Phuket Info

Washed by emerald water of the Andaman Sea Phuket is the largest and the most developed island in Thailand. Here you'll find everything that the inventive fantasy of the traveler can only visualize: the beautifull beaches, first-class hotels, any forms of aqueous sport, excellent food, tropical jungle, Buddhist temple, many-colored coral reefs, the most tender waters of Andaman sea and summer sun; It doesnt matter if you're looking for romantic solitude on the sea shore or you hope to gaily spend time, having boundlessly dipped into the whirlpool of night life; Phuket will serve you all.
First time Phuket island is mentioned in the Malay chronicles, dated by 1200. Earlier it was considered that “Phuket” is the distortion of Malay word “Bukit”. What in English means “mountain”.
The Island runs 48 kilometers (34 miles) north to south and 21 kilometers (16 miles) east to west. Phuket is broken by a chain of mountains and valleys mainly from a north-south range running down the west coast. This accounts for about 70% of the land area. The tallest peak, Mai Tao Sip Song (12 Cane Peak) is 529 meters. The other 30% of the island is flat land located mainly in the central and eastern portions of the island. Laying in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand’s west coast, the island’s terrain is incredibly varied, with rocky headlands, long broad sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, forested hills, small estuaries, lagoons, and tropical vegetation of all kinds. Its large size has allowed microclimates to develop in different areas of the island.
Today, Phuket is officially registered 334,200 inhabitants from whom 71% comprise the Buddhists, 25% Muslims and 4% of Sea gypsies ( Chao Le), the first settlers on the island. The majority of population is concentrated in 2 regions: Phuket city and Patong Beach .

Climate

Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always warm and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degree Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degree Celsius.

Hot season from November to April
Rainy season from May to October

The temperature throughout the year varies between 24-36 C. It rains about 170 days in the year with average annual rainfall of 2,300 mm. It's humidity 70%. About 70% mountainous area mostly located in the South. There is no important river but a total of a brooks and creeks. Yet there are two waterfalls named Tonsai and Krathu waterfall.

Government

The island is divided into three districts, Thalang in the north, Kathu in the west, and Muang in the south. Thailand 's system of government relies upon a strong central authority, thus the Provincial Governor is a civil servant appointed by the Interior Ministry in Bangkok , as are the Nai Amphoe, or District Chief. The cities of Phuket and Patong have their own city governments, with elected city councils, the leading members of which serve as mayor. There are also elected provincial, district, and sub-district, or Tambon councils. The local constabulary is part of the Interior Ministry.