History

There is a common misconception that the island of Phuket is a recent find—that backpackers stumbled across a tropical haven in the 1960s and it was only then that its history began. Nothing could be further from the truth, although records are scarce and much of the island's background relies upon the documentation of foreign visitors and archaeological finds of the past three decades.

The geographical location of Phuket ensured that it would be stumbled upon by traders from the West, traveling from India to the Far East and looking for an easier passage than sailing south through the then uncharted waters of Malaysia and Indonesia. Historical records tell of sailors visiting the island as far back as the 9th Century and antique charts show the island's position as far back as the 2nd Century (Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria produced a map featuring what looks like Phuket).

Although the island's coves and bays were frequently used as safe harbors from the storms so frequent in the Andaman Sea, it was not until the 13th Century that the Thais discovered the island and began trading here. For the travelers from the West, they also provided food and shelter from the pirates so prevalent between India and Peninsular Malaysia at the time. Known as 'Junk Ceylon' the island was predominately populated by Mon-Khmers from Burma and the Chao Talay, now commonly known as Sea Gypsies and famed for their talents in fishing, diving and sailing.

The arrival of the Thais led to tin mining, a very lucrative trade as the tin veins were close to the surface and easy to exploit. As trade routes grew, the island blossomed and became famous as a pearl-fishing center (the Phuket Sea Shell Museum not far from Rawai Beach has many fine examples from this period). As news of these riches traveled to Europe in the 16th Century, Dutch pearl traders arrived by the hundreds. In addition to tin and pearls, the Europeans sought precious rhino horn, colorful corals, ambergris and valuable bird's nests to trade with the Chinese. Phang Nga Bay to the northeast of Phuket is still an area famed for the quality (and cost) of its bird's nests.

The centuries-long threat of Burmese aggression came to a bloody conclusion in 1785, when a marauding force swept across the island in an attempt to take it for their own. Following the death of the governor of (then capital) Thalang, his grieving widow, Chan, and her sister, Muk, led a group of Thai forces and repelled the invaders. Disguised as men, their courage terrified the Burmese, who fled north after a seven-week insurgence. In recognition of their bravery, the sisters were honored by King Rama I and given the noble titles of Lady Thepsatri and Tao Srisuntorn. A bronze statue of the two, swords drawn, was erected in the center of Thalang in 1966. The Heroines Monument is regularly visited by locals, who rub gold leaf on the base as both a mark of respect and as a way to seek merit. Just off the Two Heroines Monument is the Thalang National Museum, which has a wide array of local history displays and artifacts.

In the late 18th Century, Captain Francis Light, an employee of The East India Company, traveled to 'Bukhit' (Malay for hill) to engage in commerce. He met and fell in love with a local woman whom he married, then declared the island a British outpost. However, as the island flourished, Bangkok ordered that Bukhit became part of The Kingdom of Thailand and Light retreated south to Penang and the Straits of Malacca. Had things been different, Phuket may well have become the equivalent of Singapore.

The 19th Century saw an influx of Chinese immigrants attracted by the rich natural resources—many later became owners of the tin mines and their resulting wealth is evident in the Sino-Thai architecture in Phuket Town today. Although outwardly a time of peace and prosperity, the quelling of a war between rival tin miners is celebrated by Wat Chalong, the most sacred of the 29 temples on the island. In 1903 the first rubber trees were planted, beginning another lucrative business, and Phuket, as it was now known, rapidly became the richest part of Thailand. Another Englishman, Captain Edward Miles, arrived in 1907 and proceeded to harness the power of local elephants to transport ore and other produce around the island. By 1910, Phuket had become the first place in Thailand to have paved roads and motorcars. In 1933, the island was declared an official province.

The mid-20th Century proceeded fairly quietly. Phuket was still unattached to the mainland and boat trips for tourists were infrequent. In the early 1970s Sarasin Bridge was built, connecting Phuket to neighboring Phang Nga Province. Soon, travelers began to arrive by the busload from Bangkok, roads were cut through the mountains to the stunning west coast beaches of Patong Beach, Kata Beach and Karon Beach, and tourism began to boom.

Although much of Phuket's heritage takes time to find, the search is worth it. Down small side streets in Phuket Town you can stumble across a centuries-old Chinese door, a Sino-Portuguese building and a temple hidden behind a modern convenience store. The wild rhino, once so prevalent on the island, have long since disappeared, as have the crocodiles. However, Phuket and the surrounding area are home to many National and Marine Parks, the islands of Phi Phi Islands and Krabi are a short boat-journey away and north of the island Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Park are idyllic retreats along the road to once-feared Burma (Myanmar). To the west lie the island groups of Surin Islands and Similan Islands, and to the northeast Phang Nga Bay features some of the most outstanding limestone scenery in Asia. The small domestic airport became an international airport in the 1990s and infrastructure expanded rapidly. Phuket is now the leading island holiday destination in Southeast Asia and is still the wealthiest province in Thailand.