1. Phuket (pronounced Poo-get) is Thailand’s largest island situated off the west coast in the Andaman Sea. Two bridges connect the island of Phuket to mainland Thailand.
2. Phuket is one of the 76 provinces that make up the country of Thailand. With 69.5 million people, Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country. Tourism has helped convert Phuket island into Thailand’s wealthiest province.
3. More than 600,000 people live on the island of Phuket but the official registered Thai population was 360,905 people at the end of 2012. A combination of migrant workers, international expats, long-term tourists and Thais registered in other provinces who live in Phuket at least part of the year swell the population.
4. Phuket Town — the largest town in Phuket Province — is the economic hub of the island.
5. Cruise ships calling on Phuket can dock at Ao Makham Deep Sea Port approximately five miles south of Phuket Town, but during the favorable weather of November to April they often in anchor on the west side of the island and tender to a temporary pier at the south end of Patong Beach. Kalim Beach on the north end of Patong has also been used as a tender pier for cruise guests.