Phuket History

Pre 20th Century

Formerly called Ko Thalang and before that Junk Ceylon (an English corruption of the Malay 'Tanjung Salang' or Cape Salang), Phuket has a culture all of its own, combining Chinese and Portuguese influences with that of the Southern Thais and the chao leh, a seafaring, semi-nomadic group who depend on fishing and boat building, and who have occupied the area for a thousand years.

The island's location on the main sea trade route between China and India cemented its importance as a trading station and fishing centre. By the 16th century, a town on the southern coast - Bukit - had established itself as a major tin production hub, and was visited by traders from the major European colonial powers of the day, including England, Holland and Portugal. The central Thai government maintained control over the central and northern areas of the island, essentially renting out the southern area to European mining interests. With only a fraction of today's population, Phuket boasted an impressive checklist of fauna including rhinoceros, elephants and crocodiles.

Following the destruction of Thailand's capital, Ayuthaya, by the Burmese in 1767, and reunification under King Taksin, the Burmese sent an attack force to the islands of the Andaman Sea in 1785. Alerted to the impending attack by a passing ship captain, Phuket's women - led by the governor's wife Kunying Jan and her sister Mook - posed as armed men and struck a menacing pose along the coast. After some weeks, the Burmese force turned back, and the women were lauded for saving the island.

Modern

The 20th century saw the rise of rubber farming in Phuket, and the continued diversification of the island's ethnic make-up. From the late 1800s, an increasing number of Chinese immigrants arrived to work in the tin and rubber industries, while the coastal fishing population remained predominantly traditional Southern Thai Muslim. From the arrival of the first rubber tree in 1901, Thailand has gone on to become the largest exporter of rubber in the world.

Development on Phuket has been influenced by the fact that it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and so it receives much more vehicular traffic than any other island in the country. Combined with the opening of the Phuket Airport in 1976, this has aided in establishing Phuket as one of the most visited holiday destinations in all southeast Asia.

Phuket's high per-capita wealth has meant that there's plenty of money available for investment. While much of the island remains beautiful and unspoilt, the general growth of commercialism seen along the island's main roads detracts from Phuket's appeal: there seems to be a snake farm, bungee-jumping operation, billboard, half-built condo project, travel agency or craft shop every two minutes in the southern half of the island.

A turning point in tourism demographics occurred when a Club Méditerranée (Club Med) was established at Kata Beach, followed by the construction of the more lavish Phuket Yacht Club on Hat Nai Han and Le Meridien on Ao Karon Noi (Relax Bay). This marked an end to the decade-long cheap bungalow era, which started in the early 1970s when a 10-baht guesthouse was attached to a laundry on Hat Patong. The cheapies have long since been bought out and replaced by all manner of hotel and bungalow developments, some ill-conceived, others quite appealing and stylish. Indeed, Phuket is a mixed bag, combining everything from Irish pubs and tailor shops to chic lunch spots brimming with Gucci-clad clientele.

Recent

The 2004 tsunami wreaked havoc along the island's western and southwestern coast, and took nearly 900 lives. Beaches at Kamala, Bang Thao and Khao Lak incurred the heaviest damage, followed by Patong. Karon and Kata were moderately affected, and Surin hardly at all. Most beaches were more or less back to normal within eight months, but traveller numbers were slower to recover.

By 2007 visitor numbers had regained their health, with a host of new and refurbished top-end resorts luring tourists back to the island. But tragedy struck again that year as a plane crash at Phuket airport in September killed 90 people aboard a budget carrier flight. The accident temporarily closed the airport, but was not expected cause any real threat to traveller numbers.