Phuket is the largest island belonging to Thailand. The island is located in the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean, off the west coast of Thailand. The island is connected to the mainland by three bridges. It should be noted that the name Phuket is not only the city, but also the island where it is located, as well as the province of the same name.
The city of Phuket is home to just over 80 thousand people, and the population of the entire island is over 320 thousand people. The island is also home to Phuket International Phuket Airport, with flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The capital of Phuket province, Phuket City (as it has been called since 2004) was founded more than a century ago by Chinese and Malay merchants to serve the tin mines. A convenient harbor became the basis for the development of the seaport. Phuket's main population is now Chinese.
History of Phuket tourism
Today Phuket is a tourist and cultural center, but few people know that until 200 years ago there was impenetrable jungle on the territory of the island. On the site of the now popular Patong Beach was a small village of a few dilapidated huts. Its inhabitants were virtually cut off from civilization, fishing and harvesting bananas from plantations.
In the 1950s, a road was built from Patong to Phuket Town, the central part of the island. Locals began immigrating en masse to the capital in search of a more comfortable life and more income. Plus, there was electricity - an unaffordable luxury for many at the time.
In the 1970s, tourists from all over the world began arriving in Phuket, attracted by the undiscovered exoticism of the bay on the western side of the island.
So in 1976 another road was built from the capital to Patong, and in 1979 electricity was brought to the coast. And here in the 80's begins the development of tourist infrastructure: build mini-hotels, cottages, cozy cafes and stores. The first center of nightlife - Bangla Road appears. Patong gets the status of a municipality.
