South
Thailand / Phuket
Phuket is
Thailand's largest island (approximately the size of Singapore)
and nestles against the Indian Ocean coast some 890km (556mi)
south of Bangkok.
Phuket derives
its wealth from tin and rubber, is blessed with
teeming marine life, and has enjoyed a rich and colorful history.
The island was on one of the main trade routes between India
and China and was often mentioned in the ships' logs of
Indian, Arabian, Chinese and European visitors. The Portuguese,
French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were
less friendly. The island's most famous monument is the
memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sisunthon
who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.
The island
is blessed with magnificent bays, powdery, palm-fringed white
beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people,
comfortable accommodation, superb seafood, tropically vegetated
mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century
Indo/Portuguese and Chinese-influenced architecture
which create an enchanting ambience.
Phuket's Indian
Ocean coastline boasts the finest beaches while the eastern
coastline overlooks some 30 lesser islands occupying largely
tranquil seas. Islands vary greatly in size. Some are large enough
to sustain fishing communities, coconut plantations, sea crocodiles,
deer and wild boar. Others are little larger than massive rocks,
while still others resemble fortresses and are riddled with
caves containing birds' nests prized by gourmets. Additional
information on Phuket:
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Most adverse effects have been attributed to the chemical component glycyrrhiza (or glycyrrhizic acid).
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http://www.asiatour.com/thailand/e-06sout/et-sou21.htm
Jan Garanoz
869/116 Thanon Pemavipat,
Chiang Rai, 57000 Thailand
Created: September 1, 1995
Last updated: January 29, 2010