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 Phuket,
also known as "The Pearl of the Andaman",
is Thailand's biggest island and one of the country's
most important tourist attractions. Roughly the
same size as Singapore, the terrain is varied
and features a hilly backbone, magnificent west
coast beaches and a secluded east coast. Phuket's
climate is tropical with temperatures hovering
about 30 degrees centigrade all-year round. There
are two monsoon seasons; one from May to October
and a cooler period from December to April. Recent
History: Over 100 years ago a large influx of
Chinese Hokkien labourers arrived to work in the
tin mines and many stayed. Today, the island has
more of a Chinese flavour than most Thai provinces.
After the tin boom subsided, tourism became an
important industry and most of the west coast
is devoted to hotels and their spin-off enterprises.
The property market on Phuket has blossomed within
the last few years and partly as a result the
face of the island has changed. Phuket now has
an extensive infrastructure with international
hospitals, decent-sized roads, shopping galore
and some of Thailand's best restaurants. Leisure
activities include sailing, diving, excellent
golf opportunities and swimming.
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