Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is often dubbed “the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south”. Its natural resources- rocky peninsulas, 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 approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if it’s 39 other small islands are included. The island’s total length, from north to south, is 48.7 kilometers and 21.3 kilometers wide.
Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea and Phang-Nga Bay– where many world class diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by the Sarasin and Thep Krasattri Bridges.
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). Visitors are not recommended to travel to Phuket between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, however, 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 33?C. |
