Phuket’s long history is steeped with interest from people from beyond its shores. The first mention of Phuket island is seen in the the records of Ptolemy a Third Century Greek geographer. His records mention that while on a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula he passed through the cape of Jang Si Lang. Jang Si Lang translated means ‘Junk Ceylon’, this name is used to identify Phuket on ancient maps of Thailand.

Phuket is thought to have been part of the Shivite Empire in the first millennium. This was known as Tom Porn Ling in Thai and was located on the Malay Peninsula. It was also part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm Empires when they ruled 12 cities. Phuket was known by its emblem during this period. The emblem was that of a dog.

Phuket came under Thai control in the 13th century when the Sukothai Period began. It was associated with Takua – Pah, now the province of Phang Nga. Although Phuket was small it was economically important because of its reserves of ivory, gems, natural pearls, hides, spices, firewood, caulk for ship hulls, and ambergris. Phuket was even diverse in its array of visitors back then. The shores were filled with Malay pirates, Arabian traders, Tamil merchants, Han dynasty traders and Portuguese explorers.

During the 16th century a Dutch trading post was created to harvest Phuket’s plentiful tin resources. At the time the northern and eastern portions of Phuket island stayed in Thai hands, while the western and southern portions were ruled by the Dutch. Interest in Phuket spread to other cultures because of the growing importance of tin. French interest in Phuket led to the medical missionary Brother Renée Charbonneau being appointed Phuket governor in 1681. Interest in Phuket also spread to the British and the East India Company. They scouted Phuket as an ideal strategic strong hold to take control the Malacca Straits. Captain Francis Light was sent to Phuket to observe the island. However, the British ultimately chose Penang as their base, but Captain Light ended up marrying a local girl from Phuket and had a home built on the island.

When Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767 the island was in Limbo for a short period of time. Eventually, King Taksin fended off the invaders and the kingdom was reunified. However, the Burmese weren’t done yet they launched a raid by sea on Phuket with the goal of taking as many people as they could away to slavery. Captain Francis Light uncovered the Burmese plot to attack Phuket and he sent word of the attack to official.Kunying Jan, the wife of the recently deceased governor and Kunying Jan’s sister Mook rallied the led the people of Phuket to defend the island against the invaders. The battle lasted a month long, but ultimately the Burmese retreated on March 13th, 1785. King Rama I awarded Jan the title of Thao Thep Kasattri (Divine Lord of Kasattri), an honor typically reserved for royalty. Jan’s sister Mook was awarded the title Thao Sri Suntorn. The sisters are still known as Heroines and they are commemorated by a monument on Thep Kassattri road in Phuket.

Tin became an important resource in the 19th century. Phuket and Chinese laborers came to the island by the masses looking for work. During this time the Chinese influence began to dominate the island’s interior. The southern and coastal areas of Phuket were largely populated by Muslim fishermen. Two sects of Chinese workers that were unhappy with their wages and working conditions started a bloody crime spree of murder and theft in 1876. Phuket locals fled for shelter with the head monks in Wat Chalong. Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, the two head monks were thought to be great healers with supernatural powers. This enabled the monks to convince the enraged workers to stop their crime spree. In Wat Chalong statues of the two monks are used by locales to pray for guidance and good luck.

Phuket’s prominence continued to climb during the 19th and early 20th centuries and it was labeled a monthon and took control of Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang, Satun and Takua-Pah. The constitutional monarchy began in 1933 and Phuket became a province of Thailand. Since then it has been ruled by the Interior Ministry.

Phuket was one of the first areas to see the benefits when Thailand first started attracting tourists. The beautiful beaches and exquisite landscapes has turned the island into one of Asia’s most desired destinations. The construction of an airport, and easy road links also caused the island to blossom in the 1980s. Considering the fact that the island had welcomed foreigners for centuries they were already prepared for tourism and the industry rapidly grew. Today Thailand is home to some of the most sophisticated accommodations for visitors.

Phuket still continues its long established history of welcoming tourist as Thailand’s most desired vacation spot. Annually three million tourists come to Phuket to enjoy its white sand beaches, world-class diving and snorkelling and its vibrant nightlife. Phuket’s property market is also healthy and lucrative boasting world class accommodations. Each year a world-class regatta is held and tourists are catered to in the countries well developed commercial center that is home several international businesses.

Best of all Phuket still retains much of its traditional character. Phuket town is still where old Chinese trading families take care of their daily business.Each day regular Thai fishermen and their families still live their lives based upon the local Traditions. The curious Moken sea gypsies still eek out a living in a productive fashion unaffected by the western tourism bustling around them.

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