Phuket

The biggest draw of the South cannot be any other place than Phuket, Thailand's dreamy island province in the Andaman Sea.

The word Phuket was formerly believed to have come from the Malayan word Bukit, which means a mountain. However, it has recently been dickered that Phuket is actually a Thai word meaning a mountain (phu) of jewel (ket). The name is recorded in a Thai chronicle, though the spelling of the second syllable has been changed.

Formerly known as Ko (island) Thalang, Phuket was only noted for its rich tin ores, from which its wealth was derived. Today, it is better known as a tourist paradise, a most rewarding place for holiday makers. With its magnificent long white beaches, its luxuriant vegetation, its crystal blue sea water, its fantastic undersea scenery, its calm and relaxing tropical atmosphere, and its fresh prawns, lobsters and other kinds of seafood, Phuket-the pearl of the South-entices many travelers to visit her again and again.

How to get there:

By Road:
862 km. from Bangkok by Highway No. 4 ( Bangkok to Ban Klok Kloi, Phang Nga Province), then by Highway No. 402 (Ban Khok Kloi to Phuket town), about 13 hrs' drive.
Daily coach service:
Between Bangkok and Phuket available from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal.
By air: 1.10 hrs, several flights daily.
No rail service.

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