Phuket Island
Location
Phuket is the largest island of Thailand. The main island itself has an area of about 539 sq.km., about the same size as Singapore. The total land area of the province, including 39 small nearby islets, is about 570 sq.km.
Phuket Island is located in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is connected to Phang-nga province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge. It is 862 km. away from Bangkok by road and one hour and 20 minutes by air. Phuket is surrounded by many spectacular and popular islands such as Koh Phi Phi and the Similans, as well as numerous smaller ones which are all worth a visit. Phuket’s weather is warm all year round. Most visitors from abroad prefer to visit in the high season at the end of the year, when the weather is warm and dry and you’re guaranteed many days of beautiful deep blue skies
Area
Phuket is the largest island of Thailand. The main island itself has an area of about 539 sq.km., about the same size as Singapore. The total land area of the province, including 39 small nearby islets, is about 570 sq.km.
Geography
Geography of Phuket is varied. The island is mostly granite and sedimentary rock. There are many hills, some rising above 500 meters. The main hill ranges run down the west coast of the island but there are hills everywhere. The flatlands are mostly urbanized or used for agriculture such as rubber and coconuts. There are also mangroves and tropical rainforest in Khao Phra Thaew National Park.
The best beaches are along the west coast of the island. They have been forged by the waves that beat into this side of the island through the rainy season creating spectacular beaches in bays split by rocky headlands.
Phuket lies off the west coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea, approximately 890km from Bangkok. It is Thailand’s largest island at 550sq km, roughly the same size as Singapore, and is surrounded by many smaller islands that add a further 70 sq km to its total land area. Phuket is separated from the mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, where a causeway connects the island to the mainland.
Phuket is quite hilly. There are a few peaks above 500m, the highest being Mai Tao Sipsong at 529m. Many of these are covered in lush jungle. The lowlands consist of rice paddies, plantations of rubber, pineapple and coconut as well as the only significant area of rainforest remaining on the island, which is now protected as Khao Phra Thaeo Park.
The most beautiful beaches are found on the West coast, separated by rocky coves and headlands. The east coast comprises limestone shoals with only a few sandy beaches while spectacular limestone islands adorn the horizon. Coral gardens full of exotic marine life dot the emerald waters surrounding the island, although sadly much of Phuket’s coral has been disappearing due to environmental pressures and human activities