District, Thalang District Government Seat Phuket City Geographical Location Southwest of Thailand, southeast of the Andaman Sea Area 543 square kilometers Population 600,000 people (2014) Dialect Southern Thai Climate Tropical monsoon climate Famous Attractions Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay, Emperor Island, Similan Islands Airport Phuket International Airport